HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-22-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAQ Minutes
July 22, 2013
Members Present: Bill Levison, Co- chair; Peter Levy, Co- Chair; Francine Stieglitz; Sara Arnold;
Sally Castleman; Elaine Dratch, Larry Link (honorary member)
Members Absent: Mike Boudett
Liaisons Present: None
Staff Present: Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation Coordinator
1. Minutes: The June 10, 2013 Minutes were unanimously approved.
2. Transportation Forum: (Reported by Francine Stieglitz) Beale (consulting company
hired by the Town to develop the Center Streetscape) presented their results. Keeping 4
lanes of traffic on Mass Ave was strongly recommended (vs. reducing to 3 lanes). Next
step for Beale is to develop the detailed Streetscape.
3. Transportation Services Update:
Ms. Rebecchi presented a review of Lexpress ridership data for FY13 (see meeting
materials):
• Flexpass revenue increased in FY'13 to $12,950, due to the increase in
reimbursement from the School Budget from$10 to $50 /pass and greater
number of students enrolled.
• Reimbursement of $1575 from the Elder Affairs Grant was received to pay
for the free seniors passes distributed to low- income seniors. Ms. Rebecchi is
working have the reimbursement made annually.
• $7.16 gross cost per ride is the lowest since 2010. The $4.17 net cost per ride
was lower than the previous fiscal year. The cost would have been lower if
not for a 50% decrease in the Lexpress MBTA Grant.
• FY'13 had a significant increase in the number of Lexpress pass holders riding
and a decrease in total cash fares. Ms. Rebecchi attributed this primarily to
the increase in cash pricing.
• Seniors represented an increased proportion of Lexpress riders in FY'13 (up
to 22% of total riders)
• In the last 6 months of FY'13 (after free off -peak senior rides was introduced)
Senior rides increased during off -peak hours by 134% and total senior
ridership increased by 93% compared to the mean ridership from the same
period for the previous 3 years.
• Lex- Connect (taxi voucher program) instituted numerous enhancements to
service and reduction in the cost of vouchers for FY'14. An increase in the
number of vouchers sold has already been seen. In FY'13, a total of 165
people purchased vouchers; 54% of the vouchers purchased were used.
4. Community Center Task Force: Ms. Rebecchi reported on the task force status. Michelle
Ciccolo is the chairperson of the task force. One meeting (discussion of the Task Force
charter) has been held to date.
TAC discussed different possible approaches for providing transportation services
between schools, the town center, the villages, etc. and the new Community Center.
Making a connection between TAC and the Community Center Task Force was identified
as an important first step.
ACTION ITEM: Bill /Peter tasked with contacting Michelle to get on the meeting
notification list. TAC members encouraged to attend as guests.
5. Town Report:
Mr. Levison informed the committee that we have been requested to provide the TAC
summary for the FY'13 Town Report by the end of August. A copy of the FY'12 TAC
summary was circulated to committee members.
TAC voted unanimously to assign Mr. Levison and Mr. Levy the task of preparing a draft
summary of the TAC activities for FY'13, circulating to the committee members for
comment, finalizing the draft based on committee comments, and submitting the final
version for the Town Report.
6. TAC Activity Log:
Mr. Levison reviewed outstanding items on the TAC Activity Log (Meeting Materials) to
determine their status and plans for completion:
• Formalized Travel Training
Larry offered to provide an outline of talking points for this training.
Potential groups that could be addressed with this information include Lexington
Senior Center; Brookhaven; Villages; Scouts. Volunteers for making
presentations are welcome.
• Generic TAC email Address
Status is unknown. Bill or Peter to contact Candy M. to check on status.
• ITN (senior ride service)
Suggestion that the Human Services Department put together a forum on
Transportation that includes COA, FISH, Lexpress, and TAC. One outcome of the
forum would be to determine if there is interest in pursuing ITN as another
transportation service.
• GPS
In progress. Ms Rebecchi is exploring GPS options for Lexpress through either the
School Dept. or 128 Business Council's Smart Bus Technology Grant.
• Seat Belts on Lexpress
In progress. Ms. Rebecchi has contacted M &L and is still waiting for pricing.
• MBTA Grant Renewal Letter
The $40,000 grant for Lexpress from MBTA will be automatically renewed for
FY'14. An RFP will be issued (probably in the next 6 months) for FY'15. The letter
is not needed until the new RFP is issued. (Remove Activity from list).
• Alewife - Hartwell Shuttle
Activity is to inquire about access for the general public. Activity is still open.
Materials Used at the Meeting:
Agenda
Meeting Minutes, June 10, 2013
Annual Summary, FY13 (Excel Spreadsheet)
6 -Year Summary, FY08 —13 (Excel Spreadsheet)
6 -month Summary (Excel Spreadsheet)
Activities, FY13 (Excel Spreadsheet)
Free Senior Rides Ridership Data (Excel Spreadsheet)
Taxi Voucher Program Update
Town Report 2012 (TAC Summary)