Reducing Visitors’ Impact with Mirco-Transit in Incline Village and Crystal Bay
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 11:58am
INCLINE VILLAGE — With its curb-to-curb service, this summer’s new TART Connect micro-transit marks an important step in mitigating visitor impacts in North Lake Tahoe and the Incline Village Crystal Bay area.
The on-demand, app-based service allows visitors as well as residents of the region to call for a ride — free to users — from anywhere within one of three service areas within North Lake Tahoe.
The three service zones for TART Connect include:
Dollar Hill to Tahoma
Tahoe Vista to the state line at Kings Beach
Crystal Bay and Incline Village
Users who wish to travel farther can use TART Connect to make a connection with the TART public transit service that links Truckee, the North Shore and Incline Village. TART Connect will run from 8 a.m. to midnight from June 24 through Sept. 6, 2021. As many as 11 vehicles will be available at any given time with a goal that users will wait no more than 15 minutes after summoning a ride.
The Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau (IVCBVB) is providing nearly $200,000 to fund TART Connect in the Incline Village and Crystal Bay zone.
“We expect a very busy summer in North Lake Tahoe,” said Andy Chapman, President/CEO of the Visitors Bureau. “Visitors and residents alike will enjoy the convenience of this app-based service, while contributing to the sustainability of Lake Tahoe through the use of public transit enhancements.” Chapman also said the Visitors Bureau will work with regional partners to build awareness of the service among visitors.
While the IVCBVB provided funding for the new service, it contracted with the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association to oversee operation of TART Connect.
Christine Maley-Grubl, Executive Director of the Truckee North Tahoe TMA, noted that the organization’s mission includes development of innovative solutions to meet the unique transportation challenges of the region.
“TART Connect provides first-mile, last-mile service, filling one of the gaps in our public transportation network,” Maley-Grubl said. “This 75-day pilot program will help us better understand the best ways to address transit needs in the region.”
The Tahoe Transportation District, meanwhile, has provided the legal operating authority to Squaw Downtowner LLC, the private company that will provide the vehicles, drivers and software for the service for the Nevada North Lake Tahoe Zone.
“Micro-transit is an important step toward improved accessibility and sustainability throughout the Lake Tahoe region,” said Carl Hasty, manager of the transportation district. “TART Connection fits closely with our district’s long standing goals.”
Squaw Downtowner LLC already operates the Mountaineer transportation service at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.
“Our parent company provides transit services in resort communities across the country,” said Stephen Murray, Downtowners Co-founder. “We pride ourselves on simplifying the transit experience for riders through the use of sophisticated software and excellent service. We are excited to work with our regional partners to offer TART Connection micro-transit to North Lake Tahoe.”
Detailed information for riders is available at tahoetruckeetransit/summer21. TART Connect users who want to book a ride by phone can call 1-530-214-5811 starting June 24th.
Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau
The Incline Village Crystal Bay Visitors Bureau (IVCBVB) is the public organization responsible for destination marketing for the North Shore, Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. Operating primarily from a percentage of lodging room tax collected by lodging properties located on the Nevada side of North Lake Tahoe, the IVCBVB conducts advertising, promotions, public relations and special events programs to promote tourism for the Lake Tahoe portion of Washoe County, Nev.
