New shuttle gets limited enthusiasm

Interpreting a lack of community engagement as an indictment on the issue, officials opted to seek more desirable ways to serve those wishing to get around town without driving, according to video of the Thursday, May 10, meeting.

Examining a reimbursement program for those who rely on Uber or Lyft rather than a personal vehicle, seeking ways to better serve students living in the hillside who attend schools in the flatlands and looking into a limited shuttle connecting shopping districts to train station were among the options commissioners considered more attractive.

But in the wake of a campaign designed to collect public input which only rendered three residents offering their perspectives, commissioners agreed a full shuttle service across Burlingame is not an idea worth aggressively pursuing.

“It can be said ‘if you build it, they will come,’ but I’m really starting to wonder if this makes sense due to a lack of public response,” said Commissioner Lynn Israelit, to a set of route maps proposing service from the city’s Caltrain stations, along with Broadway, Burlingame Avenue and other central destinations to neighborhoods.

Commissioner Jeff Londer agreed, citing the few residents who commented on the proposal at the past two commission meetings, or social media posts seeking to gauge public opinion.

“I just don’t know if there is demand,” he said. “We’ve been talking about this at two meetings and there hasn’t been much response. I suppose we could look at it further ... but I’m not sure what more we can do.”

Officials had considered three maps illustrating routes between the hillside neighborhoods near Hoover Elementary School and Our Lady of Angels Parish and School, the city’s two shopping hubs and adjacent Caltrain stops.

Citing the rise in popularity of ridesharing services, which are more direct and accessible than shuttles, commissioners suggested alternative means of transportation may make the proposed service obsolete.

“As a public shuttle, I don’t see the interest. We’ve tried a couple times now and got little interest. Maybe Uber is a better option,” said Chair John Martos, noting a previous shuttle service was discontinued due to lack of demand.

While his colleagues ultimately agreed, commissioners also shared a consensus that officials should look into other methods of transportation which could help ameliorate growing concerns around traffic and parking in Burlingame.

To that end, commissioners formed a subcommittee charged with developing ideas which could offer more desirable alternatives.

Commissioner Howard Wettan favored launching a pilot reimbursement program for those willing to use Uber Pool, Lyft Line or other carpool services offered by ridesharing apps.

“I think that’s a great thing to try,” he said. “And if there is not a lot of interest, it won’t cost as much.”

That proposal would not be an adequate solution for everyone though, as some commissioners noted elderly residents may not be technologically savvy enough to access ridesharing apps and parents may not be comfortable allowing their kids to use such services.

Establishing an option to serve those groups will be a top priority for the subcommittee, along with seeking other forms of transportation which could cut down on congestion forming around Burlingame High School and other campuses in the morning and afternoon.

Should the subcommittee identify potentially viable ideas, they would also need to track down funding as officials said such transportation initiatives do not enjoy a dedicated source of financing.

And while the commission’s general focus may shift away from the comprehensive shuttle program, Vice Chair Christopher Bush remained optimistic a more limited service could be useful. He floated the idea of a service connecting the city’s train stations to job centers along the central shopping districts which may be more manageable.

He added a direct route could offer shorter trip times too, potentially making the service more reliable and attractive to those who are not initially intrigued.

“There is something there but we have to be focused on the specific needs that are going to be addressed,” he said.

austin@smdailyjournal.com

(650) 344-5200 ext. 105