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: PUBLIC INPUT, DATA REVIEW, AND SURVEYS
 
Our first step was to look at the demographics of the area and the availability of existing services, and identify gaps in service. We did 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. The results of these first steps are summarized in Technical Memoranda 1 through 4 (see link to the left).

Now that we have heard people’s opinions of the existing service and evaluated the existing operations in detail, we will use this information to develop alternatives to address expressed concerns and 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 will be produced as a report on the evaluation of alternatives which will be presented to SLOCOG and the community for input. We expect that we will publish transit alternatives in mid-September, with public input forums planned for October.

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…