HomeMy WebLinkAbout1986-03-13-TAC-min.pdf TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE--March 13, 1986
Present. S Castleman, S. Arnold, E. Dratch, D Graham, L. Neumann
1 Review of budget and bids. We need to make sure the buses we get are
really diesels and not converted gasoline We need to deal with the DPU for
the buses. Arnold contacted the bidders about reducing hours. Safety
Transportation based their bid on 13,000 hours If they had thought it would
go to 9,000 the bid would have been higher
Bob Hutchinson and Norm Cohen had reported that we could go from 6 to 5
vehicles but if we wanted to ask for some old and some new vehciles we
would probably have to go out to bid again.
Vehicles--Discussed the Thomas Blue Bird and Carpenter Don Graham
thought the Thomas was the best We must insist on good vehicles.
Safety Transportation is associated with Peter Picknelli. Picknelli
operates Peter Pan which is one of the sharpest operations in the state right
now Reviewed the two contractors Safety Transportation will be
recommended unless something negative comes up as the Town looks into the
company.
2. Discussed possible Cuts: Should we try to save money by using old
vehicles? We have too much downtime now and Bob Hutchinson is reluctant to
continue with the curent buses Also we would have to go to bid again. Not a
good idea.
a. Cut three holidays--decided that we should make this recommendation.
b. 6 routes--Drawbacks•
Eliminates:
service to Diamond on current Route 7 at 7.30 a.m.
service to Middlesex Mall
Route 2 Bowman area that was originally solicited by
residents
Hayden pick up would be on wrong side of the street
some of densely populated E Lex area
Shade St. and 5 Fields
Freemont and Cedar and end of Reed St.
Bridge and Marrett
Grant St. and Meriam St.
Mall bus would only go by Greeley after the Mall, making it more
difficult for Greeley residents to get to the Mall
Route 4 becomes route 3 and may drop ridership because of 1/2
hour route.
Bridge School poor coverage.
Politically this could be like closing school
c Cut Saturdays--it is no longer our highest ridership day.
d. Cut one hour in the middle of the day.
e Cut 2 hours in the middle of the day--decided that this is not worth
continuing to consider
f Cut 2 morning hours in the summer
g. Cut one bus on Saturdays.
Discussed the options, dependening on the amount we might have to cut.
There was some preferrence to cutting to three routes over cutting Saturdays
if a large amount must be cut. We will present to the Selectmen the
alternatives, without a recommendation:
1 Cut midday 1 hour, cut holidays and cut an extra hour July and August.
would save about $26K.
2. The above, plus cutting Saturday, would save about $50K
3 Cut to a 6 route system would save about $70
If we can go to Town Meeting with a unified recommendation--our strongest
chance. If midday cut, it should be 11-noon to avoid the problem of half days
in the schools. If we cut to 6 routes people will have to relearn a lot.
2. Gray Line• Gray Line is cutting to 2 runs each morning and evening for the
last 2 weeks of service Well notify Hudson--he might want to step up
service and publicize sooner