If you take every east-west street in downtown Salt Lake City from South Temple to 600 South, 10% is the share of space dedicated to transit and bicycles. That’s less than half of the amount provided for on-street parking, while nearly 70% is available for cars.
Transit derives its roughly 5% share because of light rail on 400 South. And there are no dedicated bus lanes. They currently share space with cars, trucks and other vehicles.
Why do these numbers matter?
For one thing, the space and services we provide show what we value as a community. Right now, 90% of our effort supports single-occupant vehicles, or business as usual.
Transit and other forms of non-car transportation are extremely important if we hope to respond to challenges of air-quality, climate change, equity and livable communities. In fact, Mayor Erin Mendenhall made these issues her top priorities during her campaign.
Salt Lake City and the state of Utah are making big investments to create free-fare months and increasing the frequency of some bus routes to make transit more attractive and user-friendly.
Unfortunately, one of the biggest barriers to transit is the fact that it often takes much longer to ride the bus than to travel by car. Surveys show that for many people, travel time is one of the main issues keeping them from using transit. We don’t mind spending a few extra minutes but doubling or tripling our commute time is not acceptable for most people.
This is where dedicated bus lanes and transit corridors can help. UTA buses from all over the valley converge on 200 South to facilitate easy transfers and efficient routes. In addition, many east-west routes through Salt Lake City also use this important corridor through downtown.
Regrettably, when buses pull over to let passengers on, they are trapped in traffic that often won’t let them merge back into car lanes. Compound that issue with inefficient and untimed traffic lights and the route through downtown often takes far too long. I know some folks who stopped commuting by Frontrunner because the trip on the bus through downtown took longer than Ogden to Salt Lake.
Salt Lake City Transportation is collaborating with many stakeholders to upgrade 200 South and to remake it into the transit corridor we need to help move people into other forms of transportation. In their words, it will “create an iconic corridor where businesses thrive, residents feel comfortable and safe walking, transit users navigate easily, and visitors build lasting memories.”
If there’s one thing we know, many people who don’t understand the value of public transit may object to these proposed changes to provide just one east-west bus route through downtown. Buses can move many more people in limited space than cars. Not only does transit provide efficiency, but it can be utilized by all of us; people who can’t afford or who chose not to own a car, kids, elderly and those with disabilities who may not be able to drive.
If you live in Salt Lake, please contact your City Council member and let them know you support this important project to provide dedicated bus lanes and prioritized signals. Even if you don’t live downtown, it will have a positive impact on your quality of life by reducing car traffic, reducing emissions, increasing equity in the community and helping businesses thrive.
Myron Willson, Salt Lake City, is a board member of Sweet Streets Salt Lake and HEAL Utah, organizations advocating for clean air and healthy, more thriving communities.
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/eBEaGsx
Post a Comment