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there had not been adequate publicity after the initial month of service, and some senior residents in the senior housing units probably didn't know the service had continued after the first month trial period in May. It was agreed to continue the service through December, and Charlotte will ensure more publicity, especially starting in September. Bill will prepare a memo for the Selectmen's August 1 meeting. Perhaps he can get approval to increase the runs per day as well. 5. Human Services' Taxi Program: Charlotte reported that her department looked at various alternatives for providing point -to -point transportation services for seniors and the disabled who cannot use Lexpress and who do not need The Ride. One alternative was to rent B elmont' s van for $85 per hour. This was considered too expensive. Human Services is currently going out to bid for a taxi voucher program, with a fall 2011 anticipated start date. Other communities that have a taxi voucher program find that a few people use the service a lot. The service will be provided during off -peak hours at a reduced rate. The amount charged the customer will be determined by the bid price, probably 50% of the bid price. Human Services has $20,000 to subsidize the program. 6. Request for Proposals (RFP) for Lexpress service: Peter Levy reviewed a list of RFP issues based on meetings with Joseph's Transportation and M & L Transportation. Both companies support gasoline buses; neither company supports bike racks; neither company has a suggestion for improving ridership counts; and neither company knows how to muffle the rattling created by the wheelchair lifts. M &L will charge a minimum of four hours for operating the spare bus; Joseph's will charge for two hours. Other points of discussion included: maximum length of buses, having one bus larger than the other two, earliest model year to allow, standee limitations, contract length, GPS installation and incorporating point -to -point services. The following comments were made: • Hybrid - diesels are twice as expensive as a gasoline bus. • A GPS costs about $20 per month for a maintenance use charge. • Joseph's did not like the idea of point -to -point deviations • If the Town were to participate in the Smart Bus Guidance Program as presented by Michelle in June, the Town would receive GPS units for the buses. The committee agreed to the following: • Bill will talk to the Bicycle Committee about the value of bike racks. • Michelle will contact David Ludzinhiser at Boston Metropolitan Area Council to see if he has any grant money for purchasing bike racks.