Boulder Mobility and Access Coalition 5/10/21 (Boulder Local Coordinating Council (LCC))

Boulder Mobility and Access Coalition (Boulder Local Coordinating Council (LCC))

May 10th, 2021

Location: Zoom virtual meeting

Frequency: 2nd Monday of every month 2:00pm-4:00pm until Dec 13, 2021

Purpose of meeting: Discuss transportation access & equity (access to opportunity, quality of life, basic needs)

 

Panel Discussion: Nick Robles (Boulder County Public Health), Paul Hamilton (RTD), Lisa Bitzer (Via Mobility Services)

Questions:

  1. What are some of the biggest barriers for your organization and clients during the pandemic and how have services changed?
  2. How did your engagement strategies change over the pandemic? Most successful strategies?
  3. How has your organization’s perspective on equity changed over the last year?
  4. What did your organization learn about adaptability and resilience that will impact your future uncertainties (pandemics, climate change, etc.)?

Answers Summary:

When thinking about the pandemic, things like unpredictability, decreased ridership, sanitation, safety, and food delivery programs became extremely relevant barriers that had to be addressed. Some pre-existing engagement strategies became more relevant and amplified.  Using technology to connect with the community and partners strengthened communication and allowed for needs to be better addressed. To create equity, these organizations are doing things like ensuring that community members feel comfortable with resources, keeping ride services open to riders, shedding light on issues, reading books, and partnering with organizations like NAACP. Going forward, keeping the connections made during COVID will be important for learning and addressing community needs.

 

Speaker:

Jeff Butts (Multimodal Planner for Boulder County)

287 Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study

The objective of this study is to study and understand north/south mobility needs along US 287 and recommend specific capital improvements and transit service enhancements for the corridor (Longmont, Erie, Lafayette, and Broomfield). Data found people are either not using transit or rarely using it, although there seems to be public support among those who are engaged. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) takes the elements of a train and puts in on a bus (i.e. more cost effective, faster, more reliable, moves more people). Goals of the study include increased efficacy, increased attractiveness, competitive transit travel time, and social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

 

Next Meeting: Jun 14, 2021 from 2:00-4:00PM