HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-06-12-TAC-minLexington Transportation Advisory Committee
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
7:30 PM, Room 111
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Don Graham Sara Arnold Gail Wagner
Ben Turk Ed Ganshirt
1. FY 03 Budget. The LEXPRESS budget, including Saturday service, was finalized by Town
Meeting with the removal of contingency on the outcome of the PAYT referendum.
2. Woburn CitiBus. MBTA funding of this proposed service was rescinded, as was the 128
EXPRESS, running from Newburyport to the MBTA Alewife Station.
3. LEXPRESS Special Stops. As of July 1, 2002, Brookhaven, Countryside Manor and Locke
Village are no longer Special Stops. Access will be maintained from the established routes.
Brookhaven residents on the bus can request drop off at the Brookhaven office between 10
am and 2 pm.
4. Tourism Bus. A pilot project coordinator has been appointed. ADA compliance and tour
guides are ongoing issues. Don Graham and Gail Wagner rode the bus on the proposed
route and found it appealing. TAC involvement has been minimal.
5. Transportation Management. TAC had no input for the proposed Plant Action development
on Lowell Street. Hartwell Avenue TMA survey will soon be sent to Hartwell property
managers. Planning Department is currently interviewing consultants to conduct the
Transportation Element of their Comprehensive Plan.
6. Discovery Day. LEXPRESS provided 282 free rides on Saturday, May 25. The average
Saturday ridership is 100. Saturday free rides may be a future promotional event.
7. Marketing: Points raised by the LHS marketing class were distributed and will be
considered in future marketing efforts. It was interesting to note that the students felt
parents need to be informed about LEXPRESS. This point was also raised in the Rider
Survey, which indicated the majority of students learned of LEXPRESS through friends.
The Rider Survey was conducted in February 2002. The survey found 91% of the 81
respondents felt LEXPRESS was convenient. The survey also found: 60% of riders make
connections to other buses, primarily LEXPRESS; 81% felt connecting times fit their
schedule; 43% of all riders were unaware of connecting Burlington and Waltham buses.
8. Marketing Research. Bill Levison has identified a Transportation Clearinghouse and
secured a handbook on marketing. He will report to TAC on his independent research.
Free rides were noted as a promotional tool, such as trips to the library for children
presenting library cards. "Dime Time" for seniors was noted as a prior promotion.
9. LEXPRESS Transit Guide. Format and timing of the 2003 guide were discussed. TAC
members will solicit input from residents regarding reaction to the current guide. It is most
attractive, but costly. Alternatives, such as distribution of the MBTA's LEXPRESS route
guides, and mailing in conjunction with a town tax bill will be investigated.
10. Minutes from April 9 and May 14, 2002 were approved.
11. Next Meeting. Wednesday, July 17, 2002.