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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-11-TAC-min Minutes for Transportation Advisory Committee September 11,2007 Present: TAC members: Sara Arnold, Elaine Dratch, Sally Castleman, Bill Levison, Hank Manz, Danny Moraff, Gail Wagner. Others in attendance: Bill Hadley, Ajisa Bethiel, Randy Bethiel Citizen Input ➢ Ajisa and Randy Bethiel are parents of a LHS pass holder on Route 1 who are displeased with the bus coming late in comparison to past years and want something done to improve the situation. ➢ It was explained that an increase in student ridership has resulted in arrival time issues for the second runs of the morning on Routes 1,3 and 5. Arrival times are being charted and improvement has been made from the opening days of school. It was emphasized that Lexpress is a public transit option and not a school bus. ➢ Gail restated options to Ms. Bethiel that had been provided in a phone conversation. Her son's Lexpress pass could be refunded and that the MBTA Route 62 is another public transit option given their residence. LHS AM Routes ➢ Charting of routes show that in recent days arrival times for Routes 1,3 and 5 are comparable to last year. ➢ Since Routes 1 and 2 are operated by the same bus and are both have large ridership, this bus is most vulnerable to delayed arrivals. Gail has met with the LHS Transportation Dean to confirm late arrival procedures. He would prefer if Lexpress as public transit did not enter school property due to vehicle congestion. Pass Sales ➢ Lexpress pass application on hold total 34. Fare box charting indicate that many LHS AM riders are paying with tickets or currency. Parents contacting the Lexpress office about the on hold status of pass applications report that their child is currently riding the LHS AM bus. ➢ It was decided that ridership and arrival time data will be posted on both the town website and LHS parent List Serve as well as late arrival procedures. ➢ On hold pass applicants will be called and told that passes will be sold based on the current operating conditions. ➢ New requests for passes will be put on hold until September 24 to permit continued monitoring. Potential Lexpress Schedule Adjustments ➢ If Lexpress LHS AM routes aren't arriving for students to be in class by the late bell, start times could be advanced. ➢ Joseph's Transportation charges to advance start time would be increments of 15 minutes. ➢ If TAC feels start times need to be advanced, the Selectmen must approve. Since the Lexpress budget could cover added cost, it is likely to be addressed as a Consent Issue. Lexington School Bus Policy ➢ The School Dept. and Town need to collaborate that town programs are complimentary. ➢ Lexpress planning for FY09 needs to encompass the school bus issues. Next Meeting: September 21, 2007