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<br />2 <br />Relative to the letter’s ask for more frequency on Lexpress, Ms. Cattleman said if we had <br />more money we would add more transit. Ms. Lyons spoke about how transit is valued <br />differently less in the United States and that could be the root of the difference, between <br />Ms. Tan’s experience in Singapore vs. Lexington. Mr. Botla said that that’s what he <br />mentioned in his invitation to Ms. Tan. Ms. Barrett also reached out and said it was <br />unfortunate they didn’t respond, but appreciated the letter. <br /> <br />MassDOT Lexpress Vehicles Grant Application <br />Ms. Barrett explained that Lexington requested 6, low-floor 14-passenger small cut-away <br />vehicles, the largest configuration that does not require a CDL to operate. With the hope <br />that finding operators for them will be more affordable and simpler due to the difficulty <br />finding CDL operators at the moment. Ms. Barry mentioned how these are smaller than the <br />current vehicles bringing in the question of capacity. She suggested that increased <br />frequency could solve the concerns of lower seating. These vehicles would also be low-floor <br />unlike previous Lexpress vehicles making them easier for seniors and anyone carrying carts <br />or strollers on and have digital signage to be more able to reflect the route their operating. <br />They continue to have bike racks. Ms. Barrett spoke about how some vehicles could be used <br />for fixed route services, some on-demand, while retaining one as backup. The Town would <br />have to change the current technology used to add on-demand, especially reservations. <br />Overall, the service proposed under this grant brings down the hourly rate, potentially <br />allowing for increased service. <br /> <br />Ms. Barrett shared three considered FY23 rates. A factor is that fuel rates are increasing <br />beyond the contract price and GPS adds cost. She mentioned that MBTA grants should be <br />posted soon. Ms. Barrett mentioned multiple scenarios, without state vehicles. Since fuel <br />prices are high and staffing is hard, vendors aren’t providing quotes at the moment bc of the <br />unknowns. With state vehicles at the same service level, it drops from $85/hour to $50/hour <br />and removes the vehicle cost. With state vehicles and increased service there would be 4 <br />vehicles running 12 hours a day at 30 minute frequency. It adds on-demand service in <br />Lexington only, Saturday service, and a connection to Burlington and Waltham or Waverly to <br />create a 73 connection at Waverly. On demand vehicles are fairly inefficient and a balance <br />of them would be needed to optimize service. Connecting people to transit. Ms. Lyons asked <br />about scheduled buses at Alewife and somewhere else to add to the 2 buses after 6:30; <br />potentially for restaurant workers. Ms. Lyons asked about what the fare would be for on- <br />demand service? Ms. Barrett replied that on-demand would have a higher fare. The Ride has <br />a long wait so more of the usage would likely be from seniors; they get limited Uber/Lyft <br />credits when they first join. <br /> <br />Ms. Dratch asked what the plan with school routes is. Ms. Barrett mentioned keeping the <br />most popular fixed routes and that flexible tech can be flexible. Ms. Dratch asked about <br />thoughts on keeping a larger vehicle and Ms. Barrett said that the state doesn’t have large <br />vehicles— can go through the same bidding process as before to get large vehicles. <br /> <br />Mr. Botla responded that he likes the Waverly idea, especially with the 73 and newly <br />proposed crosstown route, and asked about similar connecting service to Arlington Heights <br />for 77 to Harvard and the Red Line instead of Alewife for the late night service. Ms. Barrett