Transit Feasibility Study
Request for Proposal
Summary
The City of Golden is currently accepting proposals from qualified contractors to conduct a feasibility study regarding the potential to implement a transit service that primarily links Golden’s activity centers and central neighborhoods. Possible destinations include downtown Golden, Colorado School of Mines (CSM), Coors Brewery and the planned light rail station at the Jefferson County Government Center. This is a joint project between the City of Golden and the Colorado School of Mines, with partners that include Jefferson County, the Golden Chamber of Commerce and RTD.
The purpose of this request is to determine the feasibility of a Golden shuttle or circulator service and to coordinate such service, if determined to be feasible, with an on-going bike and pedestrian plan enhancement effort in the community. This shuttle program would be designed to improve mobility for residents, tourists, Jefferson County employees and CSM students, as well as promote downtown as a commercial and retail destination, relieve downtown traffic congestion, and aid circulation between downtown Golden and the West Corridor terminus. The program will also help reduce vehicle miles traveled to fulfill the City’s Sustainability Initiative, which includes a 10% reduction of community trips by 2016.
The City of Golden, in conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) will eventually prepare a more comprehensive community and campus based TDM plan for the central portions of the City of Golden. Building on the City’s overall transportation plan and Comprehensive Plan policies, this plan will address specific multi-modal needs and strategies for a substantial portion of the community, including the downtown business area, several surrounding neighborhoods, and the CSM campus and surrounding housing areas. The plan will focus primarily on four elements; a land use and urban design element, a bike and pedestrian element, a campus parking strategy, and a local transit element that is the subject of this RFP. The transit element will have two separate focus areas; one related to intra-community mobility, and another focused on the proposed end of line for the West Corridor light rail line, to be opened in 2012.
Although much of the plan will benefit the entire City of Golden, most of the plan will focus primarily on the area bounded by Iowa Street on the north, State Highway 93 and the foothills on the west, South Table Mountain on the east, and Golden High School on the south. Those portions of the community represent the greatest opportunity for increased use of alternative modes on a regular basis, as well as vehicle trip reduction, and improved urban design. For the transit element, connections to the West Corridor end of line and nearby population and employment centers will be a major influence.
Background and Goals
Golden is a community of approximately 18,000 residents at the western edge of the Denver Metropolitan Area. The foothill community is geographically constrained by hills, mountains and open space, and is approaching build-out. The challenge is in accommodating more people and activity in a constrained physical space that will increasingly rely on infill development for its future growth.
In order to accommodate this higher density growth in a sustainable way, the City is considering a circulator bus, along with other multi-modal improvements, to link the many activity centers within the community. These activity centers include the downtown commercial district, which is centered on Washington Avenue, the CSM, the planned light rail station, and Coors Brewery. Additionally, higher density neighborhoods or those underserved by current transit options may also be targeted.
The goal of a shuttle or circulator system would be to reduce congestion, parking demand, transportation costs for residents, and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) within the community. This service would also help provide transportation to those that are more likely to be transit reliant, such as children, the poor, the disabled, and the growing senior population.
Eligibility
Requests for Proposals are open to all qualified entities. Qualified proposals will demonstrate the ability to create feasibility studies with the following elements:
1) Demand analysis of potential riders through methods such as surveys and focus groups
2) Provide demographic and density analysis for route determination
3) Demonstrate trip patterns and break out higher and lower frequency destinations
4) Include ridership information on existing RTD routes in the community
5) Estimate the economic impact on area merchants if service is implemented
6) Determine potential traffic and parking impacts associated with downtown, Coors Brewery, CSM and light rail station
7) Research and provide non fixed-route options, such as call and ride systems and flex routes
8) Identify proposed routes, stops, peak demand times, and weekday vs. weekend frequency requirements
9) Estimate cost, revenues and potential subsidies
10) Provide vehicle options and analysis, including operation and maintenance recommendations
11) Compare other shuttle services, including previous GUS BUS service in Golden
Application Process
The City of Golden invites proposals under a competitive Request for Proposal process, and will award the opportunity to create a TDM feasibility study.
Please submit an application with the following components:
1) Cover Letter
2) Organization Summary and Background
3) Narrative
a. Project Description (Statement, Goals, Project Activities, Key Staff)
b. Detailed statement of qualifications for the proposing entity and key staff)
c. Plan for Measuring Project Results
4) Preliminary Fee Structure
5) Conclusion
6) Appendices
a. List of Officers/ Directors
b. Key Staff Resumes
c. Organization Operating Budget
d. Latest Financial Statement
e. List of Other Current Funding
f. Current Annual Report
g. Reference Letters
Fee Structure
Provide a fee structure and hourly rates or commissions for the individual(s) intended to provide the desired services. Identify any services to be provided by sub-contractors, and approximate fees. The final fee will be negotiated as a part of the contract, but is included as an element of the selection criteria. The fee structure should anticipate monthly billings, and a not to exceed figure for the period of the contract, including out-of-pocket expenses.
Budget
A specific budget has not been set for this consultant project. At this time, the City anticipates that a budget range of $50,000 to $60,000 may be desirable.
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of knowledgeable City representatives. The selection criteria will include:
1) Proven experience with transit feasibility studies.
2) Consistency of recommended approach with client goals and philosophy, including the following:
a. Reduce Golden VMT to help meet City’s sustainability goals
b. Reduce traffic congestion
c. Reduce parking demand
d. Provide transportation to more transit reliant population groups
e. Link the community’s activity centers, including the CSM, and the future light rail station
3) Proposed project budget.
Contractual Requirements
This contract will be subject to standard contract requirements for independent contractors.
Submittal Process
Submit your proposal, attachments, and list of professional references to the City of Golden, c/o Rick Muriby, Planning and Development, 1445 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401, no later than 4:00 PM, Monday August 25, 2008. For further information write rmuriby@cityofgolden.net. Replies to questions will be provided to all known interested contractors. To be included in replies to submitted questions, email the above address indicating your status as a potential proposer. No questions will be accepted after August 18, 2008. Phone inquiries will not be accepted.
Proposals will be reviewed initially by a committee including the previously mentioned partners. City Council will make the final authorization of contract preparations and approval.
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