2008-07-23-TAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Summary of Transportation Advisory Committee July 23, 2008 Present: TAC members: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Hank Manz (Selectmen liaison), Danny Moraff, Francine Stieglitz, Richard Canale (Planning Board liaison) Staff: Gail Wagner Guests: Ed Ganshirt, Richard Thuma. Public Comments ➢ Richard Thuma is a resident of Wood Street who has traffic concerns regarding proposed Hartwell Ave development. He suggested improved MBTA routing on Hartwell. He also suggested that potential Hartwell TDM contributions be applied to improved Lexpress service, such as mid -day shuttles. Mr. Thuma would like the MBTA Charlie Card to be accepted on Lexpress. ➢ Ed Ganshirt described his work commute from Lexington transferring at the Burlington Mall to the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA). Lexpress Route 5 under its summer schedule incorporates the Mall at 7:3 Dam. And, as of August 25, Route 5 will start at 6:35 am and is most likely able to incorporate the Mall. Gail will alert Ed as to feasibility after a few days of running the 6:35 am start time. Ed noted the LRTA connection is not well known. Ed was encouraged to submit a letter to the Minuteman promoting Lexpress transfers to LRTA. This connection is listed on Lexpress schedules. TAC Reappointments ➢ Elaine Dratch and Francine Stieglitz accepted TAC reappointments. Hank will investigate an honorary appointment for Don Graham whose term is ending. TAC has openings and recruitment efforts by Francine at the Sidewalk Committee will be pursued. Lexpress FY08 ➢ Gail shared some highlights: 8% increased ridership of which largest gain in Senior riders; increased TDM contribution; reduced staff costs as the Lexpress staff budget is no longer linked to parking administration. Net cost per ride was reduced to $3.48 per ride (reduction of $1.57 per ride). Pa.gq Sal es ➢ Gail reported student pass totals for each route and noted all can be accommodated. Gail inquired if there is a rush on Lexpress passes, as last year, should limits be set on student pass sales per route? Gail will review FY 08 pass data to predict student limits. ➢ Hank reported that there would be a meeting of the Selectmen, School Board and Capital Expenditure Committee to discuss finances and more cooperative town efforts. The school bus and Lexpress overlay was raised as one such cooperative effort. Pros and cons of a coordinated high school bus pass were discussed. Route Requests ➢ With record setting gas prices, more citizen requests to extend or incorporate Lexpress service were received. A summary was compiled by Gail and will be tracked to see if any route changes will be suggested next year. American Public Transit Association (APTA� ➢ Danny was one of 50 high school students selected to attend an APTA conference in Washington, DC. Environmental issues were emphasized. Other topics of note: cooperative Business efforts, such as discounts for transit riders or bicyclists; coalition building; federal funding.