Committee backs forwarding Broadway SmartBus stop changes to full meeting

The Skagway Municipality Public Safety Committee reviewed a draft plan to change SmartBus routing and remove two stops on the east side of Broadway, and members agreed to forward the proposal to the full meeting on Thursday for broader public comment.

Chair Alex Weddle said he called the special meeting to review the history and prepare for the larger discussion. He summarized prior comments from a constituent, saying that taking a stop "away from this front door ... will relieve congestion" for a particular business but framed the committee's purpose as balancing congestion reduction, public safety and accessibility. A committee member who has operated tours in town said the proposed routing—routing buses via State Street and then southbound on Broadway—appeared to align with current practice and could reduce congestion for businesses farther back from the waterfront. "I actually really like this," the committee member said, arguing the first stop at City Hall and a second at 7th would improve flow.

The committee did not amend the draft at this meeting but agreed the plan should be circulated and discussed Thursday. Members said they expect business owners to attend that meeting to voice support or concerns; the item was not voted on at length in this committee session.