In an effort to understand all transit riders’ perspectives, Transfort, the City of Fort Collins’ transit provider, is initiating a community-wide conversation about bikes and buses.
Since the launch of MAX in May, public feedback indicates concerns over bike parking availability on the MAX vehicles. MAX buses currently accommodate four bicycles inside the vehicle; all other Transfort buses accommodate three bicycles on exterior racks. As ridership on MAX is high, space is limited to carry all bicycles that passengers try to bring onto MAX buses.
In response, Transfort is providing a discussion forum of potential options for accommodating bikes on buses. Through this effort, Transfort seeks:
As part of this forum, Transfort has created three primary channels for community members to contribute in the process and provide input. You can join this discussion by participating in an upcoming text survey, by sharing your thoughts in an online discussion, or by attending a community meeting.
Textizen Citizen Survey
Textizen uses SMS texting technology to survey transit riders and other citizens. Using a cell phone, people provide responses to questions about their use of transit, and about how transit should accommodate bikes. Starting this weekend, posters, flyers, social media and ridetransfort.com will provide information on how to participate. Real time stats on the poll questions will also be available on Transfort’s webpage for anyone to review.
Idea Lab Conversation
The City’s Idea Lab discussion forum site, idealab.fcgov.com/, provides an opportunity for community participation. Questions related to the Textizen survey and ideas brought up by community members will be posted here. Community members may log in and share their thoughts and feedback on the site.
Community Meeting
A community meeting will be held in mid-September to gather additional community feedback. City staff will present the ideas brought to them by the community to discuss with participants. Staff will also present a proposed policy for accommodating bikes on the transit network.
Community members may also contact Transfort directly to share their feedback and stay up-to-date on the process by visiting ridetransfort.com.
Additionally, Transfort has formed a Citizen Idea Team (CIT) to assist staff with identifying and evaluating options. This group is made up of interested citizens representing a spectrum of transit riders. The group has the primary function of working through ideas and helping advise Transfort on how to accommodate bikes into the future.
For more information on how to engage in this bikes and buses discussion, please contact Emma Belmont, Transit Planner, Transfort – City of Fort Collins at PGFjbGFzcz0=">ZWJlbG1vbnRAZmNnb3YuY29t or 970.224.6197.
About Transfort
Transfort is the City of Fort Collins’ public transportation provider. Transfort offers friendly, safe, convenient bus service in Fort Collins and beyond. MAX Bus Rapid Transit, Dial-A-Ride, FLEX and the Green and Gold routes are all services of Transfort. The system was named “Large Transit System of the Year” at the 2013 Colorado Association of Transit Agencies (CASTA)/Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Fall Transit Conference and Expo. For more information about Transfort services and programs, please visit ridetransfort.com or call 970.221.6620.
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