KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
There’s a new draft update for the Kodiak Area Mobility Management Plan, and it could mean changes to how the Kodiak Area Transit System, or KATS, busses are operated and who can ride them.
Jon Spring is an independent transportation consultant in Anchorage, who has worked on the draft of the proposed changes for the Kodiak Human Services Coalition. He says there are several gaps in the existing system.
— (KATS 1 38 sec "The existing system primarily … be able to get the KATS service.")
He said there are three recommendations in the draft plan – the first of which is to do away with fixed-route service:
— (KATS 2 23 sec "The recommendation is to convert … delivered to your destination.")
The second is to open up the service to more residents in the community:
— (KATS 3 22 sec "This services is currently available … service during the day.")
Spring says that in his study of the service he’s recognized an opportunity to combine more rides during the day:
— (KATS 4 18 sec "Currently there’s a shopping … during the mid time of the day.")
Currently there is a scheduled service from town to the Coast Guard Base, which Spring says could be converted to a van pool service if the fixed route service was ended.
As for a price tag for the changes, Spring says the total costs have not yet been calculated, but he says contracting with taxi companies for some services and the van pools could be done relatively inexpensively.
Spring was scheduled to come to Kodiak this week and make presentations on the plan to both the city council and borough assembly, but yesterday’s airport closure disrupted his travel plans. He hopes to reschedule the visit for February. In the meantime, the public can see the plan on the Seniors of Kodiak web site and comment on the Facebook page created for it.
