HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-20-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee
Date: May 20, 2010
Members Present: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Larry Link,
Peter Levy, Francine Stieglitz, Gail Wagner.
Guest: Nancy Adler, COA
Senior Transportation
➢ Nancy Adler spoke of the growing senior population and need for travel options. COA
social worker, Barbara Deveau, is organizing a survey to track senior travel needs. Elaine
has submitted questions for the survey pertaining to Lexpress.
➢ Elaine suggested that RIDE statistics from the MBTA coordinator, Dottie Winn, may be
helpful.
➢ Elaine reviewed an outline of topics she would address as TAC representative at the June
8 COA Senior Transportation event. Gail will address Lexpress operations.
➢ TAC encourages seniors to voice travel concerns directly to TAC that advocacy can be
increased.
➢ Sara noted a comprehensive town transportation report issued in 1994 and suggested that
a current review may have value.
Lexpress Route Deviations
➢ Route 3 Express at 7:45am during the school year was approved. The Lexpress schedule
should clearly make the distinction between the Express and regular Route 3 runs.
➢ Route 5 at 4:30 and route 6 at 5pm into Diamond Middle School will end on June 1 due
to lack of riders. Gail will notify Diamond School and Howard Silver, petitioner of this
service.
➢ Route 4 extension from Hayden Avenue to Concord Avenue west of Waltham Street for
designated runs was approved on a one year trial basis. Information on student
enrollment in the area was requested of Gail.
➢ Peter suggested an alternate path that Gail will test. It is a loop from Hayden Avenue onto
Waltham Street to Concord Ave west.
Lexpress Updates
➢ Annual ridership compared to last year is estimated to be 2,000 fewer rides. The loss is in
reduced student ridership.
➢ Estimated fares are seen as $9,000 less than budgeted. Reduction is attributed to the sale
of fewer student passes.
➢ With Danny graduating, a new student TAC representative is desired. Recruitment will
include an announcement in the upcoming Lexpress pass renewal mailing.
Lexpress Rider Verification
➢ TAC in the early years of Lexpress recruited and scheduled TAC members to record rider
counts. TAC counts were compared to driver sheets to check accuracy.
➢ In 2003, Gail conducted an extensive comparison of rider counts to revenues. She found a
3% margin of error. Research through professional transportation associations could not
identify a standard margin of error. Gail was told that each system generates its own
margin and that human error is to be expected.
➢ MBTA periodically conducts rider checks on Lexpress routes.
Recorder: Gail Wagner