1. Gunnison Valley Transportation Authority (RTA) 2016 Transit Planning Process Funded through a Section 5304 Planning Grant
5/23/2018

2. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
GVRTA Fixed Route
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

3. GVRTA Senior Program
5/23/2018

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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

5. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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.
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

6. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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.
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

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

8. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
RFP
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

9. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Award of Contract
Awarded Contract to LSC Transportation Consultants on March 11, 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.
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

10. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Budget
The Project Budget was $40,000
Originally planned for $30,000 and expanded due to new Senior Transportation Services
5304 Grant - $24,000
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

11. Schedule
5/23/2018

12. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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)·     
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

13. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Steering Committee
Met four times during the process
Reviewed data
Approved process
Approved surveys
Identified issues and goals
Made recommendations regarding preferred alternatives
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

14. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Data Collection
Demographic Characteristics
Census, etc.
Past data provided by the RTA
Ridership
Route Miles
Costs
Etc.
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

15. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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)
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

16. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Gaps in Service
LSC performed an Evaluation of Existing Service
And a Transit Demand Analysis
Which led to Strategic Goals for our service
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

17. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

18. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

19. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

20. Identify and Evaluate Service Options
5/23/2018
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
5/23/2018
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
5/23/2018
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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

24. Recommended Service Plan
Service to the airport – addressed but not recommended
Park & Ride Lots – locations and priorities
5/23/2018
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
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

26. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Financial Plan
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

27. Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority
Financial Plan
5/23/2018
Gunnison Valley Rural Transportation Authority

28. Questions?
Thank you!
5/23/2018