2050 Regional Transit and Specialized Transportation Plans
Stakeholder Interview Summary
February 2024
-Internal-
Introduction
Mountain Metro Transit (MMT) is leading the 2050 Regional Transit planning process. MMT in partnership with the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACG) is also conducting the Specialized Transportation Plan (also known as the Specialized Human Services Plan). The 2050 Regional Transit Plan guides MMT when considering changes in service, frequencies, new projects, and the system’s growth. Additionally, the regional transit plan informs the strategy for the appropriate use of funds to meet the community’s mobility needs. Both plans, while unique, seek to engage the community to find the best solutions for the transit system and specialized transportation network. Each plan will be a chapter within the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
Throughout the process, MMT and PPACG will engage with stakeholders, current and future transit riders, specialized transportation providers, the public, jurisdictions, and community stakeholders. In the Winter of 2023 – 2024, Kearns & West conducted interviews with stakeholders to understand their awareness of regional transit and specialized transit, their interests, and to discuss engagement considerations. This document summarizes input shared in the interviews.
Approach
Kearns & West conducted six interviews with stakeholders throughout the region. These individuals represented jurisdictions, transportation organizations, community organizations, and specialized transportation interests.
The themes are summarized in no order of importance and do not represent consensus recommendations, but if they are included in this document, it is implied that more than two individuals or groups reflected their importance. The themes will continue to inform the project’s engagement and messaging.
Participants
The project team identified stakeholders based on community leadership and their connection to the current and specialized transit systems. Stakeholders varied from decision-makers to members of community organizations. Appendix A-1 of this summary includes interview participants and their organizations.
Themes
Specialized Transportation Plan
- Create an inclusive transportation system from the start.
Ride Reservations
- Improve the experience of the current system.
- Improve the ride reservation system to make it easier to book, cancel, or reserve single and/or reoccurring rides
- Increase the number of volunteers to provide transportation.
Partnership Opportunities
- Host educational workshops for those with disabilities on how they can use transit or specialized transportation.
- Coordinate with partners, such as doctor’s offices or service providers, to coordinate appointments with available rides or times.
Regional Transit Plan
Financial
- Increase the salaries of bus drivers to attract more drivers to the industry.
- Focus on funding opportunities to address mobility and transit gaps.
Operational
- Incorporate the region in transit planning, as the current system only exists in the City of Colorado Springs.
- Create pilot programs or areas of the City to demonstrate where and how transit can work well.
- Increase bus routes, stops, and frequency.
- Plan for future system users referring to population and job growth trends.
- Connect popular tourist destinations, the east and west portions of the City, and the airport through the transit system.
- Create routes to popular tourist destinations and the airport.
- Consider future improvements of a light rail or autonomous system that could move people around the city.
- Connect the region to other cities along the Front Range and to the mountains by passenger rail.
Process
- Consider the nexus between affordable housing and transit.
- Explore ways to decrease the need for a car to travel within Colorado Springs.
- Understand the workforce’s needs to offer services that take people to and from work.
- Continue raising awareness for the current planning process and transit system.
Appendix A-1: List of Community Stakeholders
| # | Name | Organization | Interview Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Godfrey | Pikes Peak Rural Transit Authority (PPRTA) – Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) | December 19, 2023 |
| 2 | Erin Maruzzella | Innovations in Aging Collaborative | January 3, 2024 |
| 3 | Jill Gaebler | Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR)District Board of Directors, Pikes Peak Housing Network | January 3, 2024 |
| 4 | Mayor Sharon Thompson | City of Fountain | January 10, 2024 |
| 5 | Jessie Kimber | City of Colorado Springs Economic Development Division | January 30, 2024 |
| 6 | Councilmember Yolanda Avila | City of Colorado Springs City Council | January 31, 2024 |