HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-14-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
Meeting Date: June 14,2007
Attendees: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Elaine Dratch, Bill Levison, Eric Eid Reiner, Danny Moraff,
Francine Stieglitz, Gail Wagner
Bus Design
Emily Pittore, a friend of Eric, developed two designs that have been reviewed and approved by TAC.
Gail will meet with the distributor to determine feasibility of these designs and review vinyl color
samples. Gold was reaffirmed as the accent color. Gail will mention Emily, Lili Silvra and Reid Zurlo in
an upcoming Minuteman article as contributors to the new Lexpress design.
Lexpress Ridership
Compared to the prior year, ridership from July through April has increased 12%. Lexpress stats for
May show the rider to vehicle hour ratio at a healthy 8.2%. Fares are exceeding the estimated budget
figure largely due to increased ticket sales. Gail commented that increased pass fares initiated on July 1,
2006 resulted in a reduction of pass sales and an increase in ticket sales.
Financial Reporting
When Lexpress lost town financing in the 2003 override, TAC provided financial reports to the
Selectmen on expenses, revenues and end of year projections throughout FY04. Subsequently, Bill has
continued these monthly summaries. Sara complimented Bill on the clear format and it was established
that Bill would continue to generate them. The annual budget and monthly financial stats are the basis
of Bill's reports.
Annual Passes
School bus fares for the coming year were raised to $450 with no family cap. Parents have voiced
displeasure and it is anticipated many will look to Lexpress as a more economical option. To understand
projected ridership on specific routes, especially the first AM routes going to LHS, a line has been added
to the pass application identifying a pass holder's home route. Gail asked TAC for input regarding
limiting pass sales to students on routes to avoid not being able to accommodate pass holders. Pass
limits were not supported. However, TAC requested that a statement be included on the pass form and
pass policy identifying Lexpress as a public transit service that must follow safety practices for
maximum riders and if limits are exceeded, a rider must wait for the next scheduled bus. Sara said such
a clause was used previously. In the early years, Sara commented that lack of space on Lexpress buses
routinely caused riders to wait for the next scheduled bus.
MBTA Planning Workshops
Danny attended the MBTA planning session in Wakefield. Because Lexington's was not in his district,
he was unable to raise Lexington service issues. Danny plans to attend the Cambridge meeting next
week, which includes Lexington. Danny would like all regional routes, such as Lexpress, to be linked to
the MBTA computerized route finder system. Several months ago, Danny made a proposal to the
MBTA to provide Sunday service for Lexington and Bedford. He has refined his plan and hopes to
present specifics at the MBTA meeting. Danny has developed a Lexpress computerized route finder
linked to Goggle travel. A suggestion to install a GPS system on Lexpress was made by a resident, Omar
Kahudari. Danny will follow-up with this individual.
TAC will not meet in July. An August meeting date has yet to be established.
Prepared by: Gail Wagner