Characteristics of Bus Transit Users in a Small-Urban Resort Community

1. Characteristics of Bus Transit Users in a Small-Urban Resort Community Wayne D. Cottrell, Ph.D. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Sichun Mu University of Utah 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 19th-22nd, 2008

2. Purpose of Study • Develop resident & tourist transit demand models. • Integrate the two models. • Facilitate service reorientation planning. • Case study: Park City Transit. • Learn about Park City Transit users. • Identify explanatory variables.  18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

3.  Park City, Utah • Population 8,044 in 2007 • Population growth 9% since 2000 • Population 22,960 with Snyderville communities • 27 miles east southeast of Salt Lake City • 70% of Utah’s population within 1 hour • In-town elevation: 7,000 feet • Most 2002 Winter Olympic events held here 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

4. Park City Tourism  • 3 ski resorts (Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain) • 1,871,500 skier days in 2007-08 • 3,311,000 visitor nights in 2007 • 5% annual growth rate since 1987-88 • 23,000 pillows, 66% occupancy in winter • 30% of visitors are daytime only 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

5. Similar Resort Communities • Colorado Aspen Steamboat Breckenridge Telluride Durango • Idaho Ketchum Sun Valley • Oregon Bend • Utah Moab  • Wyoming Jackson 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

6. Park City Transportation • I-80 freeway • Salt Lake City International Airport • State highways & local streets • Footpaths, ski trails & bicycle paths • Park City Transit  18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

7. Park City Transit • Free (no fare) service • Initiated in 1985 in Park City • Expanded to Snyderville Basin later • Annual patronage increasing by 10% per year • 1.7 million unlinked trips in 2005 • Distinct winter & summer service plans 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

8. Winter 8 regular routes 1 express route Main Street Trolley Special & paratransit Early AM & late PM 5:45 am – 2:00 am Summer 4 regular routes 1 express route Special & paratransit Early AM 7:00 am – 10:30 pm Park City Transit’s Seasons 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

9. Park City Transit Winter Network 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

10. Park City Transit Summer Network 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

11. User Survey • In-person handout & return • Resident & visitor survey forms • Survey location: Park City Transit Center • Survey dates: Feb. 27, Mar. 16, 24 & 25, 2006 • 450 survey forms completed • Inferences from sample: 95% level of confidence • 85% visitors, 15% residents 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

12. Resident Transit Users • Ages 17 to 25 (56%) • Very few users below age 17 • 82% ride 5 to 7 days per week • 84% either had no car or no license • Dominant trip purpose: work (60 to 70%) • Shopping & recreation were next most popular trip purposes • 97% lived in Park City & Snyderville Basin 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

13. Resident Transit User (continued) • 61% were seasonal residents. • 64% willing to pay up to 50 cents. • Willingness to pay higher fare not great. • 48% had annual household income < $25,001. • 33% of all residents had income < $25,001. • 35% lived in households with > 3 workers (55% with > 2 workers). 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

14. Visitor Transit Users • ²/3 ages 25 to 60 • Half “new,” half “repeats” • 74% did not have access to a car • 75% used transit to go skiing or boarding • 44% rode for convenience of bus to origin or destination • 79% had annual household income > $55,000 • Visitors hailed from 39 States & 7 countries 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

15. Visitor Transit User (continued) • 44% had 3 or more in party • 55% were staying in hotels • One-third got transit info from hotel • One-fourth got transit info from friends • One-fifth got transit info from posted maps • One-sixth got transit info from Internet • Average stay: 5.7 days 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

16. Resident Age Vehicle ownership Driver’s license status Household income Residence location Trip length Employment status Season Population Visitor Age Vehicle availability Number in party Season Trip purpose Lodging location Skier days or visitor nights Explanatory Variables 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008

17. Further Research • Conduct summer users survey • Compare results to those from other resort communities • Expand upon analysis & inferences • Examine other Park City Transit studies • Develop resident & visitor demand models • Quantify growth of transit network & relate to growth in patronage • Validate demand models 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008