Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransit Advisory Mtg Minutes 1 21 15 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 21, 2015 PRESENT: Diane Hoffman, Diane Lowe, Caroline Panske, Troy Monday, Mike Norton, Evelyn Meuret, Lee Williams ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Jim Collins, Transportation Director David Vickman, GO Transit Operations Manager Chairperson Caroline Panske called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Ms. Lowe moved to accept the November 19, 2014 minutes. Mr. Monday seconded the motion. (Motion carried 7-0) Ms. Lowe moved to accept the December 17, 2014 minutes. Mr. Norton seconded the motion. (Motion carried 7-0) OLD BUSINESS 1. INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIDER SURVEY WILL BE PRESENTED BY NICK MUSSON OF EAST CENTRAL WISCONSIN REGIONAL PLANNING COMISSION. Mr. Musson stated that the survey was administered on Tuesday Oct. 28, 2014 by East Central staff and volunteers some from Advocap. The survey was administered in 2 – 2 hour time blocks, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The goal was to try and capture the peak hours. A volunteer went out on each route and the re were also volunteers at the transit center. Cards were also handed out with QR codes and a website where the surveys could be filled out online. There was also a non-user survey online. 351 surveys were returned (51 were filled out online). Only one non-user survey was returned. Mr. Williams asked if the ages could be broken down by a.m. and p.m. Mr. Musson explained he could but that many of the riders rode in both the a.m. and p.m. and that it might be misleading. Ms. Panske asked how often Mr. Musson does rider surveys. Mr. Musson replied that typically a survey is done every TDP (Transit Development Plan) cycle. He stated that East Central handles a 10 county region. Within that region, he works with Valley Transit, Fond du Lac Transit and GO Transit. He said that with increasing technology there has been more interest in surveys. Mr. Vickman explained there is a Federal requirement that GO Transit has to submit a LEP (limited English proficiency) plan every 3 years and that is why the questions are asked about what languages are spoken and how proficient in English riders are. He explained that GO Transit works with other agencies as resources if needed to help with any language barriers. Ms. Lowe noted how many positive comments were received about the drivers. The group agreed that the drivers are a vital part of the service. Mr. Musson explained the rating of service questions. He noted that hours of service was the item that was rated poor the most. Mr. Musson said he would look into splitting the questions by route and on the next survey would inclu de a question about how often you ride in the a.m. / p.m. If that works he will get the information to Mr. Collins and Mr. Vickman. TAB MINUTES 2 JANURARY 2015 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Ms. Lowe asked if the survey was on the website. Mr. Vickman explained that the next step was to share the survey with riders, staff and drivers. Ms. Panske thanked Mr. Musson for his work and presentation. Mr. Norton asked if GO Transit has thought about publicizing a comparison of GO T ransits rates and services vs. other transit systems. Mr. Collins said we could do something like that. Mr. Vickman stated he has thought about this but we need to be careful because we are partners with Valley Transit for example. Mr. Norton said a good example is paratransit service GO Transit offers 24 hour service. Mr. Vickman stated that we are the only system in the state that offers that. Mr. Vickman stated that this is a good reminder that we need to brag more. Ms. Hoffman suggested GO Transit advertise/promote low fares on the buses. Mr. Vickman explained that GO Transit receives substantial revenue from outside advertising and there is cost with the advertising but that we could probably do something. Mr. Norton suggested that GO Transit respond to some of the comments especially since some of the suggestions are already being done. Mr. Collins explained that GO Transit was going to use the survey to work on some of the suggestions that were popular and feasible. For example, Route 10 to UWO. He said he would think about what the best way to respond to the comments is. 2. UPDATE ON MALLARD AND GROVE TRANSFER POINT MOVING TO MALLARD AVENUE AND EVANS STREET Mr. Collins stated this change is effective Monday January 26, 2015. The change was posted on the website, buses, transit center, and Facebook. The drivers are informing the riders and Lakeside Packaging was contacted as well. 3. ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES PROHIBITED SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED ON ALL BUSES. Mr. Collins stated that electronic cigarette prohibited signs have been installed on all buses. AGENDA ITEMS AND GENERAL COMMENTS Ms. Meuret asked about route 3 timing as the drivers are telling her they are running ahead of schedule. Mr. Vickman said the drivers have made staff aware of this as well and that they were waiting to make any change until the route was settled to minimize changes. Mr. Williams inquired about how often the downtown transit center is cleaned and what services are performed. Mr. Vickman replied that staff would discuss this with the maintenance supervisor and report back at the next meeting. Mr. Vickman stated that there has been an item in the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) for rehab of the Transit Center in the past. Mr. Williams brought up a concern with a driver having her interior mirror up. Mr. Vickman said this is a training issue and that he would like to discuss it after the meeting so that the issue could be addressed with the driver. Mr. Norton asked if staff could distribute GO Transit’s rider policy and if it could be added for an agenda item at a future meeting. Mr. Collins stated it could. Mr. Norton stated that he went with Mr. Musson on a couple bus stop surveys. He encouraged any other board member that was interested to do the same. Mr. Norton asked if route maps could be distributed to the housing authority. Mr. Vickman stated they could be and he will make sure they have what they need. He stated that the maps are due for an update and he was planning on getting these printed soon. TAB MINUTES 3 JANURARY 2015 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Ms. Panske asked and Mr. Collins confirmed that the library is now selling bus passes. ADJOURNMENT There being no more items to come before the Transit Advisory Board and upon being duly moved and seconded (Lowe, Norton), the meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.