2011-05-25-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Route Changes: In March, Gail made a number of route suggestions, including the reduction of Route 4 trips that include Concord Ave. Francine had contacted people in that neighborhood to solicit their input about the low ridership. Those who responded use it sparingly, but noted that the addition of Concord Avenue happened after parents had purchased school bus passes. TAC voted to leave all the current runs in place for another year. Gail also suggested some changes to Routes 5 and 6, which TAC voted to accept. Route 6 will reverse the direction of its loop in the Turning Mill area to avoid traffic problems at Estabrook School. Route 5 will travel through some parking lots in Burlington to avoid traffic backups getting onto Middlesex Turnpike. This better serves a number of stores. Ridership on the point -to -point COA- housing facility trips is low, but Hank wonders if the ridership has been under - counted. Nancy Adler will ask the COA if they can help count such riders. TAC voted to continue the pilot program until July 1. 3. School Bus /Lexpress Flexibility: Larry Link joined the discussion for this part of the meeting by teleconference. In continued discussions about having some sort of flexible arrangement between the school buses and Lexpress, there were three issues; • Method for allowing students to ride the bus: Sara and Larry suggested that Lexpress allow specially identified school bus passes to be used on Lexpress between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. This would be the simplest logistically: it doesn't involve printing or controlling different colored tickets. It does mean that counting ridership will depend on the drivers. • Controlling ridership so the Lexpress buses aren't overcrowded: Ideas included charging extra for the school passes that allow a student on Lexpress (thus not all parents would sign up for this) and restricting the number of these passes that are sold per Lexpress route. The latter means knowing what route a student will use. • Compensation for allowing students to ride Peter suggested charging the school department an amount for each pass sold, such as $100. A motion was passed that the Town should allow specially identified school bus passes to be used for a ride on Lexpress between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.; the school department should charge a suggested fee of $10 for those who want to have this option; the school department must track the number of such passes sold per Lexpress route and work with the town to determine how many of these passes can be sold per route to avoid overcrowding; the school department must assure the town that Lexpress will not lose revenue and that every effort should be made to make this a win -win situation where both the school and the town increase transportation revenue. It was agreed that Larry would work with the school department and pursue next steps. Documents: • Agenda • Lexington's Transportation Planning Efforts and Activities • Lexpress Route Consideration to take effect July 1, 2011