MCAT Seeks Public Feedback for Route Improvements

BRADENTON, FL –Manatee County Area Transit is looking for feedback from the people who know its bus routes the best: The people who ride the bus on a regular basis and the ones who could use the bus system if it were adjusted.

In an effort to improve frequency and on-time performance, MCAT has proposed changes for routes 1, 3, 4, 6, 9, 13, 99 North County ConneXion, Anna Maria Island Trolley and Longboat Key Trolley.

Manatee County residents and MCAT riders can gather information and provide feedback in several ways, including two public workshops this month. The first workshop will in the first-floor chambers of the Manatee County Administration Building, 1112 Manatee. Ave. W. in Bradenton, on Monday, May 16 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. The second will be in the Palmetto City Hall Council Chambers, 516 Eighth Ave. W., on Wednesday, May 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

County residents can also participate in an online survey at http://www.ridemcat.org/public-hearings/.

MCAT representatives will distribute fliers to riders at all MCAT Transfer Stations this week to let people know about the workshops and the online survey, and notices have been posted inside MCAT buses.

“We’re working on optimizing existing services, thereby improving service frequencies for core network routes,” said Ryan Suarez, the MCAT transit planning manager. “We’re serving up a menu of proposed changes that will include more frequency on key routes.”

For example, one proposal would increase the frequency of MCAT routes traveling along Manatee Avenue (Route 3) from once per hour to once every 30 minutes. Similar changes are suggested for Route 6, which runs along Cortez Road, and Route 99, which serves the U.S. Highway 41 corridor, both in the Palmetto area.

The proposed frequency increase of major routes would also mean service reductions for routes or elimination of specific bus trips with fewer riders, Suarez said. Examples include eliminating Saturday service along Route 9, which serves 26th Street West and beginning service on the Anna Maria Island Trolley at 8 a.m. instead of the current 6 a.m. schedule.

All public feedback will be compiled and taken into consideration by MCAT staff and then presented by staff to Manatee County Commissioners this summer. The approved route modification would begin this fall.

“We want people to come out and review these proposals and tell us what they think,” Suarez said. “We’re trying to improve operating efficiency, improve the core route network and bolster ridership. To do this properly, input from affected riders is very important and key to successful implementation.”

For more information, visit www.mymanatee.org/mcat.

Image courtesy of Manatee County

Sign up for the Bradenton Patch newsletter and alerts!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, too!