HomeMy WebLinkAboutI1 MDT Ltr (Draft)November 6, 2006
Mr. Jim Lynch, Director
Montana Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 201001
Helena, MT 59620
Director Lynch,
We are writing to you today so you know how strongly we support the purchase
of the “rounded-back”, or “new yellow bus” for the Streamline transit system in
the greater Bozeman area. In the first ten weeks of service, Streamline has
provided over 10,000 rides, exceeding many peoples’ expectations. A key to
more ridership will be the new vehicles that will be purchased by MDT for
Streamline.
We understand that through the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5311
program that the State is the recipient of the funds, and transit systems such as
Streamline are sub-recipients. This system therefore, means that the State
purchases the vehicles on the transit systems behalf. While this may be an
efficient way to procure vehicles on a statewide basis, is does not take into
account the particular needs of each community or transit system.
Bozeman serves as a gateway community to Yellowstone National Park. In
discussions with Streamline, it is our understanding that a “regional” transit
system can be created that would link West Yellowstone and Big Sky with
Bozeman. Further, it may be possible to develop service that would link Gardiner
and Livingston with Bozeman. It would be logical to then have a bus for the
system that matches the vehicles utilized in Yellowstone National Park.
It has not been easy to convince many people of the need for a public
transportation system in Bozeman. However, in the short time it has been
operating, Streamline has been very successful. As Bozeman continues to grow,
it will be important that Streamline grows as well, as one tool to deal with an
increasing population and traffic in the area. One tool to keep Streamline in a
position to grow with Bozeman is its vehicles.
The City of Bozeman provides both operational and capital funding for
Streamline. Given our support of the new transit system in the Bozeman area,
we wanted you to know of our strong desire that MDT purchase the right vehicle
for Streamline. We believe that vehicle is the rounded-back, “new yellow” bus.