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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-28-TAC-minMinutes Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) 2/28/2023 Place: The meetfng was held remotely pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021 and its extension according to provisions of Governor Baker's March 12, 2020 Executfve Order. The Zoom teleconferencing session was open to the public. Scheduled time: 7:00 p.m. Members Present: Vinita Verma, Co-Chair; Pamela Lyons, Co-Chair, Sally Castleman, Kunal Botla, Mark Andersen, Jonathan Schwarz Member(s) Absent: Elaine Dratch Liaisons and Town Staff: Susan Barrett, Lexington Transportatfon Manager; Nishanth Veeragandham, Lexington Student Representatfve Others Present: Howard Cloth, Umesh Shelat, Oumah Masani Ms. Lyons reviewed the authorizatfon for meetfng remotely and noted that the meetfng was being called to order at 7:01 p.m. on February 28, 2023 by Chair V. Verma. Ms. Verma confirmed attendance by roll call. Public Comment Ms Barrett met a LHS student who offered to help with media creatfon as part of TAC’s marketfng campaign. Mr. Veeragandham will find his contact info and send it to TAC. Ms. Lyons asked if note-takers can always record votes in bold face. Fare Recommendations Mr. Andersen presented all the data he had collected, all the work and analysis he had done, and his recommendatfons for next year for an across-the-board annual pass for $20 with the goal to build back ridership. No more free rides. Hopefully, no more subsidized riders. He backed up his proposal showing the projected loss of revenue would be very slight. Mr. Andersen had sent out his work to TAC several days ago. See attached. In the discussion that followed, the committee settled on $2 cash fare for everyone, especially because the aim is for all riders to purchase a $20 pass. Mr. Botla and Mr. Veeragandham recommended something really simple and easily carried for students to show they own a pass, e.g. a stfcker that can go on a Charlie Card or on a Student ID or School Bus Pass. Mr. Botla suggested furthermore, integratfng the purchase through the schools, so when parents are purchasing school bus passes, they can also arrange purchase of a Charlie Card and a Lexpress pass (stfcker), the latter two requests being forwarded to the Lexpress office. Ms Castleman expressed concern that bus overcrowding could become a problem again because many parents will not buy school bus passes, only Lexpress passes. Ms Lyons countered that turning people away will be a good problem. Mr. Shelat added that it would make a strong case for the need for more buses and/or more frequent service, and also could be a good start for a cultural shift – that is needed. He also believes such bus service should be seen as a public service, not a revenue center. Mr. Botla liked the case that Mr. Andersen prepared, and he believes the Select Board like data backing up a proposal and showing why the results are achievable. Ms Castleman expressed 3 more concerns: (1) the Select Board wants a better ratfo of revenue to expense; (2) this model is not sustainable; (3) the current routes will not attract the number of riders we want and need. VOTE: Mr. Anderson made a clear comprehensive motfon for TAC’s recommendatfon for FY24: ● $2 fare for all student and adult riders ● $20 annual passes for all riders, unlimited rides (July 1 to June 30) ● A transitfon period untfl September 1 for anyone who currently has free daytfme fares ● Eliminatfon of free rides The VOTE was unanimously in favor. Mr. Botla will inform the Select Board of our intentfons by letter. Next meetfng we can begin to look at implementatfon. Marketing Mr. Botla and Ms Castleman presented a fairly comprehensive list of marketfng ideas developed by them and Mr. Veeragandham and visitor Oumah Masani. It had been sent out to TAC this a.m. In discussion following, Mr. Andersen added Lexington Patch, neighborhood orgs (e.g., S Lex Assoc, Merriam Hill Assoc), and email distributfons lists by Town Meetfng precinct lists. He also suggested that any map should include informatfon about Ride Systems. Ms Barrett informed TAC that the Colonial Times has granted her an ongoing column. Also Sean Dugan will put our suggested features in Link to Lexington. Another Lexpress presence is the Patriots Day parade. She asked for volunteers to ride on and/or walk with the bus in this year’s parade. Mr. Cloth added to the list Lexington At Home and offered to distribute any brochures directly. Ms Lyons offered that realtors that have welcome packs, could include something about Lexpress. Ms. Lyons also suggested that things posted to places with Link to Lexington start with something like “Did you know Lexpress goes to the Burlington Mall/Lahey Clinic in Burlington/Lahey Lexington/Arlington Heights!” Ms Barrett reminded us that the 128 Business Council can help in creatfng maps and with some of our marketfng. However, we will need funds for printfng and mailing. Mr. Botla offered the possibility of APRA money because all this pertains to recovering from COVID. Next steps: Create a more synthesized plan; find contacts for every org mentfoned; ask Sustainability Committee for ideas. Update on AD Hoc Committee this a.m. Good group, raring to go, huge charge/mission Joe Pato stated he asked the Town Manager to add a discussion item to Select Board agenda following Town Meetfng to discuss the recommendatfons of TriTown Transit peer review from 2019, specifically the holistic integration of transportation resources and updatfng town permitting processes to build incentfvized private sector partners for public transportatfon. Update on TSG+ meeting on Ped & Bike Master Plan Mr. Schwarz reported they had met the consultant, VHB, who will be working with the Town. There will be 5 focus groups and a Public Meetfng in April. Minutes Approved Minutes from January 10, 2023 and November 30, 2022 were approved. More Actions Before Next Meeting Mr. Botla will write up goals for TAC, and bring to next meetfng. Ms. Barrett will be tweaking routes. Mr. Andersen, Mr. Veeragandham and Mr. Botla volunteered to help. Adjournment The meetfng adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Respectiully submitted, Sally Castleman