By Elijah Mckenzie
The link between the University of Louisville Belknap Campus and downtown Louisville may be getting a boost in connection speed.
According to Chris Poynter, spokesman for the mayor’s office, the city is developing a strategy to expand public transit between U of L and downtown, by means of a light rail or a rapid bus system.
“When the mayor began to see all the things that were going on downtown, with the arena, Old Louisville, and now with the new addition to the Speed Art Museum, he wanted to find a way to connect all these,” said Poynter. “But all our plans are in the very early stages right now.”
Poynter added that, of all the options available, the rapid bus system – a transit design where buses operate on dedicated lanes – might be the most likely option because of its cost effectiveness and flexibility.
Barry Barker, executive director of Transit Authority of River City, said that he has had numerous conversations with previous mayors about establishing a light rail system, but financing always became problematic.
“Based on my discussions with the mayor, he’s very interested in improving public transportation,” said Barker. “I think at this point he’s interested in pursuing that vision of connecting downtown to the growing community around [U of L]. I was absolutely enthused that he talked about it.”
According to Barker, the creation of a rapid bus system would be beneficial for commuters living downtown, but would also open doors to new student housing options along the rapid bus route.
“I think one of the key questions is: How do you combine all housing and transportation to make sure that they’re all in sync with one another?” said Barker. “You can’t do transportation planning without housing planning or job creation. It all has to be in one piece to be successful. And I think a faster transit would help to tie the university to the city.”
Zach Barnes, a junior finance and economics double major and a resident at Bettie Johnson Hall, said that rapid bus transit would ease the stress of traveling downtown, but wouldn’t deter him from living on campus.
“I work downtown and I think a better transit system would help me in that regard, especially when it comes to parking,” said Barnes. “But I think that no matter how fast a rapid bus system would be I would still find it difficult, because I would have to wait for the bus, get on, and wait for a while longer before I could get to class. Because of that, I don’t think there’s anything to make me want to live off campus.”
John Stiles, a freshman industrial engineering major and a resident at West Hall, said that a rapid bus system would encourage him to travel downtown more often.
“It would definitely be nice to get off campus sometimes,” said Stiles. “I personally don’t have a car, so I think having an improved bus system would be good for resident students who want to go to downtown events.”
