SOS Asheville

Fall 06 SOS Meeting Report 

Topic:  Green Transit
Convener:  Cathy Holt
Participants:  Jonah, Raphael, Beth, Steve, Cathy History of topic: Robert Eidus & Cathy Holt are forming a Green Transit Co-operative, website www.greentransitnc.com.  The goal is to offer biodiesel fueled shared ride services which would include airport shuttle, commute service, late night rides for party goersKey discussion points:
Airport service seems most promising. Maybe commuters from Madison County to Asheville. How could this group work with the city to get more riders? Many commuters rely on their private cars to do shopping after work, how could that feature get incorporated? Why don’t people carpool more, anyway? Suggestions: take people to farmers’ markets. Get people to organize a full car load for a discount. Service the Orange Peel. Get a Volvo diesel.

Report #: 12

Name of Topic:  Sustainable Regional Transportation

Name of Leader: Robert Eidus

Names of Participants: Robert Eidus, Angela Leonard, Brett

Previous story regarding this topic if there is one: the design and technology of current system is 50+ years old and needs to be replaced with the use of sustainable fuels, vehicle options, and conservation.

Highlights of Discussion (present story unfolding):

Regional transportation authority needed

Transportation transfer facilities-park and rides along interstates, bus and van pickup at Park and Rides

Need end vehicle transit service (jitneys) with 24 hour demand dispatching, private entrepreneurs, pickup multiple passengers, cell phone for dispatching, federal money for dispatching startup

All transit vehicles use swipe cards

Housing density along trunk lines encouraged

Encourage biofuel research, high lipid algae research

Van pooling to airports, UNCA, hospitals, downtown, etc.

Increase carpooling and ride sharing

Future Action/Next Steps:

Get Regional transportation Authority going

Park and rides along interstates

City council to address end use transportation (jitneys,vans) under the ordinances addressing taxi cab service

Resources Required (who should be involved, finances, non-paid labour, other):

Federal funding for startup-computer dispatch for example

Entrepreneurs licensed by city for jitney transportation

City and county government cooperation in regional plan