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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-19-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes October 19, 2015 Members Present: Bill Levison, Sara Arnold, Hank Manz, Elaine Dratch, Sally Castleman, Members Absent: Francine Stieglitz Liaisons: Nancy Adler, COA Board Staff: Jeanette Rebecchi Public comment period for FY 17 Lexpress schedule No one from the general public attended, but there were a few comments received by email, phone, etc. a.Request for more frequency afterschool on weekdays b.Support for the Flexpass c.Request for stop at LHS in winter after dark TAC talked about this a bit, especially about trial we had once run. But we see no reason not to try 5:00 and 5:30 routes at their end to connect with last center rides – unless there is usually too much traffic at those hours for it to be even plausible. 1.Accepted minutes from meeting of 9/21 2.Town report edits from committee accepted 3.TDM Mr. Levison and Mr. Manz met with Finance Director Rob Adelson and Economic Development Director Melisa Tintocalis. They expect the REV bus to improve business in the center. Annual operating cost is $175K. Most recent ridership figures: 1,000 rides/month, 250/month reverse commute. (Both are slowly increasing.) FY17 will be the second year that the Town has subsidized the REV. The goal is to have the REV function without a Town subsidy beyond FY18. Town Manager Carl Valente, Mr. Addelson, and Ms. Tintocalis are requesting $50K from the TDM/PT Stability Fund to support the REV for ’17. TAC has suggested that $91K be taken from the Fund for the Lexpress operating budget. Mr. Levison understands Mr. Valente plans to request a total of $135K for FY’17. TAC is concerned that the 20-year projections of TDM funds will be jeopardized by continuing withdrawals for the REV Bus. Mr. Manz expressed concern that there is no long-term plan for funding the REV. Ms. Arnold suggested withdrawing less from the Fund each year (for Lexpress) than specified by TAC's formula in order to preserve the 20-year projections. Mr. Levison and Mr. Manz will meet with Mr. Valente to discuss issues relating to the TDM/PT Fund and the REV Bus. 4.Transportation Systems Update (from Ms. Rebecchi) Rider counts. Ms. Rebecchi received a one-day sample count from CTPS, which showed that the drivers are under-counting riders. Ms. Arnold suggested that TAC pick a day and a bus soon for TAC members to take turns riding and keeping our own (accurate) counts. A Doodle will circulate to choose a date. MBTA bus shelter update. Ms. Rebecchi talked to Ms. Tintocalis and Town Engineer John Livsey. Ms. Rebecchi suggests a pilot shelter at Stop & Shop since it was a high ridership stop in the Historic District but not directly in the Center. The Town could potentially partner with the store on cost and maintenance. Ms. Rebecchi is researching bus shelters for aesthetics to present to the HDC since they may have concerns. Mr. Manz said the gold standard is Seattle. Marketing. Ms. Rebecchi will investigate displaying Lexpress information more prominently on the School website 5.Committee Leadership Mr. Levison noted the need for a new co-chair Ms. Rebecchi will see if an email can go out through the LPS parent listserve about recruiting a student rep. 6.Member Reports Mr. Levison and Ms. Arnold reported some interest in Lexpress at the Clarke Back to School Night. Parents expressed issues about students waiting for the bus following after school activities: (1) arrival times are inconvenient, and (2) students are not allowed to wait inside the school. Parents picking up students create excessive traffic. Ms. Rebecchi will discuss these issues with Ian Daily and Elaine Celi from the school dept. Schools may need to adjust the stopping times for after-school activities to enable students to use Lexpress. Ms. Dratch, and Ms. Castleman reported lots of interest in Lexpress and a constant flow of visitors at the Community Center open house on October 17. Mr. Levison summarized a telephone conversation with Selectman Michelle Ciccolo who said she will pursue a letter to the MBTA Manager concerning extended service to Lexington, and who also suggested that specific bus shelter designs used in other towns' Historic Districts be identified and presented to the Historic District Commission for feedback. There was a subsequent discussion about the merits of sending another letter to the MBTA. Some committee members had reservations. Prepared by Sally Castleman Edited by Bill Levison Materials presented at the meeting Agenda Minutes of the September 21 meeting Town Report item REV Bus funding plan REV ridership data