Steamboat Pilot & Today

I support the editorial position on the need for more bus service for the residents of Steamboat Springs (Nov. 6). Several years ago, the Steamboat Springs City Council commissioned a traffic study to determine the make-up of traffic on U.S. Highway 40 through Steamboat Springs. What that study found was that tourists and highway traffic was small compared with residents running errands, going to and from work, going out to eat, etc. In other words, the traffic in town was us.

I also read last week that the new City Council is leaning toward addressing our traffic and transportation problems with more tourist-oriented measures. I think this council would be making a mistake and missing the mandate of the last election.

One only has to look to the fleets of buses and vans deployed by the lodging community in the winter to see that the majority of visitors' transportation needs are met. However, locals living in the primarily residential areas of our city have no choice but to drive.

I lived up Fish Creek Falls Road for 10 years and would have happily paid a fee to ride a bus downtown or to work rather than drive every day.

While a "Ride Your Bike to Work Day" would make everyone feel good, it alone in no way addresses the needs of year-round transportation for residents.

I would like to remind the new City Council just who elected them and encourage them to look at transportation planning and solutions for their constituents.

I am sure there is a dusty old copy of that traffic study laying around City Hall somewhere, and I encourage the City Council to find a copy of it and read it.

Cristina Harmon

Steamboat Springs