KTA to test game‑day detour on downtown connector; staff may make change permanent and is considering fare policy

KTA staff told commissioners they will run a temporary detour on the downtown connector on game days so the route will serve Summerplace before stopping at Covenant Health Park, easing fan access from garages and Market Square. Staff said the detour would run only on game days at first as a test over several months and ‘‘we’re looking at doing is testing this out and possibly making this the regular route, essentially.’’

Staff said the detour would add one additional stop at Summerplace while keeping other stops intact and that signage and real-time app updates will notify riders when detours are in effect. ‘‘We’re basically updating the transit app to make sure that … this modification will show up on the real time information,’’ a staff member said.

Staff provided ridership context for the downtown connector, saying the route typically sees ‘‘20 to 25,000 riders’’ during the Big Ears Festival and that opening Covenant Health Park has increased game-related demand. A commissioner asked whether staff would extend the free-fare period; staff said the free window expires June 1 and that they are considering proposing a permanent extension.

Next steps: staff will run the game-day detour during events, monitor performance and rider feedback over the coming months, update rider-facing information, and may propose a permanent routing or fare change for board consideration.