2016-04-11-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT -- Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes April 11, 2016 Members Present: Hank Manz, Co-Chair; Sara Arnold; Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Francine Stieglitz Members Absent: Bill Levison, Co-chair; Craig Weeks Staff: Charlotte Rogers; Jeanette Rebecchi 1.Public comment: None 2.Minutes: Minutes from the March 14, 2016 meeting were approved, as amended. Vote: 4-0 (Ms. Dratch arrived after the vote was taken.) 3.Transportation Systems Update: Ms. Rebecchi reported the following: The drivers consistently have difficulty completing some Lexpress routes in 30 minutes or less after 2:30 p.m. during the school year because of traffic and ridership demand. The result is that routes are being skipped randomly to get the buses back on schedule before the end of the day. It would cost approximately $17,000 to extend the service another half hour; doing this would create an issue with the contractor because the drivers cannot legally drive more hours in a day than they are currently performing. Using a handout, Ms. Rebecchi recommended retaining the current routes but extending the time allowed for the late afternoon trips by five minutes. This would provide a more reliable schedule for the riders, but it would eliminate the last run of the even-numbered routes. She noted that the buses are nearing the end of their reasonable life for this service and the Town will be going out to bid for a new contract for Fiscal Year 2018; if the Town wants to extend the schedule there would be the time to do so. A motion was made and seconded to support the recommended schedule change effective July 1, 2016, with the understanding that there will be a review of the impact in October, although changes to the schedule would not be implemented at that time. VOTE: 4-0 (Ms. Dratch arrived after the vote was taken.) Michelle Kelleher has been hired as the new assistant for the Transportation Office. She is enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with. A new coin counter was recently purchased. The Patriots’ Day Parade is on April 18, and a Lexpress bus will be in the parade. Those wishing to participate should call the Community Center by Friday to sign-up. th On April 14, the Community Center is providing an opportunity for senior citizens who do not currently have a senior Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority card to sign up for a senior Charlie card that can be used for reduced fares. A handout summarizes the results of a survey of Clarke Middle School parents. The new late afternoon Lexpress schedule may work better for Clarke students than the current schedule. Because Ridership by Clarke students is low, there was discussion about ways to educate Clarke students about using Lexpress. A YouTube video showing how to use Lexpress was suggested. Mr Manz will discuss this idea with his Scout troop because some of the Scouts still need to complete a project to become Eagle Scouts.