2023-07-26-AHTC-min (PM) - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ad Hoc Transportation Committee Lexpress Public Forum 7/26/2023 Meeting of the committee called to order at 6:51 pm Meeting minutes from previous committee meetings accepted. Public meeting called to order at 7:00 pm Deepika introduced the meeting calling for public feedback.Slides were shared on screen. Slide presentation:Carolyn explained the reason the ad hoc Transportation committee was instituted. Sally reviewed the challenges the town faces in running /funding Lexpress.Bridger invited the community to comment. PUBLIC COMMENT: John Zhao –Cochair of the Council on Aging –commenting as a private citizen.Seniors take Lexpress a few times a month to go to the mall and Lahey –they don’t take it every day but may take it monthly. The seniors who live in the three senior living villages in Lexington often do not drive.Therefore, Lexpress is important for them. Leena Dey –student at LHS –Lexpress is good for students –would really like weekend service –LHS end timing and Lexpress schedule doesn’t correspond.The Lexpress doesn’t come soon enough –should mesh better with student ’s schedules.Should train elementary-middle school students how to use the system,flag down the bus.Previously the students would learn from older students,but that is not the case now.Only people who know about it use it and not everyone knows about it. Ruben Uesche –Has been a resident in town twice,in between moved away.Previously he used a car but now he doesn’t have a car and uses Lexpress with his wife.Has taken all the routes.People with disabilities are treated very nicely when they are going to Market Basket and Lahey.Lexpress stops at all crosswalks unlike other drivers and so sets a good example,by courteously sharing the road.We need sustainable energy solutions for Lexington.Is Lexpress energy efficient?Look to the town development goals for 2030.We need to lead by example.“All politics is local.”We can show what a Town can do!Is Lexpress can assist security as Lexpress dirvers go everywhere in town and can see what is happening on the roads,such as bears in town etc.Drivers can support emergency cases. Uttam Rajbhandari –88 years old.Lived in Lexington for 53 years.Couldn’t drive for a period and used Lexpress.Could go to the PO,center,pharmacy,library,Lahey,etc.It made him appreciate Lexington Center.He used it to go to Arlington Heights,connect with the bus to get to Alewife and then all over.It made it possible to get around.It is timely,drivers are polite,and very nice.Got to know other passengers –visitors to town,elderly,groups of students.Can drive now but will continue to ride Lexpress.It is a wonderful resource.He notes that drivers do not always collect fares as they should. Spoke of one driver whi is a veteran at 70s years old and has started a charity to help children.Lexpress brings people together.Will encourage his friends and neighbors to use it. Nishanth Veeragandham –Student at Lexpress,liaison to TAC.Strong interest in the pass.Shouldn’t jump to conclusions about current demand as it is the summer and students are on vacation.He thinks Lexpress schedules are not well aligned with going to and from school and after-school activities.To