St. Petersburg will overhaul its bus system in early 2016, expecting improved efficiency from operating on the downtown city grid as well as upgrades to the area that serves as the current hub of the system.
According to an article by Kate Bradshaw, the city of St. Petersburg has approved changes to the "hub and spokes" model for operating buses in its downtown. "The move, which officials said was decades in the making, comes just over a year after voters rejected a sales tax proposal that would have funded a dramatic enhancement and overhaul of the county's bus system," writes Bradshaw.
Instead of the hub and spokes, the buses will now operate more along the framework laid out by the city's grid. The implications of that change include a new role for Williams Park—the former hub in the system. "It would clear downtown's William's Park, the current bus hub, of multiple bus shelters and the smog and heavy traffic that accompany them."
The city council members on hand to announce the new system noted that cities around the country have moved away from the hub and spokes model. The city of Houston has made perhaps the most ambitious effort to implement a high frequency grid system in recent years. The article also notes that the changes, scheduled to be in place by February 14, 2016, will only affect are only downtown.
FULL STORY: It's official: come Valentine's Day next year, Williams Park won't be a bus hub anymore
St. Petersburg To Offer Free Bus Rides to Low-Income Residents
Eligible riders must reside within the city and lack alternate forms of transportation.
Double First: The First Station on Tampa Bay's First BRT Line Complete
The first of 15 bus rapid transit stations in St. Petersburg was unveiled last week.
Bus System Redesign Boosts Ridership in Austin
Over a year after Capital Metro in Austin overhauled its bus system design, the system is bucking national trends and achieving growth in its ridership numbers.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service