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Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) Minutes
June 12, 2017
Lexington Community Center (LexCC), Room 245
Members present: Bill Levison, Co-Chair; Hank Manz, Co-Chair; Sara Arnold; Susan Barrett;
Sally Castleman; Su Shen
Members absent: Elaine Dratch;
Staff: Charlotte Rodgers, Human Services Director; Jeanette Rebecchi, Transportation
Manager
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 PM.
Minutes:The minutes of the April 4, 2017 meeting were approved by unanimous vote of those
present. Vote: 5-0. (Mr. Shen arrived after the vote was taken.)
Transportation Update:Ms. Rebecchi and Ms. Rodgers reported the following:
The “Learn Lexpress” event at the middle schools was successful, with students
responding positively to the experience of being escorted on an introductory ride to the
LexCC. Some students had to be turned away due to lack of space. Suggestions for a
future such event included hosting students for ice cream in Lexington center, having a
large map to show the routes, and developing a script of things to share with the
students.
Checker Cab in Woburn was the low bidder for providing the LexConnect service,
starting July 1. Fares will remain the same for the customer. The Town will be charged
slightly more for in-town trips, but less for out-of-town trips. Information about the new
vendor is being shared with riders. Neither bidder offered wheelchair accessible
vehicles, which was a feature requested by a concerned resident. The Ride provides
comparable service for those needing such accessibility.
There has been no further communication from the MBTA regarding its proposal to
remove some of the MBTA bus stops in Lexington.
Exterior Design for New Buses: Ms. Rebecchi presented four options for the shrink-wrap
design to be used on the new buses, scheduled to begin operating in July. It was generally
agreed that Option 4 was the best, although the horse’s nose extended too far toward the
bottom of the bus, and the neck appeared to be too thick.
Recommendations for Board of Selectmen (BoS) Goals: Mr. Levison initiated a review of
the goal recommendations that this Committee submitted to the BoS in June 2016. Updates and
changes were discussed based on comments from Committee members, staff, and
Michelle Ciccolo, this Committee’s liaison from the BoS who discussed the goals with
Mr. Levison prior to the meeting. Comments included the following:
The School Department is significantly reducing its program to transport elementary
students to after school programs.
Parents at Diamond Middle School would like the Lexpress bus to drive up to the front of
the school building.
Senior citizen Lexpress ridership has been increasing, while student ridership has been
decreasing; programs need to be flexible so that changes can be made in response to
demand.
There are a number of challenges related to installing bus shelters, including cost,
location, and the Town By-Law that does not allow advertising on such.
A recent town-wide survey may have some interesting transportation-related data.
The Town will prepare an updated Comprehensive Plan
The Town is seeking to become a designated Age-Friendly Community. Transportation
plays an important role in being so designated.
The Rev Hartwell Avenue Shuttle has experienced increases in ridership over the past
three years, but the Town continues to subsidize its operation, using funds from the
Transportation Demand Management Stabilization Fund.
It was agreed that Mr. Levison and Mr. Manz would edit the goals submitted in 2016, as
discussed, for submittal to the BoS by Friday.
Member Reports: Mr. Levison reported that Francine Stieglitz, a former member of this
Committee, had forwarded a letter from Tom Raposa, a veteran who would like Sunday MBTA
service. It was noted that the Town has little control over the MBTA routes but the MBTA is
updating its service plan for FY2018, which could include some changes.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
Materials presented at the meeting:
Agenda
Design Options for the new Lexpress buses
Memo to BoS from TAC with FY2017 and FY2018 Recommended Goals for BoS,
June 6, 2016
The Rev Bus, Hartwell Area Shuttle, Comparison of first quarter ridership, 2015-2017,
128 Business Council data