HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-09-19-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes
September 19, 2016
Lexington Community Center, Room 245, 7 PM
Members Present:
Bill Levison
Sara Arnold
Elaine Dratch
Hank Manz
Members Absent:
Sally Castleman
Craig Weeks
Staff: Jeannette Rebecchi (Transportation Manager)
Charlotte Rodgers (Director of Human Services)
Liaison: Nancy Adler (COA)
Guest: Susan Barrett
The meeting came to order at 7:30 PM, after the arrival of one member, making a
quorum.
1. Public Comment: None
2. Minutes: On a motion duly made and seconded, the minutes of August 15,
2016 were unanimously approved as submitted.
3. Transportation systems Update: Ms. Rebecchi, along with representatives
from Arlington and Bedford have been exploring a regional bike share
program with the Zagster.
4. Back to School Events: Ms. Rebecchi reported that she has been attending
various Back to School events to promote Lexpress and answer questions.
Ms. Rebecchi requested volunteers to attend the Back -to- School Night at
Diamond Middle School. Ms. Barrett will request that the Principals promote
the presence of a Lexpress representative at the Back to School Nights.
5. Town Report- Minor changes were made to the Draft Town Report. Mr.
Manz is trying to get various committees to produce more "active visuals ".
6. RFP for new bus contract. Ms. Rebecchi presented sample pictures and a
chart of two vehicle comparisons. She has concluded, and the TAC agreed,
that the transit bus is too expensive (almost 300K /unit) and too big a vehicle
for Lexington to consider. The discussion revolved around two standard
cutaway bus brands (the StarCraft and the Glaval). It appears that the
Starcraft is more of a "bargain basement" model -With possibly higher
maintenance costs. The Glaval brand is slightly more expensive. However, on
a test drive, it had better construction, a heavier frame, better aesthetics, and
is said to have fewer maintenance problems (and costs). TAC agreed that the
slightly more expensive "Glaval" model should be pursued. A motion to
support the Glaval bus, and the general recommendations of Jeanette was
made, seconded, and approved. Discussion ensued on how to word the RFP
evaluation criteria and what to include in the basic requirements. The Town
Procurement Director is assisting Ms. Rebecchi with the appropriate
wording.
7. TDM allocation. Mr. Levison presented a new approach to determining
what the TDM recommendation should be. He suggested that TAC should
take a certain percentage of the contract cost for our recommendation. The
committee decided to wait until we know more about the actual contract cost
for the new RFP.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaine Dratch.
Materials presented at the meeting
Agenda
Minutes of the previous meeting
Draft of TAC's contribution to the 2016 Town Report
Promotional materials for Starcraft and Glaval buses
Table of bus contract costs and TDM recommendations