Safe Streets program manager Hank urges 15-minute fixed-route service, cautions on scaling microtransit

Hank, who identified themself as the city’s Safe Streets Program Manager, told Interview Committee A that the most urgent change for Bloomington Transit is improved fixed-route frequency so service is convenient enough to compete with driving. "We need some route that gets major destinations to major destinations with a 15minute frequency," Hank said, calling a 15-minute headway the goal for major corridors.

Hank described personal experience living carless in Bloomington and relying on transit and biking, which informed the view that long waits and poor transfer connections discourage routine transit use. They said some neighborhoods lack fixed routes and transfers can mean waiting 30–45 minutes, which makes transit impractical for everyday trips. On microtransit, Hank said it has its role for paratransit needs but is not the best system-wide investment: "When you look at other communities that have done that, they are not seeing the same return on investment as if they would scale up or increase route frequency on their fixed routes," Hank said. The candidate recommended using fixed-route frequency improvements and data-driven evidence from peer cities before expanding microtransit.