ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis
ART Comprehensive Operational Analysis
The City of Asheville is conducting the Asheville Rides Transit (ART) Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) to improve public transit services and align resources with community needs. This project analyzes ridership data, demographic trends, and roadway conditions, developing short- and long-term strategies for enhancing the ART transit system. The project identifies techniques and a framework to match resources with transit service demand, optimizing service efficiency and better serving Asheville’s growing and changing population.
Happening Now
City Transportation staff will research additional revenue sources and partnership opportunities for transit, including regional models. The results of that research will be shared with City Council.
Background
The Asheville Rides Transit (ART) bus system is a vital transportation resource for community members, workers, and visitors. Since March of 2025, the City has been conducting a comprehensive review of its transit operations to ensure that ART remains efficient, accessible, and resilient as Asheville continues to grow. This Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) examines how the City’s transit system can adapt to changes in land use, population density, and mobility patterns over the next decade.
On March 11, 2025, Asheville City Council approved Jarrett Walker & Associates (JWA) as the consultant for this project. JWA specializes in transit analysis and network design and has worked with the City’s Transit Division staff in developing recommendations that balance service reliability, accessibility, and long-term sustainability with available resources.
The first phase of engagement for this project focused on gathering community input on key priorities, needs, and opportunities. The second phase of engagement centered on reviewing and gathering feedback on two illustrative theoretical network design concepts, one focused on maximizing ridership and another on maximizing coverage.
The third phase of engagement asked for community input on a Draft Network. Developed from public engagement, stakeholder feedback, and City Council's guidance to shift some resources toward ridership while maintaining service to low-income areas, the Draft Network would remove service from some areas to reallocate resources to corridors where increased frequency will benefit more riders.
The third and final round of public engagement closed on June 28, 2026 with more than 1300 submissions. A majority of respondents did not agree that the Draft Network would be better than the current network, with many commenters citing concerns about the potential loss of access to medical or social services and jobs. However, many commenters also liked the focus on frequency and high-density corridors. This support for the goal of increased frequency and more reliable service, balanced with concern about the proposed trade-offs, provides specific and valuable insight for the City, as it continues to identify priorities and evolve the network to best serve the community.
Staff and consultant partner briefed City Council on public input to the draft network at a meeting on July 28, 2026.
Past Updates
July 23, 2026 – Sharing Results of the ART Draft Network Survey
May 21 - June 28, 2026 -- Phase 3 engagement
November 2025 -- Phase 2 engagement summary
June 2025 -- Phase 1 engagement summary published
April 12, 2025 -- The City invites the community to provide input on current ART operations
March 12, 2025 - Jarrett Walker & Associates has been approved as the project consultant and will begin working with City staff to gather data and assess ART’s transit operations.
The City is preparing to launch community engagement efforts, including surveys, public meetings, and stakeholder outreach that will begin in April 2025 and continue through Fall 2025. Planning teams are incorporating lessons from Hurricane Helene to develop strategies for improving transit resilience and emergency preparedness.
Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to share your feedback and help shape the future of ART!
Frequently Asked Questions
The ART Comprehensive Operations Analysis is a strategic review of Asheville’s transit system operations aimed at aligning routes, schedules, and resources with the needs of the community. The analysis will provide recommendations for improving service efficiency, expanding transit access, and preparing for future growth.
The goal of this project is to identify operational improvements that will better match available resources (funding, buses, drivers, etc.) to the evolving needs of the community. The City wants to ensure that resources are used effectively to provide the best possible service to ART riders.
The City is committed to transparency and will provide updates through multiple channels, including:
The City of Asheville website
Social media platforms
Community partnerships
Flyers and printed materials
Door-to-door engagement
Public meetings and forums
Additionally, individuals who opt in for updates will receive project notifications directly.
Public input is essential to shaping the ART Comprehensive Operations Analysis. The City will conduct rider surveys, hold community meetings, and provide online engagement opportunities to ensure that all voices are heard. Feedback will be incorporated into the final recommendations.
The impact of Hurricane Helene demonstrated the need for a more resilient transit system. The analysis will explore strategies for strengthening transit infrastructure, improving emergency response, and ensuring reliable service during severe weather conditions.
Once the data collection and analysis phases are complete, the City will release a final report outlining operational recommendations for transit improvements and an implementation plan. The study is expected to conclude in late spring 2026. The report will be publicly available on the City’s website.