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Ashland organizer works to bring 'dial-a-ride' to valley By Tony Boom For The Tidings An Ashland activist can now seek grants for an organization he hopes will bring "dial-a-ride" services to the Rogue Valley to help reduce car traffic. Tranzpo, the brainchild of Andrew Bangsberg, will operate under the umbrella of Earthcare International of San Diego while it works to gain its own nonprofit status. Earthcare officials approved the arrangement in December. "Ride-on-demand feeding on a mass transit line is pretty much the goal," said Bangsberg. "It's been proven in all kinds demographics similar to ours. You'd have smaller vans spurring on the main bus lines throughout the valley." Tranzpo might serve as a conduit to fund Rogue Valley Transit District for the service, said Bangsberg. He's also looking for partners in the alternative fuels industry that could provide vans for the service. "I came up with my idea when I saw first-hand how easy personal mass transit could be while running the (student taxi service) in Ashland," said Bangsberg, who operated the service for 18 months during 2000 and 2001. His private service charged $3 per ride. Bangsberg worked with the city to get taxi regulations changed so that he was later able to offer the service to all residents. The new service he proposes might be free or cost just $1. Bangsberg received in-kind assistance and $500 to help establish an office from Earthcare. Mayor Alan DeBoer encouraged Bangsberg to apply for a city grant. DeBoer also wrote a letter of support to the Energy Foundation of San Francisco when Bangsberg sought their help. Bangsberg said the foundation told him they would provide a match if Tranzpo secures a small amount of seed money. "Local fund-raising (is) the major source of how you get something going," said Bangsberg. Tranzpo may underwrite shows on Jefferson Public Radio to solicit donations and people's opinions, he said. A technical committee is in place until Tranzpo gains nonprofit status and names a board of directors. Committee members include Mike Bianca of the Ashland Police Department; Scott Chancey, a senior planner with Rogue Valley Transit District; Tom Marvin, an SOU physics professor and alternative fuels expert; Pat Acklin, former City Council member; and Sue Douglas, a consultant for nonprofit grant-writing. "My interest was in getting Andrew some good business planning so he'd be in a better position when applying for grants," Acklin said. "It's going to take people to move us off center where we see that 80 percent of the cars that go by have one person in them," said DeBoer. Bangsberg's theory of direct service could fit the needs of Ashland, where hills may discourage public transit users, he said. "To really get mass transit to work it almost has to be door to door," said DeBoer. "If we can reduce a trip a day and use the mass transit when it's convenient for us, then we'd all be working together for a solution." Bangsberg wants to find answers now for future growth. "I know people don't like change, but I want them to think about where we will be in six to 10 years. Bangsberg can be reached at 482-1539 or at [email protected] by e-mail. Tony Boom is a reporter for the Medford Mail Tribune and can be reached at 482-4551. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Copyright � Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -