More routes, more often? Changes to SunTran possible; opinions wanted

Riders disembark SunTrans buses at the stop near the corner of 100 South and 1000 East, St. George, Utah, Nov. 24, 2015 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

ST. GEORGE SunTran riders are encouraged to chime in on a selection of new routes, travel times and potential bus stops to be presented in two public hearings scheduled at the St. George City Hall Wednesday.

SunTran officials will be holding the community input sessions from 10 a.m. to noon and from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Room, 175 E. 200 N., St. George.

For those who can’t attend the public meetings, an online survey makes it easy to voice an opinion on the potential options for improving SunTran service.

The City of St. George and surrounding areas have grown at 3 percent per year, according to SunTran figures, and are expected to continue climbing. SunTran ridership has been growing steadily as well for the past 12 years and projections show even more people will choose to ride SunTran in the future.

Brighter SunTran is an initiative to better understand the needs of the community and to improve transit in the greater St. George area.

The three distinct transit service scenarios were developed after a review of market research and operational data, along with public comment and discussions with SunTran riders and community members.

Highlights of the concept scenarios include ways to improve SunTran services by reducing travel times and making services more user-friendly. Each option has been developed to address unmet needs, simplify service, enhance frequency and improve directness of service.

Options include:

  • Service every 30 or 60 minutes instead of every 40 or 80 minutes
  • More bi-directional service
  • Fewer transfers
  • All three scenarios are projected to increase ridership

Public comments will help planners develop a preferred alternative, which will guide SunTran service over the next 10 years. For more information on the choices available and how you can get involved, visit BrighterSunTran.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

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