Public engagement results
What have we heard?
How do people get around Santa Fe? How well does it work for them? What do transit users think of the bus system?
Read below to see what we have heard!
metropolitan transportation plan
The 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan involved extensive public outreach. Key takeaways include:
- People want more and better transportation options
- The transportation system works pretty well for people that drive
- Bus users are the least satisfied with the transportation system, though feel it is a good use of their money
- Safety is the largest barrier to people choosing something other than an automobile
- Residents are concerned about climate change and how it relates to transportation options.
multimodal transition plan
The 2022 City of Santa Fe’s Multimodal Transition Plan included concerted efforts to hear from specific groups with independent surveys for students, visitors/tourists, bus riders, the unhoused population, and the general population. Key takeaways include:
- Most people already are multimodal
- The biggest barriers to walking and biking more? Poor or no sidewalks and traffic safety, respectively
- Over half of the people surveyed said they would be interested in using bike or scooter share
- More people want it to be easier to walk/bike (49%) than to find parking easier (42%)
- The unhoused primarily don’t have cars and have difficulty accessing health care due to bus schedules and distances
- 6th-12th graders were polled and they mostly drive/are driven, but are generally interested in other modes and would use them more if their friends did too and their parents supported it
- Visitors mostly arrive by vehicle, but equally walk and drive when here. They would drive less if transit service improved or if a free shuttle service were provided into downtown
- Of people surveyed on the bus, most were riding to get to work
- Bus riders scored overall bus safety the 3rd highest (3.9 of 5) out of 13 factors
Work for the Multimodal Transition Plan also included an in depth review of previous public engagement from the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, Teen Mobility Study, and Public Transit Master Plan, summarized here.
bicycle master plan
The 2019 Bicycle Master Plan heard from approximately 850 residents in a general survey and collected feedback at an open house. Key takeaways include:
- Recreation or exercise is the most common reason people bike in Santa Fe
- The top three barriers to biking are: drivers being inattentive, it feels unsafe to cross major roads, and concerns about speeding traffic
- Trail development and protected bike lanes were ranked most effective potential improvements to the bicycle environment
neighborhood street safety study
In 2023, the MPO partnered with City Councilor Jamie Cassutt to focus on street safety concerns in the neighborhoods surrounding Camino Carlos Rey. In depth engagement with residents revealed most people desire safer, slower neighborhood streets. Read more here.