Blue Go out, TTD in, as operations change July 1

The Tahoe Transportation District will assume daily operations of the bus transit system in South Lake Tahoe beginning July 1, and along with that change is a new name. Blue Go is out, and TTD is in.

42 buses make up the local system which have more than 800,000 trips annually on their routes which cover both sides of the state line including commuter bus service from the lake to Carson City and the Carson Valley.

Also included in their fleet of buses are the winter ski shuttles, summer trolley service to Emerald Bay and Tahoe City, and summer bus service from Incline Village and Stateline to Sand Harbor.

With funding through El Dorado County’s portion of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Funds, TTD has been able to expand its free summer ride program to include heavily traveled routes 50 and 53 in South Lake Tahoe daily throughout July and weekends until Labor Day. The West Shore Trolley has expanded service to Tahoe City this year as a result of a low carbon transit operation program from California’s Cap-and-Trade Program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

They are also going to release a new mobile app by end of summer for visitors and residents to find out when the next bus will arrive and plan their trip whether taking transit, walking, biking or connecting with ride-share services.

While existing routes and fares will remain the same, TTD is asking the public to participate in a survey by July 10: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TransitInTahoe. Tthe results will factor into the 2017 vision for an interregional transit system that provides safe, reliable and attractive service for Tahoe residents, visitors and commuters.

“Providing convenient, safe, dependable, affordable, and environmentally friendly transportation that connects communities throughout the Basin is essential to the economic health of the Lake Tahoe region,” said Carl Hasty, district manager for the Tahoe Transportation District. “We plan to design and build a world-class system for a world-class destination.”

The goal of TTD is to increase ridership, which in turn will result in less vehicles on the road.

A more efficient use of public funds, along with a focus on service is what officials expect when TTD takes over as opposed to a private operator. Direct operation enables TTD to evaluate the fleet’s maintenance and operations, and implement timely solutions. It also links the staff directly to the community providing higher accountability and consistent service delivery. TTD is currently recruiting experienced drivers and mechanics to join its team. To apply visit www.TahoeTransportation.org.

The evolving transit system will be recognized as “TTD” as it moves from the expired operations and maintenance contract and previous “BlueGo” moniker. The transition includes a recently negotiated driver contract that was ratified unanimously, as well as employee training sessions emphasizing safety, service, and public operations.

Public/private partnerships will continue to expand and offer safe and efficient options to get riders to their destinations including year-round service to/from Heavenly Mountain Resort. TTD is also working with the City of South Lake Tahoe to provide guests information at the Explore Tahoe Center near the Heavenly Village on how to utilize public transit to recreational attractions.

Tahoe Transportation District’s long-term vision is to complete a transit system connecting south Lake Tahoe communities with north Lake Tahoe communities via a cross-lake, year-round, high-speed passenger ferry. Concurrently, TTD will promote enhanced inter-regional public transit connections, which will reduce congestion as well as benefit the economy, safety, environment, water quality and convenience in each community. Bringing the goal to fruition will involve collaboration with Tahoe Area Regional Transit operated by Placer County and ongoing involvement from the communities to be served.