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Gunnison Valley Transit Planning Process: Meeting Growing Ridership Demand

The Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (RTA) conducted a transit planning process to address service issues resulting from rapid growth in ridership and service miles. The plan analyzed the current situation, recommended coordination with the Mountain Express, identified vehicle and facility needs, and expanded senior transportation services. The outcome is a strategic plan with an implementation plan detailing how to meet ridership demand and capital needs.

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Gunnison Valley Transit Planning Process: Meeting Growing Ridership Demand

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  1. Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (RTA) 2016 Transit Planning Process Funded through a Section 5304 Planning Grant

  2. GVRTA Fixed Route Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  3. GVRTA Senior Program

  4. Objectives of Planning Process • To acknowledge and plan for service issues that arise from rapid growth in ridership and service miles. • Fixed Route Ridership increased from 48,000 riders in 2011 to 114,000 in 2015. • And increased again to 144,000 in 2016 with a projected increase to 170,000 this year. • Service miles increased similarly. • Senior services increased due to new funding source. • From 420 trips and 20 individuals in April, 2016 (first month of service) • To 1,246 trips and 83 individuals in April, 2017 Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  5. Objectives The new plan would analyze the current situation and make recommendations for how to: • Better coordinate with the Mountain Express at the north end of the valley. • Identify vehicle needs and options for vehicle acquisition in the next five to ten years • Identify possible future facility needs. • Expand senior transportation services in the district. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  6. Expected Outcome Strategic Plan with an implementation plan detailing how to expand the GVRTA transit system and senior transportation service in the district to meet ridership demand and capital needs. The Implementation Plan needed to include a financial plan to address capital and operational expenses. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  7. Quotes from Tanya Wegwitz, Don Boyd, John LeCarre, Roberta Martell, and Math Teachers Everywhere

  8. RFP Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  9. Award of Contract Awarded Contract to LSC Transportation Consultants on March 11, 2016. LSC’s proposal and process was focused on public outreach and data collection first, followed by developing alternatives, making recommendations, and creation of both a Capital/Resource Management Plan and Financial planning alternatives. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  10. Budget The Project Budget was $40,000 Originally planned for $30,000 and expanded due to new Senior Transportation Services 5304 Grant - $24,000 Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  11. Schedule

  12. Process • Steering Committee • ·        RTA Director • ·        RTA Board Chair • ·        RTA Operations Supervisor • ·        Mt. Express Director • ·        Gunnison Valley Health Director (Senior Transportation Provider – Gunnison) • ·        Senior Transportation Supervisor – Crested Butte • ·        Senior Advocate • ·        Senior Transportation Client • ·        WSCU VP for Student Affairs • ·        CDOT Transit Unit • ·        CDOT Region Planner • ·        County Commissioner • ·        Mayor of Crested Butte • ·        Mt CB Council Member • ·        City of Gunnison Council Member • ·        Gunnison Chamber Director • ·        Frequent Fixed Route Bus Passengers (x3)·      Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  13. Steering Committee • Met four times during the process • Reviewed data • Approved process • Approved surveys • Identified issues and goals • Made recommendations regarding preferred alternatives Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  14. Data Collection • Demographic Characteristics • Census, etc. • Past data provided by the RTA • Ridership • Route Miles • Costs • Etc. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  15. Community Input • Community Survey – Online • 130 responses received • Key Stakeholder Interviews • 14 Individuals • Senior Transportation Surveys • 18 responses • Driver Interviews* • Onboard Surveys • 150 responses received • Public Meetings (x2) Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  16. Gaps in Service • LSC performed an Evaluation of Existing Service • And a Transit Demand Analysis • Which led to Strategic Goals for our service Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  17. Strategic Goals • Provide commuter service for employees living and working within the corridor between Gunnison and Mt. Crested Butte. • Span of service to cover employees starting work at 7:00 a.m. and ending at 10:00 p.m. • Provide midday service in each direction for shift workers • Provide park & ride facilites Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  18. Strategic Goals • Serve WSCU students • Increase frequency during the academic year • Increase local mobility in Gunnison • Serve tourists/visitors travelling from Gunnison to Crested Butte • At minimum, provide one trip arriving prior to opening of the ski area, a midday trip, and one trip following closure of the ski area at the end of the day Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  19. Strategic Goals • Meet specific transportation needs of seniors and individual with disabilities • Increase availability of service at both ends of the valley to seven days a week • Operate services efficiently • Maintain an average of 21 passengers per hour • Adjust service to match seasonal demands • Consolidate scheduling of senior services • Coordinate scheduling of senior trips out of the valley Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  20. Identify and Evaluate Service Options Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  21. Identify and Evaluate Service Options • Considerations included cost and schedule considerations. • Take into account overall strategic goals. • Evaluation lead to a Recommended Service Plan Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  22. Recommended Service Plan • Chosen from alternatives by Steering Committee with input from consultants and staff. • Plan included • Possible route modification in Gunnison • Four routes considered • Number of bus trips to operate each season • Expanded senior transportation Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  23. Recommended Service Plan • Plan includes • Recommendations regarding • Bus stop locations and prioritization of improvements • Bus stop improvements • pullouts, shelters, flag stop lights Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  24. Recommended Service Plan • Service to the airport – addressed but not recommended • Park & Ride Lots – locations and priorities Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  25. Recommended Service Plan • Future passenger surveys - seasonally • Consolidation of Senior Services • One call center • Separate services • Single Dispatch • Consolidation of Fixed Route Services • Consideration • Needs more study Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  26. Financial Plan Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  27. Financial Plan Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

  28. Questions? Thank you!

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