Route Redesign Implementation
Lawrence Transit, the coordinated City of Lawrence and University of Kansas bus system, is preparing to implement new routes this August. City and University staff have worked closely with the public since late 2020 to explore new route ideas, discuss new on-demand service models for overnight and Sunday, and add value for existing and new passengers.
Links
One-page summary
Draft maps and schedules
Draft system map
Virtual Office Hours
Eight opportunities to sign up if you have questions for Transit staff. Use one link for any date.
May office hours
July office hours
New Route Features
- Interlining. Interlined routes reduce transfers and create more bi-directional service for a faster trip home. The same buses operate back and forth between two routes. Riders won’t need to get off the bus to transfer from one route to the other.
- On-demand service. Sunday service will be introduced as an on-demand service that functions like Uber and Lyft, but will use transit vehicles and drivers. Anyone can request a trip to and from any location within Lawrence city limits between the hours of 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Sunday using a smartphone app or dialing a phone number. Night Line will also become an on-demand service, increasing same-day access to evening trips between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday – Saturday.
- Peak and off-peak frequencies. Based on community interest, Lawrence Transit is piloting Sunday service. To afford this change, transit trips in the middle of the day on fixed-route will be less frequent, and trips during the morning and afternoon commute times will be every half hour or better across all routes.
- Fare Free. Federal stimulus funds provide the opportunity to afford a 1-year pilot of fare free in 2023. One of many reasons to pilot fare free service is to make it even easier to explore new route changes.
Public Engagement
The first three public engagement events will be on the KU campus at Wescoe Beach. For all other times, Transit staff will be at the downtown bus stop on Vermont Street across from the Lawrence Public Library.
| May | June | July | August |
|---|---|---|---|
| (KU) 5/1, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | 6/6, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | 7/6, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. | 8/1, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. |
| (KU) 5/2, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. | 6/16, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | 7/11, 3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. | 8/2, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. |
| (KU) 5/3, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | 6/21, 3:30 – 5 p.m. | 7/20, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | 8/3, 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. |
| 5/9, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | 6/28, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. | 7/18, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | 8/4, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. |
| 5/10, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | 7/24, 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | ||
| 5/11, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | 7/25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | ||
| 5/17, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | 7/26, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | ||
| 5/19, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. | 7/27, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. | ||
| 5/23, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. | 7/28, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | ||
| 5/25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | 7/29, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. | ||
| 5/30, 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | 7/31, 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. | ||
Project Overview
With the development of Central Station at Bob Billings & Crestline Drive, bus routes will be redesigned to better serve this new transfer center and the community at large. Route Redesign will go into effect in two phases, with Phase 1 in August 2022 and Phase 2 in 2023. Phase 2 will include the introduction of Sunday microtransit service, as well as fare free service system-wide.
Status + Timeline + Next Steps
Status
In Progress
Timeline
Project Start: September 2020
Project End: August 2023
Milestone 1: Complete KU Urban Planning Study (December 2020) – Completed
Milestone 2: Establish Route Redesign Steering Committee (May 2021) – Completed
Milestone 3: Complete Task 1, Existing Conditions and Market Analysis, Route Profiles (June 2021) – Completed
Milestone 4: Complete Task 2, Pre-Scenario Public Outreach (October 2021) – Completed
Milestone 5: Develop 2 Exploratory Route Scenarios – Completed
Milestone 6: Develop Final Proposed Route Changes – Completed
Milestone 7: Develop Final Planned Route Changes – Completed
Milestone 8: Implement Phase 1 Route Redesign (August 2022) – In Progress
Milestone 9: Implement Phase 2 Route Redesign (August 2023) – Not Started
Next Steps
Phase 1 route changes were implemented August 1, 2022. Routes changed in Phase 1 include 11, 12, 30, 34, 36, 38, 42, and 53.
Phase 2 route changes are planned for implementation August 1, 2023.
Completed + Supporting Documentation
KU Urban Planning Study – Fall 2020
Milestone 1
Route Redesign Study – Spring 2021
Milestone 2
About the consultants
Steering Committee
- 3/23/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 4/27/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 5/25/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 6/22/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 7/27/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 8/24/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 9/28/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 10/12/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 10/26/21: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
- 3/8/22: Agenda, Minutes, Video of meeting
Milestone 3
Milestone 4
- Task 2 – Public Outreach
- 6/21/21: Video – University Affiliates Focus Group
- 6/22/21: Video – Frontline Staff Focus Group #1
- 6/22/21: Video – Frontline Staff Focus Group #2
- 6/23/21: Video – General Public Meeting
- 6/25/21: Video – Major Employers Focus Group
- 6/25/21: Video – Community Resources Focus Group
- Community Engagement Plan
- Community Engagement Plan Flyer