HomeMy WebLinkAbout5 18 22 Minutes (approved)
TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
May 18, 2022
Attendees:
Evelyn Meuret, Chair Steve Tomasik, Ops Manager
Karl Buelow, Co-Chair Jane Boucher, Secretary
Lynnsey Erickson, Council
Philip Marshall, Board Absent: Troy Monday, Brooke Berrens, Jim Collins
Call to Order – Meeting Chair Meuret called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.
Public Comment – Meeting Chairperson Meuret invited anyone present for public
comment; however there were no guests present.
Old Business – N/A
New Business
1. Board Vacancies – Steve Tomasik announced the loss of two additional members,
Troy Monday and Philip Marshall. He thanked Philip for his years of service and wished
him well. He also reminded the remaining members the importance of attendance to
ensure quorum (especially at the June meeting).
2. 2023 Budget Request – Steve Tomasik said Winnebago County informed Go
Transit that they cannot support a funding increase in 2023 for Route 10 so possible
options need to be discussed. SRF Consulting has been hired to perform a Route 10 study
and present some possible options at the June Transit meeting. Steve said low ridership
continues to be an issue as the average rides per day on this Route is only 18 people and
with the new Kobussen contract, expenses continue to increase especially with the current
fuel prices. It is uncertain if a change will be made on 1/1/23 or mid-contract with proper
notice to the vendor. He said funding is especially needed for Route 10 as annual fare
revenue only averages about $7,000 for the whole year. Karl asked how many trips Route
10 makes daily; Steve said 8 with a 45 minute cycle. Evelyn asked if a smaller vehicle
would help keep costs down; however Steve said the new contract was written to allow as
small as a 10-passenger van as long as it is ADA compatible.
TAB AGENDA ITEMS 2 May 18, 2022
Approval of Minutes – Karl Buelow made a motion to approve the minutes from the
February meeting, seconded by Philip Marshall. Motion Carried.
Staff Statements –
3. Ridership – Steve reviewed ridership numbers for fixed, Route 10 and Student
Ridership. He said compared to last year, fixed route is up 23% but still down 43% from
2019. Route 10 is up 32% but still down 49% from 2019. Total ridership is up 34% but still
down 34% from 2019.
In regards to the issues with student ridership, he wanted to mention that the school
liaison officers have been getting more involved so there has been a considerable
improvement with student violence/fighting on the bus. Philip said one thing to keep in
mind is student ridership could actually go up next year with the school consolidations as
students will have a longer commute to their assigned school. Lynnsey asked if there have
been any conversations about additional years of free student rides. Steve said he wasn’t
sure but did know the district is trying to figure out the support from the private donor.
Steve also gave an update with the Paratransit ridership. Ambulatory is up 9% from last
year, non-ambulatory is up 26%. The rural rides is actually down from last year and the
Access-to-Jobs had an 8% increase from last year. Karl asked how the vendor is doing and
if the complaints tapered down as he heard they hired an Operations Manager. Steve said
the complaints have definitely gone down and they seem to be providing better service.
Most of their vehicles are actually better than last year’s vendor so that also helps. Karl
said he did get feedback that their timeliness improved as well. Steve said he wants them
to be successful as a vendor and will continue to help them provide the service Go Transit
expects.
4. Transit Center Update – Steve said the slab is poured at the new Transit Center and
the next step is framing which was expected to start last week. He has a progress meeting
with the general contractor this week so will find out what the delay is so the project stays
on track. Evelyn asked if there is a penalty written in the contract if it is not completed on
time; Steve said he wasn’t’ sure but usually there is. Steve also wanted to give a quick
update that the four buses being purchased with Cares Act funds have been delayed
again. The new ETA is late September or early October. Lynnsey asked if credit cards will
be accepted at the new Transit Center and if it will be manned. Steve said at this time, the
plan is to have the Point-of-Sale set-up be the same as the current office and it will be
manned with the Driver Supervisor for most of the day and part-time hours for the
Customer Service desk. The details haven’t all been worked out yet.
TAB AGENDA ITEMS 3 May 18, 2022
5. Token Transit Demonstration – Token Transit has been a vendor since fall of 2020
and continues to be a good partnership for Go Transit. After downloading the APP, it is
easy to purchase bus fare and allows customers to pay with a credit card since we do not
accept them at the office. Steve gave a presentation showing a revenue snapshot and the
simple steps on how to use the APP which will be attached to the minutes.
One additional thing not on the Agenda that Steve wanted to mention is about the
Global Accessibility Event being held at the Senior Center from 11am – 1pm on May 19th. It
is a public event to give a hands-on demonstration of the Quantum wheelchair system.
There will also be some refreshments being served.
Future Agenda Requests
Chairperson Meuret asked if there were any special requests for future meeting topics;
to which there were none.
Adjournment
Philip Marshall mad a motion to adjourn, seconded by Karl Buelow.
Meeting adjourned at 4:46 pm.
Token Transit.pptx