City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

September 9, 2008 minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT:	Chair David Dunfield, Marc Epard, Howard Hill, Lyle Hettinger, Derek Meier
MEMBERS ABSENT:	Mark Hurt, Martin Miller, Ian Cahir
STAFF PRESENT:	Casey Toomay, Wendy Koerner, Emily Lubliner
PUBLIC PRESENT:	David Corliss, Marian Hukle, Sam Schlageck

1. Call to Order

Chair David Dunfield called the meeting to order at 4:15 p.m.

2. Public Comment

None provided.

3. Agenda Review

Approval of June meeting minutes was held until a quorum was met later in the meeting.

4. Interim Public Transit Administrator Update

a. Ridership and Other Performance Statistics

Casey Toomay introduced herself as the Interim Transit Administrator and Budget Manager. She explained that she has been involved in transit operations, meeting with KU about the joint procurement and talks of a possible merger.

Average daily ridership for Lawrence Transit is up 12 percent from the same time last year. Statistics show that the reciprocal agreement with KU has been a big success. Starting the day that program began, ridership is up significantly in the KU fare category. It was previously rare to top 1,000 riders on a Saturday, but that has now consistently been the case.

Marc Epard asked whether there was an impact on farebox recovery since the KU reciprocal agreement began. Wendy said it was too soon to tell.

5. Google Trip Planning

Casey said that a contract was circulating for approval by legal services and the City Manager. After that, launch should be scheduled, and we hope to be the first community in Kansas to offer the service. Howard Hill asked what the cost of that program was. Casey responded that there is no cost to offer Google Transit.

6. Approval of June Meeting Minutes

Marc Epard moved to approve the minutes as submitted; David Dunfield seconded. Minutes were approved.

7. Sales Tax Update

David Corliss said he is making the sales tax issue a top priority. He handed out copies of an insert to be distributed in utility bills. He clarified that when using public resources, we cannot advocate—but we can educate the public on the issue. Corliss said he has been responding to the myth that paratransit will survive, even if the sales taxes fail. That is not true. He said we have a little over $500,000 in a reserve fund to buy buses. If the sales taxes do not pass and we don’t have a transit system next year, we’ll have a question of how to spend that money. However, Corliss said another question is why the City Commission would spend half a million dollars next year to operate anything if the voters turn it down. Corliss noted that $500,000 for a year isn’t going to do much. The message he is trying to send is: If you like paratransit, then you have to vote for Question 2. If you want to pursue opportunities for enhanced service, such as route improvements or fuel efficient buses, then vote for Questions 2 and 3. Another key statistic he’s using is that for every $1.00 of sales tax spent in the city, 30 cents comes from someone outside of Lawrence. Lastly, Corliss summarized his upcoming speaking engagements, including a luncheon with the Chamber of Commerce. He said he is optimistic about the campaign. If the sales taxes pass, the Transit department will be well funded over the next 10 years. Derek Meier asked for a clarification that the 0.05 sales tax could be used for infrastructure as well as service improvements. Corliss affirmed that it could be used for both.

8. Joint Procurement with KU for Contracted Transportation Services

Casey Toomay said they had begun meeting with KU on a more frequent basis to discuss merger details. Both the city and KU have been meeting with MV to discuss a future operating contract. In order for the city to move forward with a contract, it is contingent on passing the sales taxes.

Derek Meier added that the reciprocal agreement between the city and university to increase ridership is working out well. The university’s new “fare free” system overall is attracting record ridership. For the first two weeks of service, they have had an increase of over 200% compared with the same period last year. He said they are providing anywhere between 13,000 and 16,000 rides per day, including Park & Ride and regular KU routes. So far, only a handful of T riders are taking advantage of riding KU buses for free. However, a substantial number of KU students, faculty and staff are riding the T for free, as reflected in the August ridership report. The report shows people boarding T buses with a KU ID jumped from 10 or 20 a day up to 200 or 300 a day, beginning on the first day of the reciprocal agreement, August 18. Saturday service on the T fixed-route has rarely topped 1,000 in the past. Now that KU riders can ride the T free, those Saturday numbers have been around 1,200. KU on Wheels does not operate Saturdays, so the T gives them an option to get around.

9. Public Comment

None provided.

10. Tentative Next Meeting Date:

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

11. Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

—Submitted by Emily Lubliner

Approved at 10/14/08 PTAC meeting