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| 2008 Conference |
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CONNECTING THE DOTS:
Choosing the Best Path Forward
For more than sixty years a transportation model based on the private
automobile has served to spur economic growth in Greater
Yellowstone. Does this remain the best model for our
future? Today, communities are finding they have to
“import” workers via long daily commutes. Visitors
are
often surprised by a lack of transit to world famous destinations. Many
local residents are recognizing the untapped, economic potential of a
regional network of pathways through some of the most beautiful
landscape on earth. Is there a better way to get connected?
In December 2005 civic, business and government leaders from Idaho,
Montana and Wyoming came together at Grand Targhee Resort to analyze
these issues and discuss the prospects for a regional transportation
system. Since that time volunteers from all three states have been
working to advance the concept. As a result, the Idaho
Transportation Commission recently granted $30,000 to the Yellowstone
Business Partnership to lead development of a “Concept of
Operations” plan to connect our communities and our
neighboring
national parks. In addition, the Partnership’s
grant from
USDA Rural Development is making it possible to involve all those who
want a say in improving mobility across our tri-state region.
With gas prices remaining high and the need to reduce carbon emissions,
there is no better time to examine our regional transportation
issues. Cost-effective solutions can be crafted to respond to
our
needs and power our economy while maintaining the health of our
ecosystem. Towns like Jackson, Bozeman and Big Sky are moving
forward thanks to creative partnerships that make pooling resources a
mutually beneficial strategy. We can learn a lot from larger cities
like Billings and Pocatello that have been running fixed-route bus
systems for years. Imagine the possibilities if our two national parks
and six forests, three states, 25 counties, multiple cities and
regional businesses all come together to enhance the mobility of their
citizens, workers and visitors!
The conversation will continue in earnest at YBP’s Fifth
Annual
Conference. Our Concept Plan consultants will share what
they’ve
learned to date and discuss the unmet transportation needs in our
region. Speakers with regional, national and international perspectives
will broaden our thinking. And instead of driving your personal car,
please plan to ride the conference bus provided for your
convenience. Experience what might be possible if we can
finally
cross jurisdictional boundaries and efficiently link our public and
private transportation services.
| Gary Van Dyke |
Janice Brown |
Basil Barna |
| YBP Board Chair |
YBP Executive Director |
Concept Plan Chair |
RIDE THE CONFERENCE BUS;
ENJOY an AFTERNOON of
PRE-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES!
In keeping with our public transportation theme, all conferees will be
provided with round-trip transportation on modern coaches that will
begin their journeys at 7:00/8:00 a.m. on Monday, May 19th:
• Billings (with stops offered
at Joliet, Red Lodge and Cody)
• Livingston (Emigrant, Gardiner
and Mammoth – on an NPS Yellow Bus!)
• Bozeman (Big Sky, West
Yellowstone and Madison Junction to add Park Co. riders);
• Pocatello (Idaho Falls,
Rexburg, Teton Valley and Jackson)
• The regularly scheduled START
bus that begins
mid-morning at Etna, and stops at Alpine and Hoback Junction, will
connect with the Idaho bus in Jackson around noon.
• Riverton (stops in Lander and
Dubois)
All buses should arrive at Jackson Lake Lodge by 1:00 p.m. on Monday
and depart on Wednesday by 2:00 p.m.
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