The Yelm City Council received a presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from General Manager Mike Harbour on the Intercity Transit’s Six Year Strategic Plan.

Intercity Transit highlights heard by this writer in Council Chambers:
– The next level of increasing service now requires large investment
– Current facilities are maxed out
– Demand from 2002-2008 doubled (total ridership in 5 years)
– There was an 18% increase in ridership in 2008 over 2007
– Most routes at capacity in peak periods
– If Intercity had any available equipment (buses), the would add additional service to Yelm Route # 94, due to the demand out here.
– The effects of the economy have been noticeable in ridership increases and bike racks being filled.
– Van Pool Growth continues with 200 active groups now; 230 expected by June, 2009.
– October, 2008 was a record month for the most riders ever @ 460,000 passengers, which was only the second month ever with a tally over 400,000 passengers
– Tremendous growth in Yelm ridership, especially in dial-up services due to elderly out here and in retirement homes that need rides to Olympia medical facilities and offices
– On-Board cameras have quieted the buses alot
Martin Way & I-5 Park & Ride lot to be expanded from 135 parking spaces to 320, this lot has 135 spaces and daily parks 175 cars.
– A second Park & Ride Lot will be added at Marvin Rd.
– There will be a request for an increase from a .6% sales tax for funding additional facilities & equipment to .8%. The State has a maximum cap of .9 of 1%.

Yelm City Council member Joe Baker is Yelm’s representative to Intercity Transit and reports regularly on their work.

The Olympian ran an excellent Op-ed piece on Intercity Transit’s plans December 21, 2008.