HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-12-TAC-min Transportation Advisory Committee Minutes
Meeting Date: October 12, 2006
Attendees: Sara Arnold, Sally Castleman, Pat Goddard, Francine Stieglitz, Bill Levison, Gail Wagner
Lexpress RFP
Bill and Gail have worked cooperatively and the RFP is near completion. Bill has reorganized the
format to improve cohesiveness. A fuel adjustment clause has been included. Sara noted it has been
included in past RFPs. Specific background checks, CORI, have been recommended by the Police and
will be included under Contractor's Personnel requirements. Town legal counsel is to review wording of
CORI statement.
Release of the RFP has been postponed pending the Town Manager's decision to bid Lexpress and the
Liberty Ride together. A decision is anticipated on October 26 when the Town Manager will meet with
the Tourism Committee. If there is a joint RFP, Sara asked that it be structured so contract awards can
be made independently based on the best proposal rather than a single award to one vendor.
Lexpress Marketing
The annual Lexpress transit guide was mailed with the recent town tax bill. Sara recommended that next
year all companies making TDM payments to Lexpress be listed. It was raised that payments are part of
special zoning requirements and thus, a tax rather than a voluntary contribution. Gail will investigate for
next year. "Try Lexpress Days"began in September; last Friday of each month. Bookmarks have been
printed with the upcoming dates. Also, Lexpress pencils have been printed with contact information.
Eric represented Lexpress at the Clarke Middle Back to School night. Gail attended the Diamond Middle
School and Lexington High School events.
Patriots' Day Parade
TAC endorsed Lexpress continued participation in the annual Patriot's Day Parade as a joint venture
with the Senior Center. The parade will be held on April 16, 2007.
Veterans' Day
The Town was scheduled to observe Veteran's Day on Friday,November 10 as a legal holiday since the
actual date is Saturday November 11. However, Lexington schools will be open and the Town Manager
will keep Town Hall open. Consequently, Lexpress service will operate on Friday,November 10.
M & L Transit can accommodate this schedule change and the standard hourly rate applies.
Lexpress Accounts
FY06 fare revenues beyond the budgeted amount reverted to the General Fund on June 30. Sara
commented that this was the policy in prior years. TDM accounts will continue to be revolving accounts
(carryovers from prior years). A town decision to establish TDM interest bearing accounts remains
unresolved.
Scheduling Proposal
Prior to the meeting, Gail sent information presenting a Lexpress schedule change that would establish a
7:30 am start time throughout the year. It would eliminate efforts to tailor the first routes of the day to
the high school schedule and would require the School Administration initiating a high school AM only
bus fee. Lexpress would develop a student pass that would cost less than half of the full school bus fee.
Motivation for this proposal is near capacity ridership on several AM routes tailored to the high school
schedule, increased time to complete these routes, and inability of Lexpress to annually increase General
Pass to keep pace with escalating school bus fees. Questions were raised as to who on the School
Committee should be consulted, loss of Lexpress ridership and pass revenue. Gail suggested forming a
sub-committee. It was agreed to continue discussion at the next TAC meeting.
Next TAC Meeting: Wed, November 15, 7pm, Town Hall, Room 111
Prepared by Gail Wagner