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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-15-TAC-min Lexington Transportation Advisory Committee Wednesday, January 15, 2003 7:30 PM, Room 105 Meeting Minutes Attendees: Diane Pursley Ed Ganshirt Francine Stielglitz Sara Arnold Sally Castleman Gail Wagner 1. TAC. Due to health issues,Don Graham will resign as chair at the end of January. Sara Arnold and Diane Pursley have agreed to co-chair. Support was voiced for the concept of pairing a seasoned member and a new member. All TAC members will be notified prior to finalization. A perspective member,Francine Stielglitz,attended. Conflicts with the current TAC meeting schedule on Wednesdays were discussed and alternative days explored. Sara Arnold will solicit additional input from members prior to a decision. 2. LEXPRESS December ridership was up 8%compared to December 2001,increase of 482. A request to transport a bicycle on LEXPRESS was received. No policy exists and information will be sought from the MBTA and other suburban carriers. The annual MBTA contribution of$80,000 was received in December. Although no additional funds will be issued,the MBTA has requested their forms be submitted monthly. A formula to check revenue against rideship is being developed.A sample of a daily- computerized LEXPRESS ridership summary was distributed. 3. FY 04 Budget. The Selectmen are working on their version of the at-risk list. The TAC letter previously submitted to the Selectmen explaining the significance of LEXPRESS/Chair Car was submitted for publication in the Minuteman. An override vote is anticipated on LEXPRESS and to prepare, rider survey information will be sought as to length of time as a LEXPRESS rider,reasons for riding the bus,and options if LEXPRESS ceased operation. Names of riders who would endorse the service will also be compiled. 4. Transportation Demand Management. A bus shuttle from the Concord train station to Hanscom is planned.Chris Simpson,Hanscom coordinator, is interested in participating in any program to service Hartwell Avenue and Anderson Transportation Center in Woburn. The Planning Department sponsored a Traffic discussion in December as part of their comprehensive transportation plan and will host a bicycle/pedestrian meeting on January 22. 5. Marketing. A prototype of the Lexington adaptation of the Smart Tripper,coordinated by Bill Levison,will be shown to teachers for comments. Commercial support for mass printing was suggested. There are funds to address initial limited printing.Minuteman Tech and the Cotting School were noted as sources for reduced printing rates. LEXPRESS Free Rides. On three consecutive Saturdays,December 7, 14 and 21, LEXPRESS fares were suspended,excluding the Burlington surcharge.For the first two Saturdays,no increase in riders was noted. On the third,there was an increase of 60 riders compared to the prior year. The cost of this promotion in reduced fares compared to last year is$131. It seems like a worthwhile promotion that would benefit from increased publicity next year;LHS and TAC letter to the Minuteman. Ideas for promoting LEXPRESS at LHS and newspaper articles were raised. Senior Newsletter. Transportation notes were included in the most recent Lexington Senior Newsletter. Notes will appear periodically as submitted by the Transportation Services Office. 6. Transportation Awareness Day. A transportation day on a Spring weekday to promote transportation options, such as carpooling,walking,bus,bike,was raised. Promotion would involve all Town departments and committees. 7. Those in attendance accepted minutes from December 11,2002. 8. Next Meeting. Wednesday,March 5,2003.