HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-08-03-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee
Date: August 3, 2010
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Peter Levy
Members Absent: Larry Link, Danny Moraff, Francine Stieglitz
Liaisons: Nancy Adler - COA
Guest: Monica Tibbits, Executive Director, 128 Business Council (128 BC)
Staff: Gail Wagner
Minutes from TAC Meeting of June 21, 2010 approved.
128 BC Presentation by Monica Tibbits
➢ 128 BC's mission is to reduce traffic congestion along Route 128. Specific efforts:
promote SOV reduction (goal 15% to 20% SOV reduction), promote public transit,
maintain commuter bus shuttles to and from Alewife MBTA station, maintain car pool
data base, provide guaranteed ride home (taxi or car rental: infrequent occurrence — used
about 12 times yearly), bike buddy (match bike riders seeking commuting partner).
➢ 128 BC comprised of 40 member companies ranging from small to large. Bus shuttles
provided 300,000 rides last year placing it 2 nd or 3 rd behind MBTA in regional commuter
volume.
➢ Businesses involved in the Alewife bus shuttle number 15 to 17.
➢ Bus routes run 4 hours in both AM and PM. Due to traffic volume, AM shuttle routinely
experiences delays of 10 to 15 minutes. PM routes more predictable.
➢ Shuttle Bus Routes: Alewife Route A (south Lexington and north Waltham), Alewife
Route B (Waltham), Windsor Village, Bentley College, South Side Shuttle (includes
Riverside MBTA, Brandeis). Shuttle serviced by 4 buses, but expansion to 5 or 6likely.
➢ Bus contractors: M &Land Locomotion.
➢ Shuttle bus is most effective in reducing traffic with car pools ranked second.
➢ Van pools are not prevalent. Total van pool count is 6 or 7.
➢ Reverse commute from Lexington for residents to Alewife is possible. Shuttles open to
the public for $5 fare per ride. Ideal stop would be south Spring St, last stop prior to
Alewife return. Note: Public parking on private property not supported by businesses in
South Lexington to date.
➢ New directions by Ms. Tibbits: improved website, GPS tracking, traffic cam, LEED
certification guidance (TMA participation counts for LEED points).
➢ MBTA has been contacted to expand service along Hartwell Avenue.
➢ Staff composition: executive director, operations director (manages shuttles), TMA
program manager.
➢ Consultants are used for marketing and pricing. Pricing is most important to a successful
TMA and is guarded as a trade secret.
➢ 128 BC has a Board of Directors composed of 10 members primarily developers and real
estate professionals. No new member in past 7 or 8 years. Looking to expand
membership with inclusion of community representation, CDCs (Community
Development Councils ?) and environmental justice advocates.
➢ Current 3 tier membership fees: developers (based on square footage); employers (total
number of employees); associate (amalgam of developers and employer scales). A
simplified membership funding system is being developed.
➢ If the value of town membership in 128 BC cannot be justified, periodic community
forums are being considered as a method to increase community involvement.
➢ 128 BC bylaws are being updated.
State TMA information presented by Monica Tibbits
➢ TMA participation is encouraged through special permitting process.
➢ MA has ten (10) TMAs. Most TMAs operate as non - profits.
➢ Bus shuttles are run by 3 or 4 of the total state TMAs.
➢ Range of TMA activities vary by location.
➢ Developers should carry major TMA cost.
➢ Cost of shuttle bus subsidy must match the ridership. Costs need to be corrected
accordingly.
➢ Ideas for companies to reduce SOVs: telecommuting, flex time, subsidizing shuttles, gift
card incentives, limiting parking spaces, payment for transit passes, joining TMA.
➢ Oversight of companies is a big component. Towns enforce TMA participation, not
TMA.
➢ Incentives to meet targets good TMA policy.
➢ Companies need to live up to TDM obligations, especially by encouraging employees to
reduce SOV dependency.
Hartwell Avenue Overlay TDM District comments by TAC
➢ TMA policy should include specifics.
➢ 128 BC list of member services will be refined. TAC example " SOV reduction
incentives."
➢ Steps to develop TMA should be outlined.
➢ Developers' financial backing of TMA needs to be addressed.
➢ TAC members' comments should be emailed to Peter Levy who will incorporate into a
statement to be presented to the Planning Board in early September.
Cranberry Hill Contribution to Lexpress
➢ Vote taken and motion passed for a letter based on calendar year 2010 to be sent to
Cranberry Hill Associates regarding a voluntary donation.
➢ The donation is based on Lexpress service to the front door of Lahey Lexington
(property owned by Cranberry Hill) eight times per day. Lexpress provides the only
public transit service in this section of Lexington.
Lexpress FY10 Data
➢ Total ridership is down by 2,238 from FY09.
➢ Drop in student riders is the most significant loss.
➢ Seniors, as in the past years, represent the biggest gain by category.
Lexpress FY12 Budget
Bill distributed handouts tracking TDM allocation and Lexpress FY 12 costs.
Handouts
Agenda
TAC Minutes June 21, 2010
FY06 -FY 10 Lexpress Annual Data
TDM Appropriation FYI
Time - Limited Lexpress Accounts
TDM Stabilization Formula
Lexpress FYI I -FY12 Budget %
Recorder: Gail Wagner
Editor: Bill Levison