The Greater Lafayette Public Transportation Corporation (dba CityBus) provides public transportation service in Lafayette and West Lafayette, Indiana.  Due to recent growth and planned new developments outside the current service area, the need for public transportation services is changing.  To help address these needs, CityBus undertook this study to develop a plan to expand the existing route network.

The two areas of particular interest are located on the city’s south and east sides.  In South Lafayette, the study area is centered on the housing and commercial centers near County Road 350 S. between Concord Road and South 9^th Street.  The East Lafayette study area is centered on the new hospital and medical facilities under construction near the intersection of County Road 500 East and McCarty Lane.  Two maps that show the general study areas are shown on the following pages.

Designing and operating public transportation in suburban areas can be more of a challenge due to lower population densities and high auto ownership.  Whereas these areas once had little or no need for public transportation, rapid growth and development can quickly create a new demand for transit.  It can also result in these areas attracting more existing transit users that need access to the burgeoning work, shopping, and medical services.

Another reason suburban transit design is more challenging is because the number of passengers carried per hour of service is often lower compared to established, urban routes.  This usually results in a higher cost per passenger trip, too.  These differences can make funding additional routes a more difficult decision.

Nevertheless, communities like Lafayette are being challenged by expanding service areas and more diversified travel needs.  The challenge is figuring out how to serve them and continue to operate both efficiently and effectively.  The purpose of this plan is to provide CityBus with an improvement plan that is ready for implementation when funding is available.