Mark Barrett

ASH

ASHEVILLE – City government is holding a public meeting Wednesday to hear comments on plans for Sunday bus service and changes to transit routes serving the Emma and Oakley neighborhoods.

Sunday service is scheduled to begin Jan. 1, the same date the other changes will take effect.

Not all routes will operate on Sundays. Asheville Redefines Transit is asking the public to provide feedback on which routes it should offer Sunday service on and for what hours, plus on proposed routes and times for service in Emma and Oakley.

The proposed Emma and Oakley service would restore direct links between those two areas and the bus transfer station on Coxe Avenue downtown.

Changes to the transit system implemented in 2012 established a new route between the two neighborhoods that cut through Biltmore Village but required riders wanting to go downtown to transfer to another bus. All other bus routes stop at the transfer station.

The city is abandoning the new route because of low ridership and complaints that riders had difficulties transferring to other buses.

The drop-in public meeting will run 4-7 p.m. in the fourth floor training room of the police and fire departments headquarters building at 100 Court Plaza.

Residents can also take a quick online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ART14 or submit comments by Aug. 25 to iride@ashevillenc.gov or Mariate Echeverry, Transportation Planning Manager, City of Asheville, P.O. Box 7148, Asheville 28802.

The proposed Emma and Oakley service would restore direct links between those two areas and the bus transfer station on Coxe Avenue downtown.