Glacier Valley Transit needs community support

To the Editor:

Girdwood residents and business owners, public transportation is vital to Girdwood’s growth and economic development. Glacier Valley Transit (GVT) strives to meet the community’s needs by providing reliable public transportation for our community’s residents and visitors who rely on GVT’s bus service in order to get to work, to trail heads and ski slopes or to visit local shops and restaurants.

The cost to ride the bus is $1 per trip and buses run on a fixed route throughout town. Dial-a-ride services are available for those in need of handicap accessibility. GVT’s ridership numbers have steadily increased since 2007 with nearly 100,000 riders per year. This public transportation system is also contracted for large community events in Girdwood including Forest Fair. All buses are equipped with handicap lifts, ski & snowboard racks in the winter and bike racks in the summer.

As Girdwood grows as a community, GVT hopes to alleviate future traffic congestion and increase safety by decreasing the number of citations and accidents on our roads. We also hope residents will continue to use bus system, in turn helping to keep Girdwood green and reducing pollution by reducing the number of vehicles on our roadways.

GVT recently became a non-profit company. The population of Girdwood does not qualify to be included in the Municipality of Anchorage’s People Mover System; therefore, GVT receives Federal Transit Authority Grant money to operate. GVT buses follow guidelines and regulations as required by the Federal Government.

In order to provide this public service, GVT needs the support of the Girdwood Community and local businesses. In the past Alaska Paragliding, Alaska Wildlife Conservation, Alyeska Resort, Art Seriously, The Ascending Path, Bud and Carols’ Bed and Breakfast, Chair 5, Chugach Powder Guides, The Double Musky, Ron & Gwen Burson, Girdwood 2020, The Girdwood Clinic, Girdwood Chamber of Commerce, Girdwood Rotary, Girdwood Ski & Cyclery, The Ice Cream Shop, Jack Sprat, Mr. Chris Von Imhof, Silvertip Bar & Grill, Wonderbuild and World Cup Sports have all donated funds to support GVT.

Glacier Valley Transit has a link on Alyeska Resort’s webpage listing schedule times, bus stop locations, dial-a-ride information as well as a list of contributing sponsors. All sponsors will have their name listed and a hyperlink back to their web sites. All local companies donating above $3,000 will receive space inside the bus to advertise their business. In the future we hope to sell advertising on the outside of the buses.

Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated. Please contact us with any questions you may have and we look forward to your support! For more information about us at please visit www.glaciervalleytransit.com or contact Dawn Johnson at 907-754-2251 or Brett Bitner at 907-754-2547. Checks may be sent to: Glacier Valley Transit, P.O. Box 249, Girdwood, AK, 99587.

Brett Bitner
Glacier Valley Transit
Operations Manager