The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
By Mark Reaman
CB South pavement contribution
The RTA will contribute up to $115,000 to help with road reconstruction near the Crested Butte South bus stop. RTA executive director Scott Truex said the work is extremely important and needed in large part given the weight of the buses on some thin pavement. The work will take place this fall and is expected to take up to three weeks. During that time a temporary bus stop will be put in place for CB South riders.
Smoothing out organization admin structure
The RTA will consider a new organizational chart at its next meeting outlining the RTA management structure. The executive director will be the only employee or contractor reporting to the board. They will also consider adding a new RTA position, a bus operations manager. As part of the discussion, how to evaluate the air consultant was discussed and the executive director will perform an employment evaluation. Citizen Jeff Moffett who has worked with the RTA in some capacity for many years told the board that the current RTA air consultant, Bill Tomcich, was “the Wayne Gretzky of air service development who is delivering great results.”
Jermaine’s expanding airport offerings
GUC Airport manager Rick Lamport told the board that Jermaine’s is running a great addition to the airport with a bar and restaurant. He said Jermaine’s has added a grab-and-go element along with some merchandise sales opportunities. “The checkout is done with AI (Artificial Intelligence) and it is pretty neat,” Lamport said. “He is there for the long run.”
Enhanced bus stop in Gunnison
The RTA closed on a lot near the Safeway in Gunnison to be used for an enhanced bus stop that includes some RTA office space. Truex said a $1 million grant should pay for the facility. The RTA will be meeting with the Gunnison City Council sometime after October to discuss design and pricing options.
Stuff
—The RTA contributed $48,000 to help subsidize the salary for an on-site airline mechanic at GUC.
—The RTA will be replacing three old and unsafe bus stops on the Gunnison route this fall with the more modern green bus stops used elsewhere on the routes.
