Implementation of a Public Transportation System in Casper, Wyoming

This paper describes the planning and implementation process for a public transportation system in Casper, Wyoming, a city of approximately 50,000 people. The paper focuses on the planning techniques and tools which were used to obtain approval to implement the proposed service and the implementation steps necessary to begin operations. The City of Casper had operated a demand-response transit system for many years. Although open to the general public, it was designed to meet the needs of the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The requirement for advance reservations, the fare amount, and the hours of service discouraged much use by anyone other than those absolutely dependent on the service. In 2001, a community group was formed made up of local government representatives, human services organizations, and interested citizens. The group recognized that the existing service was not meeting the needs of a significant segment of the community. LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. was hired by the Casper Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to develop a Transit Service Plan. The project included a thorough review of the existing service, an assessment of transit needs, and evaluation of transit service scenarios. The types of service which were considered included fixed-route, route-deviation, and demand-response. The final recommendation was to set up a route-deviation system complemented by the existing demand-response service. The routes were designed to serve the areas with the greatest demand. The demand-response service would continue to serve areas of lower demand and individuals who are unable to use the route-deviation service. The Transit Service Plan was adopted by the Casper City Council in 2003. LSC then worked with the City and MPO to prepare a Transit Operations Plan. The Operations Plan included the final alignment of routes, identification of stops, preparation of a draft schedule and brochure, and timing for implementation. As part of the implementation, the City developed a name for the new service with a corresponding color scheme and brochures. Grants were obtained for purchase of new vehicles to begin the service and for operating costs. The new service started in April 2005, nearly two years after completion of the Transit Service Plan. The ridership steadily increased during the first several months of operation and the demand for the paratransit service decreased as anticipated. This paper discusses some of the hurdles that had to be overcome to implement the service and compares the demand projections with actual ridership.