Description
Providing shuttles has a large impact on trips generated by events or entertainment venues such as casinos, which alleviates the need for parking at the venue, reduces congestion, and can make the experience much smoother. This strategy is most effective when regional agency staff time is provided to coordinate with venues and ensure resources are in place to maintain the shuttle service. Typically shuttle service for private venues are operated by private vendors rather than public transit providers as public agencies must provide services that are open to the public. However, subsidized microtransit services to large hospitality or tourist venues can also provide employees with additional options for mobility other than single occupancy vehicles.
Implementation Details
- Expand event-specific traffic control and shuttle access plans for festivals and civic gatherings in coordination with private mobility service providers, SunLine, municipalities, and local law enforcement.
- Work with the casino to establish regular shuttle service.
- Establish designated remote park-and-ride lots with bike valet and shuttle service during events to reduce vehicle congestion.
- Launch pre-registration platforms to gauge demand and ensure capacity planning.
- Use multilingual digital signage and geofenced social media ads to promote active transportation options to and from event venues.
Mitigation Potential
This strategy primarily addresses VMT generated by the tourism and entertainment industry. With the significant amount of travelers the Coachella Valley receives this measure could be very effective for reducing annual and ongoing VMT concerns.
For more details, see Victoria Transport Policy Institute – Special Event Transport Management for VMT reduction quantification.
Linked Strategies
Equity Considerations
Ensure multilingual digital materials and pre-registration tools are accessible to non-English speakers and users without smartphones. Partnering with community-based organizations ensures outreach reaches marginalized groups. Providing shuttle access and bike valet to off-site lots can improve access for people without cars or with mobility constraints, especially during high-attendance events.
Funding Sources
Staff time is required to coordinate with hotels, resorts, casinos, event venues and visitor destinations. Additionally, private businesses are more likely to provide shuttles if there is a subsidy or funding to support the program.
Examples/Case Studies
Coachella Valley Events (e.g., Coachella, Stagecoach)
The City of Indio and CVAG have coordinated with SunLine and Riverside County for traffic control, designated off-site parking, and shuttles for large-scale festivals. This reduces congestion and provides safe multimodal access.
City of San Diego Special Events Planning Guide
The City of San Diego Special Events Planning Guide offers detailed guidelines for organizing events within the city, ensuring compliance with local regulations and promoting public safety. The transportation plan section is a critical component, focusing on traffic control measures, parking availability, coordination with public transit services, and ensuring accessibility for all attendees. Event organizers are required to submit a comprehensive transportation plan that addresses these elements to minimize disruptions and ensure smooth, safe passage for both event attendees and the general public.