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e employment area in the community. An Autzen Stadium/University of Oregon route would work were LTO able to run a route directly across the Autzen bridge. As it is, however, such a route would require an added connection and would be overly circuitous. The Lane County Fairgrounds could function as an optional park-and-ride site to the University. A free downtown shuttle service similar to those in Seattle and Portland makes buses more attractive and serves to increase ridership. Ms. Loobey noted that downtown Seattle businesses pay a surcharge to support the free shuttle. Mr. Boles noted that one difficulty with some shuttles is that they are dif- ficult to distinguish from other buses. He further suggested that LTD inves- tigate alternative fuels. Ms. Bascom voiced interest in a Eugene downtown shuttle program. Mr. Viggiano further explained that LTD receives more requests for airport service than any other unoffered service; however, providing the service would not be efficient or cost-effective. He further noted that similarly sized cities that have tried it have been unsuccessful. A significant barri- er to airport busing is that because planes arrive at almost all hours, the airport would need at least 16-hour service with runs at least every half hour. There may be some market in serving airport employees. Having the Junction City route provide the service would not work either because it would increase its riders' trips by a half hour. e In response to Mr. Nicholson's suggestion that LTO simply use smaller buses for airport service, Public Works Director Christine Andersen said the City may put out a request for proposals for airport shuttle service in the near future. Mr. Viggiano noted that although various hotels do offer shuttle services, they are duplicating services. II. EUGENE STATION Ms. Loobey reviewed the background concerning the LTD station siting. LTO has concluded that there are three or four half-block sites and one three- quarter block site with the potential of serving as a station site. It was recently discovered that the preferred site, the elections lot bounded by 5th and 6th avenues and Oak and Pearl streets, would involve more cost than was previously believed. In response to questions, Mr. Viggiano and Ms. Loobey explained that the station would have 20 buses passing through every 10 minutes. Other poten- tial sites include the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) property, the Greyhound site, and a site on Charnel ton Street near the proposed Eugene Public Library site. The question of parking replacement is still being researched. The IHOP property presents the least parking pressure. Opening Willamette or Olive streets would not affect LTO's station siting decision. Responding to Mr. Boles' concern about which mode of transportation receives preference and precedence, Mr. Gleason said that this would take some thought. He remarked that the City could try giving buses separate lanes. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council March 4, 1991 Page 2