Developing Passenger Amenities Guidelines

CAT is currently developing our Passengers Amenities Guidelines.  The primary goal of this document is to establish a framework for maintaining and developing bus stops. This will be achieved by outlining a guiding policy to:

• promote consistency in bus stop and amenity placement and design throughout the CAT service area;
• develop a bus stop and amenities program that meets the operational requirements of the existing and proposed fleet; and
• encourage the members of the community to use public transit through the provision of safe, comfortable, and convenient transit facilities. 

One critical component of the Passenger Amenities Guidelines is the need for a complete inventory of all of the CAT bus stops and their amenities, which includes shelters, benches, information kiosks, trash receptacles, sidewalks, etc. CAT staff is currently in the field gathering this data to complete our inventory. This information will be incorporated into the Passenger Amenities Guidelines document and will serve as the catalyst for determining passenger needs in the community. The information will be made public and posted on the website when complete, which is expected to be within the first quarter of 2012.

Expanding Bicycle Capacity

In response to the community's needs and at the request of the Board, CAT will be expanding the bicycle capacity on our bus fleet. Currently, a bus can only hold a maximum of two (2) bicycles. This is not meeting the mobility needs of our community, so CAT will be expanding the capacity for bicycles to aid in multi-modal transportation needs of our community.

CAT has identified two (2) options for adding capacity: 1) a three-position bike rack mounted to the front of the bus that allows for three (3) bicycles to be retained and 2) an on-board bike rack that allows for bicycles to be retained inside the bus. Both options provide for the safe transport of the bicycles and are easy to load and unload, so as not to interfere with the timeliness of the bus.

Additional bicycle capacity will be made available within the first quarter of 2012, so stay on the lookout for new bike racks.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Guidelines

In line with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and common transit policy and initiatives, CAT is developing a Transit Oriented Development Guidelines model. This model serves as a tool for guiding development that is not only supportive of transit, but is also a sustainable approach to development, including redevelopment and infill.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is commonly defined as higher density mixed-use development within walking distance, a ½ mile, of transit stations or nodes. Transit supportive principles are based upon three (3) guiding planning principles: land use, mobility, and community design; all of which encourage the use of transit and other non-vehicular modes of transportation as an alternate way to get places. Transit supportive development focuses on creating walkable, compact, higher intensity, mixed-use development with housing, jobs, shopping, and community services within a ½ mile radius of transit nodes.

Transit Oriented Development not only supports transit; it also supports our community and our commitment to sustainable development, as Chatham County resolves to become the “Greenest County in Georgia.”

If you have any questions about these planning initiatives, please contact our Transit Planning department at (912) 629-3916.