I was impressed that Chattanooga's new Greyhound station is right next to the railroad tracks and pretty close to the airport. It seems like someone is thinking ahead.

When I went to Chile I took KAT to Greyhound which is located directly below a MARTA station in Atlanta, then on to the airport by train. Talk about multi modal transport. The only thing missing was a boat. The timing went really well as flights don't leave until 10 or 11 p.m.

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Less is the new More - Karrie Jacobs

One dog's opinion, but what about purhcasing the old Knox Rail Salvage building and entering into a refurbishing agreement with Greyhound to combine both bus services? It would be on the correct side of the tracks (north) and near an accepted bus transfer point already in existence. Also, it is nearer the KAT bus repair facility.

Church St never made sense. Most buses are empty riding around, we could move to smaller and expand the routes.

Let me respond in part to bump your issue back to the front page and possibly to get some discussion going. You have obviously given this matter a lot of thought; however, I am working on the assumption that most of us don’t have the time to download and read your linked reports. I am also assuming that you are or agree with the person who commented to PBA that the transit center should be located on Jackson west of Gay. A few years ago, I might have argued with you believing the convenience of bus riders took precedence over some dream of intercity rail. Currently, I agree but probably not for the same reasons.

A few years ago, Wilbur Smith developed a downtown transit plan that recommended the transit center be located between Cumberland and Church Avenues. That block is still available and obviously has not been included in subsequent studies Wilbur Smith has been paid to perform. In the meantime, over $3 million have been invested in transit center planning resulting in a concept for a transit center along the Church Ave Viaduct, not a plan. In the interim downtown Knoxville has been converted to an upscale residential and entertainment neighborhood while many firms have left and while the commercial real estate vacancy rate has increased.

As for mass transit in Knoxville, it doesn’t exist with the exception of a few daily express buses serving Farragut, Cedar Bluff, and Halls. Mass transit requires a central destination and downtown Knoxville is no longer a destination for many bus riders. That’s not to be critical of KAT. Given Knoxville’s street pattern, KAT appears to do an excellent job meeting the needs of those who use public transportation. With downtown Knoxville no longer being a destination for bus riders the focus should be a “central” transfer station. The Church Ave Viaduct is not a central location for many riders.

I know at least one council member who believes that the State Street site would have been the better choice. I agree and while not the planned location, it definitely would comply with Crandall Arambula’s vision of State Street as the downtown bus corridor. It appears, however, that the CBID and others would rather not see the transit center built in the city center which leaves the Jackson Ave site as the next best alternative.