Downtown development creates need for new bus depot

A $3 million grant tacked onto the U.S. Senate Transportation-Treasury-HUD spending bill would provide funds for a bus transfer facility at Boonville Avenue and Olive Street. The bill must pass the Senate and must be reconciled with a House bill before hitting President Bush’s desk.

The new station would replace the system’s current downtown location on McDaniel Street.

City Utilities transit manager Carol Cruise said the area has become too difficult for bus transit. Streets with angled parking are too narrow for buses to maneuver, and heavy traffic causes delays in transit schedules.

“As the area develops, it’s becoming difficult for buses to get out of the downtown area,” she said. “The property where we’re currently located would be better suited for other activities.”

Cruise said the new location could have separate loading stations for each route, reducing confusion for riders. The current location loads riders for all routes from a central platform.

If the grant is approved, construction could begin later this year.

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