The Downtown Transit Center is managed by the Chittenden County Transit Authority. For up-to-date information, frequently asked questions, and contact information, visit the CCTA Transit Center website.
PROJECT HISTORY
To enhance public transit opportunities through infrastructure improvements, the City pursued the development and construction of an inter-modal transit facility in downtown Burlington. In 2003, the Burlington City Council and Mayor Clavelle suspended development of the Burlington Downtown Transit Center, which was designed and permitted for a site on Battery Street in downtown Burlington. Subsequently Mayor Clavelle convened an ad hoc task force with representatives of the Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization (CCMPO), the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA), VTrans, the Burlington Business Association (BBA), a transit patron, Burlington City Council, Burlington Public Works Commission and Burlington Planning Commission. The Committee was created to evaluate the City's position and options relative to this project. The task force was charged with reviewing the goals and objectives the City established for the project; assessing the proposed permitted design and the consequences of forgoing that design and pursuing other means to achieve its goals.
As identified in the Mayor's Multi Modal Transportation Center Task Force Final Report, December 2003, development of the Downtown Transit Center will fulfill a long-standing community goal of increased access and mobility. The project will also contribute to enhancing connections between downtown and the waterfront through development of its accessory components - ITS initiatives identified in the original Multi Modal Transportation Center project. As recommended in the Mayor's task Force Final Report the goals for the project are to:
a. Encourage new ridership;
b. Provide amenities for transit patrons without significantly adding to CCTA's operating expense;
c. Create a vital space that maximizes safety and security.
The development of a transportation center in and of itself was not considered sufficient to meet the goals of the original multi-modal project. What would be needed were identified as accessory components - some accomplished through the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) initiatives identified in the original multi-modal program and others along with increased operational funding support for the CCTA, enabling it to increase headways and service levels downtown and throughout the system. It is here acknowledged that the DTC comprises one element in a broader scheme for improving public transit service. And while the goal of seamless connections remains important emphasis will be placed on connections to existing services and modes - retail centers, work sites, pedestrians, bicycles, etc. rather than uncertain connections such as rail.
Click here to download the Mayor's Task Force final report