2. Transportation Planning Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area Huey P. Dugas Center for Planning Excellence Public Forum Lod Cook Conference Center July 21, 2011
25. Commuter Rail Ridership Forecasts Results of the 2032 travel demand model runs for the Denham Springs to Baton Rouge Commuter Rail showed an estimated forecast year ridership of approximately 130 daily riders . There are several reasons why the Commuter Rail line did not attract a higher level of ridership. Only three station locations were provided. In addition, the downtown station was isolated and did not provide direct access to the primary activity centers that would be of interest to the majority of commuters. Although a financial analysis of the Commuter Rail alternative was not a part of the current work effort, given the typical costs for service of this type and given the low ridership estimates obtained from the travel demand model, inclusion of the commuter rail alternative in the financially constrained plan does not appear to be justified at this time . It is probable, however, that identification of additional stations and the optimization of station locations could appreciably improve ridership results. It would be worthwhile to continue feasibility analysis of Commuter Rail service with a variety of station plans to determine if there are viable strategies for increasing ridership.
59. Transportation Planning Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area Huey P. Dugas Center for Planning Excellence Public Forum Lod Cook Conference Center July 21, 2011