3 . Short-Term Alternatives
The need for transportation alternatives in Cool Springs is critical . By managing transportation demand , the area will continue to grow in a way that allows people of all ages and income levels to have the ability to travel within and outside the area without relying only on single occupant vehicles . By implementing the short-term service alternatives proposed here , a network of services can begin to be built allowing for the longer term vision of Cool Springs as being a vibrant , forward-thinking model of a new edge city to continue .
These short-term recommendations are designed to be implemented within five years of the plan ’ s adoption .
Transit Options
Below are three options for transit in the area , with each option showing a combination of new services , service revisions , and improved headways and service spans . One thing that should be considered is that all of these options expand the current route network to a point where the previously naming convention for routes should be changed . Routes can be either numbered or color-coded as shown below for new services . The service spans and headways along with the cost in additional hours and vehicles will be shown on a chart at the end of each subsection .
Arterial Route Options East Bound Route The Route would be extended south to the Franklin Transit Center . This would enable riders to use the well-appointed waiting room at the Transit Center , and not have to use their arriving bus as a “ shelter ” while waiting for their connection at the Factory . This would create a one-seat ride connecting the two major Franklin retail centers : Historic Downtown Franklin and the Cool Springs Galleria .
The layover location would be at the cutout in front of the Transit Center , with the bus proceeding back northward via South Margin , Cummins , and Church Streets .
South Bound Route The Route would no longer end at The Factory as it would terminate at the Franklin Transit Center instead . In addition , this route would no longer serve the Cool Springs area , proceeding west after reaching Murfreesboro Road . The layover location would be at a cutout on 9th Avenue just west of Columbia . Timed transfers would be available between the East Bound and West Bound routes , as well as the new Blue Route , at the Franklin Transit Center .
In this scenario , this route , which has the lowest ridership in the system , should be looked at for possible restructuring in the future .
The Route would be further streamlined by eliminating the two one-way loops in the Cool Springs area and replacing them with two new dual-direction arterial routes . This will decrease the time bus riders will need to reach their destinations , as well as make the route more understandable for new riders . The route will continue to serve the retail establishments along Mallory Lane north of Liberty Pike .
Transfers would be available between the South Bound and West Bound routes , as well as the new Blue Route , at the Franklin Transit Center ; the Purple Route at all stops on Mallory Lane between Liberty Pike and West McEwen Drive ; and both the Blue and Purple Routes at the Galleria .
Cool Springs | Multimodal Transportation Network Study 7