photo by: Lawrence Transit

New Lawrence Transit maps show the adjustments set to be made to the city's bus routes and schedules starting in February.

Another set of changes to bus routes and schedules in Lawrence will soon be implemented, this time in response to community feedback on the major route redesign that went into effect at the start of 2024.

In a news release Wednesday, Lawrence Transit announced that a new set of changes affecting seven routes will go into effect Monday, Feb. 12, based on feedback received in the past few weeks.

“As with any large change, there were some difficulties,” the release reads.” Passengers swiftly let transit staff know what was working and what wasn’t. Thanks to that detailed feedback, staff was able to make some improvements in the short term.”

Specifically, the release notes that routes 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9 and 10 will all see some adjustments. Routes 6, 7 and 9 will have additional trips scheduled in the morning for better school and work access, and route 10 will add direct access to Free State High School. Those routes’ schedules are being adjusted to improve transfer timing with downtown transfers — served by routes 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 — and the new Central Station, which serves as a connector for routes 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

The release also notes that in the 20-year history of Lawrence Transit, which serves as the coordinated City of Lawrence and University of Kansas bus system, this is the first time bus service has been offered on Sundays. That’s been in the form of a new Lawrence On Demand app, which allows users to book trips via a ride share similar to services like Uber but using transit vehicles and drivers. That service is also resulting in some changes to the overall bus schedule, as trips have been removed from areas of the schedule with lower ridership to allow Lawrence Transit to afford the additional service hours.

“With the amount of change put into place at the beginning of the year, we knew there was a chance some tweaks would need to be made,” Transit and Parking Manager Adam Weigel said in the release. “Rather than wait for annual route changes in August, we think we can respond now to some of the more frequent concerns we hear coming. No plan is perfect, so we’re hopeful riders will notice we are working with them to make things better as quick as we can.”

This won’t be the only opportunity for public transit riders to provide feedback on bus routes and schedules in Lawrence this year. According to the release, the next opportunity to make changes will be in August, which is when Lawrence Transit traditionally aims to make adjustments on an annual basis. A survey to provide feedback will be available on the city’s website until April 1.

An updated transit guide, which provides a preview of route and schedule changes before they go into effect in February, is also available on the city’s website.