HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-04-08-TAC-min Lexington Transportation Advisory Committee
Tuesday April 8, 2003
7:30 PM, Room 111
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Diane Pursley Ed Ganshirt Francine Stielglitz
Sara Arnold Ben Turk Gail Wagner
1. Transporatation Options Day,May 15. The Bicycle Advisory and Traffic Safety Advisory
Committees will join TAC in sponsoring this event.Erna Greene attended as a
representative of the Bicycle Advisory Committee.
LEXPRESS will offer free rides on May 15. Balloons will be tied to benches at the Depot
Square boarding area.MBTA will be asked if balloons can be affixed to some Lexington T
stops.
"Smart Tripper" stickers with a LEXPRESS image have been printed for distribution to
LEXPRESS riders.
Arrangements have been made with Ruth Lynn of the Children's Library to promote the
event through display of children's drawings depicting travel options. The display is
scheduled throughout National Transportation Week,May 11 through 17.
Announcements have been sent to the COA,PTAs, and Children's Library Newsletters.It
was suggested that the event be posted on the Town's Web site. Ad space in the LHS
newspaper will be pursued.Diane Pursely is crafting large signs to be part of the
LEXPRESS presence in the Patriot's Day Parade.
2. Smart Tripper.After review and approval by Dr.Richard Grandmont,Director of
Elementary Education,copies were presented to all elementary principals for distribution
to each fifth grade teacher.In addition, each principal was provided with two additional
copies for the school's library.
The Smart Tripper is also available at the Lexington's Children's Library.
3. Patriots Day Parade. An announcement appeared in the Senior Center's April Newsletter
inviting seniors to be part of the parade by riding on LEXPRESS. A sigh up sheet is at the
reception desk at the Senior Center. Sara Arnold,Diane Purlsey,Francine Stielglitz and
Erna Greene indicated that they would participate in the parade event.
4. LEXPRESS. March ridership was up 8%compared to the same period last year.
Fare analysis based on collected fares compared to recorded riders demonstrated 2,916
additional LEXPRESS riders during the past 9 months. Analysis will continue for the
remainder of FY03.Bill Levison will be asked to explore macro computer applications to
efficiently compare fares to recorded riders.
Youville Place. As a follow up to a request by Youville Place for door-to-door
LEXPRESS service,the director was asked to survey residents to identify activities and
counts of interested riders to determine feasibility.
Lexington to Waltham Express Service. An AM and PM route down Waltham Street
with two Waltham stops,Bacon at Main and South Street Commuter Rail Station
is being explored.It would provide Lexington commuter with more options regarding
access to MBTA bus routes and Fitchburg to North Station rail service. Waltham
CitiBus was contacted to solicit any concerns. Waltham not only supports the idea,but
expressed an interest in running a parallel service from Waltham to Lexington Center.
5. Override. Elaine Dratch investigated the application of parking funds identified in the
FY 04 budget to ensure Chair Car service and possibly a scaled back LEXPRESS
Service.Ms.Dratch learned that parking funds couldn't be used for this purpose. It was
the consensus that the Override is the best funding option for LEXPRESS at the present.
Ideas for securing a more secure budget platform were discussed.Presentations to civic
groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce and Museum of National Heritage,were noted.
6. Minutes from April 8,2003 were accepted.
7. Next Meeting. Tuesday,May 13,2003.