HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-01-23-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee Minutes
January 23, 2017; 7:00 PM
Lexington Community Center
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Susan Barrett, Elaine Dratch, Hank Manz,
Co -Chair
Members absent: Bill Levison, Co -chair
Pending Member: Su Shen
Staff: Charlotte Rodgers, Director, Human Services
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM. Introductions were made. It is anticipated that Mr.
Shen will be appointed to this committee by the Board of Selectmen in the near future.
Minutes: The November 14, 2016 Minutes were approved with an addition regarding a request
to include ridership efforts on future agendas. VOTE: 5 -0
The Minutes included a reference to Minuteman Tech boardwalks not being plowed. Mr. Manz
reported that the Town does not plow boardwalks because it is not safe to use snow removal
equipment on them.
Ms. Rodgers reported on the reference in the Minutes to Joe Pitta's request for bus service into the
Minuteman Tech school grounds at the 9:00 AM and 2:15 PM times to assist a student who has a
work -study assignment in Lexington center. He called again, and Ms. Rodgers suggested he
discuss this with the school education department because the student, who has an Individual
Education Plan, may be eligible for transportation provided for such students. Ms. Rodgers added
that there may be additional students who need such services for their work -study assignments.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the Lexpress route that goes close to Minuteman Tech has the
extra time to provide the service. This is considered an issue best handled by Ms. Rebecchi,
Transportation Manager, after her return from maternity leave. Mr. Manz agreed to discuss the
issues with Dave Horton, Lexington's Minuteman Tech school board representative.
Transportation Systems Update: Ms. Rodgers shared ridership data and discussed comparisons
between the second half of 2015 and the second half of 2016. Although senior citizen ridership
has been increasing, there has been a decline in student ridership since the Town returned to
subsidizing school bus passes. A school bus pass for the year, if purchased before a certain date, is
now $300, or $350 with the Flexpass option that includes use of Lexpress in the afternoons. The
Lexpress pass for the year is $350. It was agreed that demographic trends need to be understood
because of their influence on ridership.
Ms. Rodgers described plans for a spring Ride Lexpress Day that is being planned by Ms. Rebecchi
for Clarke Middle School students. Students will be escorted by staff from Clarke to the
Community Center. They will learn about using the system and safety rules. Food will be
provided. This may be followed by another such day at Diamond Middle School.
Ms. Rodgers reported that software for counting ridership is still being developed. When
complete, drivers will use a tablet to count riders, and the data will be automatically available in
the Transportation Services office. This will eliminate a lot of hand counting and tabulating.
Ms. Rodgers agreed to find out why there is reference to selling tickets on board the buses. This
may be referring to adult round -trip tickets.
New Lexpress Bus Contract: Ms. Rodgers reported that the contract, effective July 1, 2017, has
been awarded to M &L, the current contractor. They will be providing four Glaval buses with Ford
chassis, all in the same color scheme and all to be available for Lexington use during Lexpress
hours. The Ford chassis is considered more durable than the Chevy chassis, which was proposed
by the only other bidder. The M &L buses will be equipped with security cameras. The cost of
contracting for the buses will increase almost $100,000, when comparing FY2017 to FY2018
M &L is negotiating with the bus vendor, requesting that one of the four buses have a low -floor,
without a price increase. This would be a pilot project, because, to -date, low floor buses on the
Ford chassis have not been brought to New England. The low floor bus greatly reduces the
loading and unloading times associated with serving wheelchair riders.
In response to Mr. Shen's questions, it was reported that Lexpress is currently receiving $50,000
annually from the MBTA, about $80,000 in fares annually, and about $89,000 annually from
Transportation Demand Management (TDM) funds. TDM funds have been contributed by
Lexington businesses when building or expanding facilities and are part of traffic mitigation
efforts. The balance is covered by the Town. It was noted that TDM funds are also being used to
subsidize The Rev, a commuter bus that travels between Hartwell Avenue businesses and Alewife.
Future Meetings: It was agreed that ridership efforts would continue to be included on agendas.
In response to a question by Mr. Shen, it was reported that routes are generally reviewed each
spring.
Other: Ms. Dratch reported that she has been asked to serve on an MBTA committee to look at
citizen suggestions and concerns. Although she would not be officially representing TAC, she
would keep TAC informed of any relevant issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Sara Arnold
Materials presented at the meeting:
• Agenda
• Lexpress Summary Report: Ridership / Revenue, 2nd quarter of FY2017
• November 23, 2016 Memo from Jeanette Rebecchi to Carl Valente, Town Manager and
Ms. Rodgers regarding Lexpress Contract Vendor Selection
Approved