In September 2008, Metro Transit replaced standard 40′ buses with articulated (accordion) 60′ buses on route 16 in the midday periods. Frequencies went from every 7-8 minutes to every 10 minutes. The capacity of the route didn’t change, but Metro Transit saves on operating costs because less drivers are needed and less fuel is needed. One problem with this kind of set-up is an increased risk of bus bunching. Less vehicles and high amounts of boarding don’t mix well with traffic.
Below are some routes that I’ve identified and evaluated for articulated bus service. The main criteria is that they run every 10 minutes or more frequent. Here they are:
Route 5: Route 5 is Metro Transit’s highest ridership line, and one of the longest local bus lines. It runs from Brooklyn Center Transit Center or North Memorial Hospital to the Mall of America. There are 2 branches on the north end of route (G-North Mem., M-Brooklyn Center) and 2 short-turns (F-26th/Broadway, K-44th/Penn). There is 1 branch on the south end (E-Mall of America), and 3 short-turns (A-Chicago/38th, B-Chicago/56th, C-Chicago/66th). The proposal is to reduce frequencies to 10 minutes from 6 am-6 pm, Weekdays. This would mainly affect the A, B, E, F, and M trips. Service would be reduced from 15 minutes to 20 minutes on each of the branches/short-turns. The main line from 38th/Chicago to 26th/Emerson will run every 10 minutes. The Hi-Frequency service between 38th and 56th would have to be eliminated unless all A’s became B’s. This would require an increase in service from every 15 minutes to every 10 minutes.
Route 6: I’ve chosen not to evaluate this route because a reduction in frequency would have detrimental effects on the branches.
Route 10: Route 10 runs from Downtown Minneapolis to the Northtown Mall in Blaine via Central Avenue NE. On the north end it has 2 branches (N-Central/Northtown, U-University/Northtown) and 2 short-turns (C-Central/40th, H-Central/53rd). Southbound service is 1 branch, 10 to Downtown Minneapolis. Service would be reduced to every 15 minutes between DT Minneapolis and Central/53rd. Each branch (N & U) would operate every 30 minutes (same as now). This would mean all C trips would be eliminated and N & U trips rescheduled. This proposal would change all trips from 6 am-6 pm, weekdays. This is however unlikely because route 10 uses Nicollet Mall which requires hybrid buses, and Metro Transit does not have articulated hybrid buses or any plans to purchase any.
Route 18: Route 18 runs along Nicollet Avenue from DT Minneapolis to 98th Street, and continues to 106th St on other Bloomington streets. On southbound trips there is 1 branch (E-Devonshire/104th) and 3 short-turns (A-Nicollet/46th, C-Nicollet/66th, D-Nicollet/American). Service would be reduced to every 10 minutes between DT Minneapolis and 46th, increased to every 10 minutes from 46th to 66th, decreased to every 20 minutes from 66th to American, and will stay the same at every 60 minutes between American and 104th. This proposal would change all trips from 6 am-6 pm, weekdays. This is however unlikely because route 18 uses Nicollet Mall which requires hybrid buses, and Metro Transit does not have articulated hybrid buses or any plans to purchase any.
Route 21: Route 21 runs along Lake St, Marshall Ave, and Selby Ave between Uptown and Downtown St. Paul. Service would be decreased to every 10 minutes between Uptown and 27th, increased to every 10 minutes between 27th and Cretin, and would stay the same at every 20 minutes between Cretin and DT St. Paul. Lake Street is probably the most sensitive route to bus bunching and it is better to stay with the higher frequency.
By this evaluation it seems that it would decrease service to the farther out areas of routes, and is only compatible with route 5. There is also the problem that there is not enough articulated buses for local service, most of them are on express routes or the 3, 16 and 50. It works for the 16 and 50 because those routes have simple schedules.
I think that it is not worth it to put articulated buses in service on local routes to save on operation costs. The decreased service makes the bus system poorer and less reliable.
March 28, 2009 at 1:17 am |
I generally agree. If service MUST be reduced due to budget constraints then using articulated buses instead of standard 40 ft/12m buses is a good idea, however if funds are available to keep the frequencies on the routes at higher levels then continue to operate the buses at higher frequencies as long as the ridership supports it.