Transit entails much more than merely the car parked in your garage; it is a multi-faceted system that enhances community connectivity. In Rapid City, researchers are actively exploring alternative transit options, assessing their potential alongside crucial infrastructure such as roads and sidewalks.
The city’s ongoing evaluation of bus services, dedicated bike lanes, and other innovative transit alternatives highlights its commitment to creating safer and more efficient streets. As Rapid City continues to expand and evolve, maximizing the use of its existing infrastructure is becoming increasingly vital.
Kip Harrington, the Long Range Planning Division Manager for Rapid City, emphasized the importance of strategically utilizing every bit of available infrastructure, particularly when it comes to integrating bike lanes effectively into the urban landscape. “We’re always looking at opportunities to increase safety with bike lanes and other opportunities for non-motorized transportation in Rapid City,” Harrington reiterated.
Currently, new bike lanes are only constructed during road reconstruction projects, reliant on existing right-of-way availability for their installation. “That’s been our big problem lately,” Harrington admitted, “but we’ll continue to work on that and identify those opportunities.”
Despite Rapid City boasting a comprehensive biking trail that weaves through its park network, commuters frequently find themselves vying for road space with motor vehicles, due to the lack of dedicated bike lanes along many routes.
Another crucial aspect under review is the local bus network, where Rapid Transit is delving into the viability and effectiveness of its current routes. However, as the population continues to swell, a more robust bus service is anticipated to meet the demands of commuters.
Harrington recognized this as a critical issue, noting that, “One of the problems with public transit is that Rapid City is very spread out. We have a lot of square footage for the amount of population we have, which complicates running our buses efficiently.” He also pointed out the financial implications, stating, “It’s very expensive to run a public transit system, and it does not pay for itself. We would require more funding from the City Council to increase our transit services.”
Fare and route information for Rapid Transit can be found here.
