Study Session - Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Community Bus Service Program
DATE: TO: FROM: SUBJECT: MEETING DATE: 917/04 STUDY SESSION COUNCIL STUDY SESSION AGENDA REPORT .SEPTEMBER 2, 2004 MAYOR AND TOWN , A-et. DEBRA J. FIGONE,
TO MANAGER (j SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY COMMUNITY BUS SERVICE PROGRAM BudN. Lortz Director of Community RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction to staff
as regarding the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Community Bus Service Program. DISCUSSION: VTA has approached the West Valley communities with
a request to consider the concept of removing the large buses from local streets and replacing them with smaller buses and defining the bus routes to better serve each community and
increase ridership. Each community was invited to consider this proposal in their own way, recognizing that each community is unique and the needs for public transit vary. The Community,Bus
concept is a consensus driven process that is flexible to meet the varying needs in specific neighborhoods. VTA representatives have met with representative of the West Valley cities
to present the VTA Community Bus Program. Council member Joe Pirzynski, Town Manager Debra Figone, and Directors Bud Lortz and John Curtis have attended these meetings on behalf of the
Town. The concept of developing a Town-wide shuttle has been discussed for many years and is addressed in the General Plan Transportation Element. Consequently, theVTACommunityBus Service
Program would be consistent with the Town General Plan. If the Town Council desires to participate in this program, VTAhas indicated that it would be possible to have the program operationalby
early 2006. However, the program's success requires a major public outreach effort and will involve significant staff resources. VTA has offered to provide technical support to the Town
to assist in making the program a success. VTA representatives will present the VTA Community Bus Service Program to Council at the Study Session. PREPARED BY: John
E. E. Curtis Director of Parks and Public Warks Reviewed by: '\?Sj Assistant Town Manager =cJl22Attorney __Clerk Finance __Community Development Revised: 9/2/04 12:37 pm Refonnatted:
5/30/02 C:\Documents and Settings\User\Local Settings\TEMP\GWViewer\community bust service.report.study.session.wpd