||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS for FRIENDS OF RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION |||
Friends of Rural Public Transportation (FORPT) (https://forpt.org/) continues to advocate for a public transit pilot in the San Juan Islands. As we move forward, we wanted to take a moment to share an overview of our work and invite community feedback.
Over the past year, our working group has published several pieces exploring what public transit might look like for our islands:
- “Should Orcas Island and SJC Communities Have Public Transit?” – Our initial opinion piece describing our effort to develop a transit pilot in collaboration with the Orcas Island School District, which we saw as a cost-effective path forward given statewide budget constraints. Published in the Orcasonian (https://theorcasonian.com/
guest-opinion-should-orcas- island-and-sjc-communities- have-public-transit/) and updated on our website (https://forpt.org/ shouldorcas.html). - “A Community Conversation on Island Transportation” – Our correspondence with local transportation officials, shared to invite broader community dialogue. Published in the Orcasonian (https://theorcasonian.com/a-
community-conversation-on- island-transportation/). - Transit System Design Opinion – Our vision for what we believe could be a “good enough” transit implementation for Orcas Island, one that recognizes Island Rides as a valued partner in community transportation. Available on our website (https://forpt.org/goodenough.
html) , also published here as well.
We want to hear from you.
We hope community members will take the time to read these pieces in depth and share their thoughts—whether praise, concern, or new ideas. Our work is guided by openness, partnership, persistence, and respect.
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
FORPT presents some good ideas and while I do agree that we should not let “the perfect get in the way of the good”, failing to invest in electric vehicles at the beginning of this project will lock in a whole set of ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) infrastructure and operation systems. That alone is reason enough to go all electric at the beginning. I strongly urge FORPT to commit to advocating for an ALL electric fleet. There is more than a modicum of truth in the old saying, “You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem.”
But better than any of this would be to approach ZOOX and offer Orcas island as a low speed rural test market for their autonomous robo-taxis. If there were a coordinated fleet of these driver-less, electric carriages roaming about the island, the system would soon learn where the vans need to be located at particular times each day. I suspect this kind of efficiency is something that could be learned by a very basic AI.
Has anyone on the FORPT board looked into pilot projects with ZOOX or other robo-taxi companies?
Check out ZOOX: https://zoox.com/
Hi Ken,
Thanks for your feedback.
We’re supportive of electric vehicle technologies and look to develop solutions that include either ICE or electric vehicle plans. If we could potentially meet our objectives with electric vehicle technology without significant delays. We’re all for employing an electric solution .
The following mission and objectives were drafted for our most recent meeting with federal, state, and local organizations underscore what we’re currently considering in draft form.
Core mission: Establish public transit that meets”AAA requirements”—Affordable,Accessible, and Available service for the community.
Specific Objectives
• Launch a summer transit pilot program during peak season when demand and impact are highest
• Create a three-route system (East, West, Central) with hourly service to all major destinations
• Demonstrate ridership and gather operational data before developing year-round service
• Support—not replace—existing services like Island Rides; door-to-door program for
vulnerable residents
• Pursue solutions that don’t require new local taxation initially, using existing funding
streams and resources
Regarding ZOOX suggestions and self driving car platforms. We believe that Island Rides would be well positioned to develop self driving car solutions. As mentioned in our objectives above. We fully support their door-to-door operations.
It’s possible that one day we will see self driving transit vehicles. But it’s our perception that we’re better off bringing a transit pilot program today rather than waiting for technology to have the capacity to meet our objectives.