Archive for Monday, February 18, 2008
Transit service a success
K-10 Connector system sets records in January, February
Joe Fitzsimmons climbs aboard a Johnson County Transit K-10 Connector bus last week at the intersection of 19th Street and Naismith Drive. Ridership on the bus service between Lawrence and Johnson County set records in January and February.
February 18, 2008
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Ridership on the shuttle service between Lawrence and Johnson County continues to climb.
Johnson County Transit's K-10 Connector bus system set new records during January and February, reflecting an increased interest in the area's public transit.
"It has been a great service, and we're having much success with it," said Alice Amrein, transportation director for Johnson County Transit.
The Kansas Highway 10 bus service began in January 2007 and, in less than a month, was serving about 225 riders daily. This year, there have been days that more than 600 people board the shuttle. On an average day, 250 to 300 riders get on the K-10 Connector, Amrein said.
Kansas University helps serve these riders with two bus stops in Lawrence: one at the Park and Ride parking lot at Clinton Parkway and Crestline Drive, and the other south of campus at 19th Street and Naismith Drive.
Danny Kaiser, assistant director of parking and transit, estimated that 200 of the daily 1,800 Park and Ride bus passengers came from the K-10 service. Most of them will then use the Park and Ride express into the main campus.
Caleb Quaye, a regular rider on the Connector, lives in Lawrence but commutes to classes at Johnson County Community College.
He's studying pharmacy and wants to transfer college credits to KU.
"It's cheaper that way," he said.
Originally from Accra, Ghana, Quaye said the bus system was "way better" than the buses from his homeland.
His only challenge is waking up early enough to catch the 7:40 a.m. bus at 19th and Naismith. The service's peak use times occur in the early morning and evening, with some rides offering standing room only.
Any ideas for further improvement?
"They could always put computers on the bus," Quaye said with a smile. "No, I'm kidding."
Johnson County Transit, however, is taking such suggestions seriously. The organization is considering a pilot project to install not computers, but the next best option - a wireless Internet connection.
Amrein said Johnson County Transit sends e-mail service updates to K-10 riders. If people wish to be included on the list, they can e-mail Cris Gault at cris.gault@jocogov.org.
More like this
- Summer doesn't slow K-10 Connector 6 comments / June 8, 2007
- K-10 busing service to stay 10 comments / August 19, 2007
- Transit system could be vital link to area colleges 2 comments / February 18, 2008
- Johnson County funds to help improve K-10 Connector service between Lawrence and Overland Park 28 comments / November 20, 2008
- K-10 Connector bus rate increasing 5 comments / March 31, 2009
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18 February 2008
at 6:11 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Our son has decided that doing this commuter to JCCC is his most practical option for many reasons not the least being dollars and sense not to mention the environment.
18 February 2008
at 8:50 a.m.
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OnlyTheOne (Anonymous) says…
Well, it's a start on a working public transit system in the area.
18 February 2008
at 9:47 a.m.
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local_support (Anonymous) says…
^^^boooo!
18 February 2008
at 10:05 a.m.
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jrlii (Anonymous) says…
Further testimony that KU, at least for lower division undergraduate courses, is overpriced.
18 February 2008
at 10:06 a.m.
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misseve (Anonymous) says…
i would use it if they stopped in Desoto where i work… they are running when i go to work at 11pm and they are running when i get off at 7am….
18 February 2008
at 10:30 a.m.
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Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…
I rode it from the Edwards campus to the Lawrence campus one day, it worked well. Lots of folks studying on the trip over, some of us sleeping.
18 February 2008
at 11:49 a.m.
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doc1 (Anonymous) says…
Reality. We are still here and yes, The T is still a failure by far. This wonderful example is good news, however has nothing to do with the T and it's “read headed stepchild” of an existance.
18 February 2008
at 11:55 a.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
posessionannex (Anonymous) says:
Government funded programs will always be declared successes by the users.
Yeah, I hear that all the time by people who support more government funded highway programs.
18 February 2008
at 11:58 a.m.
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frwent (Anonymous) says…
It is good to see a well-utilized and planned public transit service. As for the Lawrence “T”, it is still the “M-T” bus company, regardless of how many padded and exagerated ridership figures the bus company publishes. Does anyone ever audit those figures? I simply do not believe them, in view of the many, many nearly or completely empty busses I see daily roaming the city, burning up expensive fuel daily.
18 February 2008
at 12:03 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
Dollypawpaw (Anonymous) says:
Why doesn't the government run a mass transit airline service?
50 cents from LA to NY seems reasonable.
That would be great for all!
Don't you know that the government is already heavily subsidizing air?
18 February 2008
at 12:44 p.m.
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lounger (Anonymous) says…
It would be a total success if it ran on Biodeisel!!!!
18 February 2008
at 12:45 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
It's funny when the people who supposedly are all free market and no government involvement have their preferred modes of transit exposed as big if not bigger subsidy projects that they can only try to laugh it off. Government involvement has been a problem that has clouded the transportations issues.
18 February 2008
at 12:52 p.m.
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blue73harley (Anonymous) says…
“His only challenge is waking up early enough to catch the 7:40 a.m. bus…”
Oh, poor baby. Tell me when we get a bus that starts at about 5:30 am. That is when I need to leave on my commute to Olathe.
18 February 2008
at 1 p.m.
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snoopy_79 (Anonymous) says…
Has anyone heard whether they plan to make stops in Eudora or DeSoto?
18 February 2008
at 1:09 p.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Notice how much new roads and maintenance cost just to keep other vehicles on the road. Way more than parking cars and riding the bus.
$200 million for a bypass plus maintenance year after year after year after year…. Lawrence would be better off with lots and lots of empty cars between 7AM and 6:30PM Monday thru Friday.
About the T
http://www.lawrencetransit.org/about….
“posessionannex (Anonymous) says:
“Government funded programs will always be declared successes by the users.”
Such as:
http://www.google.com/search?q=bailin…
http://www.google.com/search?q=bailin…
http://www.google.com/search?q=bailin…
I say merge The T and KU and make it work for all concerned.
18 February 2008
at 1:16 p.m.
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shoffner (Anonymous) says…
I can say from experience (I ride T/Th mornings to/from JCCC and back) that this bus is packed to standing room only every single morning I go (6:30) and with maybe 1-2 (out of a ton) open seats coming back (12:30). Awesome money/pollution saver.
The T sucks frankly because its route schedules are crap. No bus drop is coordinated worth a damn with bus pick-ups. Connections are the main problem. Why in the hell would I ever pay to use that “T” when I can literally get to anywhere (I have tested/timed/tried multiple routes) in town faster on my bike, in any weather. If I did catch the T from Campus where I work, I'd have to wait for 20-30 minutes down town until the north lawrence bus came. It is that way for every route all day…stupid.
18 February 2008
at 1:22 p.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
“snoopy_79 (Anonymous) says:
Has anyone heard whether they plan to make stops in Eudora or DeSoto?”
Apparently,according to LJW news, the issue is being discussed as we speak.
========
Sooner or later this part of the USA will need to realize the benefits of public transportation. So long as tax dollars subsidize airlines,trains and local bus service why not make use of it during the peak time 7AM- 6:30 PM… or walk and bike.
18 February 2008
at 1:23 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
Shoffner I agree, why couldn't the T have just expanded the KU bus system route because it always was a pretty decent routing system. Merge them and make it a practical system for all.
Why aren't there bike racks on the KU buses?
18 February 2008
at 1:23 p.m.
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nobody1793 (Anonymous) says…
“Originally from Accra, Ghana, Quaye said the bus system was “way better” than the buses from his homeland.”
Isn't that really the point. Lawrence is still better than at least one third-world country. Take *That* Ghana!
18 February 2008
at 1:27 p.m.
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Informed (Anonymous) says…
If the K-10 Connector started an hour earlier, or even a half hour earlier, I'd be able to use it. JCCC is less than two miles from my office and I could use my bike for the remaining distance. But as of now, I'll continue my drive each day.
18 February 2008
at 2:04 p.m.
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shoffner (Anonymous) says…
Ripper:
There aren't racks on the KU busses because of competition. The Wheels Dept. decided that instead of everyone fighting/not being able to use it anyway it was just better not to have.
I agree, merge and make real, connecting routes to/from places the general Lawrence, KS public needs the most. I've thought of working up a proposed master route/schedule, since no one that actually works for the city must be able to.
18 February 2008
at 2:22 p.m.
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Stain (Anonymous) says…
The bus is a vital service that contributes to the economy and it should stay. Maybe the routes should be tweaked.
When the city commission brings out their hatchet, I wonder why they never mention the Lawrence Arts Center? Could it be because one of their developer buddies lobbied hard to build that expensive building and they cannot touch that live grenade?
18 February 2008
at 2:51 p.m.
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paavopetie (Anonymous) says…
How about running KU fans into the field house during game days?
I say merge The T and KU and make it work for all concerned.
**********************************
two excellent ideas. do you think anybody reads the lte comments? these are the heart of democracy.
18 February 2008
at 3:04 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
>>Right here. Anything can be called a success with such a lopsided analysis. Where is the cost analysis? It's impossible to judge the system with the information in this article much less call it a success.<<
And you'll be providing the cost analysis for using cars? Including the costs for the cars, insurance, etc. and don't forget the cost of the accidents from those who are a little to busy to be driving or in too big of a hurry. The bus makes a wonderful platform in which to get somewhere and also talk on the cellphone.
18 February 2008
at 3:34 p.m.
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johnwoods (Anonymous) says…
Will a merger of the two systems, T and KU, work? Are citizens willing to pay what KU students do for a bus system? How much does the T cost each taxpayer now?
I'm all for public transportation but each KU student (the entire population, not riders) pays $72 a year to keep the system operating. Fares are not included in that figure.
18 February 2008
at 3:55 p.m.
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JackRipper (Anonymous) says…
If the routing is expanded and run longer one could consider getting rid of their car which is costing many times more a year then any bus fee.
18 February 2008
at 10:12 p.m.
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misseve (Anonymous) says…
was_freashpowder (Anonymous) says:
Does this go to Eudora As well ??
as of now it only stops at the KU park and ride, and Haskell then goes to Johnson County Community College… I would be nice to have stops in Eudora and Desoto… i would use it instead of driving…