HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.eotc.20181018Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
Thursday, October 18, 2018- 4:00pm
Location-Aspen-Council Chambers
Aspen to Host and Chair Meeting
____________________________________________________________________________________
I. 4:00 – 4:15 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Brian Pettet-Pitkin County
II.4:15 – 4:30 INTRODUCTION OF DAVID PESNICHAK -
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION ADMINSTRATOR
Brian Pettet-Pitkin County
III.4:30 - 4:45 PUBLIC COMMENT
(Comments limited to three minutes per person)
IV.4:45 - 5:00 REVIEW OF DECISIONS REACHED AT THE page 1
JUNE 14, 2018 MEETING
John D. Krueger-City of Aspen
V. 5:00 – 5:15 2019 PROPOSED MEETING DATES page 3
John D. Krueger-City of Aspen
Decision Needed: Adoption 2019 meeting dates
VI.5:15 – 6:00 2019 PROPOSED BUDGET page 4
Tom Oken-Pitkin County
Decision Needed: Approval of the 2019 budget
A. 2019 Proposed Base Budget
Decision Needed: Approval of Base Budget
B. 2019 New Budget Requests
Decision Needed: Approval of New Budget Requests
1.Snowmass Mall Transit Station
2.EOTC Retreat
VII.6:00 –6:20 SHIFT/MOBILITY LAB
Steve Skadron-Mayor City of Aspen
Decision Needed: None-Information Only
VIII.6:20- 6:40 UPDATES-INFORMATION ONLY
A. BATTERY ELECTRIC BUS PROGRAM page 18
John D. Krueger-City of Aspen
B. RELOCATION OF THE CARPOOL KIOSK page 19
Mitch Osur-City of Aspen
C. RFTA DESTINATION 2040 page 24
David Johnson-RFTA
ELECTED OFFICIALS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE (EOTC)
AGREEMENTS & DECISIONS REACHED
AT THE JUNE 14, 2018 MEETING
Location – Aspen City Hall - Council Chambers
Pitkin County - Host & Chair
Elected Officials in Attendance:
Aspen - 3 Pitkin County - 4 Snowmass - 3
Steve Skadron Patti Clapper Bob Sirkus
Bert Myrin Rachel Richards Markey Butler
Ward Hauenstein George Newman Tom Goode
Steve Childs
Not Present: Ann Mullins, Adam Frisch, Greg Poschman, Alyssa Shenk,
Bill Madsen
______________________________________________________________________________
Agreements & Decisions Reached
PUBLIC COMMENT
• Toni Kronberg commented on the Basalt Underpass and regional planner position.
DESTINATION 2040 AND UPDATE ON STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
Ralph Trapani-Parsons, Bill Ray-Bill Ray Communications, Dan Blankenship-RFTA CEO
Decision Needed: None-Information Only
The consultant team and Dan Blankenship provided an update on the timeline,
recent progress and the next steps for Destination 2040-On Board with RFTA. Bill Ray provided
an update on the state ballot questions for transportation funding.
BUTTERMILK PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FUNDING REQUEST
Brian Pettet-Pitkin County
Decision Reached: Denial of Funding Request
Brian presented a proposal for a funding request of $800,000 for the design, engineering and
exploration of funding partners for the proposed Buttermilk pedestrian crossing. The funding
request was denied by the EOTC.
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VI. UPDATES
A. BATTERY ELECTRIC BUS (BEB) PROGRAM
John D. Krueger-City of Aspen, Dan Blankenship-RFTA
John & Dan provided an update on the BEB program. Negotiations with the bus
manufacturer are proceeding and it is anticipated that the eight battery electric buses will
be ordered in late 2018 for delivery in late 2019 or early 2020.
B. REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR POSITION
Brian Pettet-Pitkin County
Brian provided an update on the position. Interviews were conducted, and the position
was filled.
C. CASTLE CREEK BRIDGE/HALLAM STREET PROJECT
Pete Rice-City of Aspen
Due to time constraints of the meeting, the update was not provided.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
FR: John D. Krueger-City of Aspen
MEETING DATE: October 18, 2018
RE: 2019 EOTC Meeting Dates
Decision Needed: Approval of Proposed 2019 Meeting Dates
Staff is proposing the following meeting dates for 2019. All meetings to begin at 4pm.
• March 21, 2019 Snowmass – Host & Chair
• June 20, 2019 Pitkin County – Host & Chair
• October 17, 2019 Aspen – Host & Chair
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AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
TO: Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
FROM: Tom Oken, Pitkin County Treasurer
MEETING DATE: October 18, 2018
SUBJECT: Proposed 2019 Budget & Multi-Year Plan
Attached for review and approval at your meeting is the Proposed 2019 Budget & Multi-Year Plan. The
routine line items and new requests for the Proposed 2019 Budget are discussed below. We will ask the
EOTC to approve the base budget first (routine line items) and then consider each new request
separately for approval.
2018 Proposed Base Budget
Funding Sources
a) Pitkin County 1/2% sales tax - $5,851,000 gross; $1,109,350 net after contribution to RFTA
After increasing 4.9% in 2017, we are projecting a 5.0% increase for this year, 4.0% for 2019, and then
3.25% annually for 2020-2023. These are the County’s formal projections developed in conjunction
with its Financial Advisory Board. By intergovernmental agreement and voter approval, 81.04% of the
half-cent sales tax (but not use tax) is committed to RFTA.
b) Pitkin County 1/2% use tax - $1,400,000
Use tax is collected on building materials (approximately 73%) and vehicles (27%) purchased outside of
Pitkin County for use within the county. Collections have been very strong since 2015, but we think
they have now topped out and will continue at this level for several years.
c) Investment income - $187,000
We are forecasting an increase in investment earnings rates from 1.9% in 2019 to 3.0% by 2022. Again,
these are the County’s formal projections developed in conjunction with its Financial Advisory Board.
Invested fund balances vary from year to year, and in conjunction with increasing interest rates, produce
a wide range of forecast investment income (from $187,000 in 2017 to $323,000 in 2022).
Funding Uses
Ongoing / Operational
1) Use tax collection costs - $93,280
The proposed budget includes the county’s administrative costs of collection and some contracted
auditing. The increased cost for 2019 is due to increased staff time devoted to collection in the County’s
Finance Department.
2) Administrative cost allocation and meeting costs - $24,810
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The proposed budget is composed of $12,480 administrative overhead (accounting, auditing, revenue
collection and investment), $9,330 insurance, and $3,000 purchased services (for meeting support
services, primarily video recording and broadcast of meetings).
3) Country Inn taxi program in-lieu-of bus stop safety improvements - $4,000
The EOTC implemented the Country Inn taxi service in 2001 to address bus stop safety issues faced by
residents at this senior-priority housing complex. The lack of a traffic signal, crosswalk, or median at
this location along Highway 82 makes it unsafe for Country Inn residents to use transit for down valley
trips or for return trips from Aspen. The Country Inn taxi program allows residents to use a taxi when
their travel would otherwise require the crossing of Highway 82. Although underutilized in recent years
compared to budget, service demand could pick up again in the future.
4) X-Games transit subsidy - $115,000
This budget is paid to RFTA to help fund transit services for the X-Games and was previously approved
through 2019. It is shown as continuing indefinitely although only confirmed through 2019. Please see
the attached memo from the Aspen Skiing Company for details.
5) Brush Creek Intercept Lot operating costs - $32,000
The City of Aspen’s Parking Department manages the parking area of the Brush Creek Park-N-Ride Lot
for the EOTC per an intergovernmental agreement. No staff cost for parking enforcement or
management of the lot is included. Instead, this budget funds utilities, snow removal, trash removal,
irrigation, and weed control.
6) No-fare Aspen-Snowmass-Woody Creek bus service subsidy - $662,158 ($659,393 Aspen-
Snowmass, $2,765 Woody Creek)
The EOTC previously agreed with RFTA to set the Aspen-Snowmass subsidy at 36.7% of the actual
cost of the service two years prior to the year being budgeted. Thus, the $662,158 budget (and amount
to be paid) for 2018 is 36.7% of the actual cost for 2017. The 2020 and 2021 estimated costs are based
on the 2018 and 2019 budgets for this service, but actual costs have been less than budget so far.
The initial EOTC subsidy was set at the amount of fare revenue estimated to be lost by eliminating the
fare for this service. For 2010, the first full year of no-fare service, that estimate of lost fare revenue
was approximately $480,000, and the actual cost of the service that year was approximately $1,308,000.
Thus 36.7% of the actual cost was estimated to be recovered from fare revenue.
7) WE-cycle operational support – $100,000
The EOTC previously approved 2 years of funding at this level for 2018 and 2019. Se the attached
memo for an update on WE-cycle.
8) Brush Creek BRT connecting service - spring, summer, fall – $419,587
The EOTC also previously approved 2 years of funding for this service with 50% coming from the
Snowmass Savings Fund (but not reducing the maximum target balance). Michael Yang, Chief
Financial & Administrative Officer for RFTA, explains the large cost increase for 2019, as follows:
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In 2018, the estimated cost for the enhanced service was $294,400 of which RFTA’s portion was
initially calculated to be $185,000 but then subsequently increased to $237,883. The final
estimated cost was increased by $52,883 to $347,283. The primary reason for the increase was
to capture the 2 days in the spring and 17 days in the fall that the TOSV service was not
scheduled for, but RFTA covered – our initial estimate failed to include these dates.
The 2019 estimated cost is $419,587. This amount includes $176,061 for the portion covered by
the TOSV (provided by David Peckler) and $243,526 for the portion covered by RFTA. In
RFTA’s 2019 budget, we have the total $419,587 included in our budget if 7A passes. If it
doesn’t pass, then the question is whether the EOTC might want to consider some cost sharing
on the service, similar to last year, with RFTA putting in a bit more.
We have included the full $419,587 in the 2019 EOTC budget in case 7A does not pass, but as Michael
indicates, even then the cost will likely be less with some shared by RFTA.
9) Regional Transportation Administrator - $139,335
The EOTC previously approved this on-going full-time position beginning in 2018.
Projects
14) Battery Electric Bus Program - $500,000
This budget for 2018 will be carried over to 2019 since delivery of these buses to RFTA is not expected
until then.
15) Variable message sign at mm 34.5 on Hwy 82 - $50,000
This 2018 budget was for planning and design which has not been initiated yet, so it will be carried over
to 2019.
2019 Budget - New Requests
16) Snowmass Mall transit station (funded from Snowmass Village Savings Fund) - $350,000
After budgeting $50,000 in 2018 for conceptual design, the request for 2019 is for continuing design and
engineering of a new Snowmass Mall transit station. Snowmass estimates that the remainder of the
Snowmass Savings Fund may be used for construction of this project in 2022 so it is shown there in the
5-year plan. See the attached memo for further information.
17) EOTC retreat - $10,000
The County Commissioners request this budget for an EOTC retreat in 2019 to evaluate EOTC work
objectives and identify future benchmarks.
Financial Planning Policy and Distribution of Annual Surplus
The following policy statement emerged from the June 2014 EOTC retreat:
• The no-fare service will now be “above the line” in the budget and multi-year plan.
• The “lockboxes” will be replaced with “savings funds:”
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o The Aspen Transportation Savings Fund will replace the Entrance-To-Aspen lockbox and
be targeted for mass transportation projects in the greater Aspen area.
o The Snowmass Village Transportation Savings Fund will replace the SV Transit Center
lockbox and be targeted for mass transportation projects in the greater Snowmass area.
• At any time, a member government may bring forward a capital project for consideration with a
request for funding from either or both Savings Funds. The EOTC will determine whether to
fund the project and from what source on an individual case basis.
• After funding the “above-the-line” items, 25% of the remaining annual revenue will add to the
Snowmass Village Transportation Savings Fund until it is restored to $6,278,787 (or a reduced
amount after deducting projects funded from Snowmass Savings). The remaining revenue will add
to the Aspen Transportation Savings Fund.
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PROPOSED 2019 EOTC BUDGET AND MULTI-YEAR PLAN PAGE 1
EOTC Transit Project Funding Projection or Proposed
Actual Budget Budget Plan Plan Plan Plan
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
FUNDING SOURCES:
a)Pitkin County 1/2% sales tax 5,357,764 5,626,000 5,851,000 6,041,000 6,237,000 6,440,000 6,649,000
less RFTA contribution (81.04% of 1/2% sales tax)4,341,932 4,559,310 4,741,650 4,895,626 5,054,465 5,218,976 5,388,350
net 1/2% sales tax funding to EOTC 1,015,832 1,066,690 1,109,350 1,145,374 1,182,535 1,221,024 1,260,650
b)Pitkin County 1/2% use tax 1,623,082 1,400,000 1,400,000 1,400,000 1,400,000 1,400,000 1,400,000
c)Investment income & misc.89,000 124,000 187,000 241,000 248,000 323,000 195,000
Total Funding Sources 2,727,914 2,590,690 2,696,350 2,786,374 2,830,535 2,944,024 2,855,650
FUNDING USES:
Ongoing / Operational
1)Use tax collection costs 23,329 42,614 93,280 96,078 98,961 101,930 104,987
2)Administrative cost allocation & meeting costs 15,104 22,710 24,810 25,554 26,321 27,111 27,924
3)Country Inn taxi program in-lieu of bus stop safety improvements 2,494 6,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000
4)X-Games transit subsidy 115,000 115,000 115,000 115,000 115,000 115,000 115,000
5)Brush Creek Intercept Lot operating costs 29,950 35,000 32,000 33,000 34,000 35,000 36,000
6)No-fare Aspen-Snowmass-Woody Creek bus service - year-round 615,726 650,556 662,158 799,610 838,888 872,400 907,300
7)WE-cycle operational support 100,000 100,000 100,000
8)Brush Creek BRT connecting service - spring, summer, fall (50% from Snowmass Sav)294,000 419,587
9)Regional Transportation Administrator 160,000 139,335 144,900 150,700 156,700 163,000
sub-total Ongoing / Operational 901,602 1,425,880 1,590,170 1,218,143 1,267,870 1,312,140 1,358,211
net funding available for projects 1,826,312 1,164,810 1,106,180 1,568,231 1,562,665 1,631,884 1,497,439
Projects
10)Grand Ave Bridge construction - transit mitigation funding 335,000
Projects funded from Savings for greater Aspen Area
11)Upper Valley Mobility Study 276,044
12)Cell phone transportation data collection 70,000
13) Buttermilk/SH82 Pedestrian Crossing Analysis 40,000
14)Battery Electric Bus Program carry over to 2019 500,000
15) Variable message sign on Hwy 82 carry over to 2019 50,000 400,000
16)Snowmass Mall transit station (funded from Snowmass Village Savings Fund) 50,000 350,000 5,878,787
17)EOTC retreat 10,000
18)Brush Creek Park and Ride improvements (FLAP grant) (EOTC approved 10/20/16)3,900,000
less Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) grant (1,900,000)
Total Uses 1,582,646 1,515,880 2,500,170 3,618,143 1,267,870 7,190,927 1,358,211
EOTC ANNUAL SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)1,145,269 1,074,810 196,180 (831,769) 1,562,665 (4,246,903) 1,497,439
EOTC CUMULATIVE SURPLUS FUND BALANCE 8,755,288 9,830,098 10,026,278 9,194,509 10,757,174 6,510,271 8,007,710
a)sales tax 4.9%5.0%4.00%3.25%3.25%3.25%3.25%
b)use tax 12.8%-13.7%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%0.0%
c)investment earnings rate 1.0%1.5%1.9%2.4%2.7%3.0%3.0%
Revenue projections:
10/10/2018 EOTC budget 20198
PROPOSED 2019 EOTC BUDGET AND MULTI-YEAR PLAN PAGE 2
Projection or Proposed
Actual Budget Budget Plan Plan Plan Plan
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
DISTRIBUTION OF ANNUAL SURPLUS
(excludes projects funded from savings funds)1,491,312 1,271,810 755,974 (831,769) 1,562,665 1,631,883.87 1,497,439
25% to Snowmass Village Savings until restored to maximum 372,828 231,074 188,993 (207,942) 228,742 - -
remainder to Aspen Savings 1,118,484 1,040,736 566,981 (623,827) 1,333,923 1,631,884 1,497,439
Savings Fund for greater Snowmass Village Area
Savings Fund maximum 6,278,787 6,228,787 5,878,787 5,878,787 5,878,787 - -
share of annual surplus/deficit 372,828 231,074 188,993 (207,942) 228,742 - -
less 50% of Brush Creek BRT connecting service (147,000) (209,794)
less Snowmass mall transit station - reduces savings fund maximum (50,000) (350,000) - - (5,878,787) -
Savings Fund for greater Snowmass Village Area 6,194,713 6,228,787 5,857,987 5,650,045 5,878,787 (0) (0)
Savings Fund for greater Aspen Area
share of annual surplus/deficit 1,118,484 1,040,736 566,981 (623,827) 1,333,923 1,631,884 1,497,439
less Upper Valley Mobility Study and cell phone data funded from Aspen Savings (346,044)
Savings Fund for greater Aspen Area 2,560,575 3,601,311 4,168,291 3,544,465 4,878,388 6,510,272 8,007,711
10/10/2018 EOTC budget 20199
To: Elected Officials Transportation Committee
From: Aspen Skiing Company
Date: October 9, 2018
Re: 2019 X Games Aspen Funding Request
Aspen Snowmass will host X Games Aspen for a 18th consecutive year January 24 – 27, 2019. Year-over -year X
Games transforms youth culture by combining winter sports, music and other lifestyle elements into programming
that reaches global audiences via television, web streaming and social media channels. These days ESPN, the
industry and associated companies, sponsors and athletes themselves extend the programming reach through
multiple mediums. As proof to this in 2018 X Games Aspen enjoyed double digit growth on television and triple digit
growth on digital and stammering services with nearly 11 million video views across social platforms!
Attendance grew from 105,000 in 2017 to 115,000 in 2018 (Second highest in X Games Aspen History) with the
largest Friday attendance in history with 32,000 spectators. Over the past several years we have seen a shift in
attendee patterns which has resulted in transporting more guests to and from the venue for shorter time periods.
Through planning and modifying bus service times we have been able to adapt and continue to offer a quality guest
experience. Buttermilk has never been busier and yet we continue to effectively, safely and efficiently transport
guests from the Intercept Lot, Aspen and Snowmass simultaneously to and from Buttermilk with minimal delays.
For 2019 we will again work with our transportation partners (RFTA, McDonald Transportation and Ramblin Express)
to provide the quality service our guests, community and X Games have come to expect. With over 75% of guests
taking advantage of the aforementioned services it is arguably the most critical part of the event.
In 2014 the EOTC board approved EOTC funding of $115,000 annually. At this time we would like to confirm the
$115,000 funding for the 2019 event. The event’s success and overall guest experience is directly tied to our ability to
safely move people to and from the venue and that success is largely attributed to the financial contribution of the
EOTC and working with our partners from RFTA.
Thank you for supporting the biggest winter action sports event on the planet. It embodies youth, vitality and
progression, and it happens right here in our backyard. The amazing people and local governing bodies of our valley
have played a critical role in the development of this rapport and are to be thanked. In general, however, the
cumulative support received from multiple sectors of the business community make a compelling statement of
support for X Games Aspen from the Roaring Fork Valley residents, and we are proud to work together with
everyone on this event
Thank you for your continued support.
Buck Erickson
Director, Event Operations
Aspen Skiing Company
2019 X Games Aspen
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TO: Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
FROM: Mirte Mallory, WE-cycle, Co-Founder and Director
DATE OF MEETING: October 18, 2018
RE: 2018 WE-cycle Season Update
REQUEST OF EOTC: Continued support of the $100,000 in operating funds committed by the EOTC to
WE-cycle for the 2018 and 2019 seasons, subject to annual appropriations.
BACKGROUND: WE-cycle, the Roaring Fork Valley’s bike transit system, serves the region with 210
bikes and 47 stations in Aspen, Basalt, Willits, and El Jebel. Bike share performs a distinct role in the
region’s multi-modal and integrated transportation system by providing a first/last mile connection to
the region’s fixed-route RFTA service and offering riders a convenient, user-driven, and on-demand
mode of travel in which they can check out a bike at one station and return it to another station, 24/7.
In 2015, WE-cycle introduced the app Transit to the valley as the one-stop, integrated mobility app that
displays WE-cycle stations and bikes, valley-wide RFTA timetables, and Uber in one centralized
interface. WE-cycle remains a proponent of a valley-wide, multi-modal app in order to reduce the
friction of mode shift and to communicate in real-time, effectively, and consistently with riders.
Founded as a 501(c)(3) public/private partnership, WE-cycle is funded through private sponsorship,
public entities, rider fees, and donations. As WE-cycle matures and becomes an integral and expected
part of the valley’s public transit infrastructure, WE-cycle is working towards more predictable and
sustainable funding in the form of multi-year commitments and sponsorships. In 2018, RFTA, WE-
cycle’s first Founding Partner, made the lead multi-year funding commitment of $100,000 each year
for 5 years, subject to annual appropriations. In 2017, EOTC first provided $100,000 in operating
funding to WE-cycle. In 2018, the EOTC committed two-years of operational funding to WE-cycle in the
amount of $100,000 each year of 2018 and 2019, subject to annual appropriations.
2018 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
• Fare-free WE-cycle! In May, WE-cycle became the first bike share system in the country to offer
free bike share to all users for the first 30 minutes of each ride.
o Users are charged $0.50 per minute for each additional minute. This pricing structure
remains consistent with WE-cycle’s mission of serving as transit and not bike rental.
o This fare-free service is underwritten in Aspen by the City of Aspen and in Basalt by the
Town of Basalt and Eagle County.
o The cost of using bike share is now aligned with Aspen’s other in-town, fare-free
services, RFTA and the Downtowner. All three providers cross-promote each other’s
services in an effort to grow overall transit ridership.
• Tremendous ridership growth. By reducing the barrier of entry to bike share to $0 and a
simplified sign up process, WE-cycle experienced a remarkable growth in ridership. In its sixth
year of service, WE-cycle was able to serve a larger sector of the community with more rides
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and elevate the impact of its mission of providing a reliable, flexible, and healthy mode of local
transit. System-wide, WE-cyclers have completed 59,304 rides year to date!
Aspen System Only
Figures as of September 30, 2018.
2018 2017 Percent Growth
Unique Riders 5,194 2,778 87%
Total Rides 49,174 31,661 55%
Average Rides per Day 321 215 45%
Highest Ridership Day 756 on June 27 616 on June 29
• Notable growth in riders from Snowmass Village. While WE-cycle does not have stations in the
Town of Snowmass Village, WE-cycle is an important and valuable service for Village residents.
It provides the opportunity to take RFTA into Aspen and then have access to a bike to get
around town on one’s own schedule.
o This year, the Town of Snowmass Village helped communicate to Village residents about
how they can use and benefit from WE-cycle through newsletter updates, social media
posts, and placement on the website.
o WE-cycle tried to secure private funding to implement a small, two-station bike share
system between Club Commons and Town Park but was unsuccessful. It will continue
these fundraising efforts in 2019 in an effort to bring bike share to Snowmass Village.
Figures as of September 30, 2018. 2018 2017 Percent Growth
Riders with Snowmass Village
Zip Codes 90 35 157 %
Rides completed by
Snowmass Village Zip Codes 1,186 661 79%
• Partnering on Castle Creek Bridge Project. As part of the Bridge Project’s construction
mitigation, WE-cycle worked with the City of Aspen to add stations at the Roundabout, 4th
Street North, 4th Street South, and the Aspen Recreation Center. The goal was to provide
improved RFTA connectivity and to bring another transportation mode to impacted areas.
• Equitable bike share remains a focus. The Better Bike Share Partnership awarded WE-cycle’s
bike share equity program, Movimiento en Bici, its third consecutive grant to support WE-
cycle’s Latino Outreach Program. WE-cycle engages two ambassadors to execute Spanish-
speaking bike share programming and education in collaboration with Aspen-based hotels and
businesses, English in Action, and the Valley Settlement Project. The program has 112
participants who have completed 1,672 rides in 2018. Serving as an inclusive transit provider is
core to WE-cycle’s mission.
• Aspen | Snowmass Sotheby’s returns as Title Sponsor for sixth-straight year. With the public
sector’s increased support of bike share and the underwriting of fare-free bike transit, WE-
cycle’s private sponsors remained committed to sponsoring pedal-powered transportation.
• WE-cycle hires first, year-round, full-time Operations Director: Tapio Niskanen. As WE-cycle
ridership grows, and the system evolves in its operational complexity, it is critical for WE-cycle
to increase its organizational capacity on a year-round basis. WE-cycle will now have three year-
round employees who will respectively manage the system’s mission-driven initiatives and
funding, day to day operations, and rider support and programming.
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TRENDS | OBSERVATIONS:
• WE-cycle serving as first/last mile and only mile transit service. Ridership trends continue to
reiterate that WE-cycle is most utilized as a first/last mile connector to/from home to
work/errands/social or to/from RFTA to work/errands/social. This is demonstrated both
through point of origin and destination, as illustrated below, as well as in peak ride times being
during commuting hours during the week, with 4 – 6pm being the surge. Many riders also use
WE-cycle as their only mile of transit for errands/meals/social throughout the day.
MORNING WE-cycle DEPARTURES for riders with Roaring Fork Valley Zip Codes
WE-cyclers are first
riding in the
morning from
residential
neighborhoods,
from RFTA BRT
stops, and from
places of
employment
ending overnight or
early morning
shifts.
MORNING WE-cycle ARRIVALS for riders with Roaring Fork Valley Zip Codes
In the morning,
riders are using WE-
cycle to get to work
in the core of Aspen
as well as at outlying
hotels and large
employment nodes.
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TRENDS | OBSERVATIONS, continued:
• 2018 marks a growth in number of users riding in both the Aspen and Basalt Systems. These
figures represent a growing trend of multi-modal bus and bike ridership, most likely. Upon a
deeper analysis, riders who use both systems are taking their first rides of the day TO RFTA
stations in one system and their next ride FROM a RFTA station in another system. Trends
indicate the reverse pattern takes place in the evening.
Figures as of September 30, 2018. 2018 2017 Percent Growth
Riders of both Aspen and Basalt Systems 650 514 26%
Average rides per day by two system riders 86 56 46%
• Simplified messaging campaign reduces ride time and increases understanding. With the
change in fare structure to $0 for the first 30 minutes of every ride, WE-cycle was able to add
significant concision and clarity to its sign-up process and communication.
WE-cycle eliminated multiple pass options and encouraged speedy and mobile sign-up through
the app Transit. As such, more people signed up and rode. Of equal importance, people were
less confused about how long they could use the bike at no charge as demonstrated in shorter
ride times and a drop in the number of people riding over 30 minutes.
Figures as of September 30, 2018. 2018 2017
Average Ride Rime 10 11
Percent of rides over 30 minutes 2.89% 6.79%
• WE-cycle balancing modes align with mission of reducing traffic congestion and carbon
emissions. Consistent with its organizational goals, all of WE-cycle’s balancing vehicles (the
bikes and SmartCar used to move bikes from station to station) are pedal-powered or electric
and charged on the City of Aspen’s renewable energy grid. WE-cycle strives to complete as
many balancing trips as possible without using a car. The 12-person WE-cycle Operations Team
are the cornerstone of WE-cycle’s reliable and consistent service. They take great pride in
moving bikes with the electric or pedal-powered balancing bike and believe it is their
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responsibility to operate the system with the mode of travel we are encouraging our riders to
use – bikes! No other bike share system in the country uses the balancing bike as consistently
and effectively as WE-cycle.
% of bikes balanced by
balancing bike
Distance ridden on
balancing bike per shift
Number of bikes
balanced
Pounds of bikes
balanced
70% 35 – 55 miles 15,403 770,150 pounds
• Rider Incentivized Balancing. With an increase in ridership, the demands on the WE-cycle
Operations Team have been equally significant. In an effort to manage operational costs and
still provide the same levels of service, WE-cycle launched several rider incentivized balancing
initiatives designed to encourage WE-cyclers to ride to/from certain stations to support system
demands and timing.
o Pedal to Paradise. Goal was to encourage the Aspen Music Festival students to ride
uphill TO the Marolt and Aspen Valley Hospital Stations rather than primarily downhill.
Riders were awarded with a coffee/cookie from WE-cycle partner, Paradise Bakery.
Ridership to the Aspen Valley Hospital Station grew 33% from the two weeks prior to
the challenge.
o adidas TERREX Challenge. WE-cycle launched six challenges each with a specific
operational or programming goal for WE-cycle. For example, “the cycling salmon”
encouraged riders to ride from Aspen core stations in the middle of the day where as
“the uphillers” strives to grow ridership to uphill stations. Winners will be rewarded with
a layer from four-year WE-cycle sponsor, adidas TERREX at the end of the season.
FINANCIAL UPDATE:
• WE-cycle is projecting a strong year financially. A full financial report will be provided in the
January EOTC packet with complete end year figures.
o WE-cycle has yet to close its operating year and has significant forthcoming expenses as
part of system shut-down.
o WE-cycle uses system-based costs centers. The Aspen and Basalt revenues and expenses
are accounted for per system. System-wide operational costs are allocated using a
detailed methodology at the end of the season.
• A high-level financial summary:
o Public funding is up over 2017, thanks to the investments by local jurisdictions in the
form of general operating support and the underwriting of fare-free WE-cycle.
o System-wide, WE-cycle has over 30 private sector partners who sponsor bikes and
stations. As anticipated, sponsorship revenue is down from 2017.
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o With the introduction of fare-free WE-cycle and $0.50 per additional minute structure, it
was projected that there would be a drop in revenue from “extra charges,” those
incurred for rides over 30 minutes. To date, WE-cycle is seeing around a 50% decrease.
• Thank you to all of WE-cycle’s partners for making bike share in the Roaring Fork Valley a
reality and a trusted, relied-upon form of active transportation.
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Page 1
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
MEMO
To: Elected Officials Transportation Committee
From: David Peckler, Transportation Director
Date: October 18, 2018
Re: Update and Budget Request for Snowmass Mall Transit Station
The Town has released an RFP for conceptual design work on the remodel and
improvements to the existing RFTA bus station tangent to the mall area in the core of
the community. Design work was included in the EOTC budget for 2018 at $50,000,
but it is not likely that we will cover the full extent of the work before the end of
December. $20,000 is our best guess for the expenditures in 2018, and any unspent
budget will be carried over to 2019. The Town will be working with representatives of
RFTA and the adjacent property owner on the conceptual design. The main
elements to be addressed in the conceptual design are:
• Improve the utilization of the space in the existing RFTA bus station to
accommodate four (4) RFTA buses (two boarding and two staging); and
• Improve the passengers’ queueing area to accommodate passengers
using RFTA service during the winter season; and
• Provide a facility to house customer information, public restrooms, and
drivers’ breakroom with restrooms; and
• Incorporate into the design (or improve connection to) the Village Shuttle
service on Daly Lane. To consolidate the Village Shuttle depot with the
RFTA station will require accommodating an additional six (6) loading
platforms; and
• Enhance pedestrian access to the main Mall level; and
• Minimize pedestrian and vehicle conflicts to the greatest extent possible.
It is our hope to have a conceptual design completed in early 2019.
In 2019 we wish to begin engineering and design work with the appropriation of
$350,000 in EOTC funding. At the end of this work we hope to understand what
the actual cost of the project will be and have a realistic time line for construction.
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
FR: John D. Krueger-City of Aspen
MEETING DATE: October 18, 2018
RE: Battery Electric Bus (BEB) Program
The joint pilot program between the City of Aspen RFTA for eight zero emission battery
electric buses to be used in the upper Roaring Fork Valley is progressing. The contract
with New Flyer should be finalized by next week. The eight buses have already been
scheduled into production with possible delivery in July of 2019.
The eight battery electric buses are funded through five different sources including the
City of Aspen, RFTA, EOTC, Federal No Low grant, and a combination of State
FASTER grants and SB 228 funding. The total cost of the eight buses and chargers is
estimated at $8.5 million. Most of the funding will have to be carried forward into 2019
to coincide with the delivery of the buses.
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1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Elected Officials Transportation Committee (EOTC)
FROM: Mitchell Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Services for the
City of Aspen
DATE OF MEMO: October 11.2018
MEETING DATE: October 18,2018
RE; Carpool Kiosk move to the Intercept Lot
______________________________________________________________________________
The city of Aspen requests direction on moving the carpool kiosk from the airport to the Brush
Creek Intercept Lot. My understanding is that this has been the plan when the right opportunity
presented itself.
As the airport has gotten busier the carpool kiosk impedes on valuable space that the airport now
needs.
The plan would be to move the kiosk to the Intercept Lot in late March or early April of 2019.
The kiosk will also function as Welcome Center for Aspen, Snowmass, Pitkin County and the
US Forest Service. The hours of operation will be Monday to Friday from 6am to 2pm. We will
also look at extender hours during special events. We also believe that by moving the kiosk to
the Intercept Lot we have a better opportunity to get people out of their car and into the free
RFTA bus into town. This will also help with the patrol and control of vehicles at the intercept
lot.
Attached is:
• A map of the Intercept Lot and the proposed location of the kiosk.
• A grid showing the number of carpool passes by month from 2013 to 2018
• A graph of carpool passes by month from 2015 to 2018
• A grid of carpool passes by day for 2018.
Again, we are looking for direction on moving the carpool kiosk from the airport to the Intercept
Lot.
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2
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3
Carpool Passes
2018.. 2017.. 2016 2015 2014 2013
Jan. 7122 4258 5685 4475 4194 3970
Feb. 6996 4183 5230 4116 3593 3393
March. 7271 6072 6477 5209 4226 4048
Apil. 6600 4320 5102 4909 4485 3966
May. 5758 5355 4136 4296 4058 3655
June. 6793 6172 5979 5408 4508 4059
July. 6408 6385 5223 5526 4738 4801
Aug. 7020 6809 5906 4786 4065 3881
Sept. 5547 5129 4951 4542 3593
Oct. 5551 4396 4913 4298 4401
Nov. 6098 4077 5065 2212 3891
Dec. 6599 5385 6182 4816 4046
Total 53968 67349 62725 59836 49735 47704
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4
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
7000
8000
Jan.Feb.March.Apil.May.June.July.Aug.Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.
Car Pool by Month 2018, 17,16,15
2018..2017..2016 2015
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5
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MEMORANDUM
TO: EOTC
FR: David Johnson-RFTA
MEETING DATE: June 14, 2018
RE: Title: Ballot Question 7A Update
______________________________________________________________________________
Background:
For over two years, RFTA has been engaged in long-range planning culminating in the project
list and the 2.65-mill property tax ballot question. RFTA’s Organizational Structure, existing
conditions, and efficiencies have been reviewed. Population and bus ridership over a 20-year
planning horizon have been forecasted. Numerous meetings with elected officials, jurisdictional
staffs, business leaders, and the public have been conducted. Stakeholders have assisted with
the development of proposed service and capital improvements, and several financing
scenarios were analyzed. At its August 9, 2018 meeting, the RFTA Board adopted RFTA
Resolution 2018-18, which referred a 2.65-mill property tax ballot measure to the voters. Some
of the key provisions of the ballot measure are as follows:
RFTA taxes would be increased up to $9.5 million annually (first full fiscal year dollar increase,
for collection in 2019) and by such amounts as are generated in future fiscal years from an ad
valorem property tax mill levy imposed at a rate of 2.65 mills
RFTA debt authorization would be increased up to $74.675 million, with a maximum repayment
cost of up to $145.744 million, for purposes including but not limited to:
Purchase of new buses, including electrification of buses for emission and
noise reductions;
Improvements to bus rapid transit and local bus service to reduce
congestion along Highway 82;
Enhancements for mobility and safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit
users;
Improved access and maintenance for the Rio Grande trail and
construction of the lower valley trail;
Construction and maintenance of park and rides, bus stops and other
transit and transportation facilities;
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2
The revenues from such taxes and the earnings thereon and on the proceeds of such bonds
would be considered a voter-approved revenue change allowing RFTA to collect, retain and
expend without limitation under Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution (TABOR),
Section 29-1-301, C.R.S., or any other law, i.e. the revenue would be De-Bruced.
More information and FAQ can be found at www.rfta2040.com .
At the RFTA Board Meeting on August 9, 2018, the Board unanimously approved referring a
2.65-mill RFTA property tax question to voters on the November 6, 2018 ballot.
On August 20, 2018, RFTA’s Designated Election Official, Nicole Schoon, Secretary to the Board,
certified the ballot language to the County Clerks and Recorders in Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin
Counties. Since the RFTA boundaries include all or portions of three counties, a coordinated
election is needed. The Office of the Garfield County Clerk and Recorder is the controlling
county for the election and it has assigned 7A as the RFTA ballot issue number. Filing of the
TABOR Notice, including pro and con statements, was completed and submitted to the County
Clerk and Recorders by the September 21, 2018 deadline.
The 2.65 mill levy ballot question endorsed by the RFTA Board includes a list of the projects
proposed to be funded by the mill levy. This list is attached below.
Since the RFTA Board set the ballot language and referred the 2.65-mill levy ballot question,
RFTA is now subject to the Fair Campaign Practices Act, and cannot use government resources
to influence voters to vote for or against an election question. The FCPA permits RFTA to use its
money and resources to provide “a factual summary, which shall include arguments both for
and against the proposal.” The summary may not include a conclusion or opinion in favor of or
against the measure. RFTA will submit financial disclosure and pros and cons to designated
election officials. Staff and officials may urge electors to vote in favor or against the measure
during their personal time.
For additional guidance on the FCPA, please see: https://www.sdaco.org/news/guidance-
colorado-governments-complying-fair-campaign- practices-act.
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3
A campaign committee has been formed, titled “On Board with RFTA.” The Campaign
committee is chaired by Markey Butler and Art Riddile. Campaign Committee members include:
Bill Boineau, Snowmass Village
Bruce Christensen, Glenwood Springs
Dorothea Farris, Pitkin County
Jeanne Golay, Glenwood Springs
Bill Kane, Basalt
Mike Kaplan, Aspen
Shelley Kaup, Glenwood Springs
Alice Laird, Carbondale
James W. Light, Basalt
Mirte Mallory, Aspen
Michael Miracle, Aspen
Roger Wilson, Garfield County
For more information, please visit the Campaign web site at www.onboardwithRFTA.org or
contact Campaign Manager Bill Ray at bill@wr-communications.com.
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