Title
A Presentation on Exploring the Expansion of Bus Service to Northern Hospitals
Presenter:
Craig Blewitt, Transit Services Manager
Body
Summary:
The Transit Services Division is exploring the potential for expanding bus service to provide access to Memorial Hospital North, St. Francis Medical Center, and the clusters of medical facilities around them. Transit Services staff will present to City Council the planned approach for assessing the need for expanded service, determining the appropriate type of service and exploring funding options.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Background:
The City’s transit system, operated as Mountain Metropolitan Transit, provides bus and complementary ADA paratransit service to the community. However, that service is not provided to all areas of the City, nor to all areas of the Colorado Springs Urbanized Area. Among the areas not served by bus and ADA paratransit are Briargate and much of the City’s northeast - where two major hospitals are now located, along with medical offices clustered nearby. This concern was raised during the public process for developing the 2040 Regional Transit Plan, and was also recently raised by the City’s Citizens Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB).
The 2040 Transit Plan assesses community public transit needs and recommends how to best meet those needs, including guidance on system improvement priorities. The Plan notes the expansive growth pattern of the City and the resource challenges we have in meeting community transit needs. The current bus service is limited - both in the geographic area served and the level of bus service provided in the area that is served. The 2040 Plan recommends that the community focus on enhancing service in the existing service area before expanding the geographic area served by the fixed-route bus network. It also recommends that when considering expanding service to new areas to consider alternative transit service options that are “right-sized” for expected ridership, and to explore appropriate funding partnerships with companies, agencies or other entities that request or benefit from that service.
At its January 2016 meeting, the CTAB discussed the potential for providing transit service to the northern hospitals and approved a resolution recommending that the City Council and Mayor direct Transit Services staff to pursue financial partnerships with the hospitals in northern Colorado Springs and others to provide transit service to key medical facilities and services in that area (see attachment).
Mayor Suthers supports Transit Services staff exploring the potential for expanding bus service to serve the northern hospitals and potential appropriate partnerships to enable service expansion. Transit Services staff will present to City Council the planned approach for assessing the need for expanded service, determining the appropriate type of service and exploring funding options.
This project supports the City’s strategic goal pertaining to Building Community and Collaborative Relationships. This project could improve transportation and accessibility by cultivating collaborative relationships within the community. The project also supports the goal of excelling City services by using comprehensive data to guide decision-making.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The CTAB approved a resolution recommending that the City Council and Mayor direct Transit Services staff to pursue financial partnerships with the hospitals in northern Colorado Springs and others to provide transit service to key medical facilities and services in that area. See attachment
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Support the planned approach
Do not support the planned approach
Action
Proposed Motion:
N/A
Summary of Ordinance Language
N/A