QUESTIONS + ANSWERS

Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) has received more than 200 submissions with questions and feedback regarding an effort to explore the possibility of a Mobility Hub in Incline Village.

We have categorized the questions and provided answers to all of them below. Questions organized by topic are outlined below and in order of popularity. Questions have been condensed and consolidated for clarity. 

Thank you for your feedback and participation. 
We recommend reading through all of the “General Questions” as well as all questions and answers in any particular category of interest to better understand the scope of a possible Mobility Hub in Incline Village.

GENERAL QUESTIONS 

OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE + GRANT FUNDING

SITE ANALYSIS

EAST SHORE TRAIL + SAND HARBOR

PARKING + SITE USE CASES

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROCESS + INCLUSION 

RIDER DATA + DEMAND 

TRANSIT MASTER PLAN + TTD

CONGESTION + SAFETY ISSUES

ECONOMIC + ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

  • A mobility hub is a physical, public location featuring a variety of transportation and community-related services. Mobility hubs vary in shape and scale, based on community needs, location size and the environment in which it operates. A mobility hub can range from quite tiny to a large multi-use facility. In essence, a mobility hub is designed to foster safe transportation solutions in a variety of ways. A well-planned mobility hub is a critical component of a comprehensive transit plan in any region. Transit planning today is geared toward providing equitable, sustainable and comprehensive solutions to transit issues in any given region.

  • The Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan outlines more than a dozen hubs that TTD and its partners will eventually help to facilitate within and beyond the basin to foster a comprehensive network of transit. Among those, planners recommended a hub in Incline Village. This planning phase is in its infancy period and TTD has yet to select a location or make firm decisions on what is needed. It is inviting the community to stay engaged and participate throughout the duration of this project.

    Currently, TTD is requesting the community’s input about solutions to Incline Village’s mobility issues. Ideas may include, but are not limited to: parking, traffic, electric vehicle charging stations, transit routes, access, parks, bike racks, multimodal transportation, or any other issues or ideas.

    By the end of 2021, TTD hopes to be well into an site analysis during which it would research each possible site for a hub, and weigh its potential to meet the needs of the Incline Village community, and determine the extent to which each site satisfies the region’s broader transit network goals.

  • The goal of any mobility project is to reduce congestion, improve safety, and reduce vehicle miles traveled in order to achieve more sustainable mobility on a regional scale through an expansion of mobility options. Mobility hubs are designed to help create equitable transportation solutions that meet the needs of many, especially those living inside a select community.

    For Incline VIllage specifically, the goal of this project is to help reduce congestion, support the region’s long-term goals of reducing vehicle miles traveled at the lake and an overall reliance on personal car use, improve access to local businesses, and improve traffic flow in and out of the community.

  • You can see the full Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan here. As outlined in the map on page 107, other mobility hubs would be located at Mount Rose or elsewhere on SR 431, outside the basin and at Spooner Summit at the intersection of SR 28 and US 50. The map on page 78 outlines all of the proposed mobility hubs that are part of a comprehensive transit network critical to reducing cars and traffic on Lake Tahoe’s roadways.

  • Mobility Hubs offer clear economic benefits. Several reports are available through the American Public Transportation Association. Additionally, as part of a larger network, mobility hubs would help reduce the number of cars on roads during peak times, improve access to local businesses, improve accessibility within the community and to sites outside of the community, and could provide much needed infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging stations, or other requested public spaces.

  • While parking is a current and clear problem in Incline Village, this mobility hub is not intended to solve all of Incline’s short-term or long-term parking issues. That said, including parking in any well-designed mobility hub for this community is clearly needed in order to access local businesses. Street parking has become dangerously overcrowded.

    This mobility hub would fit into the broader current and future infrastructure of a comprehensive transit that services the entire basin, including transit routes that offer solutions into the basin and reduce the number of cars at Lake Tahoe. Current routes the hub would serve include any and all TART services into and out of the Incline Village community as well as RTC transit routes and TTD transit routes such as the East Shore Express.

    Other possible solutions would include bike racks, bike shares, electric-car charging stations, all-weather public facilities, parks, a community center, or any other goals and collective needs the community would like to see. TTD aims to work with the community to find collective solutions to issues.

  • TTD does not want to turn Incline Village into an urban core, however there is the need to organize the visitors coming into the Tahoe basin and incentivize them to leave their cars.

  • There is congestion basin wide and the infrastructure to handle congestion and visitation is needed basin wide. Incline is one of many sites for a hub.

  • TTD is only proposing one mobility hub. An additional mobility hub could be added to the discussion for future consideration.

OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE + GRANT FUNDING

  • No. There is not currently a project planned at the Incline Village Elementary School.

    The property in question has been owned and unused by the Washoe County School Board for many years. In September 2020, a motion to dispose of the property was made and the school board approved the sale of the property specifically to the Tahoe Transportation District for possible inclusion for review as a potential site for the mobility hub. For clarity, no site has been selected yet for a mobility hub in Incline Village. While a sale of the property has been approved by its current owner, the school board, the purchase agreement has not been approved by the TTD Board. The purchase agreement will be considered at the TTD Board’s March 12, 2021 meeting.

  • A purchase of the school site would preserve it for further review as a possible location for the alternatives analysis. This is one of the largest properties in Incline Village, it is currently zoned for public use and TTD has used it as a temporary hub for 8+ years. Its central location to high density housing and area businesses are ideal conditions to encourage transit use and connectivity to jobs, services, and housing.

    After acquisition, several steps and thorough research would still need to be done to determine if this location should be chosen as a permanent mobility hub.

  • The purchase agreement for the old school site could be approved at the March 2021 TTD Board meeting. The close of escrow would follow shortly thereafter.

  • Washoe County School District (WCSD) has expressed a desire to dispose of the site. After IVGID declined to purchase the site, TTD approached WCSD to purchase the parcel to protect it for future consideration. Under Federal Transit Administration (FTA) rules, it is considered a “Protective Acquisition.” A site alternatives analysis, which will include the school site, will be completed prior to any project development.

  • TTD is utilizing Section 5339 funds allocated to the State of Nevada and sub-allocated to TTD through a competitive process. Specific requirements for FTA section 5339 grants can be found here.

  • Yes. Please see: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/58051/5010-1e-circular-award-management-requirements-7-16-18.pdf Chapter 4, j (2).

  • There is a concurrence requirement with FTA that can be found here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/58051/5010-1e-circular-award-management-requirements-7-16-18.pdf Chapter 4.

  • In order to obligate the grant funding, TTD would need to move forward with a purchase of a site during this federal fiscal year (FFY 2021).

  • TTD shares Incline Village residents’ desire to create safer, less congested streets in and around Incline Village. No project will move forward if it is deemed hazardous or damaging. No matter which site is selected to consider as a mobility hub, comprehensive traffic and safety studies will be done to ensure thorough planning is done to mitigate congestion, improve safety and reduce risk.

  • The school buildings are unsafe due to former building practices and outdated design. TTD has completed a Phase I environmental assessment showing there is asbestos present in the existing buildings, that there is a possible geological hazard, and that while there is a possibility of oil contaminants, such contamination is likely minimal, but will require further investigation. If at any time these issues would determine that this site is ill equipped to host a mobility hub, it will be ruled out as a possible site. As is true with any site considered for a hub, comprehensive environmental and safety reviews would be done as part of project development.

  • As part of planning the project, TTD will meet all of the appropriate requirements including traffic analysis, safety considerations, building codes, and other requirements.

  • TTD’s fleet operates clean diesel, gasoline, and hybrid electric buses that have very minimal emissions. TART operates compressed natural gas buses. Additionally, TTD will be rolling out battery electric zero emission buses this summer.

SITE ANALYSIS 

  • Sites for consideration will be determined from this community outreach process. To date, the preliminary list of suggested sites includes:

    • Former Incline Elementary School at 771 Southwood Blvd., Incline Village, NV

    • “Tahoe Inn” at 9937 North Lake Blvd, Kings Beach, CA

    • “Nine 41” at 941 and 947 Tahoe Blvd., Incline Village, NV

    • Former gas station at 560 Lakeshore Blvd., Incline Village, NV

    • Mount Rose Ski Tahoe parking lot at 22222 Mt. Rose Hwy., Incline Village, NV

    • Diamond Peak Ski Resort parking lot at 1210 Ski Way, Incline Village, NV

    • Dormer Spitsen Lumber site at 1054 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV

    • Washoe County Sheriff Sub-Station at 625 Mt. Rose Hwy, Incline Village, NV

  • Yes, the property owner has not been interested in selling or using the property for this purpose.

  • It has been suggested as an alternative site.

  • Trailhead parking was included as part of the East Shore Trail adjacent to the old Ponderosa Ranch property. Additional parking capacity at the trailhead is also being pursued to address trail use. The constructed parking includes bus stops for transit access as well.

  • No. TTD’s approach is willing seller, willing buyer.

  • Please email us through the contact form on this website, attend a town hall meeting and submit your comments, or send us a letter to the address below.

  • Site availability is unknown and site conditions are unknown to adequately answer this question.

  • An alternatives analysis is a comprehensive analysis of all possible locations and use cases. It will begin with a request for proposals for a qualified consultant. Community input on locations and needs will help inform the process for site selection criteria. Our goal is to begin the site analysis before the end of 2021.

  • Current goals of TTD are to convert 20% of car trips onto transit. This broad goal will require a network of hubs varying in size and scale. The Incline Village mobility hub is an important piece of the broader system to eventually reduce vehicles in the basin.

    Critical needs include access to public transportation. Needs above and beyond that may include improved parking and public facilities, electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks, or other solutions brought forth by the Incline Village community.

    Because no project is designed and we are in the ideation phase of this project, no size or scale is yet determined.

  • The alternatives analysis is estimated to be completed in 2022.

EAST SHORE TRAIL + SAND HARBOR

  • Nevada State Parks, Nevada Department of Transportation, TTD and several other partners are considering myriad solutions to reduce congestion in and around the Sand Harbor State Park and the East Shore Trail. Additional mobility hubs are being considered at Mount Rose or elsewhere on SR 431 outside the basin and Spooner Summit at the intersection of SR 28 and US 50, as well as at several other locations. The Incline Village Mobility Hub project is not positioned as a long-term solution to the parking and congestion issues along the Highway 28 Corridor.

    The East Shore Trail will eventually be linked to other trail sections around the lake. While Incline Village is suffering some short-term consequences of the first stretch of trail available, long-term visitors to the trail will have dozens of access points to the trail from around the lake.

    This mobility hub is designed to lend itself as one of the dozen or so mobility hubs included in the Lake Tahoe Master Plan and is part of a broad transit network aimed to reduce congestion and enhance reliance on public transportation in lieu of personal vehicles. Incline VIllage’s current ridership on public transit into and out of the village has proven to be substantial enough to require improved facilities and enhanced access.

  • Sand Harbor is operated by Nevada State Parks. They are working on solutions to address their capacity issues and communications to the public, as well as signage.

  • The East Shore Trail will eventually connect from stateline (Crystal Bay) to Stateline (South Lake Tahoe). This will provide many access points at various sites throughout the lake and we anticipate a majority of traffic to the trail will not be solely on the Northeast corner of the trail near Incline Village. There are several additional parking and mobility hub solutions being considered in addition to the site in Incline Village to help alleviate the congestion issues all around the lake, including at the East Shore Trail. Some of the nearby solutions include a parking solution where Highways 50 and 28 meet, as well as a hub at Mount Rose. Additionally, Nevada State Parks is considering a variety of solutions and communications tactics to deter crowds when the parks are full.

  • TTD is not not looking to increase capacity for parking or increase traffic to Sand Harbor. TTD works closely with State Parks and they are getting more interested in using a type of transit solution, as an alternative, and participating with us and others at looking at the long-term plan of how to address access to Sand Harbor.

  • That question is best answered by State Parks. However, TTD is working with State Parks and NDOT to find additional parking solutions outside of Incline Village.

  • Yes. As it is stated in the TTD Transit Master Plan, several mobility hubs are recommended to adequately accommodate Lake Tahoe’s transportation needs. Several additional sites will also host mobility hubs long-term, including Mount Rose and Spooner. In addition a coordinated plan for addressing parking, uncontrolled access, and traffic management was conducted for SR 28. The East Shore Trail is but one segment of a longer stateline to stateline trail as part of the solution. Additional elements are relocating on highway parking to off highway parking but expanding the existing US Forest Service lots, building a small lot at Skunk Harbor, and a new larger hub/trailhead across from Spooner State Park. The final piece is seasonal transit service up and down the corridor that, when taken together, provide choice, safety, better enforcement, environmental protection, and controlled access.

    You can see the full Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan here. As is outlined in the map on page 107, other mobility hubs would be located at Mount Rose and Spooner. The map on page 78 outlines all of the proposed mobility hubs as part of a comprehensive transit network critical to reducing cars and traffic on Lake Tahoe’s roadways. You can find the Corridor Master Plan here.

PARKING + SITE USE CASES

  • Depending on size, community input and location, a mobility hub could help offset some of Incline’s current and historic parking issues. A mobility hub could offer relief to neighborhoods around the IVGID beaches. It could be an alternative to people using business parking lots as recreational park and rides. The project will be determined based on the community’s emerging desires. Interest has also been expressed about a local shuttle service serving Incline Village. The hub can be a tie in and transfer point for Diamond Peak, locations outside of Incline Village, or for IVGID beaches.

    It is understood that Incline’s current parking issues are often blamed on the East Shore trail. Additional parking options and mobility hubs above and beyond one for the Village are being considered, including a site at Mount Rose as well as at the intersection of Highways 50 and 28. It is also understood that while the current section of finished trail puts the burden of access on Incline Village and the Nevada State Parks, eventually the completed trail project will span much of the lake and multiple access points will be available.

    Additional solutions beyond parking may include electric vehicle charging stations, rideshare (Uber, Lyft, etc.) access points, shuttles or shared use transit, bike racks, public facilities and public parks. If there is something else you would like to recommend for inclusion in the options for this site, please submit an email via the contact form on this website.

  • A mobility hub would provide additional parking to offset illegal parking, street parking, or the strain on local business parking spots. It could also provide options for Incline Village residents to access their employers without using their car. Visitor traffic could be organized through signage reducing the number of cars wandering Incline looking for parking. For example, drivers may opt to leave their car in Tahoe City to ride the bus to Incline Village rather than drive over, minimizing the number of cars on the road and alleviating traffic congestion, or a demand for more parking.

  • Yes and no. This project is geared toward providing one of the myriad of solutions to improve regional transit services and access points. It is aimed - as part of a collective effort - to increase use of public transportation as well as address the community’s other transportation issues. Currently, Incline Village has expressed a desire to address local parking issues. Therefore, TTD and its partners are taking steps to address these needs.

  • It is possible. However, parking garages can be even more challenging.

  • There’s no set requirement. TTD’s recommendation is to accommodate the parking that has existed for the East Shore Express (approximately 175 parking spaces). However, the final number of spaces will be determined by the size and functionality of the site as well as project design.

  • Because Lake Tahoe is not a national park, there is no easy, one-size solution to the issues surrounding increased visitor traffic and demand.

    Considering the regional agreement to limit road construction that was written decades ago, TTD and its governing partners agree that a comprehensive transit plan, infrastructure improvements and well-designed routes are the region’s best option to reduce vehicle miles traveled or cars at the lake. TTD is on a mission to reduce the number of car trips on the road by increasing transit use. Other mountain resort communities have been successful in making the shift from cars to transit including Vail, Park City, and Steamboat. In order to achieve this goal, Lake Tahoe will need a comprehensive network of mobility hubs and transit solutions.

  • That is a possibility. Parking fees typically go toward the maintenance, operations, and repair of a facility, ensuring new facilities do not create a burden on existing revenues.

  • TTD does not have specific minimum/maximum criteria that have been finalized. However, there is an idea to accommodate the existing operation of the popular East Shore Express service. That would involve less than 175 parking spaces. The community has an opportunity to weigh in and discuss additional needs and comment on identified goals at this time. These comments will be considered in developing the criteria for the site alternatives analysis occurring later this year.

  • That could be possible, similar to the neighborhoods by UNR, which have strict resident parking passes. This idea can be considered as part of further community development planning for the area.

  • A Mobility Hub is much more than a transit stop, with additional services and connectivity to different modes.

  • If a mobility hub included space for something like a coffee shop, it would be a lease like any other commercial lease.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROCESS + INCLUSION 

  • We are currently engaging the community through a variety of outreach efforts - including town hall meetings which are publicly posted, a website, open TTD board meetings, media outreach, and social media updates. Please also sign up with your email address so we can keep you updated.

  • Please attend town hall meetings, join the TTD board meetings, visit the website, or submit comments via the web page. Additionally, you can call TTD or send physical mail via the contact information found below.

    TTD will hold additional, future outreach efforts as critical decisions become timely.

    If you would like us to consider a specific outreach method, please contact us using the form on this webpage.

  • TTD will engage the community for input at every step of the process. COVID-19 protocols depending, a public forum may be held in-person or online. Regular updates, town halls and other opportunities for feedback will be planned along the way. At this time, we are requesting all community members submit feedback using the form on this webpage, at a town hall, or to TTD directly using the contact information below. Our team is regularly updating and aggregating community feedback into a comprehensive folder for consideration, guidance and discussion.

  • Any and all ideas or feedback can be provided via the contact form on this website, through TTD directly using the contact information provided below, or through the question widget during the online town halls.

  • The decision-making process has occurred at the various Boards (WCSD, TTD, Washoe County). Future decisions will be made by the appropriate entity with jurisdiction over the specific decision.

  • TTD has a variety of outreach methods it is currently deploying for each series of meetings including: fliers at key posting sites around town, media alerts to local media and influencers, ads posted in the Tahoe Tribune, calendar listings at a variety of online resources, meeting notices posted to our website, and now we will also utilize this website.

    If you have any questions or a suggestion for an additional outreach method, please contact us using the form on this webpage or using the contact information provided below.

  • No. TTD has not received consent from attendees to share contact information.

    Yes. Questions are being answered and posted on the website.

  • Yes. Every flier has a Spanish translation. Upon finalizing each piece of content, TTD is working with a team of translators to ensure all information is available in Spanish. If additional needs are requested, please submit a comment using the form on this webpage or via the contact information provided below.

  • It will be a collaborative process with the community. The formal decision will be by TTD’s Board in consultation with Washoe County and TRPA with the public process and public input.

  • Not at this time, but they are welcome to participate.

RIDER DATA + DEMAND

  • A variety of reports on ridership and demand are all available at https://www.tahoetransportation.org/document-library/. Namely, the Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan and the TRPA Transit Survey offer a variety of valuable information that is pertinent to the regional transit planning. The presentation included usage statistics for the East Shore Express.

  • The Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan is the guiding document for all projects in and around the basin.

  • Based on current and past ridership, a significant rise in ridership and transit demand has been evident throughout the region. See the reports mentioned above for reference.

    Other mountain resort communities similar in size to Incline Village have been successful in making the shift from cars to transit by implementing transit improvements such as mobility hubs, zero fare programs, paid parking, and expanded services.

    The temporary site that has been used at the old Incline Village Elementary School site has seen a significant uptick in use since its inception. Just under 40,000 rides for just one route alone were utilized in that space during the summer months in 2019. This represented significant growth since years prior, tripling the initial year’s usage.

  • The temporary site that has been used at the old Incline Village Elementary School site measured parking and rides on only the East Shore Express. Additional routes and usage were not monitored. In the final year of tracking, just under 40,000 rides on the East Shore Express were taken throughout the summer season in 2019.

  • Yes. There is a demand to remove cars from the road and relieve congestion and parking issues at Lake Tahoe. The Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan documented the travel demand to various destinations around the lake, and there is ample opportunity to move those trips from cars to transit. Both the Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan and the TRPA Transit Survey offer a variety of valuable information that is pertinent to these issues.

  • Yes. Park City relies heavily on transit. Squaw Valley has the popular Mountaineer that circulates through the resort, Northstar & Heavenly both operate their own transit systems, the resorts of Summit County (Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe, etc) all rely on transit to manage their visitation.

    One mobility hub in Incline Village is not aimed to fix Tahoe’s collective transit issues. It is but one component of a comprehensive system of hubs and routes that will all work together with the other improvements. The sooner we can get these series of improvements put together, including enhanced transit services, then we'll be able to see and experience a more positive impact. We've seen this happen at Colorado resorts towns such as Vail and Aspen.

  • A hub would help improve flow and reduce congestion by way of removing cars on the road through improved options and services. TTD has operated a temporary hub out of Incline Village for several years so initially, no changes would be evident. Long-term improvements to the public transit system at Tahoe would inevitably provide more options and opportunities for visitors and locals to leave their car behind.

  • Our comprehensive team of partners and transit planners includes transportation and sustainability experts at the TRPA, Nevada and California Departments of Transportation, the region’s counties, local jurisdictions, partner transit agencies, consultants, and more. We rely on a series of studies, expertise, surveys, and reports to guide all strategies, decisions and discussions.

    A variety of reports on ridership and demand are all available at https://www.tahoetransportation.org/document-library/. Namely, the Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan and the TRPA Transit Survey offer a variety of valuable information that is pertinent to the regional transit planning.

    On a broader scale, we often turn to reports and insights from national agencies and associations including the American Public Transportation Association as well as several others.

  • It would be great to have some type of circulator or micro transit to help move people. It is worth exploring this possibility.

TRANSIT MASTER PLAN

  • The Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Master Plan is a long range, comprehensive guiding document that provides the insights and overview strategy to reach the best possible outcomes of a successful regional transit planning program.

  • TTD led the effort with Stantec Consultant Group working with our partners including Placer County (TART), TRPA, NDOT, and many others to ensure the solutions considered the entire region and its various stakeholders. Public workshops were held around the lake including hearings at the TTD Board.

  • The Lake Tahoe Basin Transit Master Plan is a long-term plan that was adopted in 2017. This ambitious plan is unique in scope and will be updated as needed. Other plans informing transportation decisions include Short Range Transit Plans updated every five years and the Regional Transportation Plan updated every four years.

  • There are several ways of “controlling or curtailing” traffic in and out of the basin, mostly through incentives and by offering alternatives. Any effort must meet legal requirements of state and national highway access for a public road. The bi-state compact governing Lake Tahoe directs us to address traffic capacity issues through providing multi-modal or choice of travel mode rather than expanding the size of highways and accommodating more vehicles.

    Considering the regional agreement to limit highway expansion decades ago, TTD and its partners agree that a comprehensive transit plan, infrastructure improvements and well-designed routes are the region’s best option to reduce vehicle miles traveled and cars at the lake. In order to achieve this goal, a comprehensive network of mobility hubs and transit solutions will need to be developed.

  • TTD recently completed a mobility hub at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) in partnership with LTCC to address student transportation needs, trail connectivity, bicycle support, wayfinding, electric bus charging, and electric vehicle charging. You can find the full list of mobility hubs in the Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan here. As is outlined in the map on page 107, other mobility hubs would be located at Mount Rose or elsewhere on SR 431 outside the basin, and at Spooner Summit at the intersection of SR 28 and US 50. The map on page 78 outlines all of the proposed mobility hubs as part of a comprehensive transit network critical to reducing cars and traffic on Lake Tahoe’s roadways.

  • Yes, several. You can see the full Lake Tahoe Transit Master Plan here. As is outlined in the map on page 107, other mobility hubs would be located at Mount Rose or elsewhere on SR 431 outside the basin and Spooner Summit at the intersection of SR 28 and US 50. The map on page 78 outlines all of the proposed mobility hubs as part of a comprehensive transit network critical to reducing cars and traffic on Lake Tahoe’s roadways.

  • In order to encourage visitors and residents to leave their car in lieu of other options, we must provide better options that still satisfy the level of cost and convenience thresholds. TTD and its partners are working on meeting the region’s comprehensive needs through a network of transit systems, hubs, trails, and partnerships. Its goal is to increase reliance on public transit at the lake by 20 percent.

  • The various organizations that provide transit in the region are all working on improving routes and resources. They include TART, RTC, TTD and the various resort shuttles. RTC is currently exploring a route from Reno to the Basin and back, as well as an Incline Village shuttle.

  • All six local governments in Tahoe are represented, as are the two states, the two state departments of transportation and the private sector from the north shore and south shore. In total there are fourteen Director positions on the TTD board of which twelve are voting and two are ex officio (state DOTs).

CONGESTION
+ SAFETY
ISSUES

  • During the SR 28 Corridor planning, a benchmark of parking capacity was addressed, especially along the highway. It was not looking to increase capacity as much as it was to relocate that capacity to better or safer locations, along with other connectivity aspects, such as transit or trails, to also provide that safe connection and more of a controlled access. So TTD is not looking at adding additional capacity.

    The SR 28 Corridor has been demanding everybody's attention for some time and that's going to continue for a while. This is one of the many issues TTD is hoping to help address. TTD’s aim is to bring about a better future on Tahoe’s roadways with the larger regional picture in mind, achieving better solutions for the long term that are going to help ameliorate the number of people coming into the Basin. Tahoe is extremely popular, and as we've all seen recently, even a pandemic hasn't stopped people from coming into town. We must figure out how we're going to be able to address crowded roads and insufficient parking together.

  • Yes. NDOT and NHP are working with State Parks to address these issues.

  • Yes. Traffic and safety analysis will be included in the project planning process.

  • Emergency management is handled by the individual counties and fire protection districts. Each emergency operations center has the authority to commandeer resources, including public transit. A fully implemented Transit Master Plan would increase transit capacity which could aid in evacuation efforts.

  • TTD is not looking to add capacity, but shift patterns to more safe and manageable solutions. The vision for the mobility hub is more expansive than a simple park and ride. Uses could include local as well as regional circulation. It is planned to be an attractive site to allow people to get around without a vehicle. Potential sites have been identified, but none have been selected for the project yet, locating transit near high density housing and commercial opportunities is highly desirable to offer diverse origins and destinations.

  • Security is certainly an important aspect of making transit an attractive option. What TTD has found is that having a staffed presence (as is the practice at the East Shore Express and the East shore Trailhead during peak times) deters incidences of crime including littering. Physical design can also reduce crime with clearly visible areas from the street. Clear marked accessible trash and recycling receptacles reduce litter. The possible co-location of the Sheriff’s substation would also have a chilling effect on nefarious activities.

  • That is more of an emergency services question. However, public transit has and will continue to play a pivotal role in helping get large numbers of people out of a fire zone.

ECONOMIC + ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

  • Investment in transit systems offers clear economic benefits. Several reports are available through the American Public Transportation Association. Additionally, a hub would ideally reduce the number of cars on roads during peak times, improve access to local businesses & employers, improve accessibility within the community and to sites outside of the community, and provide much needed infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging stations, or other requested public spaces.

  • At this time, there is no project plan and costs will vary depending on amenities and design. The only firm costs are the acquisition of the old elementary school site at $2.35M. Demolition of the school buildings is estimated to be approximately $1M.

  • Funding for a hub will come through a variety of sources including grant funding, public funds, and money earmarked for infrastructure improvements.

  • Transit planning today is geared toward reducing vehicle miles traveled, or VMTs, which have been found to be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The regional goal is to significantly reduce the reliance on private transportation at Lake Tahoe, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road.

  • At this time, there is not enough information to adequately address this question. Site specific costs, if any, will be determined through the project development process. However, there is a cost to inaction. Inaction likely will increase Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), an increase in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), additional congestion, and an overall degradation of the quality of life/visitor experience.

  • We’re not sure what seed money this is referencing. There are Washoe County Question 1 funds that have been previously allocated to TTD for projects. Some of those funds will be match dollars for additional trail head parking. Any allocation of other Question 1 funds will require approval from the Washoe County Commission.

  • We do not know. The school site is already in a mixed used location and most other sites suggested to us are commercial properties.

  • While the features of the project and scale will determine how much initial impact it has on factors like GHG, it is really the overall system of mobility options for visitors and residents that will begin having exponential effects.

  • TTD is moving towards zero emission buses (ZEBs). California’s Innovative Clean Transit regulation was adopted by the Air Resources Board in December 2018 and requires all CA public transit agencies to gradually transition to a 100 percent ZEB fleet. Beginning in 2026, 25% of new purchases by transit agencies must be ZEBs, with the percentage increasing by 25% each subsequent year until 100% of all new bus purchases are ZEBs in 2029. The ICT regulation further states a goal for full transition by 2040. While TTD is a bi-state agency and the CA regulation does not specifically apply, funding for new buses decidedly favors ZEBs. At this time, TTD has 3 35’ ZEBs and 4 cutaway ZEBs on order and are expected this summer.