 By Gigi Pilcher February 11, 2007
My idea would be to utilize a LSV (low speed vehicle) such as a Gem, a NEV, or other LSV to transport folks from the Ketchikan side down to the ferry, up to the airport and back. A LSV can be built (and already exists) that can transport up to 15 people. Tolleys can be added to increase space if needed. Folks could use their own car to get to the ferry parking lot, the Borough Bus, a taxi, the Water Taxi, or by tour bus. Those who still wish to drive over in their own vehicles could still do so. There are multiple advantages of using a LSV for such a purpose.
Low Speed Vehicles are legal all over Alaska with the exception of the City of Ketchikan where they are banned. Mayor Bob and the City Council
prefer much larger gas/oil burning vehicles that can exceed Just think, if you wanted for your own personal use to own a Zenn or a Gem to drive to the post office or to the doctor's office the City of Ketchikan has banned YOU from doing it! A vehicle that would only cost you between $9,000.00 to $15,000.00 to purchase, economical and "clean" to operate. Sadly, because of the ban, Ketchikan lost out on the opportunity to become the first LSV small manufacturing plant in Alaska in addition to having a LSV shuttle service in the downtown area. I would hope that perhaps the Borough/Airport might be more willing to think "outside the box" to solve the Airport bus dilemma. I would happy to address or provide more information on LSV's. I will add a few interesting links below to give folks some ideas about their looks, safety, and usage. To date over 38 states have passed LSV laws. Other countries have been using them for years, and Canada has been testing their use and entered the market. Now that I have that off my
mind, I want to address one other item of personal interest.
There has been lots of concern express by folks over the traffic
congestion downtown during tour season because of the buses.
With the new floats going in and the nice new promenade I would
have thought that the "great minds" would have looked
to the future. There are going to be folks off those ships that
are going to have a hard time walking or pushing wheelchairs
down the promenade. On real rainy days folks are going to stay
on the ship instead of walking in the down pour to go shopping.
Being physically disabled myself these days, I really appreciate
wheel chairs and electric carts Those nice new promenades sure would make a great track for the ULTRA (Urban Light Transport) PRT (Personal Rapid Transit). This is something that should be explored for the future. Not only for the dock area but it could run from Saxman to the KIC Tribal Clinic/Ketchikan General Hospital . They can run with or without track. Elevated or not and could even run along side the Third Ave. By-Pass. The system could be used all year and replace the Borough bus. It's possible that both KIC and Saxman could look into the 2005 Indian Reservation Roads program to see if they would qualify for funding. Gigi Pilcher About: " Reindeer caretaker and SITNEWS fan" Related Links:
and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sitnews.
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