Topic: MET Transportation Group Projects
Topic type:
The Initial set of MET Transportation group projects
Initial list, as of December 2009:
- Shifting Montpelier infrastructure/public works towards multi-modal transport
- Co-operative pick-up truck ownership
- Anti-Idling by-law
- Safe Routes to School program implementation (ongoing as of Dec 2009)
- Onion River Ride “Smart Jitney” transportation system
- Cheap bikes, bike-racks, paths
Detail:
Shifting Montpelier infrastructure/public works towards multi-modal transport
This is more likely a program, comprising several projects. It would begin with a conversation with Mayor Mary Hooper, who is currently spearheading this effort, to determine the elements, priorites, resources et al.
An Anti-Idling by-law
- Many City vehicles seen idling for long periods of time, even when clearly not in use. This is bad publicity for Montpelier as well as GHG-emitting.
- The Montpelier Planning Dept has drafted this by-law, but too busy to see it through
- Point-person here would first assess the feasibility of picking this up and passing it: e.g., would/could it involve cooperation with the Planning Department? Other City departments or organizations?
Co-operative pick-up truck ownership
The person/team taking on this project will investigate/document all steps required or advised to legally co-own a pickup truck with friends/neighbors. They’ll then write a guide and distribute it via CAN mail-lists et cetera.
Considerations
- Insurance — who will insure this coop ownership? What’s the cost range?
- LLC (A Limited-Liability Corporation) -- would one be needed?
- Most car co-ops appear to be larger-scoped, typically city-wide in larger cities.
- A pick-up co-op may not face some of the barriers a “first-car” co-op ownership would:
- needs already adequately met
Links:- needs too high to be met
- needs too unpredictable to be met
- car seats available/compatible
- clean, well-maintained
- pets allowed in it
- standards of cleanliness/maintenance
- http://www.cooperators.ca/en/aboutus/coopadv/2_5_0.html - an insurer of co-operatives; call, ask for similar U.S. insurers.
- http://calgarycarshare.ca/ - Calgary’s Carsharing Co-op.
- A mkt research survey with: perceived benefits & barriers of a co-op membership, , http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:ZewyPiBXhuEJ:www.peoplescar.org/Download-Word-Files/SUMMARY%2520OF%2520%2520SURVEY%2520RESULTS.pdf+Co-operative+vehicle+ownership&cd=8&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&lr=lang_en|lang_fr&client=firefox-a
- needs already adequately met
Onion River Ride “Smart Jitney” transportation system
This is a Montpelier Planning Dept. initiative to “to use existing advanced technology to compile and disburse information about individual vehicles, their destinations, and their riders so vehicles can be shared.”
A recent grant application to fund this was not successful.
MET volunteers would carry out support tasks as they arise. First step is to meet with the Planning Dept, determine if sufficient motivation to pick it back up. One foundational piece to inquire about is the building of a “rides” database.
Safe Routes to School program implementation (ongoing as of Dec 2009)
Barry McPhee is current Coordinator of this project; speak to him for details.
“Cheap bikes, bike-racks, paths “
Raised at the November 12, 2009 meeting. No details yet provided.
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James --
Hey, thanks for finding us. I've just scheduled our Transportation team's next meeting. I will point the team members toward your request; we will at least identify the channel(s) &/or steps to take to address this.
-- Barry McPhee
Tags: BURLINGTON, MONTPELIER, LINK BUS
JDRIVIS
said BUSSING TO BURLINGTON
LINK BUS SERVICES:
I like to go up to Burlington on the Link bus at least every two weeks but find that getting the last bus out of Montpelier in the morning at 7.22 a.m. makes the day too long (7 hrs) for me physically as I usually done ( both task-wise and, due to some health issues, energywise) by 1-2pm and must then 'hangout' until the first return bus leaves at 4pm.This is extremely stressful as I am fighting fatigue by then.
I wonder if a conversation could be started to consider, at least once a week, (midweek e.g. Wednesday) an extra trip be made so that a bus leaves Montpelier both arrives (from Burlington) and leaves c 10.30/11 a.m.. This would allow people to travel both ways and arrive around lunch time, spend a few hours in both cities/have lunch / shop / visit various State and Legislative offices, before returning.
I have spoken with other 'aging' folks who also find a 7 hour day on the streets of Burlington to be both overtiring and, depending on weather,uncomfortable.
This bus, if instituted, could be promoted as a City to City visit, outlining the various advantages. Perhaps a blanket 10% off coupon card could be instituted by merchants ?
James Dylan Rivis 2231422 / 5226726
Tags: BURLINGTON, MONTPELIER, LINK BUS