The Multimodal Transportation Commission (MMTC) met on Oct. 30 for the first time since Tropical Storm Helene to provide feedback on the direction of the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus system.
The question under consideration was where ART should fall on the spectrum between a bus system that prioritizes ridership — more frequent buses on limited routes — versus one that emphasizes coverage — less frequent buses on more widespread routes.
The question of how to balance ridership and coverage given existing resources is at the heart of the ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) currently being conducted by consultant Jarrett Walker & Associates on behalf of the City of Asheville. The COA launched in March with the goal of improving public transit service and aligning resources with community needs…