Asheville City Council Delays Decision on Bus Route Changes Amid Public Concern
The Asheville City Council has opted to delay a decision on proposed modifications to the city’s bus routes, a move that has been met with considerable public interest. The suggested changes aimed to increase the frequency of bus services along key routes while discontinuing less popular ones, all without substantially raising the city’s transit budget.
A vote on this proposal was initially planned for the coming week. However, Mayor Esther Manheimer announced the postponement due to significant feedback from residents. Many city inhabitants expressed worries about the potential difficulties that would arise from losing certain routes, particularly for those who rely on public transit and reside in areas that would no longer be serviced.
In a briefing, Assistant City Manager Jade Dundas informed the Council that city staff would seek alternative funding options and explore regional partnerships to enhance bus service frequency. This decision follows a $300,000 public engagement process initiated last year, aimed at revamping the transit system without increasing its overall cost. The city’s transportation director stated earlier this year that the objective was to optimize the system within current budget constraints.
Council Member Maggie Ullman highlighted the vital role the bus system plays in the community. She acknowledged the importance of increasing bus frequency but emphasized, “I don’t want that to be at the expense of our current riders.” The discussions and acquired insights from the planning phase are expected to guide future modifications.
Although no formal vote was conducted, none of the Council members objected to delaying the decision during Thursday’s session.
