COTA Major Initiatives

Ohio Planning Conference

July 16, 2014

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Overview Presentation

CBUS Circulator

Transit System Review

Cleveland Bus Rapid Transit System

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CBUS Circulator

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CBUS Circulator Alignment

4.1 mile loop

Serves Arena District Brewery District German Village Italian Village River South Short North Uptown Victorian Village

New Alignment Map

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CBUS Branding

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Improved Connections to Attractions and EventsAttractions and festivals generated nearly 8 million visitors in 2012 including:

Arena District Arnold Fitness Expo Arts Festival Brewery District CAPA (Ohio, Palace, Southern, Capitol theaters) Columbus Commons Columbus Convention Center ComFest COSI First Night Columbus German Village

Greek Festival Huntington Park (Clippers/concerts) Jazz & Rib Fest LC Pavilion Nationwide Arena (Blue Jackets/concerts) North Market Red, White, & Boom Scioto Mile Shadowbox Live The Short North Arts District (Gallery Hop) And many more!

Columbus Commons Event Nationwide Arena Scioto Mile

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Meeting Downtown Employee Transportation Needs

Downtown area continues to be the largest employment center in the region with approximately 85,000 employees. More than 7,000 added since 2003. Major employment sectors include:

Banking Education Government Healthcare

Hospitality Insurance Legal Utilities

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Enhancing Downtown Livability

Residential growth: approximately 4,500 existing units, with another 2,400 under construction or planned including:

Atlas Building 250 S. High 570 Lofts Annex at River South Arena Crossing Flats on Vine I & II Highpoint at Columbus Commons The Hubbard Park Place

Julian Building Apartments LC Apartments at High & Rich Liberty Place Apartments Leveque Tower Neighborhood Launch Parkside on Pearl The Wood Company Yankee on High

LC Apartments Arena Crossing HighPoint

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Performance

Service began May 5th

Ridership continues to build

Over 100,000 rides to date

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Transit System Review

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Timeline

January – TAC and Focus Group Meetings (3), Core Planning – COTA Staff (developed three scenarios)

February – briefed Board on study progress

March – Public meetings – Round 1

April 30/May 2-3 – Board workshop/Core Planning II

May – develop draft proposed service network and downtown plan

May 27 – June 4: TAC, Focus Group, Public meetings (9)

July 23 – Final Bus Network and Downtown Operations plans and implementation strategy to COTA Board

September – Final report (Bus Network Plan, Downtown Operations Plan, Implementation Plan, Technology Plan)

Implementation of Service Plan: 2015 – 2017

Core Planning Workshop

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Existing Network – 70/30

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Draft Proposed Network – 70/30

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Existing High Frequency Network

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Draft Proposed High Frequency Network Midday

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Residents within ¼ mile of service

within 1/4 mi of 15-minute service

within 1/4 mi of any service

0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000

228,000

515,000

112,000

511,000

Coverage of Population

EXISTING

PROPOSED

More than twice as many residents get frequent service – that’s part of why ridership will grow.

PROPOSED

EXISTING

+2%

+103%

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Jobs within ¼ mile of service

within 1/4 mi of 15-minute service

within 1/4 mi of any service

0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000

238,969

426,176

146,000

409,000

Coverage of Jobs

PROPOSED

EXISTING

PROPOSED

EXISTING

The Frequent Network goes to 63% more jobs, another reason ridership will grow.

+4.2%

+63.7%

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Effect on Existing Riders

PROPOSED

EXISTING

PROPOSED

EXISTINGwithin 1/4 mi of 15-minute service

within 1/4 mi of any service

0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000

43,052

52,000

32,300

52,900

Coverage of Boardings at Existing Stops

PROPOSED

EXISTING

PROPOSED

EXISTING

-1.7%

+33.3%

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Benefits and Ease of Use

Ridership increase up to 10% two years after full implementation

Expanded high frequency network, especially on crosstown services Many more transfers outside of Downtown

Predictable frequencies, such as every 15, 30, or 60 minutes, make remembering the schedule easier

Service on local lines seven days a week with most operating the same span (improved weekend service)

New connections to suburbs and regionally significant areas Connections to strategic employment locations in suburbs

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Cleveland AvenueBus Rapid Transit

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A mix of characteristics: Reduced travel times

Fewer stops

Signal priority (reducing stops at traffic lights)

Dedicated lanes at peak times (High Street only)

Frequent service 10 min. peak/15 min. off-peak

Span of Service 16 hours (Monday-Saturday)

14 hours (Sunday)

Unique and distinctive branding

Enhanced passenger amenities

Real-time information

Enhanced stations

Kansas City Max Line

What is Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)?

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Station Locations

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Draft Summary - Project DevelopmentTotal # of Stations both directions (Downtown to Polaris/Africa Road)

62 stations (BRT/Enhanced Bus)

BRT Stations (to SR-161) 25 northbound/24 southbound

Enhanced local service stops (north of SR-161)

7 northbound/6 southbound

Average Stop Distances Within Downtown – 0.20 miles

Columbus State to Northern Lights – 0.43 miles

Northern Lights to SR 161 – 0.58 miles

SR 161 to Africa Rd. – 0.75 miles

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Project Highlights

Summary of LPATotal # of Stations (to Polaris/Africa Road)

74 stations (BRT/Enhanced Bus)

BRT Stations (to SR-161) 32 northbound/29 southbound

Enhanced local service stops (north of SR-161)

7 northbound/6 southbound

Estimated travel time (one-way) 20% travel time savings 35-39 minutes to SR-161 48-56 minutes to Polaris/Africa Rd.

• Local Line 1 continues to operate• Serves all stops• 30-minute frequency

Draft Summary (Project Development)Total # of Stations (to Polaris/Africa Road)

62 stations (BRT/Enhanced Bus)

BRT Stations (to SR-161) 25 northbound/24 southbound

Enhanced local service stops (north of SR-161)

7 northbound/6 southbound

Preliminary project cost LPA: $39.4 million

80% Federal & 20% Local

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Project Benefits

Improved transit serviceImproved mobility and reliability in a congested corridor Travel times savings of up to 20 percentMore travel options for growing transit-dependent populationsImproved pedestrian access and safetyCreate opportunities for economic development within the corridorA projected 15 – 20 percent increase in ridership in the first five years

Note: These benefits are being refined in the current project development.

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Perspective View

Type A Station Concept Design

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Station Concept Design – Type B Night View

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Project History

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Discussion

Discussion