City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

August 12, 2008 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Vice-Chair Lyle Hettinger, Marc Epard, Howard Hill

MEMBERS ABSENT:

David Dunfield, Mark Hurt, Martin Miller, Ian Cahir, Derek Meier

STAFF PRESENT:

Cliff Galante, Wendy Koerner, Emily Lubliner, Mike Sweeten

PUBLIC PRESENT:

David Corliss, Casey Toomay, Saunny Scott

 

1. Call to Order

Vice-Chair Lyle Hettinger called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

 

2. Public Comment

Saunny Scott said she would like to ask Mike Dever if there are other sources of revenue that have not been tapped. Cliff said he thought the other revenue that had been mentioned regarding a contingency plan was $568,000 in the capital reserve budget. If the sales tax proposals did not pass, that money could be used to provide some level of service.

 

3. Agenda Review

Cliff said he wants to talk about his ideas for service changes, so they can be used in future discussions about the transit system. Howard Hill said he wants to discuss the wooden shelter at 9th and Massachusetts.

 

4. Approval of June Meeting Minutes

There are not enough committee members to make a quorum, so approval of minutes will wait until next meeting.

 

5. Public Transit Administrator Update

a. Ridership and Other Performance Statistics

Cliff said average daily ridership has been going up since January, but it is not reflected in the month-end totals. Revenues are up 54% over last year, as a result of the fare increase. On the paratransit side, the policies put in place last year to address the demand for service are working. The buses are having maintenance challenges. Paratransit vehicles are having to substitute for fixed-route vehicles that are being worked on. Cliff feels that people are cutting down on discretionary trips, bringing Saturday ridership down, which is reflected in the totals.

 

There was a very unfortunate incident in July, the first time the transit system has been involved with a fatality. According to the police report, there was nothing the driver could have done. A moped was taking a left-hand turn onto 6th Street, and the driver could not stop in time. One passenger on the bus was slightly injured, but doing fine. Howard Hill said he was concerned for the driver. Mike Sweeten said the driver was doing fine.

 

b. Implementation of KU/City Fare Free Policy

The policy goes into effect August 18. Anyone from the general public can show a T bus pass or transfer slip to ride KU buses for free. And any KU student, faculty or staff member can ride T buses free by showing their KU ID card. It leads into our efforts to merge the system by next year. It shows that we are working together. The city will lose some revenue by allowing the free rides, but it is a good opportunity and gives people more options.

 

c. Other Staff Announcements

Cliff announced that he has accepted a job with the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, the transit authority for Las Vegas and surrounding community. In terms of scale, he will go from overseeing a 30 bus operation to a 400 bus operation. He said that there was still a lot he would have liked to accomplish in Lawrence, but it has been a good experience. Cliff introduced Casey Toomay, budget manager for the city, who will become the interim transit administrator. She has been involved with some of the city’s transit operations in the past.

 

6. Status of Dedicated Transit Sales Tax

David Corliss said that the city has authorized two sales tax proposals for the November ballot. One is a 0.3% tax for street infrastructure and equipment. The second is a 0.2% tax for transit purposes, which would provide about $2.6 million a year for transit. That would be above the current mill levy funding. There would need to be arrangements made the first year, since tax money would not be available until June. There will also be discussions with KU about merger by July 1, 2008. Mayor Dever is also considering adding a 0.05% sales tax for transit, contingent upon passing the 0.2% tax. Passing the 0.2% tax alone would mean keeping the same level of service. If both transit taxes are approved, it would mean a dramatic increase in resources. If neither of the transit taxes pass, we will have a major issue being able to provide services. There would be no fixed-route service, and we would struggle to provide very limited paratransit service. Corliss will be talking with other social service agencies in the community that provide transportation to see what their capabilities are. We have federal earmark money and local tax dollars set aside to buy seven buses. It is agreed by FTA, Cliff, and Corliss to sit on that until the sales tax issues are decided. If the taxes fail, we would be giving up $2.5 million in federal dollars to buy buses. If the taxes succeed, Corliss will place an item on the next City Commission agenda to authorize acquisition of those buses.

 

7. Status of Google Trip Planning Efforts

Cliff said we are still trying to work out the bugs of the system. The mayor really wants to see Google Transit launched. Cliff wants to launch it next week. We will include a disclaimer that says the tool is not perfect, and unexpected results may be generated. At this point, much of the work is on Google’s end. We will be the first transit system in Kansas to offer this service.

 

8. Status of Joint Procurement with KU for Contracted Transportation Services

Cliff said the goal is to get a joint contract with MV in place by September. It will hinge on the results of the sales tax proposals in November. They have worked through a lot of the issues. Remaining areas to discuss include capital replacement, maintenance, and facilities. Casey will carry the torch and see through the procurement. Casey mentioned that they are continuing to meet with KU and take steps to move forward with merger possibilities. Cliff said that PTAC will play a vital role in merger discussions related to route changes, service days, frequencies, etc.

 

9. Cliff’s Ideas for Service Improvements

See attached document.

 

10. Howard Hill’s question about wooden shelter at 9th and Massachusetts

Howard Hill mentioned that the shelter located on the northwest corner of 9th and Massachusetts Streets needs improvement. Cliff responded that a plan has been in the works to replace both downtown shelters using funds available in an amenities grant. However, all capital improvements have been on hold pending coordination with KU, and now pending the outcome of the sales tax referendum.

 

11. Public Comment

Saunny said she feels more comfortable about the sales tax referendum now that David Corliss provided more information.

 

12. Tentative Next Meeting Date:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

 

13. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

 

—Submitted by Emily Lubliner

 

Approved at 10/14/08 PTAC meeting