ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The city of Asheville is asking residents, workers and visitors to share their input about potential changes to the Asheville Rides Transit network.
The feedback will help guide the ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis, a strategic review of public transit services aimed at improving reliability, accessibility and alignment with community needs and available resources.
City officials say the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is open to everyone, regardless of how often they use public transportation. Responses will help shape draft network designs and identify priorities for the community.
“As Asheville grows, a strong and accessible transit system is more important than ever,” city officials said in a news release.
The analysis will examine ways to improve service frequency, remove barriers for underserved populations, support future development and climate resilience, and incorporate lessons from Tropical Storm Helene.
Community engagement
The city is encouraging public involvement through multiple channels:
- Completing the online survey.
- Visiting city staff and consultants at events throughout October.
- Following project updates via social media, newsletters and partner organizations.
Earlier this year, the city conducted rider and non-rider surveys and engaged the public at community events. Summaries of those efforts are available online.
Next steps
After the survey closes, the project team will review all responses and feedback from public meetings and stakeholder discussions. The team will then create a draft recommended network balancing community priorities with ridership and coverage goals. The draft will be shared with the public for additional input before a final plan is developed.
