HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-04-08-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAQ Minutes
April 8, 2013
Members Present: Peter Levy, Co- Chair; Sara Arnold; Sally Castleman; Elaine Dratch; Francine
Stieglitz
Members Absent: Mike Boudett; Bill Levison, Co -chair
Liaison Present: Nancy Adler, Council on Aging
Staff Present: Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation Coordinator; Charlotte Rodgers, Human
Services Director
1. Minutes: The March 11, 2013 Minutes were approved unanimously.
2. Youville Service: Ms. Rebecchi reported that the first day for the Mondays -only 9:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. direct service to Youville on Pelham Road generated 16 rides. Youville
residents and staff were excited about the opportunity to use Lexpress.
3. Future Promotions: Ms. Rebecchi reported the following:
• An intern conducted interviews of senior citizens taking advantage of the pilot free -
rides- for - seniors program and is preparing an article based on those interviews. Ms.
Arnold also interviewed several people on the buses; she reported that they mostly
were riding the buses before the free ride promotion went into effect but they
appreciate the service and enjoy the free rides.
• Bike - Walk -'N -Bus postcards are being used to promote the week of May 5 for trying
non - automobile transportation options; sample cards were distributed.
• Liberty Ride has suggested including a free ticket on Lexpress with the purchase of a
Liberty Ride ticket. It isn't anticipated that many tourists will take Lexpress but it is
good advertising.
• The Selectmen approved the Summer Fun pass (a July and August pass for the price
of a one month pass).
• The Musket (the high school newspaper) and the Lexington Listserve provide
possible opportunities for sharing information about Lexpress.
4. Bus Incident: Ms. Rebecchi and Ms. Rodgers plan to meet with M & L to review
protocols and best practices following an incident in which a senior citizen was injured
when the Lexpress bus she was riding stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a car turning in
front of the bus. Installing cameras and /or seatbelts on the buses is being considered.
The Committee discussed whether drivers are going too fast and whether the routes are
too long. Ms. Rebecchi reported that Route 5 may be too long.
5. Free Rides for Seniors between 9 a.m. and 1:59 p.m.: Ms. Rebecchi reported that
senior ridership during the free ride time frame is increasing and is now 2.5 times
greater than in previous years. Also, the all -day senior ridership has doubled. It has
been calculated that Lexpress has lost $350 in senior /special needs cash fares since the
start of the pilot three months ago. The annual revenue cost to extend this program
next year could include approximately $1500 in lost senior /special needs pass revenue
and approximately $1300 in lost cash revenue.
There was a motion to recommend extending the free ride program for seniors for Fiscal
Year 2014. This passed unanimously.
Ms. Rebecchi will go to the Selectmen and will report that this recommendation is
supported by TAC. Ms. Adler agreed to write a supportive letter from the Council on
Aging.
6. School Department Transportation Update: Ms. Dratch reported that the School
Committee has adopted a three tiered school bus fee schedule comparable to that
suggested by TAC earlier in the year. Now there is an effort to inform parents. There
were suggestions from parents through the Lex- Engage website that the Flexpass
include the use of Lexpress in the mornings. Elaine Celi, the school's Transportation
Coordinator, indicated in her response that Lexpress wanted to reserve capacity for
morning commuters. Ms. Dratch was concerned that this response does not accurately
reflect TAC's position on this subject. She suggested to Ms. Celi that such future
questions should be directed to TAC.
Ms. Dratch commented that Article 14 in the Annual 2013 Town Meeting warrant is
requesting funds to create a school bus turn - around area at Clarke Middle School. The
placeholder in the warrant to authorize police to enforce driving and parking rules on
school property was withdrawn. The Police Department has reservations about
whether they have the manpower for such enforcement.
7. Transportation Forum: Ms. Stieglitz reported on the Town's recent Transportation
Forum, which focused on safety issues. Ms. Rebecchi reviewed the flow chart recently
developed by TSAC. Mary Ellen Dunn reviewed traffic plans around schools and
recommendations from TSAC about safety issues on school property. Judy Crocker
reported that Safe Routes to School recently won a grant to conduct a School Zone
Improvement Study. Marc Valenti, Highway Superintendent, will work with the
engineering firm that has been hired. Other reports were from Peggy Enders of the
Bicycle Advisory Committee, Town Engineer John Livsey, Michelle Ciccolo of the
Planning Board.
8. Route Changes: Ms. Rebecchi and Ms. Arnold agreed to review some potential route
changes. It was noted that some high school students don't feel they have enough time
to get to the 2:35 p.m. bus.
9. Time Capsule: Ms. Castleman will donate some Lexpress photos for the time capsule.
Mr. Levy provided some photographs he took of the Lexpress bus fleet at the Depot.
These will be included as well.
10. Patriots Day: The parade will be on Sunday, April 14. Senior Citizens have signed up to
ride the bus, which will leave the fire station at 12:30 p.m. to get to the East Lexington
staging area for the parade.
11. Next Meeting: The next meeting, originally scheduled for May 13, was postponed to
May 20.
Materials Used at the Meeting:
Agenda
Table: Analysis of Free Off -Peak Senior Rides Pilot Program
Table: Cash Revenue Before and After Initiating Pilot Free Ride Program
Bike Walk 'NBus promotional postcard