![]() Pike says this public transportation system is needed because “we can do it for less because we don’t have to make a profit.” While people have and can take commercial shuttles, they often cost so much the average commuter cannot afford them. “For people, it could really be a benefit to them and their families to have a lower expense to get to work.” “The idea, of course, is to make it more affordable for people, have fewer cars on the road, lessen need to widen roads and make it better for air quality,” he said. ![]() Mayor Pike said that while this project is about tourism, it’s also about citizens. Connecting these rural hubs means access for underprivileged and privileged groups alike.Īccording to the Five County’s Study and survey, they found most people would be taking the shuttle to work or to Zion, confirming what lawmakers and advocates have seen for years. ![]() George, Washington, Hurricane, La Verkin and of course, Springdale. They also found many major employers are along the proposed route, as well as essential services like hospitals. Many people with disabilities live in Hurricane and St. George, and many under the poverty line live in Washington City and areas south of Rockville and Springdale. They found a large number of people without cars live in and around St. In a final effort to help make a decision on the project, the Five County Association of Governments conducted a feasibility study in December 2016 and found southern Utah not only wants a public transportation system but needs it. These studies show a 15-year model instead of 10, which is helpful for worried officials trying to make sure they can sustain this shuttle for a decade. The Zions Public Finance feasibility study ran four scenarios, which included some fare reductions and increases, and found the best use of funding would be to use electric buses operated by SunTran. George Shuttle would cost about $70 one way. Using other examples of systems like this around the country, a potential one-way base fare would be around $8 per person, or $0.18 per mile.įor comparison, the same ride on the commercial popular shuttle line St. George’s local public bus system, as a good example of the type of service they hope to provide and are heavily considering using SunTran to run the St. Mayor Pike and AECOM flagged SunTran, St. George, estimating somewhere between 60,000 and 110,000 riders will use the shuttle annually.īuses can charge at the depot overnight and have a quick charge during the layover at Zion. They assume 25% of Zion’s south entrance visitors will come from St. George.ĪECOM included plans for commuters as well as park visitors. For context, it typically takes about 50 minutes, depending on traffic, to drive to Zion from St. George and Zion, with 10-minute layovers, 19 total stops, an express service, and more service during peak recreational season.įrom end-to-end, round trip, the shuttle would take you 180 minutes on the local service and 150 minutes on the express. to determine if this dream is really doable.Ī presentation made by AECOM to the Council of Governments shows they are planning to have four operating electric buses plus a spare to run the distance between St. The Washington County Council of Governments, consisting of county and local officials, has hired engineering firm AECOM and consultants at Zions Public Finance, Inc. It’s all kinds of complicated, with many jurisdictions and agencies pitching in to make it all happen.īut in the end, lawmakers and activists are hoping this regional shuttle system can connect secluded southern Utah on an unprecedented level, and are this can be the blueprint to expand the system further to Las Vegas and the other four Utah National Parks. George, Springdale and Kanab, in order to encourage more efficient and eco-friendly tourism, as well as to bring public transportation to remote areas, boosting local economies and overall equity. Washington and Kane counties are currently pushing ahead with projects putting electric vehicles between St. Well, plans are already underway for just that. George Regional Airport and get on a public shuttle bus that could take you straight to Zion National Park, along the way stopping at key gateway communities and rural treasures? Editor’s Note: This is the third story in a three part series about regional transportation in southern Utah for citizens and tourists alike.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |