Characteristics of Bus Transit Characteristics of Bus Transit Users in a Small-Urban Users in a Small-Urban

Resort CommunityResort Community

Wayne D. Cottrell, Ph.D.Wayne D. Cottrell, Ph.D.California State Polytechnic University, California State Polytechnic University,

PomonaPomona

Sichun MuSichun MuUniversity of UtahUniversity of Utah

1818thth National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 19 National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, Omaha, Nebraska, October 19thth-22-22ndnd, 2008, 2008

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Purpose of StudyPurpose of Study

• Develop resident & tourist transit demand models.

• Integrate the two models.

• Facilitate service reorientation planning.

• Case study: Park City Transit.

• Learn about Park City Transit users.

• Identify explanatory variables.

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City, UtahPark City, Utah

• Population 8,044 in 2007

• Population growth 9% since 2000

• Population 22,960 with Snyderville communities

• 27 miles east southeast of Salt Lake City

• 70% of Utah’s population within 1 hour

• In-town elevation: 7,000 feet

• Most 2002 Winter Olympic events held here

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City TourismPark City Tourism

• 3 ski resorts (Canyons, Deer Valley, Park City Mountain)

• 1,871,500 skier days in 2007-08

• 3,311,000 visitor nights in 2007

• 5% annual growth rate since 1987-88

• 23,000 pillows, 66% occupancy in winter

• 30% of visitors are daytime only

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Similar Resort CommunitiesSimilar Resort Communities

• Colorado Aspen Steamboat

Breckenridge Telluride

Durango

• Idaho Ketchum Sun Valley

• Oregon Bend

• Utah Moab • Wyoming Jackson

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City TransportationPark City Transportation

• I-80 freeway

• Salt Lake City International Airport

• State highways & local streets

• Footpaths, ski trails & bicycle paths

• Park City Transit

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City TransitPark City Transit

• Free (no fare) service

• Initiated in 1985 in Park City

• Expanded to Snyderville Basin later

• Annual patronage increasing by 10% per year

• 1.7 million unlinked trips in 2005

• Distinct winter & summer service plans

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City Transit’s SeasonsPark City Transit’s SeasonsWinter

• 8 regular routes• 1 express route• Main Street Trolley• Special & paratransit• Early AM & late PM• 5:45 am – 2:00 am

Summer• 4 regular routes• 1 express route• Special & paratransit• Early AM• 7:00 am – 10:30 pm

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City Transit Winter NetworkPark City Transit Winter Network

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Park City Transit Summer NetworkPark City Transit Summer Network

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

User SurveyUser Survey

• In-person handout & return• Resident & visitor survey forms• Survey location: Park City Transit Center• Survey dates: Feb. 27, Mar. 16, 24 & 25, 2006• 450 survey forms completed• Inferences from sample: 95% level of confidence• 85% visitors, 15% residents

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Resident Transit UsersResident Transit Users

• Ages 17 to 25 (56%)• Very few users below age 17• 82% ride 5 to 7 days per week• 84% either had no car or no license• Dominant trip purpose: work (60 to 70%)• Shopping & recreation were next most popular

trip purposes• 97% lived in Park City & Snyderville Basin

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Resident Transit User (continued)Resident Transit User (continued)

• 61% were seasonal residents.• 64% willing to pay up to 50 cents.• Willingness to pay higher fare not great.• 48% had annual household income < $25,001.• 33% of all residents had income < $25,001.• 35% lived in households with > 3 workers (55% with >

2 workers).

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Visitor Transit UsersVisitor Transit Users

• ²/3 ages 25 to 60

• Half “new,” half “repeats”

• 74% did not have access to a car

• 75% used transit to go skiing or boarding

• 44% rode for convenience of bus to origin or destination

• 79% had annual household income > $55,000

• Visitors hailed from 39 States & 7 countries

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Visitor Transit User (continued)Visitor Transit User (continued)

• 44% had 3 or more in party

• 55% were staying in hotels

• One-third got transit info from hotel

• One-fourth got transit info from friends

• One-fifth got transit info from posted maps

• One-sixth got transit info from Internet

• Average stay: 5.7 days

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Explanatory VariablesExplanatory Variables

Resident• Age• Vehicle ownership• Driver’s license status• Household income• Residence location• Trip length• Employment status• Season• Population

Visitor• Age• Vehicle availability• Number in party• Season• Trip purpose• Lodging location• Skier days or visitor nights

18th National Rural Public and Intercity 18th National Rural Public and Intercity Bus Transportation Conference, OctoberBus Transportation Conference, October 19th-22nd, 2008 19th-22nd, 2008

Further ResearchFurther Research

• Conduct summer users survey• Compare results to those from other resort

communities• Expand upon analysis & inferences• Examine other Park City Transit studies• Develop resident & visitor demand models• Quantify growth of transit network & relate to growth

in patronage• Validate demand models