February 18, 2016
Getting to Work Happy: So much to be happy about in 2016 and our new campaign reflects all of that and more with its “Get to work happy” theme. The campaign continues to offer incentives for those who want to try transit, carpooling and vanpooling. Filling out a short application is all it takes to get commuters thinking about the new commute options available with the completion of the US 36 Express Lanes Project.
Legislative Bills of Interest:
House Bill (HB) 16-1008
Commuting Solutions took a position to support House Bill 16-1008, which will allow buses to use the shoulder of state highways. The bill passed the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate. Thanks go to Rep. Max Tyler, chairman of the House Transportation & Energy Committee, Rep. Faith Winter who brought forth this bill and Rep. Jon Becker who co-sponsored the bill. Thanks as well to Sen. Rollie Heath and Sen. John Cooke who will co-sponsor the bill in the Senate. The passage of this bill is a key step forward to ensuring the reliability and speed necessary for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service.
Colorado Senate Bill (SB)16-123
36 Commuting Solution is monitoring Colorado Senate Bill 16-123, which will go to the Senate Transportation Committee on Thurs., Feb. 18, 2016. The bill, if approved, would prohibit Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) or the High-Performance Transportation Enterprise from requiring a vehicle owner to use a switchable transponder or other device to travel in a high occupancy vehicle on either a high occupancy vehicle lane or a high occupancy toll lane on a toll-free basis.
US First and Final Mile Elements Moving Forward: While not easily “Googled,” addressing the “First and Final” mile of a commute is pivotal in creating a successful multi-modal transportation system. Commuting Solutions has been awarded two grants by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG). The grants provide funding to support many of the recommendations sited in the US 36 First and Final Mile Study as being essential to maximize use of the multi-modal system. Funding will be used to develop way finding plans for each RTD transit station and to design and build Bike-n-Ride shelters at the Broomfield and Sheridan transit stations.
