A new commuter service that will link Lawrence and higher education institutions to Johnson County is scheduled to begin operating in mid-January.
A bus from Johnson County Transit, based in Olathe, will start the route Jan. 17. It will connect Kansas University's Lawrence campus with its Edwards Campus in Overland Park as well as Johnson County Community College. The bus also will make stops at Haskell Indian Nations University.
"This is actually a demonstration project, which means it's kind of an experiment to see if there is interest out there for a transit service between Johnson County and Lawrence," said Danny Kaiser, KU assistant dean of students.
No one from Johnson County Transit was available for comment Friday.
Kaiser thinks the route will draw interest from KU faculty, staff and students who normally commute between the two counties. A decision was made to give Haskell students and personnel the same opportunity.
The general public also will be able to use the service.
"This is public transit. Anybody can use it," Kaiser said. "We've designed the routes to go between these educational institutions, but if anybody else can use it they are encouraged to do so."
When it begins, the new service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday. There will be a $2.50 fare for a one-way trip and a $5 fare for a round-trip. Monthly 10-ride passes also will be available. More details will be announced as the starting date gets closer.
A few years ago, there was an attempt to run a shuttle van between Lawrence and Johnson County, but it failed because the service wasn't convenient for riders, Kaiser said.
More about the KU bus system
- Report: City should spend more on public transit (11-29-06)
- 6News Video: Major improvements to the Lawrence bus service won't come without significant increases in funding
- See the executive summary the Lawrence Coordinated Public Transporation Development Plan put together for the city and Kansas University (.pdf)
- City bus map (.pdf)
- KU bus map (.pdf)
- Consultant favors bus system merger (10-24-06)
- City, KU consider merging busing (09-19-06)
Comments
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Sigmund (anonymous) says…
It seems a little pricey, but it is close to 34 miles one way. I wonder if there will be free parking available on the ends of the line and how often the service will run?
budwhysir (anonymous) says…
No if it was going to be free we would have done it thru the T
b_asinbeer (anonymous) says…
5 bucks round trip? That's very good...no stress of driving, saves money on gas (makes up for the $5 right there). Where do I sign up?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
Anything more than two occupants per vehicle is downright Kommunist.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
This is bad news for you bozo, no Lawrence taxpayer dollars necessary AND less gas used and therefore fewer gas tax revenues. Really, this is a lose/lose for you and the other Klowns on the Kommission!
Informed (anonymous) says…
I wonder if there will be a provision for bicycles ON the bus, not just two on the cow catcher.
If there is, I may use it several times a week. The appeal for me, more than the gas savings, is the savings in 'normal wear and tear' on my car.
budwhysir (anonymous) says…
Think of all the savings in gas and wear and tear on your car>>????
I dont see anyone complaining about the rising cost of getting and education>>>>
What if they carge $10.00 per trip and donate half to the university to put towards maint. costs. I bet we wouldnt go for that
jonas (anonymous) says…
"Posted by just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) on December 11, 2006 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Anything more than two occupants per vehicle is downright Kommunist."
Chuckle. Sugoi, sugoi!
cog_nate (Nate Poell) says…
This is great news. Has anyone heard of any plans to do this with Topeka/Shawnee county?
emilyhadley (Emily Hadley) says…
This will be wonderful for those who want to go to JCCC or Edwards campus, but don't have a car. I have known folks who couldn't afford KU, but had to carpool to JCCC to manage the commute.
$5 isn't actually bad -- it's 60+ miles round trip from KU to JCCC, so for anyone who gets 30 mpg at $2.50 a gallon, they're breaking even just on gas costs!
Add brakes, tires, insurance, filling up, and hunting for parking spots, and it sounds like a great deal!
Plus you can read, dig through your bag for a ringing phone, or search through your Ipod, all without risking the lives of those around you! : ]
From JCCC, you can even catch the "Jo" bus, which then connects to the KC Metro/Max. That would be a new option for anyone who needed to get from Lawrence to KC and didn't have other options besides the Greyhound.
don_burgess (anonymous) says…
bout time
budwhysir (anonymous) says…
the wheels on the bus go round and round
nswilson (anonymous) says…
As a Professor who has commuted over 20 years, I was looking forward to the new route. Great, from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm. But to my surprise they have a gaping hole from 4:30pm to 9:30 pm! Do they really think that students, faculty and staff are finished by 4:30?
Rush hour goes until 6:00pm and so do my classes! Guess they are looking for ways for the bus NOT to succeed.