Editor’s Note: This story is part of a month-long series that highlights 31 ideas included in the “Mansfield Rising” plan. The 67-page document was created by 15 local leaders after attending the South by Southwest Conference last March in Austin, Texas.
Idea 25: Implement alternative transportation options
MANSFIELD — Part of the ‘Mansfield Rising’ plan is to provide alternative transportation options, such as ride-share services, trolleys, bike sharing programs and electric scooters.
The implementation of such options would allow visitors to ditch their car, or to park once and travel to multiple destinations, the plan explains.
It mentions ideas like an urban circulator system, which might use street cars or trolleys to make continuous loops, picking up and dropping off passengers in downtown. This would be in addition to regular bus services.
In Akron, the Metro RTA offers a free downtown circular, called DASH, which runs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in 10- to 15-minute intervals. In Knoxville, Tennessee, people can travel the city on a self-driving trolley. Mansfield leaders looked at an autonomous trolley, called Olli, last April.
The plan notes that these urban circulator systems tend to foster redevelopment.
Further, cities are encouraging several options including ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft. Both services now operate in Mansfield.
Bike-sharing programs, pedicabs and electronic scooters are environmentally friendly options also mentioned in the plan.
The plan notes alternative transportation will be needed if parking is moved to the periphery of downtown or centrally located, as another portion of the plan states.
Event-based alternative transportation might also be considered on an as-needed basis through a partnership of Richland County Transit.
Cost: A self-driving trolley could cost up to $660,000 to maintain and operate annually. Transportation options available at lower costs include Uber, Lyft, bikes, electric scooters, a bike co-op and bus routes available to all residents.
Partners: ride share service providers, business and entertainment venues, entrepreneurs willing to set up alternative transportation options.
Timeline: A complete streets policy needs to be approved and implemented before the encouragement of alternative transportation. It will be necessary to create new destinations prior to developing these alternative transportation systems.
Join us for a live discussion of the “Ideas of March” series and the “Mansfield Rising” plan on Thursday, April 4.
