First re-design since Piedmont Wagon became Greenway in 2008

Involve current riders and community partners

Apply community-based values to develop scenarios

Lead-up to 2022 re-designed routes with improved customer experience for existing and new riders

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is Catawba Re-Route?

What is Catawba Re-Route?

Catawba Re-Route is Greenway’s first comprehensive review of its fixed-route system since founded in 2008. In that time, the Hickory-Conover-Newton area has continued to change, while the fixed-route bus system has not adapted to those changes. The Catawba Re-Route Project seeks to re-design local bus service, utilizing current resources to create a plan that better meets the mobility needs of the urban areas of Catawba County.

Why is Re-Route needed?

 Existing riders and the broader community have regularly asked Greenway to serve more places. Where the current Greenway routes travel no longer meet the changing development patterns and population trends of the region. Re-Route seeks to improve the system by better serving existing riders, opening transit opportunities for more people, and ultimately reversing declining ridership.

How was the Plan developed?

 In summer and fall of 2020, riders and community partners will be asked to provide direction on where Greenway should continue, expand, and ultimately, serve better. This will help validate service issues, community values, and desired destinations. Using this input, staff and partners will complete an analysis of the existing service to identify what works and what can be improved. In fall and winter of 2020, the results of this combined feedback will be shared publicly at both the route-specific and system-wide levels. Staff and partners will then develop alternatives to address both existing service concern and requested new areas. Those proposed alternatives will then be presented to riders and partners to provide further comment.

When will the changes happen?

Greenway adopted proposed route changes last year. Implementation of the changes is planned for Tuesday, July 5, 2022. Greenway staff will help inform riders and new areas of the changes and how to access the same places, as well as how to access new areas.

What are the expected benefits of Re-Route?

Throughout the process, we strive to keep service to as many existing riders as possible. However, segments of existing routes with low ridership may be recommended to be reinvested in order to add service to new places requested by the community. Importantly, any changes should result in the vast majority of current riders continuing to access the same high-ridership areas as today. How quickly one reaches those same destinations should be improved with shorter travel time, fewer transfers, or more direct routing. Currently, the system requires riding multiple routes to reach several major destinations, like Hickory shopping. A new network could provide shorter, more direct routes or additional, more frequent service to reach popular destinations. 
 

How much does it cost?

This Plan will seek out potential new funding partners, like neighboring communities and educational institutions. Ultimately, the recommended scenario may be a cost-neutral plan. Such plan would mean the new system would be designed to use existing levels of Greenway operating funds. Any options evaluated but requiring additional funding will be prioritized for future phases beyond the base change. There may also be some capital improvement projects identified to support the expanding system. These would include future improvements, such as a second transit center and enhanced bus stops. These would likely be programmed in future budgets as funding became available.

 
Check this website for times, dates and locations for upcoming meetings for public meetings and outreach held around the region, including those specifically for the Catawba Re-Route project. Like or follow the various social media accounts of Greenway online.