For the week of April 16 - 22, 2003

Peak Bus contract on track for renewal

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By PAT MURPHY
Express Staff Writer

Blaine County took the first step Monday toward renewing the contract with Sun Valley Express for the Peak Bus commuter service. It is also considering new services between morning and afternoon commuter runs and perhaps smaller buses to lower costs.

Blaine County Commission vice chairman Sarah Michael and Commissioner Mary Ann Mix reviewed the Peak Bus service’s first year of service as well as some of the proposed new costs and possible new services.

The discussion was preliminary to formalizing a contract at a later commission meeting.

Although the large 47-seat buses are not always filled, the concept of the commuter service--three trips in the morning, three trips in the afternoon--has been sufficiently successful for the contract to be renewed.

The current $119,000 contract will increase to $141,985, if approved, when it’s renewed in June. The increase is to cover higher fuel and insurance costs. The contract, as discussed by the commission, also would include an automatic 10 percent jump if diesel fuel prices exceed $1.75 per gallon.

The Idaho Transportation Department also will provide a $60,000 grant for the service, and local businesses will continue to add financial support, Michael said.

But civic activist Mickey Garcia touched off a prolonged discussion when he said smaller buses and other services during non-commute hours would help reduce costs.

"Get on the ball, forget those big buses," he said. "You should be running smaller rigs, every hour, a 10-to-15 passenger van, jitney or whatever you call it."

Sun Valley Express marketing consultant Theresa Comber agreed about smaller equipment, as did Commissioners Michael and Mix.

"In a perfect world that’s what we’re looking to get to," Comber said. "We’re still working to find a more perfect vehicle."

She said a large bus costs more to operate because of frequent stop-and-go commuter service.

Beth Callister, executive director of Wood River Rideshare, also chimed in. "That’s what we’re aiming for."

Callister said that for the contract year that’ll end in May, the buses have averaged loads of 1,672 passengers per month. Bus occupancy on single trips has experienced lows in the single digits, and highs in the 20 to 30 range.

As the back and forth discussion with commissioners picked up speed, suggestions flew.

Michael said a bus designed and equipped for use by the handicapped is imperative, as well as a larger rack to encourage commuters with bicycles.

Comber agreed, saying that some commuters might ride the bus north or south, and then use their bicycles for return trips to their homes.

Among suggested uses for the Peak Bus included transporting senior citizens from the Ketchum area to the Senior Citizens Center in Hailey; for special contract services transporting students, and for extending service to Carey for commuters who work in the Hailey and Ketchum areas.

Comber also told the commission that passenger loads would increase during the summer when students are out of school and commuting to jobs or commuting to recreation events in the south or north parts of the valley.

 

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