South County Transit Plan 2010

PURPOSE  

LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. (LSC) and PMC are developing the South County Transit Plan covering the Five Cities area and Avila Beach in San Luis Obispo County. The South County Transit Plan is being done on behalf of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and South County Area Transit (SCAT). The Plan is a requirement for acquiring transit funding, but also an opportunity to look at the transit needs and issues in the South County area and to develop a plan to improve transit. The Plan will include a service plan, a capital plan, and a financial plan to guide SCAT services over the next five to seven years.

FIRST STEPS: INPUT

Our first (and current) steps are to look at the demographics of the area and the availability of existing services, and identify gaps in service. We do this by reviewing the existing services, looking at planning data, and evaluating detailed ridership data. In addition, we find out from passengers and community leaders what they see as problems with transit, as well as successes. We will do this by…  

• Conducting onboard surveys of passengers to find out about their travel patterns and their opinions of the current services, as well as their desire for improvements.

• Holding Open Houses at the transit centers where passengers and passers-by can talk to us about SCAT services.

• Conducting several focus groups with high school students, the community at large (especially those with a connection to various social services), and community leaders.

• Staffing information tables at community activity centers to inform people about the Transit Plan as well as seek input on transit.  

We will use our data gathering and the community input to guide the development of service alternatives.

NEXT STEPS: TELLING WHAT WE’VE DISCOVERED

After we’ve gathered data and input, we will summarize it in a report and tell you what we’ve discovered both from the technical analysis and the public input processes. This opportunity for the community to review our understanding of the issues and the information will ensure we’ve listened well and that we get it right.

MEAT AND POTATOES: MAKING SOMETHING OUT OF THE INFO

So…once we’ve “vetted” the data, we use this as a basis to decide how to improve the transit programs.  We will explore a wide range of service alternatives, including new routes, new types of services, and new hours of service.  We will consider new ways of marketing the transit services, the need for new buses, and new facilities (such as bus shelters), as well as management options.  We look at the current funding sources, and new opportunities for future funding. All of this is produced as a report on the evaluation of alternatives, and again, this is presented to SLOCOG and the community for input.

THE PLAN

The results of the alternatives evaluation and public input will be used to define a cohesive plan for services that best meets the mobility needs of South County, in a financially sustainable manner.  After a review and SLOCOG approval process, the plan will be used to guide funding, service, and capital decisions for the coming 7 years.  The study is expected to be completed by April, 2011.

MORE INFO?

If you would like to know more or tell us your thoughts about transit service in the South County area, you can…

• Contact Selena McKinney, Senior Planner with LSC at selena@lsctahoe.com or (800)-866-5446

• Check this website for updates