HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Joint Transportation Advisory Board & Shuttle Committee 2021-11-11
Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 11, 2021
Minutes of a Jointmeeting of the TRANSPORTATIONADVISORYBOARD
AND THE SHUTTLE COMMITTEE of the Town of Estes Park, Larimer
County, Colorado. Meeting held Virtuallyin said Town of Estes Park on the
th
11day ofNovember, 2021.
Board:ChairMorris, Vice ChairStreet,Members Finley, Gamble,
Hanick, Moulton, and Slack
Attending:Chair Morris, Vice Chair Street, Members Finley, Gamble,
Hanick, Moulton, Slack, Director Muhonen, Manager
Solesbee, Shuttle Committee members Franker, Moore,
Salerno, Swanlund, and Wellsand Deputy Town Clerk Beers
Absent:Trustee Bangs, Shuttle Committee members Arnold, Lloyd,
Pieper and Hannon
Chair Morriscalled the meeting to order at 1:06p.m.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS.
Members of the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB),the Shuttle Committee and
additional community organization members were introduced.
PUBLIC COMMENT.
None.
MEETING PURPOSE & GOALS.
Meeting purpose and goals was reviewed. Manager Solesbeediscussed transitioning
transit work from projectand initiativedriven to strategic and visionary,whilecontinuing
Board, Committee and Communityengagement with meaningful operational refinements.
Goals included gaugeinterest in pursuing a multimodal transportationmaster plan, review
2021-2022 winter trolley service details, collect feedback on 2021 summer service,
brainstorm 2022 priorities, and discussinterestin reinstatingservice to the YMCAof the
Rockies.
STRATEGIC VISION FOR TRANSIT.
Manager Solesbeewould gather information to develop a 2022 plan which builds a vision
for transitbyrefiningvisitor access and shuttle operations,funding options, identifying
customersandoptimizingroutes.2022 wouldinclude pursuits of grant funding for a
multimodal transportation plan. Aconsultant would be hired in 2023 todevelopthe plan
andidentifyfunding needs and sources. Planimplementation would beginin2024.
Comments have been summarized:Appreciation for a multi-year plan;it was
recommended staff hold avisioning session to layout the framework for the plan;support
was voiced for long range planning which incorporates year-round serviceandto consider
branding the shuttle services toincrease ridership.It was determined a brainstorming
session would be held in the Spring of 2022. Director Muhonenpointed out the importance
of incorporating the Comprehensive Plan into the planning process for transit and
recommended findings from the brainstorming session be included in the RFPfor a
consultant.
WINTER TROLLEY SERVICE.
The pilotedWinter Service operation in2020-2021 was in operationa singleday per week
(Wednesday)ona fixed route from 2:00-5:00 p.m.Staff stated service resulted in low
ridership, however service was meaningful forregular patrons. Asurvey was conducted
in the Fall of 2021 to determine interest in 2021 winter service which resulted in64
responses with mixed results andno clear preferences. Member Slack notedthepilot
program low ridership numbers could have beena result ofCOVID-19 impacts. Staff
recommended continuing the winter shuttle pilotthrough 2022 and solicited feedback.
2021-2022 service recommendations have been summarized: Consider coordinating with
other shuttle services to co-promote transit opportunities; to expand weekend service
Transportation Advisory Board–November 11,2021–Page 2
beginning at noonon Friday; determine options to incentivize visitors to utilize designated
parking locations with trolley service;incorporate seven-dayservice with a combination
of fixed route; shortening the window of service time on Sundayand options for on-
demand service.Concerns and frustration werevoicedregarding trolley drivers failing to
stop if there are no patrons at designated stops.An additional electric trolly would be
incorporated into services in February 2022.
2022 SUMMER TRANSIT SERVICE.
Discussion ensued regarding feedback on 2021 summer transit service and has been
summarized: Determine methods for messaging intheplaza near the parking garage for
free shuttle serviceopportunities; incorporate wayfinding kiosks; increase communication
from transit operationto the Visitor Center regarding operations to smooth customer
interactions;require shuttle drivers stop at each stop consistently;consider changingthe
name of the parking garageand partner with lodging and business owners to provide
informationto guests on transportation services offered.A brief discussion was held
regarding the potential implementation ofthe YMCA Brown Express Route which would
be continued due to time constraints.
WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS.
Due to time constraints discussion on 2022 summer transit servicepriorities would be
continued to the regular scheduled TAB meeting onWednesday, November 17, 2021 to
accept comments from Shuttle Committee members onthe proposal for aBrown route.
There being no further business, Chair Morrisadjourned the meeting at 2:30p.m.
/s/Bunny Victoria Beers,Deputy Town Clerk