Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-21-TAC-min \\Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes September 21, 2015 Members Present : Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Hank Manz, Francine Stieglitz Members Absent : Peter Levy Staff Present : Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation Services Manager; Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director Liaisons Present : Richard McDonough, COA; Richard Canale, Planning Board; Nancy Adler, COA Public : Elaine Ashton 1. Minutes Minutes of the June 8, 2015 TAC meeting were corrected and approved unanimously. 2. Transportation Services Update Ms. Rebecchi reviewed ridership and income data for the Lex-Connect taxi service. Although there were fewer new sign-ups and fewer vouchers sold in FY15 compared to FY14, the number of vouchers redeemed increased. Sales income also increased due to the increase in prices. Gifts and grants from the Dana foundation, Brookhaven, the Friends of the COA, and Human Services Gift Fund resulted in a surplus at the end of FY15. Ms. Rebecchi reviewed the FY15 Lexpress ridership and financial statistics. Key findings were: Total ridership was 81,050, approximately 6% less than FY14. Ridership per vehicle hour was down by about 5% Quarter-by-quarter comparison suggests that the winter storms were the primary source of the ridership decline, which occurred largely among student riders. The decline in ridership occurred primarily among pass holders. Fare revenues decreased by around 11% from FY14, but this decrease was largely offset by an increase in the MBTA grant. The $3.73 net cost per bus ride was about 1% less than in FY14. Ms. Rebecchi has requested support for installing automatic passenger counters in the Lexpress buses. Ms. Arnold suggested that TAC members spend a day gathering ridership data. Ms. Rebecchi noted that the CTPS performs spot checks on ridership on behalf of the MBTA, and suggested that TAC first look at that data before deciding to perform its own check. Action item: Ms. Rebecchi will request relevant data on Lexpress ridership from the MBTA. 3. Bus Stop Shelters Ms. Rebecchi presented a list of potential locations for bus stop shelters, highlighting five locations considered to be the most feasible. The list was modified during discussion to include sites located in the historic district. It was suggested that providing shelters be associated with the Complete Streets program. Mr. Canale announced that the Town has created the new staff position of Assistant Town Manager for Development to be filled by Carol Kowalski beginning in October 2015. The duties of this office may include oversight of the Center Streetscape Project. Њ Action items: Ms. Stieglitz will bring this project to the attention of the Center Committee, Ms. Rebecchi will confer with Economic Development Director Melisa Tintocalis, and Mr. Levison will confer with Selectmen Liaison Michelle Ciccolo on how best to involve the Selectmen in this project. 4. FY15 Town Report Mr. Levison presented a draft of TAC's contribution to the FY15 Town Report. Minor changes to the draft were suggested. Action item:. Mr. Levison will present a revised draft to be considered at the October meeting. 5. Member Reports Mr. Levison reported that Ms. Ciccolo planned to request the Selectmen to resubmit a letter to the MBTA Manager regarding late night and weekend service to Lexington. This letter was written in response to Article 14 of the 2014 spring Town Meeting and sent to the previous MBTA manager, from which there was no reply. TAC members questioned the advisability of requesting expanded service from the MBTA given the current financial situation. Mr. Levison also asked for volunteers to staff a TAC table at the October 1 Clarke Back to School Night and the October 17 Community Center Open House. Action items: Mr. Levison will follow up with Ms. Ciccolo regarding the letter to the MBTA. Mr. Levison and Ms. Rebecchi will accept volunteers for staffing TAC tables. 6. October Meeting The Committee agreed to conduct the October meeting in the evening and to allow an extended period for public comment relating to Lexpress routes. 7. TDM/PT Recommendation Mr. Levison presented a preliminary recommendation that $123,000 be withdrawn from the TDM/PT Stabilization Fund to provide $91,000 for FY17 Lexpress operations according to an agreed-upon formula, and $32,000 for theFY17 REV Bus operations as requested by Finance Director Robert Addelson. The Committee felt that the latter sum was excessive given the lower value that had been previously suggested by Mr. Addelson and that the difference between the previous and current requests might be justifiably taken from the General Fund because of lower than expected Lexpress operating costs in FY15. Action items: Ms. Rebecchi will report on the difference between budgeted and actual FY15 Lexpress operating costs. Mr. Levison will conduct further discussions with Mr. Addelson. Prepared by William H. Levison Materials used at the meeting: Agenda for the meeting Minutes of the June 8 meeting List of potential sites for bus shelters Lex-Connect program statistics Lexpress 6-year summary, FY10-FY15 Ћ Lexpress ridership annual summary, July 2014-June 2015 Quarterly changes in ridership Quarterly changes in rides per vehicle hour 2015 Winter storm adjustments Graphical display of ridership per vehicle hour Graphical display of Lexpress payment types Draft TAC contribution to the FY15 Town Report Lump sum TDM accounts as of 9/17/2015 TDM/PT component of the FY17 Transportation Budget Ќ