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Lexpress is not useful to serving school students with its routes and schedules as it once was.There are legal reasons why general public can’t use school buses or METCO,and the changes years ago really have moved to a school bus focused system not Lexpress. Howard explored the larger question if the service level and destinations are not focused on where senior users and riders need to go then changing the fare structure doesn’t address that issue and that Seniors are interested in more focused micro-transit approach.Mark countered that TACs analysis is that micro-transit may not be sustainable financially.Hypothesis is that the fare change is a “jump-start ”to the effort to increase ridership. Brook Haven has a group called the “Car-Less”group and Howard is planning to attend to hear what their opinions are. Kunal asked the Group –“previously I remarked about the low ridership is that the service needs change to make change.Smaller systems have adopted some post-COVID change and Lexpress has not made change.” Elaine noted that the goal may not be bringing the cost/ride down to $10 but to focus on the ridership services.Susan Barrett requested the committee really take a hard look at the Tri-Town study and then shared insights from 2011 route impact analysis.She stressed that the annual bus fare for school buses has cut into the cost and service model. A Marketing Plan has been developed by TAC to think about ridership engagement and Pamala, supported by Kunal,recommended sharing the Marketing Plan and some other analysis with the Ad Hoc Committee. Kunal shared that his conversations with the Town Manager/Chair of the SB are interested in managing the status quo until the Ad Hoc committee provides formal recommendations.Kunal impressed that the minor changes on the fare are really minor. Varda stressed that the there is zero agreement on the requirements for the future of this transportation service/project.From serving the seniors to why a holistic system and before we pull any levers on the recommendation,understanding our actual requirements for the post pandemic era are important to set.Bridger impressed importance of looking at this as we move further into our analysis work. Mark commented that he believes the town should take action now on the fare change and activate a marketing plan to gather more data as an opportunity to make plays. The group adjourned at the hour with commitment to meet next week.