HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-11-10-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes
November 10, 2014
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Peter Levy, Sally Castleman, Bill Levison,
Francine Stieglitz, Hank Manz
Members Absent: Matt Zhang
Staff Present: Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation Manager
Liaisons: Nancy Adler, COA; Rich McDonough, COA; Michelle Ciccolo, BOS;
Richard Canale, Planning Board
Guests: Melisa Tintocalis, Economic Development Director; Carl Valente, Town
Manager; Rob Addelson, Finance Director
1. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
• Minutes from the October 2014 meeting were corrected and unanimously approved.
2. Transportation Systems Update
• Ms. Rebecchi reported that she expects to begin her maternity leave in the next couple of
weeks. Other members of the Human Services staff are being cross-trained to cover the
Transportation Services office during her absence.
• In response to the Town's letter to the FTA regarding the problem with meeting ADA
requirements for the paratransit fare, Ms. Rebecchi has been contacted by the FTA. A
teleconference between Ms. Rebecchi and FTA representatives has been scheduled for
November 14'h to provide more information on the problem to the FTA.
• Ms. Rebecchi requested paratransit ride data for the Town of Lexington. The MBTA
provided the following data:
Paratransit Ride Origin/Destination Data—Lexington
Origin Destination
FY 2013 275 351
FY 2014 640 713
FY 2015 (to date) 167 113
The above data represents paratransit rides for all of Lexington. Data for the Premium
Area in Lexington only was requested but has not been provided.
3. TDM Support of REV Bus for FY 2016
• Melisa Tintocalis (Economic Development Director for the Town of Lexington)provided
background information, funding breakdown, and ridership data for the REV bus that
serves as a link between Hartwell Avenue and the Alewife MBTA station. The REV is
envisioned as an amenity to help foster the development of the Hartwell Avenue business
district. The REV bus is operated by the 128 Business Council.
• Initial monthly ridership for the REV in September 2013 was 266 rides. Current monthly
ridership is around 900.
• Funding for the REV bus was obtained primarily from a Federal grant for the first year
(FY 2014). No grant money was available for the second year(this year; FY 2015). Local
businesses are paying 57% of the operating fees, the Town of Bedford is paying 2.9%
($5000), and the Town of Lexington is paying 40% ($69,117). The Lexington
contribution is coming from the Reserve Fund.
• Rob Addelson (Finance Director for the Town of Lexington)has developed a plan to
fund decreasing portions of the REV cost over the next 3 fiscal years. Money for the
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town's contribution is proposed to come from the TDM Stabilization Fund. The proposed
amounts to be taken out of the TDM fund for the REV bus are:
FY 2016 $45,400
FY 2017 $25,400
FY 2018 $5,400
• Ms. Tintocalis indicated that the Town is trying to secure CIC Grant funding as well. Any
CIC Grant funding received will be used to reduce the Town's contribution to the REV
bus operating cost.
• Mr. Addelson's proposal will be presented to the BOS in preparation for the Town's FY
2016 budget.
• The REV bus has begun providing service to Lexington residents. It is making two
morning stops at Depot Square on its return trip from Hartwell Avenue to Alewife and
two evening stops from Alewife on its way to Hartwell Avenue. Resident ridership has
been low so far; the existence of the service is just becoming known to commuters.
TAC made suggestions for additional stops for the REV bus to pick up residents. Two
possible stops would be along Bedford Street at Stop & Shop and on Pleasant Street
before getting on to Route 2.
TAC also raised the possibility of resident rides (from the Spring Street area) from the
Route 128 Business Council buses that provide service to Hayden Avenue. The
anticipated Cubist zoning change request could be an opportunity to pursue this service.
Materials Used at the Meeting:
Agenda
Minutes October 10, 2014 TAC Meeting
Year 2: "The REV"presentation materials (Ms. Tintocalis)
Projected use of TDM Stab. Fund(Mr. Addelson)
Minutes recorded by P. Levy.
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