HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R17-04 RESOLUTION NO. R17-04
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE
LAUREL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM COORDINATION PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Laurel has developed a transit plan to assist its citizens in
obtaining and utilizing public transit; and
WHEREAS, the City has requested funding for the project through the State's Federal
Transit Administration grant; and
WHEREAS, the State requires the City adopt a coordination plan annually.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, has adopted the Laurel Transportation System Coordination Plan, a copy of which
is attached hereto.
Introduced at a meeting of the City Council on March 7, 2017, by Council Member
Mountsier .
PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana, this 7th
day of March, 2017.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 7th day of March, 2017.
CITY OF LAUREL
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Mark A. Mace, Mayor
ATTEST:
Bethan eler, Clerk/Treasurer
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Sam S. Painter, Civil City Attorney
R17-04 Adopt Transportation Coordination Plan
TRANSPORTATION COORDINATION PLAN
LAUREL TRANSIT
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
FY-18
Prepared by:
City of Laurel
Noel Eaton, City Planner
Scheduled for City Council Adoption: March 7, 2017
TAC Action: February 22, 2017
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Montana Coordination Plan Outline
Adoption by Transportation Advisory Committee:
The relevant transportation providers and agencies are described in more detail.
Laurel Transit:
Laurel Transit (also referred to as 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 PM. The Billings service route begins at
7:30 and in-town service begins at 10 am,with the RSS route temporarily suspended due to too
few available seats.
Agencies Involved:
• 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.
• Residential Support Services—In November 2012 Laurel Transit entered into a
contractual agreement with Residential Support Services to provide regular service to
Billings Monday thru Friday. The daily service to Billings has experienced much success
and is anticipated to grow with the opening of the RSS group home located in the Laurel
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City Limits. The RSS partnership still exists although the daily trips to Billings have
stopped due a lack in sufficient seats for Laurel citizens.
• Tender Nest Assisted Living—Contact with Randy Swenson has been made and the
facility has contracted with the City for vouchers.
• COR–Recently the City of Laurel has entered into an agreement with COR to provide
transit services for Laurel Residents as a part of the newly implemented Billings route.
• Riverstone Health–The transit system is working to contract for demand/response
service for Riverstone Health patients.
• 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.
• Laurel Health and Rehab-agreed to use the bus service for transportation purposes for
their clients and residents.
• MET-contact with MET in Billings will be made in order for the Laurel Transit system to
grow and gain new ideas.
Public Involvement:
The Transportation Advisory Committee meets quarterly. Meetings notices are published in the
Laurel Outlook and the City of Laurel website. Meetings are open to the general public. In order
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 focus groups will hone in on the current challenges the transit faces
and get a better idea of how to improve the system. In order to increase ridership a 17
passenger bus must be obtained. It is recommended that after the focus groups create an idea
of the services they want,a capital grant application for a new bus will be submitted.
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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.
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. In FY15 the TAC schedule was
amended to settle issues related to timing and accommodations. In order for more
participation at TAC meetings more community outreach will be done to involve public
participation.
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