HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-24-TAC-minTransportation Advisory Committee (TAC)
Minutes — January 24, 2012
Attendees:
TAC Members present: Sara Arnold, Peter Levy, Elaine Dratch, Francine Stieglitz, Larry Link
TAC Members absent: Marty Cohen, Bill Levison, Sally Castleman
Staff: Jeanette Rebecchi, Charlotte Rodgers, David Kucharsky
Liaisons: Nancy Adler, Council of Aging; Michelle Ciccolo, Planning Board;
Hank Manz, Selectman
Guests: Richard Canale, Planning Board
1. Introduction: Jeanette Rebecchi introduced herself as the new Transportation Coordinator.
David Kucharsky introduced himself as the new Transportation Planner. Committee
members and guests introduced themselves.
2. Transportation Services Update: Data shows that ridership is down, particularly due to a
decline in senior citizen use. There is concern about this decrease. Are drivers counting
properly? How can they determine if passengers are actually seniors? Charlotte discussed
that this decline could be due to changing demographics within the senior population. Many
of today's senior may simply be choosing not to take Lexpress and remain in their cars, while
those who were at one time taking Lexpress may now need to use paratransit services.
Jeanette and Charlotte discussed setting the Transportation Services office hours to Monday -
Friday from 8:3 Oam — 12:3 Opm, Tuesday /Thursday from 1 pm — 4:3 Opm, and by
appointment. Lexpress materials, applications, and a locked drop box for applications will be
available outside the office.
3. Election of Co- Chairs: Bill Levison and Sara Arnold were reelected to serve as Co- Chairs
of TAC. The election of co- chairs will be revisited in January, 2013. It was noted that there
should be more delegation of projects to other TAC members. Peter Levy and others agreed
to volunteer more for TAC projects.
4. MBTA Service Cuts & Fare Hikes: Sara reviewed the two MBTA proposals and the
impacts they would have on Lexington and the region. An outreach strategy was devised
which included TAC drafting letters to the MBTA for the Selectmen, TAC, and other
interested committees to sign, printing and distributing informational flyers, posting
information in various print and electronic media, and sending notifications out on a variety
of email distribution lists. Jeanette and Charlotte will prepare a brief summary of the impacts
for Hank to share with Jay Kaufman.
5. Exterior Bus Design: M &L needs the exterior vinyl design by April. It was suggested that
Jeanette reach out to the High School Art Dept to solicit designs from the students, and post
an ad in the paper in case anyone is interested in designing the exterior for free.
6. Next Meeting: Bill will send out a doodle to schedule a meeting in mid to late February.
Documents: Ridership Tables, Outline for MBTA Strategy Meeting, MAPC Transportation Finance
Recommendations, Long and Short Summaries of the MBTA Proposals
Recorder: Jeanette Rebecchi