Sweetwater County Public Transportation

GREEN RIVER - Sweetwater County is looking at making-over public transportation in Rock Springs and Green River.  Micael Felschow with LSC Trasportation Consultants gave a report on his company's findings and recommendations this week to both the Sweetwater County Commissioners and the Green River City Council.  The study was started back in April to see if STAR could increase their ridership and improve the transportation system.  LSC received about 1,600 surveys so far, and expect 2,000 total to be in soon.  Sixty percent of those surveyed were not aware of STAR, 30 percent said the service was good, and 67 percent said that public transit is a need in the community.  An abnormally high percentage of people even thought that the community should pay for the overhaul of the service, with 52 percent of folks leaning that direction.  LSC said 75 percent of the demand is currently being unmet.  After looking at 4 different possible set-ups for the transportation system, Felschow recommended the cities use a loop route system.  The loop service would put a figure-8 type rout in Rock Springs with two buses traveling on opposite ends of the route.  They would also include a flex-route for people traveling to/from other nearby areas.  This option would keep the cots for bus passes at a minimum with a price just under $8.  The current cost estimate to go with that system is around 600 thousand, but that would probably go up some before the final plan is complete.  Work that would need to be done include the addition of transit stops with shelters and benches, vehicles, bus station facilities, and in the long run, added Park and Ride lots.  In the early stages, the plan is to use shared lots with local churches, supermarkets, and other stores.  The next step in the possible overhaul is for LSC to come up with an implementation plan and funding plan.