Transit Committee – June 18, 2024

Transit Committee Meeting Recap – June 18, 2024

The City of Asheville Transit Committee convened virtually on June 18, 2024, focusing on a range of topics aimed at improving and expanding the city’s public transportation system. The meeting, attended by committee members Harvey Harrell, Colin Kenton, and Carol Wheeler, centered on ridership trends, ongoing initiatives outlined in the Transit Master Plan, and potential improvements to both service delivery and communication with riders. No public comments were received during the meeting itself, but committee members did share observations and a resident raised a specific concern.

A key decision made during the meeting was the approval of minutes from previous meetings held on June 18th and May 21st, 2024. Beyond that formal approval, a significant portion of the discussion revolved around planning for a four-hour Transit Committee retreat. This retreat, intended to replace a regularly scheduled meeting, will allow for deeper dives into strategic planning and is currently being organized by a working group. Committee members will soon receive a poll to select the most convenient date, with a preference for a weekday, potentially on a Friday from 10am-2pm.

Several important discussions highlighted the committee’s focus on enhancing transit services. Staff reported a robust 17% increase in bus ridership for May 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 147,000 riders. They anticipate that the system will return to pre-pandemic ridership levels (approximately 1.6 million annually) by the end of Fiscal Year 2024, a positive sign for the city’s transportation network. Updates were also provided on ongoing grant applications and funding initiatives related to the Triennial Review process, with particular attention paid to securing resources for paratransit services and routes that support job access and reverse commuting. A lively discussion also took place regarding the current policy for bicycles on buses, specifically addressing concerns about accommodating electric bikes while maintaining passenger safety. Staff will review the existing policy and explore potential solutions, referencing a helpful video tutorial on proper bike rack usage.

The committee also discussed improvements to the city's transit website, which are currently underway. Planned enhancements include real-time vehicle location information and a trip planning tool, aiming to provide riders with more convenient and up-to-date travel information. RATP Dev, the company contracted to operate Asheville’s bus system, reported positive progress in on-time performance (72% in May) and a decrease in accidents. They are continuing to focus on operator training and exploring QR code technology to track delays and identify the root causes. Finally, a resident brought up concerns about faded bus stop signage on Airport Road, prompting staff to investigate and address the visibility issue.

Looking ahead, several action items were identified for follow-up. The working group will circulate the poll to determine the retreat date, and staff will provide data comparing current ridership with 2020 COVID levels. A review of the bicycle policy will be conducted to accommodate e-bikes safely, and development of website enhancements will continue. RATP Dev is tasked with analyzing the causes of late buses, and staff will address the signage issue on Airport Road. A motion to re-evaluate the committee's virtual meeting policy will be added to the agenda for the July 16th meeting. These ongoing efforts demonstrate a commitment to providing an efficient, accessible, and user-friendly public transportation system for the residents and visitors of Asheville.