New route

[Busjack]

Looking around the Pace site, there was a Passenger Notice that after the detour on 353 ends, a new route 348 is being created covering part of the detour. Is this a case of a detour actually generating traffic, and is anyone aware of a similar situation?

[trainman8119]

Is this a case of a detour actually generating traffic, and is anyone aware of a similar situation?

It seems as though that is the case. I am not aware of this happening elsewhere, but I would think that it is not so unique a situation.

Looking at the route, though, it is strange in that it runs over other routes, almost exclusively, mainly the 352. It is odd that in a time when routes are getting cut, and budgets are thin that they would have something so overlapping.

[Busjack]

I think here the point was to get it to the transfer point at 127th with 8A, which doesn't affect the interval. It is mostly just getting over the river on Halsted.

Update: Pace's Moving into the Future had an explanation; apparently appealing to politicians has some effect in some cases.

Beginning yesterday, resulting from the urging of many area residents and elected officials, Pace began operations of a new bus route: Route 348 138th Street--Riverdale Connector.  It serves 138th Street between Indiana and Halsted and Halsted Street between 138th and 127th Streets.

Due to railroad viaduct work on 130th Street and Indiana Avenue, Pace Route 353 had been detoured from Indiana to Halsted Street via 138th Street since August 1, 2005. Pace had previously received requests to implement bus service on 138th Street, so for many the change was welcome.  Pace management was even encouraged not to remove service from 138th Street after the construction period.  During the detour, however, they learned that a significant number of bus passengers along Indiana Avenue were inconvenienced by the detour and it had a substantial negative impact on Route 353's on-time performance.  

In response, Pace analyzed ridership data and determined that both corridors generate sufficient ridership to warrant bus service.  Beginning November 30, 2005, Route 353 has resumed operations on Indiana Avenue, and the new Route 348 is in place on those streets on which Route 353 had been detoured.  Service levels on Route 348 will be reviewed in the coming year as part of the South Cook/Will County Initiative.

Pace wishes to thank Board Member Terry Wells, Riverdale Village President Zenovia Evans, State Representatives David Miller and Will Davis, State Senator James Meeks, Cook County Commissioner Deborah Sims, Chicago Alderman Anthony Beale and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. for their advocacy on behalf of their constituents that reinforced the need for this service.

[trainman8119]

I think appealing to politicans has effect in most cases. Unfortunatley, the supposed pros can't manage, nor have the guts

to control their own agency...which in the long run is bad for all of us.

Time to get some people who really know what is going on to make things work and get the pols out. Unfortunatley, the pols control

the purse strings.

In any event, if there is a need, and if it benefits some majority, run it...no matter who takes credit.