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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES TRANSIT ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES JULY 15, 2009 4:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Diane Hoffman, Jessica King, Mary Louise Lewis, Diane Lowe, Jessica King and Mike Norton MEMBERS ABSENT: Jeffrey Olmstead OTHERS PRESENT: Christopher Strong, Transportation Director Jennifer Weigand, Recording Secretary Chairperson Lewis called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. NEW BUSINESS: 1. LAUNCH OF NEW TRANSIT SYSTEM WEB SITE Mr. Strong informed the Board that the new transit system web site (http://www.oshkoshtransit.com) would be launched on Monday, July 20, 2009. The web site contains a lot of information about all of the transit system’s programs; if anyone has any suggestions, please let him know. He said one of the long-term goals is to eventually integrate Google Transit into the web site, which would allow passengers to plan their transit trip via the Internet. The cost is approximately $8,000. 2. HOURS OF SEVICE UPDATE Mr. Strong said they are continuing to evaluate alternatives for changing the hours of service. He was working on alternatives that would be cost-neutral, so he asked the board for their feedback on where to look for reductions. Ms. Hoffmann suggested combining routes. Mr. Norton said one route could be eliminated by combining East Loop and Bowen Street or North Main and Algoma Park routes. Mrs. Lewis suggested changes to mid-day service. Ms. King suggested having different routes for different times of the day (i.e. some routes focusing on peak-hour service only). Mr. Norton questioned if partnering with Titan Transit might help to expand the hours of service. Mr. Strong replied that this has not been explored at this time. He noted the ridership numbers on Titan Transit’s evening service are not adequate. For the university, it is still cheaper at the present time to run it through the contractor than with federal money, which has more hoops to go through. Ms. King felt there is a lot of support for transit from the Common Council. TAB MINUTES 2 JULY 15, 2009 3. ROUTE 10 EXPANSION UPDATE Mr. Strong explained he had received model results for various route alignment scenarios from East Central just before the meeting and did not have time to analyze it. He would send the information out with the August notice. Mr. Norton said it would be ideal to phase in route improvements this fall, but January l at the latest. He feels this route needs tweaking. Mr. Strong said he would be meeting with Valley Transit during the first week of August. 4. BIKE RACKS ON BUSES UPDATE Mr. Strong said the public launch of the bicycle racks on buses program would be in two parts. The racks are tentatively scheduled for installation on August 24th. A public unveiling is currently planned for August 26th and a “fare-free” day the following Saturday. Promotional items and demonstrations on rack usage will be given on the “fare-free” day. Mrs. King suggested the Oshkosh Cycling Club be invited. STAFF STATEMENTS None. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING Mr. Norton questioned what the cost would be to expand the hours of the Neenah Route into the evening. He felt this could benefit riders who attend Fox Valley Technical College. Mr. Strong said we receive a set amount from the County regardless of the amount of service. If service were extended, we would have to pay the contractor more money. Ms. King asked, based on the visioning presentation, if there was going to be a rapid bus from Green Bay to Oshkosh. Mr. Strong said he saw the concept of on-demand transit service and it sounded to him much like a taxi service. The regional concept could be considered as an expansion of the modeling work currently being done on Route 10, but there are no formal plans at this time. Mr. Norton felt it would nice to have some service connecting Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, the Fox Cities and Green Bay. Due to staff vacations and lack of agenda items, Mr. Strong asked Board members if they wanted to meet in August. The Board unanimously agreed to cancel the August 19th meeting. There be no other business to come before the Transit Advisory Board and upon duly being made and seconded (Hoffman, Lewis), the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.