HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-10-30-TAC-min.pdf Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
October 30, 1991
Present: Sara Arnold, Elizabeth Andrews, Carole Sonduck, Lynn Burgin,
Nick Santosuosso, Pauline Burke
1 FY93 Budget
Reviewed costs to maintain current service and fare structure. S. Arnold gave background
on budget process.
Directive from Town Manager to cut budget. Extremely difficult for LEXPRESS because of
contractual services which are bulk of expense.
Last year cut back to six routes affecting many people who still inquire if resuming Reed
Street, or Cedar and Freemont, or Burlington Street areas again. Callers encouraged to write. Route
#4 ridership has dropped.
2. MBTA 's role
C. Sonduck mentioned state (EOTC) is reviewing mass transit at area meetings. Sonduck
to go to Waltham on Nov 12 and willing to offer opinion.
TAC identified issues for informal statement including maintaining or increasing support for
local programs; better communication on bus service and routing; relationship of request for Waltham
link and need for increasing cap on subsidy and developing cooperative spirit as ADA issues are
addressed.
3. Fare Revenue Projections
Actual FY91 revenue and 12 months ending 9/91 used to project FY93 fare revenue
conservative estimate of$57,500. If fare simplification proposed,should result in approx. 5% revenue
increase, or $60,375 for budget purposes.
Struggle with fare increase because also may lose ridership. However wise to put in some
increase to show not ignoring need to increase revenue.
Agreed to include 5% fare increase in budget.
4 Budget Options
Town Manager asked for budget showing no increase, a budget showing 2% decrease and
another identifying a 20% decrease.
No increase in budget would mean a loss of approx. $20,500
Because of fixed contract costs, maintaining current service level means showing approx.
8% increase.
Discussion about whether budget should be submitted showing any service cuts. In view
of cuts made last year any reduction to realize 2% savings would adversely impact ridership. 20%
reduction would dismantle system and Town would have to decide whether to go to alternate service.
5. Alternate revenue sources.
References to privatization of services, importance of cost per ride. Creative marketing.
Local businesses could purchase passes or tickets for their employees with incentive. Seek corporate
donations. Using personal contacts for random fundraising campaign is a lot of effort for very little
return. Reluctant to deal with bus advertising but may resort to rather than lose LEXPRESS.
6. Budget recommendation
Submit budget showing least amount of increase without cutting service.
Emphasize return of approx. $30,000 for FY91 as positive point when submitting budget.
If personnel costs reduced, commensurate reduction in work load should be recommended,
streamlining fares to eliminate time-consuming procedures.
In order to get to 2% total budget reduction, not only have to increase fares but reduce
service which means either cutting Saturdays or an hour in middle of day when seniors ride.
Committee struggled with recommending any increase in budget but took position
recommending funding current level of service, with 5% fare increase, requiring an 8% increase in
appropriation.
TAC Minutes, 10/30/91 Page 2
Even with tough times, TAC not willing to recommend budget reductions of 20% or even
2%. While coordinator may say to Town Manager that only way to reduce 2% is to cut Saturdays,
committee does not support this.
TAC reminded that this is the first run of budget, there is time to play with options.
7 Larger Back Up Vehicle/LEXPRESS vehicle
Question of how long to use and how much to pay for use of the Iveco.
Arnold and Burke brought committee up-to-date on use of Iveco.
Also A-Conn was awarded Framingham LIFT bus contract on October 1 and is using one
LEXPRESS fleet vehicle which is under Lexington contract to cover routes there while using the Iveco
as back-up in Lexington. In addition a non-fleet vehicle with LEXPRESS signs and markings, not under
contract to Lexington, is also being used. Committee annoyed at use. Appears LEXPRESS vehicles
made difference on whether or not A-Conn could start Framingham contract. When new LIFT vehicles
delivered, one LEXPRESS vehicle to be returned to Lexington, the other will have signs covered.
Town should get a better deal since Iveco service not adequate because not being used
enough; fourth fleet vehicle getting heavy use; will need larger vehicle until June; money constraints;
Waltham solution by January not realistic. TAC needs to make recommendation to Rick
concerning permission for A-Conn to use the vehicle in Fram. and the value attached to that, and
whether Town should be paying as much for use of Iveco.
Town's leverage is its ability to assess liquidated damages of $500 per day for every day
contractor used fleet vehicle in Framingham without permission. Compare to prior contractor paying
town $25 per day to use vehicle for shuttle.
Rick may decide to negotiate. Arnold and Burke to put together memo.
3. Accessibility
Since last meeting, T will release contract asking for plan description regarding ADA
compliance.
TAC needs to evaluate and come up with plan of action that will go to Town Manager and
Selectmen for review It needs to address not only complying with law but impact on current system
and financial implications. Cannot be a superficial plan; will have to address issues affecting present
LEXPRESS service.
If considering increase in chair car contract, would have to be bid.
Lengthy discussion on how to identify and meet the needs of those who are disabled.
Possibly should contact organizations regarding potential use: Enablement committee, Council on
Aging, Share-A-Ride, school dept. recreation dept. Minuteman Home Care and housing authority
Should present options to Town Manager and Selectmen to get direction of how to proceed.
If contacting organizations, may ask for list of names and addresses of those who are transportation
handicapped, and ask general questions about clients' destinations, use, time of day etc. L. Burgin
and N. Santosuosso volunteered to be contact persons to gather information.
9. Depot Square improvements Project on hold for now while DPW working out problem of
complicated brick pattern and whether alternative can be developed.
10. Waltham link no progress until after elections over
11 Requests for return of pass money
Parent wrote requesting return of pass money to Jane Perset who moved back to France at
the beginning of September Committee decided to make exception and return $55 prorated from
October in interest of goodwill.
Parent requested return of$12 replacement pass money for student whose wallet was stolen
at school. Committee decided against making exception and stood by policy to charge for replacement
regardless of reason.
12. Holiday Service Burke will contact Burlington Mall to request donation for holiday service,
including Sundays.
Pauline D. Burke, Coordinator ,../C 01( {:1z-�