Mar 5, 2008

Council divided on shuttle

Money, route some of the big questions

By Melanie Carroll / Daily News Staff Writer

Whether Mountain View ultimately decides to follow in Palo Alto's footsteps and help pay for a shuttle service within its city limits, it's clear that even those opposed to the idea want people to get out of their cars and use public transit.

The council Tuesday night debated whether the city should pay for some sort of service - likely to cost between $175,000 to more than $1 million a year - in shuttle buses that typically carry between 15 and 25 passengers. The council decided to postpone a final decision on the shuttle service after concerns were brought up over routes, costs and an operating partnership.

Currently only 5 percent of Mountain View residents use public transportation of any kind, said Peter Skinner, senior administrative analyst for the city.

"Business as usual with cars isn't getting us anywhere," Council Member Ronit Bryant said. "What can be cool in Palo Alto can be cool in Mountain View."

Council Member Laura Macias asked how many cars would be taken off local roads if a shuttle system were implemented - to which Skinner answered it depends on the number of riders who decide to use the service.

Mayor Tom Means stressed his desire to attract the maximum number of riders to any would-be shuttle, arguing that traveling from point A to point B would be the most well-traveled.

Charles DuPre, a mailman whose route includes downtown Mountain View, said he's been thinking about a different kind of shuttle in Mountain View for years.

DuPre argued for a shuttle service that would cover all ends of the city, including grocery outlets, the downtown area and health care facilities.

"Downtown is a mess when it comes to parking," DuPre said. Shuttle service "should be provided to people."

The council agreed that public education is a key component in getting people to use mass transit. One slogan that might be used in reaching this goal is "Dump the Pump; Try Transit," Skinner suggested Tuesday night.

Since the VTA in Mountain View currently offers seven bus lines and a light rail system, the council must avoid duplicating the agency's efforts, Skinner said.

The council in 2001 decided not to pursue a free shuttle service because of concerns about ridership and funding, a point that Council Member Matt Pear referenced.

"I don't think much has changed since 2001," Pear said. "We need to prove it by its numbers."

Still, Pear said he's in favor of an education campaign designed to teach people about public transportation options.


E-mail Melanie Carroll at mcarroll@dailynewsgroup.com.