We are seeking a clarification with respect to a credit equivalency for credit SS 4.1. Our project is an industrial/ manufacturing building located on a major transportation artery in Flint, Michigan.Our project has two year-around bus stops within 1/4 mile of the building entry. Both stops are served by a single branch of the city bus service. However, the line connects directly (within 4 miles) to the Flint Mass Transit Authority\'s Customer Service Center, which serves as a central hub for all other branch lines of the city\'s bus transportation system. Thus, it is possible to travel between any two points in the city with a single transfer at the central hub. Regional transportation is available at the central hub, which is also adjacent to an AmTrak station. An uptown/crosstown bus system would not be efficient in a city the size of Flint.Would this arrangement qualify for equivalency, even though our facility has access to only one line?
The CIR requests confirmation of compliance with SSc4.1 requirements, although the project only has service from one bus line within 1/4 mile. The bus line connects to a hub station that is within 4 miles of the project and serves all other lines in the city\'s bus transportation system. The CIR asserts that, due to the city\'s size, placement of multiple bus lines near the project would be an inefficient use of resources. However, the intent of the credit is to reduce pollution and development impacts from automobile use by encouraging projects to locate where public transportation is a viable option. For the bus compliance option, immediate pedestrian access to at least two different bus routes is the goal. The project\'s location near one bus line that serves a bus hub within 4 miles of the project is not sufficient to meet the credit requirements.A LEED NCv2.1 CIR ruling dated 5/3/2005 states that a bus line serving a metro rail station that is only slightly outside 0.5 miles from the project can also be considered a dedicated shuttle to the rail station and thus is eligible for credit achievement. However, a single bus line serving a central bus hub within 4 miles of the project would not be eligible, as the bus line would likely make many other stops and cannot be considered a shuttle for building occupant use. Also, according to a LEED NC v2.0 CIR ruling dated 9/2/2003, achievement of this credit is possible "by providing a shuttle bus to a place where there is direct access to rail or two or more bus lines" and that the dedicated shuttle service must be permanent and private. Applicable Internationally.