During a regular meeting held by the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) on Dec. 16, the BoCC unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board for the purpose of collaborating on developing and using a new Micro Transit mobile application.
Transportation Coordinator Andrew Mylroie explained that the purpose of the MOU “is to establish the terms and conditions under which the county will collaborate with the tourism board for the purchase, use, promotion and maintenance of the Micro Transit App to enhance tourism engagement, visitor experience and overall quality of life for Archuleta County residents.”
According to the MOU, the app will be used primarily by Mountain Express Transit, the county’s transportation service, to help extend hours of operation in providing a public transportation option after normal operating hours.
“I believe this is a great way to expand our services,” Mylroie said.
The app will provide on-demand or scheduled micro transit services to “key tourism zones” such as parks, downtown areas, cultural sites and event venues, the MOU notes.
Mylroie also commented that this application will help the county meet the needs of the community in the “most cost-effective way possible.”
According to the MOU, the tourism board, using lodging tax collections, has agreed to pay the initial cost to develop the app at a price of $43,800, and the first-year subscription fee of $28,800, “after which time it would be the responsibility of the County to continue using this app should they decide to.”
The MOU also notes that the app, its underlying technology and data will remain property of Archuleta County.
Mylroie explained the app will add flexibility to the already-existing fixed bus routes, noting it usually takes a long period of time for a new fixed route to gain ridership as residents may not be aware of what’s available.
In response to a question from Commissioner Warren Brown, Mylroie explained that with the tourism board building the application, it provides the county with the opportunity to decide on how the county wants to use it.
Mylroie also explained that the county spends $4 to $6 per mile running a fixed route, noting that running it for an extra hour each day would cost an additional $550. The new app will allow drivers to stay parked while waiting for someone to schedule a ride.
Commissioner John Ranson explained that he heard the matter at a tourism board meeting, commenting that the app “could really improve” transportation services.
In response to a question from Commissioner Veronica Medina, Mylroie explained that the goal is to have the application ready to use for next summer.
County Attorney Cathleen Giovanini also commented that she reviewed the MOU, noting she was “pretty comfortable with it” and that it “seems like an excellent opportunity.”
Giovanini also mentioned that it is critical for the tourism board to use funds from the current year’s budget to purchase the app and pay the first-year subscription, noting that is why the matter was brought to the BoCC rather quickly.
During the same meeting, the BoCC also unanimously approved an agreement with Via Mobility LLC “to set up and assist with the launch of a microtransit service in Archuleta County.”
Mylroie noted the application will take approximately 12 weeks to build, noting again that the application should be ready to use next summer.
According to the agreement, the total fee for Via Mobility’s services is listed at $39,000, which assumes two vehicles will be used for the service.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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