Innovative Ways to Make Taking the Bus More Attractive in Boulder, Colorado
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 10.15.08
Let Passengers Design and Name Routes
Our friends at StreetFilms had a look at Boulder's innovative approach to public transit. Check it out!
See also: Video: New York CityRacks Design Competition Finalists, Video & Photos: 2008 Park(ing) Day in New York City and Video: StreetFilms on Smartbike DC Bike-Sharing Program
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- NYC's Transportation Commissioner on Streets for People
- Election Day A Boon For Mass-Transit
- Video: New York CityRacks Design Competition Finalists
- Data Confirms Cycling On the Rise in New York City
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I take the skip regularly!
I take the skip regularly!
I'm more or a Hop rider, myself. I do really like the bus/bike system in Boulder, and try to use it as much as possible.
In fact, I'm doing a trial of not owning a car for two weeks when I lend my car to a visiting friend. Maybe I'll sell my car afterwards!
-Mark
I think the marketing of the bus system definitely needs an overhaul to make it appealing to many of the consumers today who'd consider taking it if there wasn't such a dirty perception.
Why can't we have something like this in Philly? The public transportation system here stinks - it's confusing; it only comes every half hour at best; the buses/trollys by no means compare.
We don't even have bike lanes integrated into our sidewalks. There are some bike lanes on the side of the street. Mostly, bikers ride in the middle of the road.
I hate SEPTA
@ Jason
You've got nothing to bitch about. If you really want to try a sucktastic transit system come visit the Tampa Bay area. Both PSTA (Pinellas county) and HART (Hillsborough County) bus systems are lucky to manage runs once an hour.
As for the bike thing - learn to ride in traffic. There are plenty of resources that will explain why riders take the lane.
@Raiyn
I'm not familiar with the Tampa Bay public transportation system. That does sound pretty bad though.
I moved to Philly recently and currently I drive (or ride the trolleys). I may wind up going for a scooter instead of learning the rules of riding. I'll have to see.
I am a CU Boulder alum and there are some things this film didn't point out that may be relevant:
-All CU students that attend the Boulder campus get an ecopass as part of their student ID. Boulder is largely made up of students 9 months out of the year, so you can see why ridership is so high. This pass is valid on all RTD service, which is throughout the Denver/Boulder metro area.
-the cool looking buses only serve the Boulder area. I wish Denver had those too. But i think one of the more overlooked areas of bus riding is that making a route SIMPLE is key. I can't read a bus route map and i'm a freaking architect! I'd like a route map to look more like a subway map--simple, straightforward, clear, and color coded.