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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
JULY 27 1994
MINUTES
Present:
Liz Andrews, Sally Castleman, Betty Eddison, Ed Ganshirt, Barbara Lucas, Fred
Rosenberg, Sam Arnold presiding
Membership:
Sara Arnold advised TAC that there are openings on the committee and a need for more
participation from members. It was suggested that a letter be written to the Minute-man
recruiting new members and Liz Andrews expressed the opinion that a senior citizen rider
would be an appropriate addition to the committee. It was also noted that an interested
high school student should be recruited.
Meetings Schedule:
It was agreed that a regular meeting schedule would be helpful for members and TAC
members stated which days of the week they would be available for meetings. Barbara
Lucas said that her assistant would be assigned the responsibility of telephoning members
to schedule the next meeting.
Grant Proposals:
Barbara Lucas stated that she had applied through the schools for state reimbursement for
transporting students who live more than two miles from school. Reimbursement of
$20,000 for fiscal year 1993 is expected. A similar reimbursement might be made for fiscal
year 1994.
TAC was advised of state and federal Transportation Enhancement Funds designated for
rehabilitation of old depots and the Transportation Improvement Program which might
provide funding for the purchase of new buses. TAC discussed some of the issues
involved with owning buses, such as maintenance, and agreed that the issues would be
worth dealing with if this program would provide funding to buy buses. Sara Arnold
stated that she would contact Senator Havern regarding our interest in these programs.
Barbara Lucas explained the proposal that she submitted to the Metropolitan Area Planning
Council for a seasonal trolley shuttle between Lexington and Concord. TAC was
enthusiastic about aspects of the proposal including reducing traffic on Route 2A while
promoting tourism in the area, use of alternate fuel by the trolley shuttle, and providing a
public transportation link between Lexington and Concord.
1994-95 Transit Map:
Barbara Lucas reported to TAC that the map is ready to be printed and that all of the ad
space had been sold. A profit of about $1,100 was generated by the map. TAC agreed that
the map should reflect the bus stopping in the Stop and Shop parking lot on trips that take
senior citizens back to Greeley Village. Stop and Shop manager, Mr. Quinn, has agreed to
this arrangement.
Lexington Ridge Turnaround:
TAC was advised that the Route 2 bus is now going into Lexington Ridge, but the driver
cannot turn the bus around without backing up. Barbara Lucas stated that she would ask
the management of Lexington Ridge to remove some curbing to allow turning space for the
bus
Flyer:
TAC agreed that the flyer this year should be printed in red and white. This year will mark
the fifteenth birthday of Lexpress, so it was decided that a birthday design would be
appropriate for the flyer.
Hayden Avenue Lunch Shuttle:
Betty Eddison advised TAC that she had heard concern expressed by residents of Spring
Street regarding heavy traffic, and questioned whether a lunch time shuttle for employees
of area businesses would help the situation as well as reduce demand for lunch time
parking in the Center. TAC suggested that we try to determine how many cars leave these
area businesses for lunch in the Center. Further discussion continued as to whether a
shuttle could be a success as it would take a shuttle bus about fifteen minutes for the trip
into the Center and fifteen minutes to return to the area. This would allow only one half
hour in the Center during a standard one hour lunch period.
Miscellaneous:
TAC agreed that we would hold a birthday celebration for Lexpress on the Saturday of
Octoberfest. TAC decided that this plan assured that a crowd would be present for the
celebration, especially if we provided small slices from a huge sheet birthday cake.
Adjourned 10:15 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Andrews