| Mayor Don Plusquellic today joined with
METRO, Summit County’s regional transit authority, to announce major changes in the
way that passenger bus traffic will move in and out of Downtown Akron in the future.  "With gasoline prices
rising," said Mayor Plusquellic, "there’s no better time than now for local
government to partner with federal authorities to make a significant investment in mass
transit."
The City and METRO announced plans to build a $15 million Intermodal Transit Center at
South Broadway and Bartges Street on city-owned land that has been referred to as
University Technology Park. The city’s contribution of land will satisfy most or the
entire local match needed to trigger the federal funds that will pay for the facility.
All buses arriving and departing Downtown will use
the site to offer passengers a place to transfer from one bus route to another. "This
will be a first-class terminal where passengers can transfer, wait and embark on trips
sheltered from the weather," said METRO General Manager Robert Pfaff. "We will
also provide restrooms, a small shop for passenger amenities, and possibly a tourist
information center."
METRO has also been working with the Greyhound Bus Company to locate a terminal for
intercity travel on the site; and, in the future, the site would provide a link to rail
transportation already accessible at the property.
"We are really looking a ways into the future," said Mayor Plusquellic,
"when more people will use transit and set aside their personal automobiles."
Also part of the future is how buses may be fueled. The new center is located adjacent
(east of) to the site selected by Ovonics Akron for its Hydrogen Fuel testing facility.
"We have already applied to the federal government and Ohio's Third Frontier for a
hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project," said Pfaff. Already, a number of
METRO’s buses are equipped to use compressed natural gas as an alternative to diesel
fuel.
The City of Akron had been acquiring parcels of land for the Intermodal Center on East
Market Street at Prospect Street, (site of the former Taylor Pontiac) but the mayor
indicated that the potential of the property as a site for a new economic development
project in the area has changed the ideal use of the land.
"Circumstances not dictated by us have resulted in new uses for property along
East Market Street," Plusquellic said.
METRO operates buses through Downtown Akron to points all over Summit County and
maintains six trips each day to Cleveland. Canton’s RTA also brings passengers into
downtown Akron from Stark County. METRO services 6 million passenger rides each year.
Funding for the project has already been approved in legislation sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Transportation, known as SAFETEA - LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible,
Efficient, Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users.)
Design of the new Downtown Akron Intermodal Transit Center will begin this year with
construction expected to begin by the spring of 2008.
Plusquellic and Pfaff also announced plans to modify existing operations whereby all
buses line up on South Main Street in front of Cascade Plaza so passengers can transfer
from one bus to another.
"Since the Main Street Transitway was designed and built 20 years ago, the uses of
South Main Street for pedestrian and vehicular traffic have changed," said the mayor.
"I have been concerned about the safety of bus passengers on Main Street - -
especially students. I’ve seen them darting in front of traffic to make their
connection. We are working with METRO to find an appropriate location for buses to line up
between 8am and 5pm that will take them off of Main Street."
Pfaff said METRO is talking with property owners in Downtown to find a location that is
safer for riders, and will enhance the METRO’s service by providing a facility that
will offer public restrooms, space for ticket sales and room to accommodate bus drivers.
-end- |
