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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-06-10-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes June 10, 2013 Members Present:Bill Levison, Co- chair; Peter Levy, Co- Chair; Mike Boudett; Francine Stieglitz; Sara Arnold; Sally Castleman; Elaine Dratch LiaisonsPresent:None Staff Present: Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation Coordinator; Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director; Candy McLaughlin, Assistant to the Town Manager 1. Minutes:The April 8, 2013 Minutes were unanimously approved with the following correction: Under "Free Rides for Seniors ", the increase in rides by Seniors and Disabled during the free rides period for March was 2.5 times (not 1.5 times) No minutes are required for the May 20, 2013 assembly, since a quorum was not present. However, notes will be filed in the Transportation office. Corrections to the draft Notes are: • Under "LexConnect Taxi Program" add that service has been extended from 9 am to 5 pm on Mon -Fri (in addition to the new weekend hours). • Chair car rides (to be offered with grant funds from The Dana Home) are not associated with LexConnect — separate item. 2. MBTA Grant Money for FY'14:The RFP for the MBTA grant for FY'14 for regional bus service is not expected to be issued until sometime in July.Ms. Rebecchi has been assembling information so that she can respond to the RFP quickly. Letters of support have been solicited and obtained from a number of groups that use Lexpress. A letter will be submitted by TAC. TAC members voted unanimously to authorize the co- chairs to compose a letter of support for the MBTA FY'14 grant. Some suggestions for points to include were: • Reference to the MAGIC survey that indicated rider desires for increased service Potential reduction in demands on THE RIDE by accommodating disabled passengers who are nearby the established routes. 3. Transportation Services Update: Discovery Day was not as well attended as last year. Rides on Lexpress were reduced by about half. Some amount of misuse of the Flexpass was reported to Mr. Levisonby one of the Lexpress drivers. Ms. Rebecchi plans to follow -up — • Inform Elaine Celi • Remind drivers about the policy and that they should be contacting the Transportation Office about misuse. • Send a letter to parents explaining the Flexpass rules prior to the beginning of the next school year. 4. School Department Transportation Update: Ms. Dratch reported that school bus pass sales are on track to match last year's. For FY'13, a total of 2727 bus passes were sold. Through June 3 a total of 2519 passes have been sold for FY'14. Data for Flexpass sales is not yet available. The School Department has received a grant for a safety program. Ms. Dratch asked for Ms. Rebecchi (and Lexpress) to be included in the discussion. The Lexpress schedule /map should contain a safety warning about crossing before or after boarding (since cars are not required to stop, as they are with school buses). Ms. Rebecchi will address prior to printing the FY'14 schedule /map. 5. Goal Setting: Ms. McLaughlin facilitated a discussion about goal setting (to provide a list of goals to the Selectmen and to provide goals for TAC). Summaries of the goals identified for the Selectmen and for TAC are attached. Co- chairs will review the list of goals for the Selectmen, edit as necessary, and send to the Selectmen for consideration. Materials Used at the Meeting: Agenda 2012 Recommended Selectmen's Goals Outline for the goal- setting discussion Potential 2013/14 TAC Goals Discussion June 10, 2013 • Provide input for Human Services Department technology goal • Maintaining google transit app • More robust web pages • Social media (Twitter) • Support Transportation staff effort to make Lexpress "cool" • Branding initiative • Collaborative school /town procurement of technology improvements on buses • Review unmet community transportation needs • Examine existing survey data • Follow up on specific findings • Obtain clarification around TDM procedures o Information from Planning Board liaison? • Recruit student representative for committee o Arrange for LHS students to visit middle schools to talk up Lexpress • Stay on top of State funding issues, and keep on BOS radar Potential 2013/14 Transportation - Related Goals Sent to the Selectmen - June 11, 2013 1. Integrate efficient, multi -modal transportation access into Community Center planning. a. There will need to be strong coordination /communication between Committee and TAC — request staff representative with transportation expertise, or TAC liaison to Committee. b. Consider site design elements including conveniently - located: turn - arounds, bus shelters, bike racks, safe pedestrian access points, bike path connection, taxi stand, access road. c. Communicate with Lexpress, school bus, and MBTA re: bus routes, connections, and schedules. 2. Prioritize transportation technology and infrastructure in budget decisions. a. Consider acquiring technology that helps coordinate different modes of transportation. b. Encourage collaborative procurement among school and town departments for radios, GPS, on -board cameras, etc. 3. Evaluate effectiveness of Transportation Forum. a. How well do stakeholders feel that original purposes are being achieved? b. Are there new issues that the Forum should take on? c. Are the right number and types of groups represented? 4. Incorporate multi -modal transportation infrastructure and programs in major reconstruction or new development projects. a. Public facilities and infrastructure. b. Commercial development. 5. Collaborate with School Committee to prioritize public safety on school grounds. a. Continue increased level of school bus funding. Explore better ways to ensure /enforce traffic safety at schools. 6. Support new ideas for non - single- occupancy vehicle forms of transportation. a. Approve taxi stand in Lexington. b. Encourage (through public amenities or use of TDM funds) public and private projects to include innovations such as Zipcar, Hubway bikes, public access to Alewife shuttles. c. Continue to advocate for transportation financing bills at the State level.