Transit is a modal choice that can increase our transportation system's capacity and at the same time provide additional choices for travelers while furthering the region's progress towardscreating great streets. A highly-functioning transit system often solves many of the questions raised by the competing interests of vehicular roadways, pedestrian facilities and bicycle facilities.
Achieving the balance between mobility for pedestrians and vehicular traffic, access to adjacent land uses, and safety for all travelers requires thoughtful implementation of transit and a development plan that supports the use of MetroLink light-rail, MetroBus and the supporting modes of access to the transit system, such as bicycle and pedestrian facilities and Park-Ride lots.
Transit ridership is on the rise in the St. Louis region and across the country. The recent opening of the MetroLink Cross County extension and an increase in transit-oriented development points to a growing demand for transit services. Transit is an integral component of St. Louis' Great Streets.
MetroLink is the backbone of the St. Louis regional transit system. The Forest Park station acts as the hub of the MetroLink system, which extends east to downtown and Illinois, and west to Lambert International Airport.
The most recent extension line, known as the Cross County extension, runs from Forest Park west to Clayton, then south to Shrewsbury (see the MetroLink map for details).
The MetroBus service augments MetroLink with over # service miles per year throughout the region. It extends the reach of the light rail service into communities not located directly on the rail line.
Transit adds capacity to an arterial street system without widening the street itself. Bus service can reduce the number of single-occupancy passenger cars on the street, resulting in better vehicular operations overall. Current studies show that a full MetroLink train in St. Louis removes an average of 125 vehicles from the regional road network during rush hour; a full bus removes an average of 40 cars during rush hour. Increasing ridership on our light rail and bus system reduces congestion on our regional road network.
Dedicated bus lanes and/or Bus Rapid Transit should be considered in arterial corridors for long range person movement capacity. Transit measures such as these are especially effective in areas with high-density land uses that can produce stable and consistent ridership.
Arterial corridors with heavy through-traffic having destinations beyond a downtown area, for example, are also great examples of corridors that should consider placing a higher priority on bus lanes.
Not only does transit reduce congestion, but it yields a variety of other benefits as well:
Cars in St. Louis release approximately 247,000 pounds of pollution each day into the region's air. Fewer cars on the road translate into cleaner air for our region.
Transit-oriented development (TOD)is an ideal way to support both the public investment in transit infrastructure and the places surrounding transit stops.
TOD can occur in a variety of forms, from new construction in an undeveloped area to infill of existing land uses surrounding a new or existing transit stop.
This type ofdevelopment is often high-density, mixed-use, and provides a variety of services for both those using the transit facilities and those living in the nearby neighborhoods.
In addition, the development takes special consideration of design elements that support transit, such as a high level of pedestrian and bicycle access and amenities. A variety of such development is happening along the St. Louis transit system.
The relationship between transit and adjacent land use is a powerful one and when planned appropriately, supports transit ridership and economic development simultaneously. Great Streets with transit-oriented development are the building blocks of great neighborhoods, and great cities. See the Choices & Guidelines section of this guidefor more information on the various design elements that contribute to Great Streets.
The presence of any form of transit increases the presence of pedestrians. Providing safe, efficient, and attractive accommodations for pedestrians waiting at transit stops, transferring between modes, and walking between adjacent land uses and transit services is a vital design element in promoting transit as a desirable modal choice.
Key points to remember when designing streets to promote transit use:
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Other Resources:
(not currently available online)
Portland Metro, "Creating Livable Streets" Section 3.13