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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc - Justice (Augusta Bus Stop and Route Changes)To: City Council Members — San Luis Obispo City Council From: Louise Justice, 3000 Augusta #218, San Luis Obispo Date: August 1, 2016 Re: Augusta Bus Stop and Route Changes — SUP RECEIVED AUG 01 2016 SLO CITY CLER1� As a resident of Judson Terrace Homes, I have for the past 14 (+4 more) years ridden the bus. At one time, the bus travelled both ways on Augusta Street between Bishop and Laurel Lane. Then, a change was made and now the Route #1 bus travels one way from Laurel Lane to Bishop where it turns and proceeds along Johnson Avenue. A proposed change in this particular route along Augusta would eliminate the bus stop/shelter presently and conveniently located in front of Judson Terrace Homes/Lodge. Insofar as the majority of our elderly residents use either a walker, cane or mobile chair and do ride the bus, it appears as though no additional consideration has been given to this group of the citizenry. "Pros" for the change from the consultant, Mr. Shaw, and the Transit Staff are: - Congestion at school times in the morning and afternoon during the academic year - Narrow street with parking on both sides of the street, thus - Creating delays in the bus schedule. "Cons" from the viewpoint of the residents not only at Judson Terrace Homes/Lodge but others who board at Gerda and Bishop on Augusta Street are: - Removal of our shelter - Creating a physical hazard at and in and around the proposed new stop site - No accidents reported on Augusta Street (with bus involvement) - No frequent delays experienced. There are many other "narrow" streets in San Luis Obispo —just to name a few: all of Chorro, Palm at Osos (Routes 1 & 2 turn that corner where there are parked cars as well as parking structure traffic and currently very large construction trucks turning onto Osos from Palm), from Santa Rosa onto Mill to return to the Transit Center, onto Broad from Marsh toward South Street (turning that corner onto Broad has always been difficult to maneuver), onto Casa Drive from Foothill and on Casa toward Murray (there are 2 buses going in opposite directions), Peach Street has parked cars on both sides, Chorro with the roundabouts has parked cars and steering the bus around the roundabouts is a "chore", Southwood Street in front of Mission View is narrow with cars parked on both sides of the street. RTA has now incorporated a policy whereby they are attempting to reduce ridership on the RTA RunAbout and encourage the increased use of public transit, i.e. City and County buses. Attachments: A. Previously submitted documentation and letters to the Planning Commission B. Additional supporting letters RECEIVED AUG U1 2016 To: Planning Commissioners — San Luis Obispo Planning Commission SI_r) CrT`� CI RSC From: Louise Justice, 3000 Augusta #218, San Luis Obispo v`Y` Date: August 1, 2016 Re: Augusta Bus Stop and Route Changes — SRTP As a resident of Judson Terrace Homes, I have for the past 14 (+4 more) years ridden the bus. At one time, the bus travelled both ways on Augusta Street between Bishop and Laurel Lane. Then, a change was made and now the Route #1 bus travels one way from Laurel Lane to Bishop where it turns and proceeds along Johnson Avenue. A proposed change in this particular route along Augusta would eliminate the bus stop/shelter presently and conveniently located in front of Judson Terrace Homes/Lodge. Insofar as the majority of our elderly residents use either a walker, cane or mobile chair and do ride the bus, it appears as though no additional consideration has been given to this group of the citizenry. "Pros" for the change from the consultant, Mr. Shaw, and the Transit Staff are: - Congestion at school times in the morning and afternoon during the academic year - Narrow street with parking on both sides of the street, thus - Creating delays in the bus schedule. "Cons" from the viewpoint of the residents not only at Judson Terrace Homes/Lodge but others who board at Gerda and Bishop on Augusta Street are: - Removal of our shelter - Creating a physical hazard at and in and around the proposed new stop sites - No accidents reported on Augusta Street (with bus involvement) - No frequent delays experienced. There are many other "narrow" streets in San Luis Obispo —just to name a few: all of Chorro, Palm at Osos (Routes 1 & 2 turn that corner where there are parked cars as well as parking structure traffic and currently very large construction trucks turning onto Osos from Palm), from Santa Rosa onto Mill to return to the Transit Center, onto Broad from Marsh toward South Street (turning that corner onto Broad has always been difficult to maneuver), onto Casa Drive from Foothill and on Casa toward Murray (there are 2 buses going in opposite directions), Peach Street has parked cars on both sides, Chorro with the roundabouts has parked cars and steering the bus around the roundabouts is a "chore", Southwood Street in front of Mission View is narrow with cars parked on both sides of the street. RTA has now incorporated a policy whereby they are attempting to reduce ridership on the RTA RunAbout and encourage the increased use of public transit, i.e. City and County buses. Attachments: A. Previously submitted documentation and letters to the Planning Commission B. Additional supporting letters D June 21, 2016 Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager San Luis Obispo Transit 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 RE: Elimination of bus stops on Augusta Street (Route 1) and Changes to Route 1A and 1B Dear Mr. Anquiano: I am once again writing on behalf of our senior residents from Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace management. Since my last letter of May 27, I understand additional options or changes have been made to the proposed Route I and 1B. One change to Rt. I and 1B now include moving the bus stop to the north east corner of Laurel Lane/Augusta St. which has a steep incline, and is difficult for frail seniors to maneuver. The other change is a return bus stop on the opposite side of the street, the south east corner of Laurel Lane at Augusta/Rose. Changing the bus stops to this busy intersection requires more traffic monitoring. For seniors, or anyone who is crossing Laurel Lane from the south to the north or north to south sides of the street, the crossing is dangerous. I believe there should be a greater consideration for pedestrian safety such as installing a traffic light. Or, install a flashing light crosswalk that flashes when someone enters the cross walk. I watch it all the time; drivers on Laurel Lane just sort of coast through the intersection. The children who cross that street in the morning and afternoon have a crossing guard or a school safety patrol. However, there is no safety mechanism to protect the seniors or other residents in the area who attempt to cross Laurel Lane, at Augusta Street safely. A traffic light would gain drivers attention: letting them know there is an intersection ahead with possible pedestrians crossing. Also, with the bus stopped there, it would make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians in the intersection or, see the stop sign. As mentioned in my previous letter, also please consider the following: 0 I have seen drivers stopped at that intersection but pull out in front of pedestrians who are crossing; the pedestrian is still in the middle of the crosswalk. 0 1 have also seen at the Laurel Lane/Augusta Street intersection, drivers who do not see the stop sign and either drive right through the intersection without stopping, or slam on their brakes in an attempt to stop half way through the intersection. This is an unsafe intersection for our seniors to cross. These incidents have not just been seen by me but by many persons. For the benefit of our senior residents who are still trying to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible, using the transit system with a safer intersection at Laurel Lane and Augusta St. is most important. Laurel Lane at August Street is a very busy and dangerous intersection. We ask that you consider traffic safety options such as a traffic light or a flashing light crosswalk. Many of our senior residents use bus transportation and moving the bus stop to this busy intersection is a challenge for our elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Francine Martinez, Social Service Coordinator cc: Tom Bochum, Deputy Director for Transportation and Diane Lawson, Transit Coordinator A urea (605) 5-44-11600 , P (8n / 5.4�- D (UOU.'G G:m, CliYii ifs-� c{:�i�]w"CQi?Coif"., it :,. - ific r ... - •_.� _ _ _. i-3 ;[; �.r'F.�1•{,f 1. onL-c "d eho �i Es.c ,n May 27, 2016 Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Manager San Luis Obispo Transit 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 RE: Proposed elimination of bus stops on Augusta Street (Route 1) Dear Mr. Anguiano: I am writing on behalf of our senior residents from Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace management. It is our understanding there is a proposed plan to eliminate all bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. Thankfully, our residents have the benefit of the Rt. 1 bus stop in front of our property near Laurel Lane and Augusta Street. This is especially important for our frail residents who still attempt to use the transit system. However, we raise our voices today in opposition to the elimination of Augusta Street bus stops for the following reasons: 0 The crosswalk used on Laurel Lane to the new proposed bus stop is uneven and difficult for our frail seniors to cross without fear of falling. U Laurel Lane is a very busy street and many times very dangerous. I have seen drivers stopped at that intersection that still pull out in front of individuals who are crossing and in the middle of the crosswalk. 0 I have also seen at the Laurel Lane and Augusta Street intersection, drivers who do not see the stop sign and either drive right through the intersection without stopping, or slam on their brakes in an attempt to stop half way through the intersection. This is an unsafe intersection for our seniors to cross. For the benefit of our senior residents who are still trying to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible, having the bus stop on Augusta Street at Laurel Lane is the safest option. We ask that you reconsider the elimination of bus stops on Augusta Street. Many of our senior residents use this bus stop and moving it across the street to Laurel Lane is a safetv challenge for our elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Francine Martinez, Social Service Coordinator-' cc: Dee Lawson, Transit Coordinator Judson Terrace Homes does not discriminate on the basis of disabft in the admission or access to its pr ograms and activities. Our Fair Housing Coordinator is designated to ensure compliance with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Section 504 of the HUD Regulations and can ! Lr3-D: u•, J be contacted at 6120 Stoneddge Mall Road, 3rd Floor, Pleasanton, CA 94588, Telephone 925-924-7116 TDD 800-545-1833 Ext 478 6, 12CO M M U iN I T I E'S We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. Cvrf-�nc-e Q�cri1 s - IA" L2&,"'2 dl �' a We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. ", fflj ffim I , 1-511 Mar—,/ j J' VVV 4 3-1,1VA u r. e,4 dzaii� We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. r .� �� `� g C b i r r r � We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. V -L" at) I I h LW i LI i Asa �1�-�-�j We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. JAL 11"CL 0.217 ��� y rf-1 �S4 We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. r We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. 3e, q a- i .Ate' 5Y- (� !L-4 c . q3 3ooco Au 3'T S i[7 (-A C' I1, U ,, 1 500o 4LJC,v5 sr S'/b ('4 q --34o/ #-2SV 0 `1� 3000 icer '4- � We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. 3i4uC, u .5 /--/-v �5 ?'. - 2�j rt 2 3d s7'1 �T s v C -195-Y-6-7, We, the undersigned residents of Judson Terrace Homes (3000 Augusta Street) and Judson Terrace Lodge (3042 Augusta Street) do hereby oppose the proposed elimination of all of the bus stops on Augusta Street between Laurel Lane and Bishop Street. The proposed plan would create a difficulty for residents required to cross Laurel Lane at Augusta Street. This particular crosswalk is uneven and often extremely busy, and would create a safety challenge for elderly bus passengers, especially those with walkers and canes. J/. SSU ' RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO JUL 1 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT June 29, 2016 Planning Commissioners San Luis Obispo City Planning Commission The attached is a supplement to my original letter of June 3, 2016 and is being submitted for your consideration with regard to the proposed changes in First Transit bus routes and bus stops for the City of San Luis Obispo. These include additional signed petition pages to the ones that accompanied my previous letter as well as another letter from our Social Services Coordinator at Judson Terrace. Your attention to this important matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Louise Justice 3000 Augusta Street, #218 San Luis Obispo CA 93401 (805) 594-1914 Attachments Copies to: Gamaliel Anguiano, Dee Lawson, Tim Bochum w/attachments RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO JUN 3 ' 2016 I COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT June 3, 2016 Planning Commissioners San Luis Obispo City Planning Commission The attached is being submitted for your consideration with regard to the proposed changes in First Transit bus routes for the City of San Luis Obispo. The opposition especially as it pertains to the removal of a bus stop located on Augusta Street (between Laurel Lane and Bishop) in front of the Judson Terrace Homes/Lodge, addresses the difficulties when this stop is removed and relocated. Your attention to this important matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Louise Justice 3000 Augusta Street, #218 San Luis Obispo CA 93401 (805) 594-1914 Q Diane Diamond, 2864 Victoria Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, 805.787.029 dndiamond dos@yahoo.com July 28, 2016 Dear Mr. Gampliel Anguiano Transit Manager Public Works Department 919 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Dear Mr. Anguiano: There are a few transit matters on which I have wanted to express an opinion. Finally I have decided to do so in this brief letter: The bus stop in front of Judson Terrace should remain as it is. Our older citizens should not be expected to hobble with canes and walkers to reach a stop around the corner and up the street. Please let our seniors keep their remaining comfort and dignity by granting them a place to wait that does not further exacerbate their disabilities. On Broad Street the stop should be moved from the middle of the block to near the stop light on Orcutt and Broad. It is dangerous when pedestrians cross congested Broad Street in the middle of a block. Otherwise people from the other side of the street are forced to walk the extra blocks just to go up to the crossing and back. On a hot or clement day there is no shelter from the elements, and that tempts bus users to make the dangerous dash across congested traffic. have often wondered why Sin Luis Obispo runs so many giant busses that run seldom and empty. If our small city ran small buses that plied their routes more frequently, more of us would want to utilize them more often. If I take a convenient bus the short, pleasant trip to town, I often have to wait one hour and fifteen minutes for the return trip. That type of inconvenient schedule does not induce me to leave my car at home. Once tried to take the bus across town, but the bus connections were so ill conceived that the first bus missed the connection by five minutes, and it took me two hours to make a journey that takes fifteen minutes by car. Small busses that circulate every half hour would be worth the wait. Thank you for considering these suggestions. I have lived in and traveled to many cities in the US and around the world. When public transportation is affordable and convenient, I choose to use it as an advantage to my pocket book and to the environment. In San Luis Obispo, unfortunately find the routes not yet convenient enough to for that. Sincerely, Diane Diamond July 13, 2016 Thank you very much for the program concerning Route #1 bus service. And thank you for the map. The comprehensive list of the city businesses we found to be useless except as possible destinations. What we found totally missing and vital to this project was the facts and opinions of the Judson Terrace and Lodge residents and users of the RTA system. We have paid city, county and state taxes for more years than most of you have been alive. So we think that our opinions, problems and suggestions should be considered at the least. These statistics would probably make an oddly shaped Bell -curve. Has there been any study with the percentages, circle and bar graphs containing this research and demographics about: How many residents use canes use walkers use wheelchairs b use motorized chairs How many have weekly appointments with doctors, dentists, lab tests, dialysis and other necessary procedures that are life and death situations. Have you studied how well or poorly elderly 80-90 year old people: can avoid danger, can respond to an emergency situation, are able to see road and sidewalk conditions The proposed new location could make a longer more accident prone journey for seniors. Judson Terrace Homes and Lodge are a government funded God -send. Don't make it a dangerous and hazardous habitat.