Trails and Transit: Trillium on KHUM’s “Happy Trails”

Earlier this month, I was on the radio with KHUM’s “Happy Trails” program. I spoke with hosts Cliff Berkowitz and Emily Sinkhorn about the mission of Trillium and how the work I did with Green Wheels and Humboldt State University 7 years ago informs our current work with public transit agencies.

The mission of Happy Trails, to see a regional trails and bike lanes system across the Humboldt County area, is much like the mission of Trillium itself. Public transit is part of a wider picture, which allows mobility in conjunction with other modes of transportation including rider-owned bikes and bike sharing, car-sharing, and intercity/international transportation systems. Coordination between these systems can help people move from one place to another, but also simply help them move by connecting them to recreational trails and encouraging active transportation.

In 2007, I helped Humboldt Transit Authority become one of the early agencies in the nation to publish GTFS data, making the transit system easier to use and navigate. But this project was originally part of the mission of Green Wheels, which aimed to promote all types of mobility in the Humboldt County area, in particular a Humboldt Bay Trail connecting Eureka and Arcata. Today, it is possible to plan public transit trips from Humboldt County to neighboring systems in adjacent counties, including trips to the nearby Redwood National Park. Humboldt County’s multi-modal transportation system continues to grow.

Check out the recording of the Happy Trails program here. We had a great discussion of how public transit fits into these other transportation networks and outdoor recreation. And contact Trillium if you’d like to learn about how we can help your public transit system connect with other mobility networks in your region.

Aaron is the founding principal of Trillium Solutions, Inc. He brings experience that includes 13 years of experience in public transportation, with knowledge of fixed-route transportation, paratransit, rural transportation, and active transportation modes. Aaron is a recognized expert in developing data standards, web-application design, digital communications, and online marketing strategy. He originally developed Trillium’s GTFS Manager, and has played a key role in the development of the GTFS data specification since 2007.