Chapter 4 - Transit is not just for lower income folks…
One recent observation I have made is that transit is important to younger generations. Community and business leaders in Springfield have been talking about how to retain and / or attract young talent to alleviate the ‘brain drain’ effect of young college graduates leaving for other metropolitan areas.
An event held in 2023 by Better Block called ‘We Create’ called on 7 teams of community members to create proposals that addressed “red flag” items identified in the Community Focus 2021 Report. These topics provided the framework to develop innovative design solutions including:
· Diversity and Equity
· Green Space Preservation
· Public Transit
· Concerns About Water Sources
4 of the 7 teams focused on creating better transit. One focused on better bus shelters, another on alternative or additional routes, and yet another was to create an app that would help change public perception of transit. The teams consisted primarily of young professionals or college students. This was an aha moment – the current younger generation is looking for better transit in Springfield. This is something we should start considering as a priority.
Competing with the desire for better transit is the need for more demand for transit. The system as it exists today is somewhat inefficient for users and takes more time to get to destinations than most people are willing or able to dedicate. The ridership is relatively low, and consists primarily of those who cannot afford any other means. There’s also the issue of the perception that the bus is only for folks who can’t afford other forms of transportation.
This leads us to the Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan recently adopted by the city as well as the new zoning code – which will start to formulate potential for more mixed-use development along arterial corridors as well as more multi-modal transportation and better pedestrian experience. Creating higher density along arterial corridors aligns closely with the need for better transit and other modes of transportation such as walking and riding bicycles.
