2018-12-10-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes from TAC Meeting, Dec 10, 2018 Members Present: Hank Manz, Chair,Andra Bennett, Co-Chair, Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Sally Castleman,Vinita Verma Other Attendees: Susan Barrett,Transportation Manager, Sudhir Jain, COA Liaison Absent: Bob Creech, Planning Board Liaison The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM by Mr. Manz, Chairperson Public comment: A complaint was reported from a citizen about MBTA(T) actual schedule proving different from the printed schedules. The handheld smart phone app is very good but the actual bus service is different from what's printed. Ms Barrett said that the T is aware and they know that their apps are more reliable. Better Bus Project has more info. Mr Manz reported that the T is looking at current bus stops to try to eliminate some. He believes that currently in Lexington some stops are too far apart, and some have bad visibility. Minutes from last meeting approved. Tri-Town Transit Study update: Ms Barrett reported on the 2 public presentations by the consultants. She felt that many of the afternoon attendees, mostly seniors, may not have realized the microtransit proposal was instead of Lexpress, not in addition to it. The evening attendees understood and were more skeptical. Ms Castleman asked whether there was any ridership data to prove fixed straight routes are better than loops, in a system such as our small town. Ms Barrett recommended a book that discusses ridership versus coverage by Jarret Walker called Human Transit. Ms Barrett reported that she had met with the new Town Manager to apprise him of transportation in/for Lexington. She went over all the bullet points about the transportation situation with the new Town Manager that she included in our packet for this meeting. Ms,Verma, Mr. Manz, Ms Arnold and Ms. Barrett had seen Harvard's micro-transit system in person after our last meeting. Mr. Manz wanted to be sure we realized that Harvard has the expertise and the technology to change or modify the maps it uses with its VIA app. Harvard purchased the software but runs the service itself. The Town Managers and the transportation staff members from the 3 towns met today. Ms Barrett reported that all 3 towns have reservations about the recommendations. Burlington already has a COA van and the one vehicle for B-line. They are willing to start a pilot, and also want to get rid of a bus by June.They will meet with Via and then the consultant. So many considerations for Lexington, not as simple. TAC had a long discussion about possibilities and lots of questions. So far only Via has turnkey technology for micro-transit system in US. It was asked that since we have a fourth bus, might we want to pay$40,000 for the technology and then 27 cents for each ride (other providers have other prices). Should we try that or pay extra and have Via do the dispatching too? (Burlington already has a dispatcher.) Ms Verma has a relationship at MIT where a group made its own app, and she is willing to see if they might rent or sell it to us. No one is eager to rush into anything, even a pilot, given the number of questions remaining.