Title
Supervisor Laine recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file an update on transit operations in the Tahoe Basin; and
2) Authorize staff to initiate negotiations with the City of South Lake Tahoe regarding the formation of a Tahoe South Shore Transit Joint Powers Authority between the City of South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Tahoe Regional Planning Compact (approved by Congress in 1980) established the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) as a special purpose district. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) distributes state, regional, and federal transportation funding for transportation programs and projects to the TTD for implementation.
TTD receives approximately $2.2M - $2.5M dollars annually on behalf of El Dorado County and the City of South Lake Tahoe. These funding streams are intended to provide TTD with the resources to operate transit services throughout the Tahoe Region on the California side.
Currently, El Dorado County has not had access to transit services in decades in the unincorporated portion of the basin with the exception of para-transit service which TTD provides through the use of federal, state and local funds. Where has all the money gone?
In February 2024, Supervisor Laine dispersed a survey to the unincorporated area of the county within the Tahoe Basin. Over 450 residents responded to the survey and, overwhelmingly, eighty percent (80%) of those responders would consider using fixed route, micro transit, or a combination of both. Over 200 general comments were also submitted as a result of the survey with many respondents requesting park and ride options from Meyers to Stateline and Meyers to Desolation and other recreation destinations on Hwy 89 including Emerald Bay.
On May 2, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved appointing myself (Supervisor Laine) to the South Shore Transit Ad Hoc Committee, made up of representatives from the City of South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, South Shore Transit Management Association and Vail Resorts. We have been discussing options to achieve improved transit services and better local control.
This item is intended to introduce the issues around transit service in the Tahoe basin and to begin a conversation around what options the South Shore Transit Ad Hoc Committee may be considering.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel, CAO
FINANCIAL IMPACT
None
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
None
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance.
CONTACT
Lisa Watson x7918