Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Greater

Cincinnati Region

February 22, 2013

BRT Plans for Southwest Ohio

Terry Garcia Crews, Metro Chief Executive

Officer and General Manager

• Identified five corridors in Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky for potential BRT service

• Identified the Montgomery Road corridor as having the greatest potential to support BRT service

• Conducted a peer analysis and identified most desirable characteristics for Cincinnati region

Initial Planning Study (PB)

Transit Plan 2023• Latent demand survey – 1,200 Hamilton

County households• BRT has highest latent demand of all transit

services tested• BRT to Downtown – 4.6 million trips annually• BRT to Uptown – 1.0 million trips annually• Identified Six Corridors in Metro Service Area

Suitable for BRT

BRT Network

• High-frequency spine• Glenway, Hamilton,

Vine, Reading, Montgomery & Madison

• Uptown transfer connections

BRT VisionSpecially designed vehicles High-profile stations

BRT Vision

Off-vehicle fare collection Bicycle access

BRT VisionDedicated bus lanes Platform boarding

BRT Vision

Traffic Signal Priority

Metro Plus

Montgomery Road Corridor

• 150 Bus Stops in each direction

• Many high ridership bus stops on existing local route 4 – Primary criteria for Metro Plus stop

• Much transfer activity near uptown area – need to include Uptown in Metro Plus

Metro Plus Bus Stop Spacing• Longer stop spacing (approx. 1 mile)

o Provides fastest serviceo Covers 60 -70% of existing riderso Requires higher level of local service

• Shorter stop spacing (approx. 0.5 miles)o Better service to 90%+ of existing riderso Requires less local service

Corridor Land UseUniversity of Cincinnati – Blue Ash •5,200 students•Current Metro layover for Rt. 4

Corridor Land UseKenwood Towne Centre•Region’s largest mall•Surrounded by multiple shopping centers•Along major I-71 Interchange

Corridor Land UseNeighborhood business districts

Corridor Land UseXavier University

Corridor Land Use

Uptown Cincinnati

Six major hospitals

Corridor Land UseUptown Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati

Corridor Land Use

Downtown Cincinnati

Government Square

Other Characteristics

• Operate every 15 minutes during weekdays peak times

• Operate every 30 minutes evenings to 10 p.m.

• 17 stops in each direction

Metro Plus Branding

Metro Plus Branding

Why Metro Plus

• Provides higher-speed alternative to major destinations – 150 stops on route 4 to 17 on Metro Plus

• Makes regional travel more feasible by transit• Improves service to Uptown• Responds to public input

Public Transit in the Dixie Highway

Corridor

Andrew Aiello, TANK General Manager

Previous Planning Efforts Regional BRT Identified Corridors Planning Efforts Dixie Highway Findings

COA ResultsDixie Hwy

2,500 Riders / Weekday Strong Generators at

Both Ends Boarding & Alighting

Activity Along Entire Route

Opportunities& Challenges

OpportunitiesStrong Generators at Both EndsDiversity of Land Uses Served “Low-Hanging Fruit”

ChallengesConfusing Southern AlignmentUndermines Otherwise Direct ServiceImportant and Well-Used Institutional and Commercial Destinations along Southern AlignmentCorridor does not meet FTA guidelines for true “BRT”

Draft Recommendations - “Enhanced Bus”• Capital Improvements• Vehicle / Station Branding• Revised Alignment• Bus Stop ConsolidationResults:

• Better service• More riders• Increased efficiency

Stop Consolidation /RealignmentGoals Consolidate boarding activity Minimize passenger loss Maximize ridership gains Improve travel times

Anticipated Results 1/3-1/4 mi. spacing vs. 300 ft. 85% existing riders retained 8% net increase* 25% improvement

• Passenger Travel Times• Operating Efficiency

AlternativeScenario Consolidate stops

• 145 one-way to 38 one-way Maintain a streamlined loop Invest in frequency (30 min. or <)

Anticipated Results 1/3-1/4 mi. spacing vs. 300 ft. More existing riders retained 3-5% net ridership increase 10% improvement

• Passenger Travel Times

Next Steps Draft an implementation plan Solicit feedback on implementation plan Back to TANK Board for review

Questions?Andrew Aiello - aaiello@tankbus.org

Terry Garcia Crews - TGarciaCrews@go-metro.com