partnering for shuttle access: city of farmington & aztec ruins national...

Partnering for Shuttle Access:

City of Farmington & Aztec Ruins National

Monument Duane Wakan, Farmington MPO

Location

Background • Aztec Ruins National

Monument – 41,312 recreational visitors in

2013 • Aztec, NM

– Population in 2010: 6,763 • Bloomfield, NM

– Population in 2010: 8,112 • Farmington, NM

– Population in 2010: 45,895 1: Retrieved July 9, 2014 from website: http://www.nature.nps.gov/stats/

2: Retrieved July 9, 2014 from website: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

Aztec Ruins Site

City of Farmington Aztec Ruins Site

S. Main Street

Topics

• Project Partners • Collaborations during:

– 2012/2013 Earth Day Celebration – 2012/2013 National Geographic Four Corners

Geotourism Celebration

• Transit Surveys (results/analysis) • The transit connection-

catalyst/impacts/outcomes

Project Partners

• City of Farmington

• Aztec Ruins National Monument

• TRIPTAC

2012-13 National Geographic Four Corners Geotourism Celebration

• Geotourism- “Tourism that sustains the geographic character of a place – its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and well being of its residents.”

Free Shuttle Service

Survey Summaries

• 13 surveys were returned

• 6 questions

Future Special Event Shuttle Operation Recommendations

• If the shuttle is used in future years for the National Geographic Four Corners Geotourism Celebration, it is recommended that minor changes be made to the route.

• Allow Earth Day Celebration attendees to board the trolley and provided them with Aztec Tiger Route schedules and maps.

• Partner with Durango Joe’s coffee stand near the Westside Aztec Tiger Route stop to distribute Aztec Tiger Route handouts.

• For future shuttle partnerships between AZRU and the City of Farmington, ensure that all newspapers are provided with a press release about the availability of the shuttle for upcoming events.

• Advertise for future special events on Red Apple Transit routes. • Investigate a closer Aztec Tiger Route stop to AZRU.

Aztec Ruins Site

S. Main Street

Making the Connection

• National Park Service: Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA)

• Non Motorized Connection

• Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in the Parks Technical Assistance Center

Conclusions

• Geo-Tourism/Public Lands do benefit local activity (economic – social – marketing)

• Free Public Transit to sites/events acted as a catalyst for future economic development.

Questions?

• Duane Wakan dwakan@fmtn.org 505.599.1449

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAv8ACbWbTI

• http://360panos.com/local/aztec-ruins-monument-new-mexico.php