Republic file photo ColumBUS’ 29-foot transit buses feature the city’s iconic Dancing C’s images.
Columbus is beginning a full redesign of its ColumBUS transit system with the approval of a new study of the system.
RLS & Associates, Inc. will conduct the study, according to Department of Public Works Director Bryan Burton.
“It’s going to have a peek at everything from top to bottom and see how we can improve and be more efficient in transit,” he said.
In a letter of interest addressed to Engineering Technician Aimee Morris, RLS described the scope of work as “an in-depth analysis of local transit demand, prior system performance, and a set of data-driven recommendations to enhance mobility of local residents in an efficient and effective manner.”
“We have been talking about making these changes that Bryan discussed for quite a while, in fact we are really transitioning away from transit to transportation,” said Mayor Mary Ferdon.
The mayor added that the city is currently accepting applications for a new position — transportation director.
“We do want to think outside the box, because transportation is so critical to our community, and we have so many areas of need— not only employees, students, seniors — and so we really want to see how we can accommodate and adopt a little bit better,” she said.
RLS said in its letter of interest that recently the city “has been challenged by lower-than-desired fixed route ridership and a shortage of capacity to accommodate demand on the Call-A-Bus system.”
The study is estimated to take nine months with a proposed conclusion in October.
“I do think they are looking at a lot of different options that I think are important for the community to have, or at least consider,” Executive Director of Administration Eric Frey said after he reviewed the request for proposal from RLS.
The city will pay RLS an amount not to exceed $50,000 for the study, according to the terms of the agreement.
Going forward, RLS will create a project steering committee, made up of six to 10 stakeholders from the city, local employers, and human service agencies that will “provide guidance and overall direction for the project, providing input into each task/subtask, reviewing deliverables, identifying sources of data, and helping create community buy-in to the project,” RLS’ letter of interest states.
The study is divided into eight tasks that include public meetings, a review of previous transit studies, a community survey and the development of service alternatives.
Burton said the routes haven’t changed in “probably 40-plus years.”
The city last underwent a transit route study in 2019.
