January 25, 2024
Thomas Wiles, Senior Planner
City of Salinas
Community Development Department
65 West Alisal Street
Salinas, CA 93901
RE: Environmental Review/Request for
Comments 98 Kip Drive
Dear Mr. Wiles:
Monterey-Salinas Transit District (MST) provides public transportation throughout Monterey County and operates an extensive network in the City of Salinas. MST has reviewed the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) for 98 Kip Drive and would like to make the following comments.
This project is located within the vicinity of two (2) existing stops, which currently serve Line 41. Line 41 travels from the Salinas Transit Center to Northridge Mall via East Alisal Street.
This line provides service every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends. MST would like to encourage the developer to enroll in MST’s Group Discount Program to offer residents bus passes at a substantially reduced rate. Residential housing complexes serving the elderly and disabled are eligible to pre-purchase bus passes in bulk at a 50% discount.
MST is in support of affordable senior housing at 98 Kip Drive as connecting affordable housing can create a wide range of social and economic benefits. Public transit provides critical connections, especially for transit dependent riders. MST offers free fixed-route travel training to teach interested individuals how to ride the MST bus network safely and independently.
As this project moves forward, we ask that the City of Salinas coordinate with MST during the project’s planning process to ensure adequate transit services are available to residents. If you have any questions about the above comments, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or 831-264-9288.
Sincerely,
Emma Patel
Planning Manager