Anchorage Residents Shape Bus Service Expansion

0:00It's March 17th in Anchorage. Let's get into the news. Anchorage transportation planners are updating their transit on the Move Plan to improve bus service over the next five years through 2030. They're asking residents to help prioritize projects by ranking the top five in an online survey open until April 26th. This comes after the original plan from 2020 led to new routes and added security on buses. The focus is on expanding access to neighborhoods with little or no service where people often walk a mile or more to stops. Planners have heard this loud and clear from riders at over 75 community events like fairs and council meetings. Residents want new connections, especially a cross-town route linking East and West Anchorage along Boniface Parkway, 36 Avenue, past the library, and health center all the way to the airport. Local health advocates say better bus access means better health care as current stops are over half a mile away for many patients. Other ideas include an express route on Sea Street with buses every 10 to 15 minutes during rush hour, service to joint base Elmendorf Richardson, and micro transit zones.

1:09These zones would use small vans like ride shares to cover short trips in areas too spread out for walking. Meanwhile, the city is chasing a federal grant for a micro transit pilot by years end in spots like Eagle River, Midtown, and Southwest Anchorage. High ridership there could lead to full bus routes later. A quick thank you to our sponsor of today's episode. When you want calm, do not reach for your phone. Lay back and listen, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.