City of
Public Transit Advisory Committee
October 9, 2007 minutes
|
MEMBERS
PRESENT: |
Vice-chair David
Dunfield, Marian Hukle, Mark Hurt, Marc Epard, Richard Heckler, Ann Foster |
|
MEMBERS
ABSENT: |
Marian Hukle, |
|
STAFF
PRESENT: |
Public Transit
Administrator (PTA) |
|
PUBLIC
PRESENT: |
Gwen Klingenberg, Marion
Babb, Saunny Scott |
1. Call to Order
Vice-chair David Dunfield called the meeting to order at
4:10 p.m.
2. Public Comment
Saunny Scott said that the letters we sent out regarding
the required recertification for T Lift refer people to the 312-7054 number,
but when you call the number there is no option for T Lift recertification.
Mike Sweeten advised that option 2 for Customer Service, is the proper option
to use.
3. Agenda Review
No changes were made to the agenda.
4. Approval of Minutes from August Meeting
Marian Hukle moved to approve the August PTAC minutes; Marc
Epard seconded. Minutes were approved.
5. Public Transit
Administrator Update
a. Ridership and
Other Performance Statistics
PTA said fixed-route ridership in August dropped by 15% and
in July it dropped by 9%. This is most
likely due to our fare increase. Since
we hadn’t raised fares since the system started, it was difficult to project
how much ridership would decrease. To be
on the safe side, PTA forecasted a decrease of 20%, which was consistent with
losses other systems had experienced when they increased fares. Paratransit ridership has risen about
2%. On-time performance for both systems
remains high, which is a credit to the hard work MV and the drivers do in
providing our services. PTA said T Lift
service averages approximately $15 per passenger, while the fixed-route
averages around $3.50 per passenger. The
cost of T Lift service is considerably higher than fixed-route because it
carries far less passengers, averaging 2.42 passengers per hour. PTA said anything above 2.25 passengers per
hour on paratransit is good.
6. On-Board Passenger
Survey and Community-wide Survey Status
PTA thanked everyone who has helped with the on-board
surveys so far. PTA said the people he’s
surveyed have been very willing to participate in the survey, and upon initial
review we have received high ratings for the service we provide. PTA said so far we have collected
approximately 400 surveys, but still have a few shifts open on a couple
routes. If anyone is interested in
picking up an extra route, let Emily know.
PTA told the committee that the American Public Transportation Association
(APTA) just issued a report in May of ridership statistics from 150 transit
agencies from around the country. PTA
said he sent a link to the report to all the committee members. PTA then passed around a copy of the
community-wide survey that will be sent to all the Utility Billing customers
next month. The goal of this survey is
to get an idea of the public’s perception of transit in our city, and what
would it take to get them to try the T.
Between the two surveys, we should collect enough useful information to
assist with future planning. In addition
to the surveys, MV drivers have been tallying the number of riders per trip so
we can identify peak ridership times and get a better idea of actual rides on
the interlined routes.
PTA told the committee that he met with Dr. Warner from
Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) about the possibility of them
participating in a universal access program for HINU students, faculty and
staff. She seemed very receptive to the idea.
PTA has also met with Commissioner Dever to discuss his ideas in making
technical improvements to the vehicles, such as Wi-Fi Internet access, in an
attempt to attract more choice riders.
PTA will keep PTAC apprised as these issues progress.
7. KU Coordination
PTA asked May Davis when the next student senate meeting
will be held. She said it will be next
Wednesday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. in the Kansas Union. It would be a great way to get feedback from
students on their transportation needs.
Marc Epard said the KU Coordination sub-committee met recently to
discuss the relationship between the students and University administration and
how it affects future coordination with the City. They also talked about attending student
senate meetings to promote dialogue between the students and the City to better
determine their transit needs. PTA said
we have asked FTA for assistance on structuring a joint RFP with the university
and we are still waiting for guidance.
Once it is received, PTA said we will start working on a draft of the
Request for Proposals (RFP). PTA said KU
opened up the option of KU only providing service on campus, while Lawrence
Transit System (LTS) provides all off campus service. They indicated they may even be willing to
subsidize the service, and may be able to provide capital support as well. In addition, KU is discussing the need for a
new maintenance facility to handle all of the University’s fleet, including
transit vehicles. They are currently
investigating properties in
8. Public Comment
Saunny Scott inquired about the universal access program
being discussed with HINU. If HINU
students, faculty and staff would ride for free, she asked how the City would make
any money on it. David Dunfield explained
that every student would be charged a fee, which would be passed on to the City
to subsidize the service.
9. Tentative Next
Meeting Date: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
10. Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Submitted by Wendy Koerner Approved at
2/12/08 PTAC meeting