Mobility Pass
From ClimateNetworkWiki
The Mobility Pass is an idea proposed in Common Energy UVic's strategy for moving UVic beyond climate-neutral that would build on the U-Pass to integrate the components of a sustainable transportation network into a single system of access that makes personal vehicle use less attractive as a method of transportation, particularly to and from the University of Victoria.
The idea is currently under research and development. Please contribute by adding your ideas and resources to this page.
Contents |
Reasons Why
Single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) commuting is a substantial share of the transportation climate footprint in communities. We need to create appealing options to reduce the number of people commuting and encourage the use of climate-friendly transportation options by those who do. The main barrier to sustainable transportation is the perceived convenience of the private car. The U-Pass provides the foundation for building an integrated sustainable-transportation network. Upon that foundation we can develop a Mobility Pass that will organize the campus community to develop a sustainable transportation network that connects the many modes of transportation required to out-compete the private car when it comes to convenience.
Sample Proposal
The strategy in Common Energy's plan to develop the Mobility Pass is as follows:
Objective 4: To pioneer a MobilityPass system that builds on the success of the U-Pass by facilitating access to an integrated sustainable-transportation network.
Strategies:
- Turn the expanded U-Pass into the MobilityPass, incorporate the parking transponders, and develop a system for MobilityPass users to choose to pay for access to complimentary transportation services.
- Launch the MobilityPass by giving cardholders access to a free-bike system on campus.
- Based on cardholder feedback about barriers to sustainable transportation, successively enhance the MobilityPass with new options, such as access to inexpensive bike rentals, discount car rentals, free park and ride access, membership in car-share coops, and discounted taxi vouchers. Pass holders can pay for access to complimentary services as they use them.
- Use Pass holder feedback and information with mapping by the Geography Department to work with BC Transit to optimise transit routes.
- Expand the program to include members of the community, unions, government, and other large employers. Work to establish a critical mass of cardholders and services to establish a sustainable transportation network to compete with the convenience of a private car.
Case Studies
U-PASS at the University of Washington
Created in 1991 to provide affordable transportation to those who choose not to bring personal vehicles to campus, U-PASS at the University of Washington is an innovative, comprehensive approach to University transportation. Originally a partnership between Metro and Community Transit and the University, U-PASS has grown to include a wealth of services. Included are: free parking at the University for high occupancy vehicles; free access to all local bus systems; free access to the Sounder Commuter Rail system between Tacoma, Everett, and Seattle; free shuttle rides for students and those under their care between all major health care facilities, free night shuttles back to the campus, discounts on participation in Flexcar, a local car share coop, discounts with local vanpools, and heavily discounted biking equipment from the University. Since U-PASS was introduced, transit use has doubled among students and staff at the University of Washington and single occupancy vehicle trips to campus have declined more than 30%. This well established program has much potential as a template for MobilityPass at UVic.
An introductory pamphlet can be found here:
And a more detailed resource here, including annual reports and usage statistics:
Paris' Navigo Transportation Pass
Introduced in 2001 to replace the widely used transit pass, Carte Orange, the Navigo pass is a convenient means of payment for the variety of public transportation options found in the City of Paris. Navigo users are able to hop on a variety of modes of transport including the bus, light rail, the RER (a train that crosses Paris to link the suburbs on opposite sides, so it makes fast connections from east to west and north to south in the Ile-de-France), the Metro (subway), or the Velib, the new self-serve public bicycle transit system. Embedded in the Navigo pass is a smart card (a chip placed in the card that stores information electronically) that is waived in front of transit turnstiles, or swiped, making access quick and easy for the transit user.
Questions
- What are the key partners for the development of the system?
- How can we improve the integration of the parts?
- How can we fund the expansion of the system?
Links and Resources
- Google Transit 2.0
- Saving Zipcar
- Sharing Cars and Networks
- Bike Co-Ops, Trails, and Ottawa
- Curitiba's Integrated Transportation Network
Also, the Transportation Backgrounder from UVic provides useful information, links, and resources.
