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Home My WebLink About1983-11-21-TAC-min.pdf Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes - November 21, 1983 Present Jim Crain, Bill Covalucci, Larry Chait, Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Bea Phear, Elaine Dratch, Fill Mix. Barry Faulkner 6 30 - 6 45 Committee members reviewed with Jim Crain the issues of concern with Transcomm. 6 45 - 7 45 Bill Covalucci from Transcomm was present Jim Crain raised the issues that the Town has with the current contractor - Drop in ridership and revenue - The above issues are a result of Transcomm not following through on their commitments - The new equipment had been promised earlier { - The "good faith" relationship hasn't happened - The person who must "se$" the Lexpress article at Town Meeting may have a difficult time Sally Castleman stressed her further concerns - Revenue is the bottom line - Service is paramount - there is a lapse in driver training - Maintenance turn-around time has been very slow - Bill has been unavailable to the coordinator Bill Covalucci responded - Buses were ordered prior to Town Meeting He understands the loss to his company - the penalty starting December 1 for not having the new buses - He has people who spot check. Drivers who do not collect will be "instantly terminated" - He will put women on the buses on Friday, November 25 to do a passenger count 10-1 and 2-5 Sara's concerns - Larry is the new supervisor He was not always strict about collecting as a driver He must be forceful as the supervisor (Bea suggested reminding him of a strict teacher who was also good) - People slip by the driver - At Depot Square drivers must cover their fare boxes and then collect from everyone - Drivers tend to not care - Drivers need to be monitored - Drivers should try to learn street names Report on Equipment by Bill Covalucci - School bus equipment not usually on the road all day long The current vehicles are suffering - The past 2 weeks has been "horrendous" - Can't use other small buses because they are not DPU certified - New buses will have an extended warranty - to be serviced at Mirak which has diesel facilities - It was pointed out that any substitute vehicle must have signs - It was suggested that if a wagon is used after 3 00 P.M there should be two wagons Welcoming Ceremony - Scheduled for December 3 - Bill hopes to have 2 buses by then - Bill would prefer the ceremony on December 10 when he can have the buses for sure - Sally must get the artist lined up for planning the logo on the bus Sara raised the problems of her communication with Transcomm. - She can't reach Larry except through Joanne beeping him. Sometimes it takes a while to get a response She can't find out quickly if there has been a problem - She never gets direct answers from Bill - it is always through Joanne Bill never returns the calls - Bill says he is rarely in the office He now has a phone in his car so should be able to communicate better - Bill says the contract requires that Transcomm inform the coordinator of problems He will see that that is done Bill reviewed the most pressing issues - Getting the new buses here - Improving fare collection procedures - Be more accessible 7 45 - 8 15 The TAC reviewed the meeting with Bill C It was decided that probably the Welcoming Ceremony should be postponed until December 10 unless reports next week are very positive 8 15 - 8 45 Barry Faulkner from Cambridge Systematics was present Barry explained why he came - Cambridge Systematics is reviewing the area to be affected by the Alewife Station in order to make recommendation to the MBTA. - Bus re-routing may be necessary particularly around Davis Square, Porter Square and Alewife - Routes may be added, combined or extended - Trackless trollies are available, but few communities want the wire systems required - A questionnaire has been distributed on the buses - There will be a public hearing in mid-December - Workshops will be offered for core groups from the 14 communities - Final recommended plan to be submitted in June, 1984 - January 1985 - Alewife due to open Discussion followed - Some suggested considerations made by the Committee 128 area, Rt 2 feeders, Burlington/Lahey - Larry stressed the importance of allowing private contractors into Alewife - The issue of handicapped accessibility by private carriers was raised - Barry mentioned 2 costs an MBTA bus costs $50/hour; Fares are $1 - 1 75 - Parking at Alewife will be $2/day - The cost of getting to Alewife and back should be $2 or less 8 45 - 10 00 General Discussion - Should we train Lexpress drivers? Conclusion - no - Town Report pictures to be taken at Welcoming Ceremony - Gray Line has sold their Framingham routes; drivers now have no contract; negotiations are at an impasse There could be a strike - Wally Tonaszuck wants to move the Worthen Road stop to the pool parking lot for the winter - The Committee must review the budget but it makes sense to do this after we hear from the MBTA. - Tentative Meeting December 5 9