KEYSTONE TRANSPORTATION UPDATE

 

Keystone lost its second transportation appeal on Wednesday.  The Commission said Keystone’s service was not specialized and tailored to the needs of the condo associations, and was more like common carrier service than contract carrier service.

 

On Thursday, Keystone filed a new emergency contract carrier application, with a new twist. 

 

Keystone says that it will provide “call on demand” service to all its contracted associations, if the scheduled 20 minute shuttles are inadequate.  This is the twist that allows them to claim the service is specialized and tailored to their customer’s needs under a new application.

 

It’s a neat twist.

 

If you’d like to register your opposition, or support, to this new approach to services (the rate will stay at $150 per bedroom per year), fax a letter to Gray Gramlick and Carrie Wallace at the PUC 303-894-2065.   

 

Ms. Wallace’s e-mail address is: carrie.wallace@state.co.us   Mr. Gramlick’s is: gary.gramlick@dora.state.co.us.   The mailing address for the physical letter with signature (a must) is:

 

Gray Gramlick & Carrie Wallace

Colorado Public Utilities Commission

1580 Logan Street, OL2

Denver CO 80203-1939

 

My “bitch” has been that owners are forced to pay a flat per bedroom rate, regardless of how often you ride the shuttle.  In the condos, many owners have told me they are unhappy that everyone has to pay, even if they never use the transportation system.  I.e. it’s all or nothing for the condo owners since you have to sign up as an association. 

 

Personally, I have no objection to paying a buck or so, or buying a weekly / monthly or season individual or family pass.  I object to paying based upon my bedrooms for something I don’t use that often.

 

As the commission decided, Keystone’s service is not specialized and tailored to the individual’s needs.  Its running loops around the resort again and again. Now, Keystone is hoping that with their “new twist” they can squeak through the approval process.

 

If they get approval, it will be interesting to see how often Keystone actually sends out a special shuttle between regular scheduled service!

 

If you feel the same way, or for any of the following reasons that I have heard from other Keystone owners:  WRITE THE PUC NOW! 

 

The hearing is at 9AM, Wednesday, November 2 – your letter has to get there by Tuesday afternoon.  Following is what I have heard from other owners:

 

• Service is the same it has always been, no improvement.
• They use the shuttles to carry workers.
• They use the same shuttles to carry skiers parking at the free parking lots, not just those who pay.
• They cram free parkers and those who pay into the same shuttle.
• They won’t let owners in associations who don’t want the service opt out – it’s all or nothing for associations.
• I have a condo in River Run (Mountain House), I don’t need bus service, but they won’t rent units in the association unless the association signs up for transportation (only if true in your case).

 

Complain or not?  Your decision.  No complaints probably means approval of the $150 per bedroom per year rate, with no opt out for individual owners.  NO usage fee.  A per use fee has been suggested with the opportunity to buy a weekly / monthly / season bus pass.

 

NOTE: Keystone retains common carrier authority which they can revert to at any time, with a fair, non-discriminatory and reasonable fee upon one day's notice.  Last year the Public Utilities Commission made a preliminary determination that $150 per bedroom per year did not meet Commissions criteria in these areas. 

 

Questions?  E-mail (or call 970-262-1088).

 

Thanks

 

 

Craig Suwinski

53 Last Chance Lane

Keystone

 

 

Letters of support that Keystone’s attached to their new application were sent by the following:

 

• Dick Upton, Flying Dutchman, signed as Keystone Owners Association President.
• Richard Winton, signed as a Quicksilver Owner with unanimous support of the Association Board.
• John Kivimaki, Wild Irishman, signed as an Association Director.
• Greg Schnacke, Plaza Board Member, signed as an individual.
• Fred Fox, signed as President of the Plaza Association
• Dori Webb, McCarty’s Executive Assistant and an owner at Sts. Johns.