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DRAFT -- Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes
April 11, 2016
Members Present: Hank Manz, Co-Chair; Sara Arnold; Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch,
Francine Stieglitz
Members Absent: Bill Levison, Co-chair; Craig Weeks
Staff: Charlotte Rogers; Jeanette Rebecchi
1.Public comment:
None
2.Minutes:
Minutes from the March 14, 2016 meeting were approved, as amended. Vote: 4-0
(Ms. Dratch arrived after the vote was taken.)
3.Transportation Systems Update:
Ms. Rebecchi reported the following:
The drivers consistently have difficulty completing some Lexpress routes in 30 minutes or
less after 2:30 p.m. during the school year because of traffic and ridership demand. The
result is that routes are being skipped randomly to get the buses back on schedule before the
end of the day. It would cost approximately $17,000 to extend the service another half
hour; doing this would create an issue with the contractor because the drivers cannot legally
drive more hours in a day than they are currently performing.
Using a handout, Ms. Rebecchi recommended retaining the current routes but extending
the time allowed for the late afternoon trips by five minutes. This would provide a more
reliable schedule for the riders, but it would eliminate the last run of the even-numbered
routes. She noted that the buses are nearing the end of their reasonable life for this service
and the Town will be going out to bid for a new contract for Fiscal Year 2018; if the Town
wants to extend the schedule there would be the time to do so.
A motion was made and seconded to support the recommended schedule change
effective July 1, 2016, with the understanding that there will be a review of the impact in
October, although changes to the schedule would not be implemented at that time. VOTE:
4-0 (Ms. Dratch arrived after the vote was taken.)
Michelle Kelleher has been hired as the new assistant for the Transportation Office. She is
enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with.
A new coin counter was recently purchased.
The Patriots’ Day Parade is on April 18, and a Lexpress bus will be in the parade. Those
wishing to participate should call the Community Center by Friday to sign-up.
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On April 14, the Community Center is providing an opportunity for senior citizens who do
not currently have a senior Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority card to sign up for
a senior Charlie card that can be used for reduced fares.
A handout summarizes the results of a survey of Clarke Middle School parents. The new
late afternoon Lexpress schedule may work better for Clarke students than the current
schedule. Because Ridership by Clarke students is low, there was discussion about ways to
educate Clarke students about using Lexpress. A YouTube video showing how to use
Lexpress was suggested. Mr Manz will discuss this idea with his Scout troop because some
of the Scouts still need to complete a project to become Eagle Scouts.
4.Member Reports:
Mr. Manz noted that Article 10(g) (Massachusetts Avenue—three
intersection improvements) is scheduled for discussion at Town Meeting tonight. This
Committee previously voted to support the project because it is designed to improve safety and
facilitate traffic flow in East Lexington; the latter would help public transportation keep to
posted schedules. It was agreed that Mr. Manz could share TAC’s support at Town Meeting, as
appropriate.
Mr. Manz plans to invite Elaine Celi, School Department Transportation Coordinator, to
a future TAC meeting. It may help for TAC to hear directly about the school department’s
transportation challenges.
5.Selectmen Goals:
TAC has been asked to submit recommended goals to the Board of
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Selectmen (BoS) by May 27. This triggered a review of the recommended goals submitted by
TAC in 2015 and the following discussions:
TAC would like a taxi stand in Lexington center. Mr. Manz, who is on the BoS’s Policy
Committee, volunteered to request a meeting of the Policy Committee to discuss this issue.
A Lexington parent has created an ‘app’ called Sociali to facilitate carpooling. Mr. Manz
will ask the parent to attend a future meeting.
The next Lexpress contract should include a requirement for cameras on the buses that log
activity on the bus and a view from the front windshield.
It was agreed that suggestions should be forwarded to Ms. Rebecchi, who will compile
them for the next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 5:12 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sara Arnold
Materials presented at the meeting:
Agenda
Minutes
Clarke Middle School Survey Results
Memo from Ms. Rebecchi to Ms. Rodgers regarding FY17 Lexpress Schedule Change
Proposal
Memo from BoS to committees regarding Selectmen’s Annual Goal Setting, April 1,
2016
TAC’s 2015 recommended goals for the BoS