Key Takeaways
- • Transit consultant Jarrett Walker told Chattanooga city and CARTA officials on Monday that the city's public transit is not considered useful for most people, based on an analysis by his firm.
- • Walker said that, given current investment levels and system design, useful transit in Chattanooga should not be expected, calling the situation a "legacy of low expectations and low investment."
- • Walker's firm says it does not promote a specific transit plan and instead aims to help decision-makers make sound public transit choices.
- • Walker's firm has consulted on transit systems across the world, the nation and the state, including Memphis and Knoxville.
Summary
Jarrett Walker, a prominent public transit planning and policy consultant, briefed city and CARTA (Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority) officials on Monday on the state of Chattanooga's public transit system, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Based on an analysis from Walker's firm, Chattanooga's public transit is not considered useful for most people. Walker said that with the current level of investment and the system's existing design, useful public transit in Chattanooga should not be expected. He described the situation as typical of many similar cities, adding, "It's typical of what's involved in a lot of similar cities, and it's not wrong. It's just reflective of a legacy of low expectations and low investment."
Walker, known for his 2011 book "Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives," said his firm has consulted on public transit systems across the world, the nation and the state, including Memphis and Knoxville. He stressed that the firm does not push a particular transit plan, but instead works to help decision-makers reach good decisions about public transit.
Based on an analysis from Walker's firm, Chattanooga's public transit is not considered useful for most people. Walker said that with the current level of investment and the system's existing design, useful public transit in Chattanooga should not be expected. He described the situation as typical of many similar cities, adding, "It's typical of what's involved in a lot of similar cities, and it's not wrong. It's just reflective of a legacy of low expectations and low investment."
Walker, known for his 2011 book "Human Transit: How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives," said his firm has consulted on public transit systems across the world, the nation and the state, including Memphis and Knoxville. He stressed that the firm does not push a particular transit plan, but instead works to help decision-makers reach good decisions about public transit.
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