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Commented[SB1]:As uggested wording for this
<br /> Lexpress Bus Update &proposed changes I am not sure what can be said here in public minutes as the
<br /> Town is going through a contract negotiation with M&L and
<br /> COVI DOV44-19 JU pd ates�. .............................. seems touchy about me saying anything.The below
<br /> Due to Covid-19,the last date of ridership was on April 3.-MaFc-h ??It was paragraph is how I would word things,However,you may
<br /> need to be even more brief,so I present a BRIEF version and
<br /> Ret passible te eeRt;Rue Fidefs4�p-. Prior to this, we tried two weeks of on-demand a LONGER version.
<br /> S rvice via Lexpress due to reduced ridership and the need for essential BRIEFVERSION:
<br /> transportation.This was also seen as a way to keep more people home, as we had The Transportation Manager noted that many changes had
<br /> youth still going to the Mall, despite schools being closed. Another-Gff,—concern to be responded to quickly in regards to COVID19,such as
<br /> stopping farebox payments,blocking off seats,increasing
<br /> was that tThe Depot was closed, leaving no bathrooms for drivers. Despite having cleaning and disinfecting,and having drivers wear masks.
<br /> instituted freguent c0eaning and sanitizing procedures for the buses, including Service went from fixed-route to on-demand to respond as
<br /> best as possible to changes.As this is not sustainable long-
<br /> mask requirements, and fare box protection, service was suspended. In order to term,Lexpress is planned to come back as soon as
<br /> continue essential transportation services, an on-demand service was started, approved.
<br /> using taxis. The taxi service was for essential weiakeias sueh as gFeeeFy, health LONGER VERSION:
<br /> As with all transit services across the country and world,
<br /> eaFe, shE)pp;.-.,-, ..1. l,.—transportation Only-. ridership on Lexpress dropped with word of the pandemic.
<br /> The plan is to bring Lexpress back, albeit in limited, and perhaps, In consultation with the Town's Public Health Director,we
<br /> moved Lexpress to an on-demand model using our buses so
<br /> changed route system as was origainally planned prior to COVID. that people could have the social distancing space needed
<br /> Ms. Barrett explained that, pre-COVIDe-vi4, it was difficult to operate as they were transported,rather than move them to our
<br /> other service,which is a taxi.We did not wish to put riders
<br /> Lexpress on time. There were too many miles to be covered per hour. (Now, into a taxi or other type of sedan arrangement due to the
<br /> some anticipated changes are a new back-of-Mmall drop-off point and n-New lack of social distancing,and the Public Health Director
<br /> agreed that a larger vehicle would be better. However,with
<br /> school start/end times-., and possibly more traffic congestion.) a further drop in ridership and the closing of the Depot
<br /> which meant a loss of a bathroom for the drivers,we moved
<br /> | of revenue for the bus vendor who still has fixed costs even
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<br /> During^�` --~~ whose ^impact or'the future ''still^ unknown, ^''
<br /> essentialas the buses remain idle.While legislation was passed to
<br /> important to provide transportation and access. Ms. Barrett allow towns to pay for school bus transport and other
<br /> emphasized that we should focus on our transit-dependent riders-low-income, educational contracts even though services were not
<br /> rendered,there has been no bill passed regarding other
<br /> seniors, youth, disabled. Like the MBTA,we should move service to the municipal contracts.The taxis are only a short-term solution
<br /> areas/people of highest�neeclj. and as ridership is kicking back up,it is not sustainable for
<br /> We still de net knew what the seheels will !eel( like. Buses aFe lipFlited te 12 1, The taxi can only transport one person per trip.FISH has
<br /> also suspended service,so there is also a need for medical
<br /> feF seheel buses, 5 feF LexpFess, 20 feF M BTA. transportation.Transportation professionals agree that it is
<br /> Resumption of services, Routes: unsafe to ride TNCs during this time as there is not only lack
<br /> of social distancing,but an inability to guarantee that
<br /> There was much discussion about altering Lexpress routes to serve two cleaning and disinfecting protocols are being followed.With
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<br /> other choices and kKee ing Lexpreeeviable and useful. were able to ask our taxi providerto install plexiglass =11`
<br /> Me. Barrett introduced new routes ae abia| during the upcoming time Commented[SB2]:I deleted this because Elaine Cell said
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<br /> when the full impacts ofCO«l[G+id-19are yet unknown. One long route, YOU follow,they could have 12 kids or24.The META,is
<br /> using two buses totravel from the Burlington Ma||, through the Center, and followingthe WHO guidelines,which allows for 3 feet of
<br /> distance,and there fore,they considertheir buses now
<br /> ontoWaverly (depending on Be|nnont'ecooperation and endorsement). A crowded at 20.For[express,if we use the 6ft of distance
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