Study bolsters Conway-LR bus service

Consultants say express-route proposal fits region’s long-range transit needs

A new study shows that limited express bus service from Conway to Little Rock initially attracting up to 90 riders a day is feasible if local partners help underwrite the cost.

The capital cost could reach more than $1.3 million if Conway and Faulkner County fund the bus service, the Metroplan study found. However, Central Arkansas Transit Authority, the mass transit agency in Pulaski County, would incur less than $1 million in capital costs to start the service.

The transit agency also would have a lower annual operating cost -- $218,000 annually versus $267,000 for the Faulkner County governments, according to Gresham, Smith and Partners, a Nashville, Tenn., consulting firm that conducted the study for Metroplan, the long-range transportation planning agency for central Arkansas.

Based on a separate survey, most riders would be willing to pay up to $6 for a round trip or $50 a month, and the service would make up to $136,000 annually.

Assuming a gallon of gas costs $3.50 and using a vehicle that achieved an average of 25 miles per gallon, it would cost a motorist $8.96 to make the 64-mile round trip between Conway and Little Rock, according to the study.

More than a quarter of all trips originating in Faulkner County go to Pulaski County, where 80 percent of the jobs in a four-county area are found, according to the study.

The study "did a great job of outlining the demand and the cost of service to and from Conway," said Jarod Varner, the executive director for Central Arkansas Transit. "It will give local decision makers in Conway something to consider."

Express bus service, unlike traditional bus service, has limited pick-up and drop-off locations and uses the quickest routes, such as interstates, to carry passengers from major origination points to major destination points.

The study noted the service would fit with the region's long-range transportation plan calling for more options. Express bus service is an affordable alternative for people who don't want to drive long distances in congested conditions, the study said.

"The target market for this service is 'choice riders,' individuals who do not depend on, but choose to ride public transportation," Metroplan said in a news release.

The study's recommended route would take the express service bus from Conway to North Little Rock and Little Rock, beginning with stops in Conway on Interstate 40 at Skyline Drive and Dave Ward Drive. The route would run to Interstate 30 and exit in North Little Rock at West Broadway before crossing the Arkansas River to make a stop at the River Cities Travel Center. It would then go to the state Capitol before returning to Conway via downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock.

The trip would take about an hour during the morning and evening peak commute times, which makes it competitive with personal vehicles, the study said.

The survey also found that ridership would be boosted by amenities -- such as Wi-Fi and more leg room -- and comfort found on motor coaches rather than a typical mass-transit city bus.

"It almost gets it close to rapid transit or light rail," said Lawrence Finn, a member of the Central Arkansas Transit board, who called the study "compelling." If work can be accomplished during the commute, "you're not really concerned about the traffic."

The study found that the service could attract even more riders -- up to 200 daily -- if frequency was increased to 30 minutes from 60 minutes -- during peak commute times.

A reverse-commute route wouldn't be feasible until Conway established its own local transit system, according to the study.

The study cost $30,000 with 80 percent, or $24,000, picked up by the Federal Transit Administration. Conway, Faulkner County and Central Arkansas Transit were among the local partners splitting the balance.

Now, the difficult part begins.

"While community feedback supports the idea of an express bus service -- capital costs, funding sources, and operating responsibility for the express bus service remain obstacles to the implementation of a Conway-Little Rock Express Bus," Metroplan said in its news release.

Conway is eligible for about $900,000 annually in federal transit funds that can be used for capital and operations expenses. That money now is distributed to other transit agencies.

The city also is looking at starting its own local transit system.

"Money -- that's the big challenge now," said Bryan Patrick, the Conway planning and development director. "There's been ongoing discussions -- local service or express or both. There will be a lot more discussion now."

Metro on 07/15/2014

Upcoming Events