The central transit station coming to Bob Billings and Crestline Drive will likely not be completed until Jan. 2, 2024, and Lawrence Transit will also delay route changes intended to align with the new station.
The station and route changes were both expected to be ready in August.
“Several factors led to the delay, including supply chain issues with materials, unexpected utility relocations, and staffing changes in the groups working on the project,” according to a Thursday news release from the city.
Adam Weigel, transit and parking manager, said in the release that as the project has progressed, it became evident that they will need more time to launch the new facility and service correctly.
“We apologize to our riders who are inconvenienced by this delay, and we know the end result will be worth the wait,” he said in the release.
Lawrence Transit has been using the area of Seventh and Vermont streets as a temporary bus hub for about 10 years, according to the release. The new station will have bays for Lawrence Transit buses, the K-10 Connector and Greyhound services as well as indoor amenities such as restrooms and a waiting area.
“When Central Station opens, seven routes will serve the new facility, and five bus routes will continue to serve downtown,” according to the release. “A future public process will determine whether the transfer location for those buses remains at 7th & Vermont or another downtown location.”
All city buses are free to ride this year. The yearlong, fare-free pilot program is supported by state and federal transit funds and sales tax revenue, and it applies to fixed-route buses, T Lift and Night Line.
Not requiring fares to ride has improved on-time performance on 10 of 12 routes, and ridership is exceeding pre-pandemic ridership on five out of 12 City or City-KU coordinated routes, according to an update on Lawrence Transit’s website. Three additional routes are at 90% or greater of pre-pandemic ridership, according to the update.
Learn more and find routes at lawrencetransit.org.
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August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
