Approximately every five years, the City of Janesville reviews and updates its Transit Development Plan (TDP), which sets the overall direction for the Transit System for the coming half-decade. The process to develop the plan includes collection of data, stakeholder interviews, a survey of bus riders and the general population, analysis of bus operations, and public input throughout the process. Also included in this year’s review is examining the feasibility of transitioning to a bus stop only transit system and updating the design of the Janesville Transit System (JTS) bus sign. Ultimately any significant changes to service JTS desires to make based on the TDP requires approval by the Metropolitan Planning Organization and would take place in summer 2018.
On Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24, customers boarding Janesville Transit System buses may be asked to fill out a survey on how they use the City’s bus system, and to offer opinions on what the service does well and how it could be improved. On the survey days, surveyors riding each bus will hand a survey form to each boarding passenger and request that the passenger fill out the survey and turn it back in to the surveyor or deposit the survey in a box near the exit door on the bus at the end of their trip.
Public open houses will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at the downtown Transfer Center (123 S. River Street) from 2 – 4 p.m. and on Thursday, May 25 at the Rock County Job Center lobby (1900 Center Avenue) from 8 – 9 a.m.
In addition to the bus rider survey and open houses, JTS and its consultant will also be interviewing community leaders and representatives of organizations and agencies whose students, employees, or clients are users of JTS’ services. All of this information will be used to develop a five year plan, expected to be drafted by August. Residents and bus riders will have the chance to review and comment on the proposals at public open houses and drop-in sessions before the plan is presented to the Janesville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization for review and possible adoption late this year.
For question about the Transit Development Plan update, please contact MPO Coordinator Terry Nolan at 755-3095 or Transit Director Rebecca Smith at 755-3150.
