HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R24-10BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana,
Section 1: Approval. The Transportation Coordination Plan for the City of Laurel
Transit (hereinafter "Transportation Coordination Plan"), a copy attached hereto and
incorporated herein, is hereby approved.
Section 2: Execution. The Mayor is hereby given authority to execute the
Transportation Coordination Plan on behalf of the City.
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 13"' day of February, 2024,
by Council Member Wheeler.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 13"' day of
February, 2024.
APPROVED by the Mayor the 13"' day of February, 2024.
ATTEST:
Wtree,'tTjrk--Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
R24-10 Approve Transportation Coordination Plan
CITY OF LAUREL
Dave Waggoner, Ma rl
i Ti
Kelly Strecker, Clerk/Treasurer
Scheduled for City Council Adoption: February 13, 2024
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The relevant transportation providers and agencies are described in more detail.
Laurel Transit:
Laurel Transit (also referred to as the transit system) is working to provide a successful on -
demand service for public transportation within the City limits of Laurel while offering regular
service to Billings. Laurel Transit is looking to contract with as many agencies in the area as
possible to provide expanded service. It is currently not feasible for Laurel to have a fixed route
system; however, accommodations for such a system are being discussed such as bus benches
and signs within the City.
Laurel Transit Schedules:
Laurel Transit operates Monday -Friday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM. The Billings service route begins at
7:30 and in -town service begins at 10:00 am.
Agencies Involved:
0 Adult Resource Alliance of Yellowstone County -- ARAYC has partnered with the City of
Laurel to provide the driver for the bus and the cell phone. ARAYC previously operated
the senior bus in Laurel, which was absorbed with the formation of Laurel Transit. The
City works very closely with ARAYC to ensure the level of service delivered through the
senior bus program is continued in Laurel Transit.
B Tender Nest Assisted Living—Contact with Tender Nest Assisted Living continues, and
the facility has contracted with the City for vouchers.
i COR –There is a plan to include COR in future TAC meetings.
® Riverstone Health – The transit system is working to contract demand/response service
for Riverstone Health patients.
0 Laurel Senior Center — The Sprinter bus is currently stored in a garage at the Senior
Center. Frequent trips are taken to the senior center for rider visits.
b Laurel Health and Rehab- Continues to utilize the bus service for transportation
purposes for their clients and residents.
0 MET- contact with MET in Billings has been made in hopes to grow the Laurel Transit
system and gain new ideas.
Public Involvement:
The Transportation Advisory Committee meets quarterly. Meetings notices are published on
the City of Laurel website and at City Hall. Meetings are open to the general public. For more
participation at TAC meetings, more community outreach will be done to involve public
participation.
Private Sector:
The City of Laurel does not have any private transportation system available.
Needs Assessment and Plan to Increase Ridership:
The Laurel Transit will be starting focus groups this fiscal year in order to determine the needs
of the community and their transit provider. The focus groups will include current riding
members, City staff, other transportation providers, healthcare employers, and other members
from the community. The groups will focus on the current challenges the transit program faces
and get a better idea of how to improve the system. The City was awarded a grant for a new 14 -
passenger bus. The date of delivery is still unknown.
The Laurel Transit System has stepped up its advertising strategies by designing and distributing
flyers with route information and publishing that flyer in the Laurel Outlook on a regular basis.
There have been talks with the Adult Resource Alliance regarding placing advertisements on the
new transit bus. This type of advertisement may be an option for other local businesses, once
the new transit bus arrives.
Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Meetings:
The Laurel TAC meets on a quarterly basis. The TAC is comprised of City staff, community
interested members and representatives from Residential Support Services, the Adult Resource
Alliance of Yellowstone County, and other interested parties. For more participation at TAC
meetings, more community outreach will be done to involve public participation.
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