This is an exciting time for public transportation in Blaine County. KART, the Ketchum Area Rapid Transit system (which serves Ketchum and Sun Valley with fixed route bus service), the Peak Bus (which provides commuter service between Bellevue and Sun Valley) and Wood River Rideshare (which provides ride sharing and other forms of transportation services throughout Blaine County) are combining into a single countywide comprehensive public transportation system.
This new organization will provide "one-stop shopping" for all transportation alternatives to the single-occupant automobile including walking, biking, rideshare, vanpool, car share, custom buses, fixed route bus, gondolas, telecommuting and transportation counseling. This organization's vision is to be the sustainable transportation backbone of Blaine County and adjacent communities with the following goals:
· Provide attractive and easy-to-use transportation services at fair and equitable costs to users and taxpayers.
· Reduce Blaine County's transportation-generated pollution and carbon footprint.
· Promote land-use policies in Blaine County that facilitate multifaceted transportation.
As an employer, this new direction for public transportation will give you more, easier-to-use tools to help recruit and retain employees. As an employee, this new integrated organization will be able to offer a variety of transportation solutions that can save money, reduce stress and increase free time. And the benefits to all will be more mobility for residents, better air quality and less congestion.
This new integrated organization will take a "system approach" to developing services for the long term, with the end result being more service and more options for those who work in Blaine County. This system would provide frequent, all day and efficient fixed-route bus service up and down state Highway 75 connecting Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey, and Bellevue and perhaps the planned airport farther south on the highway. The cities of Ketchum, Sun Valley, Hailey and Bellevue would eventually have "Town and Neighborhood Circulators" that feed the "Main Line" service. Van and carpool services would connect Carey, Shoshone, Twin Falls and Fairfield with the Main Line on Highway 75 at transfer stations or deliver users directly to Ketchum and Sun Valley. As ridership develops, some of the van and carpool services could be replaced with fixed-route bus service.
In addition to the Town and Neighborhood Circulators feeding the Main Line, pedestrian and bike routes and park-and-ride lots would be developed adjacent to Highway 75. There is a strong effort throughout the county and its cities to promote "walkable communities," which complements the new roles envisioned for public transportation.
This array of vigorously marketed, high-quality public transportation services will significantly contribute to the mobility and satisfaction of workers who need to commute increasing distances, not to mention the enhancement and preservation of our unique quality of life.
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