HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-23-TAC-min Summary of Transportation Advisory Committee
July 23, 2008
Present: TAC members: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Hank Manz (Selectmen
liaison), Danny Moraff, Francine Stieglitz, Richard Canale (Planning Board liaison)
Staff: Gail Wagner
Guests: Ed Ganshirt, Richard Thuma.
Public Comments
➢ Richard Thuma is a resident of Wood Street who has traffic concerns regarding proposed
Hartwell Ave development. He suggested improved MBTA routing on Hartwell. He also
suggested that potential Hartwell TDM contributions be applied to improved Lexpress
service, such as mid-day shuttles. Mr. Thuma would like the MBTA Charlie Card to be
accepted on Lexpress.
➢ Ed Ganshirt described his work commute from Lexington transferring at the Burlington
Mall to the Lowell Regional Transit Authority (LRTA). Lexpress Route 5 under its
summer schedule incorporates the Mall at 7:3 Dam. And, as of August 25, Route 5 will
start at 6:35 am and is most likely able to incorporate the Mall. Gail will alert Ed as to
feasibility after a few days of running the 6:35 am start time. Ed noted the LRTA
connection is not well known. Ed was encouraged to submit a letter to the Minuteman
promoting Lexpress transfers to LRTA. This connection is listed on Lexpress schedules.
TAC Reappointments
➢ Elaine Dratch and Francine Stieglitz accepted TAC reappointments. Hank will
investigate an honorary appointment for Don Graham whose term is ending. TAC has
openings and recruitment efforts by Francine at the Sidewalk Committee will be pursued.
Lexpress FY08
➢ Gail shared some highlights: 8% increased ridership of which largest gain in Senior
riders; increased TDM contribution; reduced staff costs as the Lexpress staff budget is no
longer linked to parking administration. Net cost per ride was reduced to $3.48 per ride
(reduction of$1.57 per ride).
Pass Sales
➢ Gail reported student pass totals for each route and noted all can be accommodated. Gail
inquired if there is a rush on Lexpress passes, as last year, should limits be set on student
pass sales per route? Gail will review FY 08 pass data to predict student limits.
➢ Hank reported that there would be a meeting of the Selectmen, School Board and Capital
Expenditure Committee to discuss finances and more cooperative town efforts. The
school bus and Lexpress overlay was raised as one such cooperative effort. Pros and cons
of a coordinated high school bus pass were discussed.
Route Requests
➢ With record setting gas prices, more citizen requests to extend or incorporate Lexpress
service were received. A summary was compiled by Gail and will be tracked to see if any
route changes will be suggested next year.
American Public Transit Association(APTA)
➢ Danny was one of 50 high school students selected to attend an APTA conference in
Washington, DC. Environmental issues were emphasized. Other topics of note:
cooperative Business efforts, such as discounts for transit riders or bicyclists; coalition
building; federal funding.
Google Transit
➢ Town Manager signed agreement required to initiate this program developed by Danny.
Traffic Demand Mitigation (TDM)Updates
➢ Starwood's one-time payment of$200,000 was received. Town Meeting must appropriate
to an interest bearing account.
➢ Patriot Partners occupancy will be monitored given Shire's emerging presence. When
50% capacity is achieved, annual TDM payment increases by $10,000 (added to original
$10,000 with recognition of the accrued CPI adjustments to date).
➢ Watertown Bank at 1025 Waltham Street opened July 1. Annual TDM payment is $3,500
with an annual CPI adjustment.
➢ Lahey Lexington at 16 Hayden TDM agreement will be reviewed by town counsel
regarding extension of TDM payments as suggested by the Traffic Mitigation Group. The
TDM document specified annual payment of$4,000 for a"minimum of 10 years." This
period expired in January, 2008.
Transportation Mitigation Group (TMG) Updates
➢ Economic Development Officer is composing a letter to the MBTA requesting added
service on Hartwell Ave. Businesses on Hartwell Ave met to discuss starting bus shuttles
to and from regional transportation hubs.
➢ Selectmen have endorsed the Route 4/225 corridor as a candidate for CTPS high traffic
volume study. Location of Hanscom and possible Cyber Command Center on Route
4/225 were to be emphasized.
➢ Lexington is working in conjunction with Lincoln, Waltham and Weston to develop a
regional traffic mitigation program. It is hoped that Bedford and Burlington will join this
effort. The impetus is several proposed Waltham developments projected to generate an
added 100,000 trips per day along Route 128.
➢ Planning Board appears to have made little progress in crafting a revised Traffic Demand
Mitigation (TDM) policy as highlighted at Town Meeting.
Prepared by Gail Wagner, July 30, 2008