Questions RE: Agenda Item B.1 23-356 Presentation from Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District. Page - 1
DAVID GAUGHEN
7456 Evergreen Drive
Goleta, CA 93117
Telephone: (805) 985 – 7229
Email: [email protected]
August 15, 2023
To: The Mayor and Council Members
130 Cremona Drive, Suite B
Goleta, CA 93117
Subj: Questions RE: Agenda Item B.1 23-356 Presen tation from Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District
Dear Madam Mayor, Council Members and City Staff:
Measure B passed primarily on the hope that this funding would be used to rejuvenate City roads via the underfunded pavement program. As such, 1) What is the gross vehicle weight(s) of the battery-electric buses (i.e., 14 x 30 foot Battery Electric Buses, 23 (9 + 8 + 6) x 40 foot Battery Electric Buses, 1 or more 60 foot Battery Electric Buses) anticipated for use in the proposed fleet electrification, and what is the weight increase(s) as compared to the replaced diesel buses? My concern is that these battery-electric buses will be significantly heavier that their diesel counterparts which in turn will greatly decrease the life expectancy of our streets and rejuvenated roads (especially those of asphaltic concrete) and ultimately decrease our Return on Investment (ROI) via the Measure B tax.
The latest Draft “Goleta General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Housing Element 2023 to 2031” proposes a development cap of 190 units for Kenwood Village located adjacent 7264 Calle Real. If this proposed development is approved, 1) What is the feasibility of placing bus stops, in both directions and potentially a cross walk, on this narrow and extremely dangerous section of Callie Real?, and 2) If bus stops are not feasible at this section of Calle Real, where could new bus stops be placed in addition to those for the El Encanto Heights route? (see screenshot below with blue line for this route)
Respectfully, David Gaughen