New shuttle bus to start service on Peterson Published Oct. 20, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Dustin Mohr 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A free internal base shuttle service will begin on Peterson starting Nov. 3. The base shuttle will replace the Mountain Metro Route 24 bus that has been serving the installation. From Nov. 3 to Nov. 10, the Mountain Metro Route 24 bus will enter Peterson and drop off its passengers at the shuttle's Bldg. 1, 2 and 3 stop. From Nov. 10 on, it will drop personnel off at the West Gate Visitor's Center. Personnel who ride Mountain Metro's 90 series and Express routes, which drop off at the Space Village stop outside the North Gate, will need to enter the installation and catch the shuttle at either the Bldg. 1, 2, and 3 or Child Development Center stops. Handicap personnel in wheelchairs may have the gate guards contact Vehicle Dispatch at 556-4307 to arrange for the shuttle to pick them up. The new shuttle route will take 30 minutes to complete one cycle, and the shuttle will run from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The base shuttle will be using a brand new, environmentally friendly, hybrid bus that runs off a combination of gasoline and electric power. It will be equipped with two wheelchair positions, including an electric lift ramp. It will be able to seat 14 passengers and will have rails installed for additional personnel. Duty passengers have priority. Personnel authorized to ride the shuttle are military personnel and Department of Defense employees between offices and work areas of the installation or activity during normal duty hours. DoD contractor personnel conducting official defense business are also authorized. The following personnel are authorized transportation as "Space Available" personnel: Off-duty military personnel or DoD civilian employees, Armed Services Reserve and National Guard members, dependents of active duty personnel, retirees, and visitors to the base (intra-installation only). Authorized Transportation Incentive Program (TIP) personnel are authorized to use the shuttle as a continuation from the city route. The TIP was established from Executive Order 13150, which called for the use of mass transportation for federal employees to reduce their contribution to traffic congestion and air pollution and to expand their commuting alternatives. The TIP allows authorized federal employees to receive up to $115 in monthly transportation vouchers or passes to be used for home to work transportation to offset normal commuting costs. Mountain Metro provides services within Colorado Springs and has established routes to Peterson AFB and Schriever AFB which can be viewed at http://www.springsgov.com/SectionIndex.asp?SectionID=19. Regular 31-day city passes may be used for most routes within Colorado Springs. Schriever AFB passes must be used for all 90 Series and Express routes. Personnel interested in the TIP may pick up an application from Vehicle Operations in Bldg. 1229, or send an e-mail to 21lrs.lgrv.qap.ex@peterson.af.mil requesting an application be sent to them or go to PeteCentral. Completed applications may be turned in to the 21st LRS , faxed to 556-4718, or scanned and e-mailed to the address listed above. If you have any questions please contact 21st LRS Vehicle Management personnel at 556-4489 or 556-4863. TIP application forms are then sent to a point of contact in Washington D.C.. The approval process normally takes about 30 days. The 21st LRS will receive passes for the approved applicant to last through the present quarter. Every quarter thereafter, the 21st LRS will then receive three passes for all approved personnel. Passes may be picked up in Bldg. 1229 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. See the associated map and schedule for more information.