Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment Final Report March 2012
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Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment Final Report March 2012 01193 | AD | 12 Executive Summary | i Executive Summary Effective and efficient government relies on informed decision-making. The most appropriate allocation of federal and state funding— incorporating current information and meaningful consideration of stakeholder perspectives—is particularly vital. This thoughtful engagement of stakeholders was the goal of the Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment, convened by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and facilitated by Atkins, in cooperation with LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. While the focus of the study was on how to best allocate funding available to NDOT for Nevada projects and operations, consideration of the entire Lake Tahoe Basin without regard to geopolitical boundaries was essential. Additionally, connectivity into and out of the Basin and the nearby communities was integral to the evaluation. Stakeholders included representatives from NDOT, the Tahoe Transportation District Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment ii | Executive Summary (TTD), the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and helped validate and refine the demographic (TRPA), Nevada State Parks, U.S. Forest Service, and ridership data, which served as the technical Carson Area Metropolitan Planning Organization foundation for the plan. (CAMPO), Washoe County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), Douglas This comprehensive engagement of citizens and County, Placer County, Tahoe Area Regional stakeholders generated a broad understanding of Transit (TART), and the private sector. Broad what transit mobility means to the individuals and representation on the steering committee ensured communities throughout the region. Ultimately, NDOT that the study recommendation focusing the aggregation of the demographic and ridership on NDOT’s allocation of resources captured data which serves as the technical foundation the perspectives and ideas from throughout the for plan conclusions and recommendations was region. validated, refined, and given meaning with the invaluable insights the community provided. Several study elements captured the broader perspective that shaped the study The study was organized into four phases: recommendations for NDOT. Specialty working • A system analysis of existing services, groups were formed to identify specific needs summarized in Appendix A: Technical associated with employee travel, social services, Memorandum 1. and tourism/recreation. Representatives from • A needs assessment, which identified unmet the private and public sectors were invited public transportation needs and potential to participate in the discussions these groups expansions to existing services, summarized conducted. Other study elements reached out to in Appendix B: Technical Memorandum 2 and the broader community to elicit and explore their Appendix C: Stakeholder Engagement. insights, ideas and concerns about mobility and • A coordinated public transportation plan, transit throughout the region. Interviews were which is reflected in this document. conducted with citizens at open houses held • Final report documentation, including at Lake Tahoe, in Carson City, and in Minden/ information to assist NDOT and study Gardnerville. Transit riders were interviewed at stakeholders in future efforts. transit centers at Lake Tahoe and in Carson City and at storefronts in Incline Village and Stateline. The following conclusions and recommendations Senior citizens were interviewed at the Zephyr were identified through the study process and Cove Senior Center and at the Incline Village documented in the coordinated plan: Conversation Cafe, and potential transit riders • Increase public awareness/support of the were interviewed at the park-and-ride near the existing Washoe RTC vanpool and trip junction of US 50 and US 395 in Carson City. matching programs to expand commute This broad and comprehensive engagement alternatives between Incline Village and of citizens and stakeholders allowed the plan Reno/Sparks, focusing on outreach to major to be shaped by those most affected by public employers. transportation in the region. It complemented Executive Summary | iii • Continue to support BlueGO services extending current services. TART services provide connecting Minden/Gardnerville, Carson City, a vital transit link for people traveling between and South Tahoe. California and Nevada. This service is important • Continue to support TART service in and needs to be continued. the Incline Village/Crystal Bay area and connections to the California portions of the Expansion of transit services beyond the East North Shore. Shore Transit does not appear to be warranted • Support the proposed summer East Shore beyond the pilot program proposed to run the shuttle demonstration program. summer of 2012. However, funding and planning • Set an example to the business community by for developing and strengthening vanpool and offering transportation fringe benefits to state carpool programs appear viable. Based on this employees. In particular, allow employees to needs assessment, intercity travel between Reno/ have their transit and vanpool expenses taken Carson City and the North Shore could potentially out of their checks before taxes and consider prove successful given the identified ridesharing offering parking cash-out, especially where user base. Such potential intercity transit service parking is either leased or in short supply. should result in better commute transportation • Identify ways in which transit-related topics options for these users. can be tracked within the many diverse planning contexts such as community health, youth services, environmental degradation, and the retiring of the baby boomer generation. Tracking these topics will provide continuous input into resource allocation and performance measurement. These conclusions and recommendations reflect viable transit services and connections in the Tahoe Basin, as evidenced in the South Shore area where larger population and more employment create greater need for transit. The current BlueGO services connecting the South Shore to the Carson Valley and Reno areas are meeting the current and expected short-term demand and needs of the area’s residents and employees. While service is limited on the North Shore, the anticipated need and demand will be met by Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment iv | Contents Notes Contents | v Contents Executive Summary ..........................................................................................................................i Coordinated Plan .............................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1 Service Alternatives ..............................................................................................................................2 Conclusions and Recommendations ...................................................................................................12 Appendices Appendix A: Technical Memorandum 1 Appendix B: Technical Memorandum 2 Appendix C: Stakeholder Engagement Appendix D: 2022 Winter Olympics Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment vi | Contents Notes Coordinated Plan | 1 Coordinated Plan In this section: INTRODUCTION Introduction Incline Village-Reno Service This document presents a review of public Incline Village-Carson City Service transit alternatives that focus on addressing TART Incline Village Service mobility needs between Lake Tahoe (particularly BlueGO Service the communities in Nevada) and other nearby Vanpool/Carpool Programs Nevada communities and cities, thus providing Recreational Service key regional connections. These alternatives Conclusions and Recommendations have been developed in consideration of the existing programs and goals for public transit services in the study area, and in light of the existing demographic/geographic conditions and associated travel demand. This document discusses both potential new services/programs and the continuation of current transit programs. Considering the relatively minimal travel demand and needs identified in previous efforts as well as the overall purpose of the study, this document provides a qualitative discussion of the various alternatives, rather than a detailed analysis of Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Needs Assessment 2 | Coordinated Plan ridership estimates/impacts and costs. Regardless, Ridesharing through carpooling and vanpooling the following plan elements provide guidance for could be a viable option for both Reno and decision-making and funding allocations, as well North Lake Tahoe residents because it is based as a necessary framework for further development specifically on the demand for service to another of future services. area. For vanpools, interested riders would register with the program and identify their trip SERVICE ALTERNATIVES origins and destinations and specify whether they would like to be a driver, rider, or both. Incline Village-Reno Transit Service Once registered, the rideshare program matches individuals based on common trip parameters Transit needs and demand associated with trips and preferences and the vanpool begins, provided between Reno and Incline Village are generally there are enough interested participants (vanpools commute-related. The needs assessment in must have