Dixie Rapid
{{Short description|Bus rapid transit service in Louisville, Kentucky, United States}}
{{Infobox bus line
|name = Dixie Rapid
|logo =
|logo_width =
|image = TARC_Dixie_Rapid.jpg
|system = TARC
|open = {{Start date|2020|01|06}}
|locale = Louisville, Kentucky
|start = 2nd & Market (Downtown Louisville)
|end = Dixie Gardens (Valley Station)
|length = {{Convert|15|mi}}
|stations = 18
|frequency = Peak: 15 minutes
Off-peak: 20 minutes
|alt_frequency = 20 minutes
|ridership =
|map =
|map_state = show
|caption=A TARC Route 10 Dixie Rapid bus at the Rockford station}}
Dixie Rapid is a bus rapid transit (BRT) service in Louisville, Kentucky, United States. It is operated by TARC and serves a {{Convert|15|mi}} corridor between Valley Station and downtown Louisville. Construction began in December 2017, with full service beginning in early 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/tarc-to-launch-first-rapid-transit-bus-route-from-dixie-highway-to-downtown-louisville/article_3bca9738-2e60-11ea-b544-a3491f6ccb3d.html|title=TARC to launch first rapid transit bus route from Dixie Highway to downtown Louisville|date=January 3, 2020|newspaper=WDRB|access-date=November 11, 2024}} The system uses {{convert|40|ft|m|adj=mid}} buses on a route featuring some BRT features, but notably lacking others such as dedicated lanes and off-board fare payment.{{cite news |author=Marcus Green |date=January 6, 2020 |title='Rapid' bus service debuts on Dixie Highway |url=https://www.wdrb.com/in-depth/rapid-bus-service-debuts-on-dixie-highway/article_b4c30148-30b3-11ea-b453-cba830f9d8cf.html |access-date=November 11, 2024 |newspaper=WDRB}}
History
In 2015, a $16.9 million grant was awarded to Louisville by the USDOT to begin the project by constructing bus shelters and purchasing new buses.{{cite news|url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/federal-grant-paves-way-for-louisville-s-first-bus-rapid/article_dba2f894-ac53-54f2-80a9-1e02874f3837.html|title=Federal grant paves way for Louisville's first 'bus rapid transit' line|newspaper=WDRB|date=October 26, 2015|access-date=November 11, 2024}} A combination of federal, state and local funding was used for the service as part of a larger project to improve safety and accessibility on the Dixie Highway. Groundbreaking occurred in December 2017 and the new route opened on January 6, 2020, largely replacing the Route 18.{{cite news|url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/article/21120393/brt-comes-to-louisville-with-launch-of-tarcs-rapid|title=BRT comes to Louisville with launch of TARC's Rapid|newspaper=Mass Transit Mag|author=Mischa Wanek-Libman|date=January 8, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2024}} As of late 2024, TARC is proposing to reduce service to 20 minute headways as a result of inadequate funding.{{cite web|url=https://www.ridetarc.org/tarc-proposes-service-reductions-and-changes-to-take-effect-1-26-2025/|title=TARC proposes service reductions and changes to take effect 1/26/2025|date=October 29, 2024|access-date=November 11, 2024}}
Operations
= Stations =
The route runs north–south through primarily along the Dixie Highway in Louisville. The 37 stations often include benches, shelters and an arrival sign, however not all stations are built to this standard.{{cite web|url=https://www.whas11.com/article/money/business/tarc-bus-rapid-transit-line-launch/417-812472c2-30c8-4f30-b914-71806c6a3348|title=TARC's first Bus Rapid Transit line in Louisville launches on Jan. 6|newspaper=WHAS11|author=Courtney Hayden, Kirin Pandit|date=January 6, 2020|access-date=November 11, 2024}}
= Headways =
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ !4A !!5A !! 6A !! 7A !! 8A !! 9A !! 10A !! 11A !! 12P !! 1P !! 2P !! 3P !! 4P !! 5P !! 6P !! 7P !! 8P !! 9P !! 10P !! 11P |
| Weekdays
| colspan="2" |20 | colspan="14" | 15 | 20 | colspan="3" | 30 |
|---|
| Weekends
| colspan="4" | 30 | colspan="12" | 20 | colspan="4" | 30 |
= Buses =
The Dixie Rapid system uses Gillig Low Floor diesel buses equipped with transit signal priority. Eight buses were purchased for the opening, with one more repurposed from the general bus fleet.File:Bus 1928 on the "The Rapid" .jpg Low Floor diesel bus|none|250x250px]]
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.ridetarc.org/bus_routes/dixie-rapid/}}
{{Portal bar|Buses}}
{{USBRT}}
{{Kentucky public transit}}
Category:Transportation in Louisville, Kentucky