Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAB Mtg Minutes June 2015 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. TRANSIT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 17, 2015 PRESENT: Caroline Panske, Troy Monday, Mike Norton, Evelyn Meuret, Lee Williams ABSENT: Diane Lowe STAFF PRESENT: Jim Collins, Transportation Director David Vickman, GO Transit Operations Manager Marlene Binder, Administrative Assistant Chairperson Caroline Panske called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m. Mr. Norton moved to layover the acceptance of the March, 2015 minutes. Ms. Meuret seconded the motion. (Motion carried 5-0) CITIZEN'S STATEMENTS Mark Ziemer, Senior Services Manager of the Senior Center, said a member of the Commission on Aging monitors meeting agendas and minutes for items of interest. He stated that paratransit is an item of interest and he is unsure if he should be discussing the matter here or with City or County staff. He said the commission is in strong support of the Make the Ride Happen Program, where volunteers transport ambulatory passengers. He said the cost of paratransit transportation may prohibit some people fro m participating in life enrichment opportunities. He believes the funds saved by utilizing volunteers could be used to serve more persons. Mr. Norton suggested he attend the Winnebago County Human Services Board meeting as they would be in a better position to assist. Mr. Ziemer replied he already had that on his calendar for Thursday morning. NEW BUSINESS 1. PARATRANSIT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DISCUSSION Mr. Collins stated notices requesting input were posted in paratransit vehicles. He said the public was invited to give input at this meeting today or at the office. He said GO Transit had received request for proposals (RFP) from other systems as examples. He went on to say Go Transit received feedback from Tom Otto, representing the Greater Winnebago County Coalition on Mobility, and East Central Regional Planning as to what they would like to see put into our RFP. Mr. Norton inquired as to whether or not the 24 hour, 7 day service was part of the RFP and if Neenah and Menasha could have the same hours of service the rest of Winnebago County enjoys. Mr. Collins suggested he talk with Valley Transit since they provide the paratransit service to that area. Mr. Vickman added that GO Transit is the only system in the state to provide service 24 hours daily, 7 days a week. Mr. Norton inquired if more than one provider could be awared a contract and if not why couldn't another provider be let in. Mr. Vickman said that along with the 24 hour a day, 7 days a week operation, the company has to have the capability to provide same day service. He added it is difficult for companies to compete with this policy. He said the contract could be awarded to more than one vendor, TAB MINUTES 2 JUNE 2015 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. but it would be a lot of administrative work. He continued to explain that the last contract had 5 year, 3 year, 2 year and 1 year options. Ms. Meuret asked for more information on paratransit services. Mr. Vickman directed Ms. Meuret to the GO Transit website for more information. Mr. Norton inquired what program had 10 rides per month. Mr. Vickman responded it was the rural program and these participants can be transported anywhere within Winnebago County. He explained the city participants could ride as many times per month as they want, but trips are limited to city limits. Mr. Collins added that the purpose of paratransit service is to compliment/supplement fixed route bus service for individuals residing 3/4 mile or less from a bus route within bus service hours. Mr. Vickman added Sunday service goes beyond the FTA requirements. Ms. Panske then asked if staff would let the Board know what proposals were received. Mr. Collins replied an evaluation committee, comprised of a representative from Winnebago County, East Central Planning and GO Transit, would evaluate each proposal received. He further explained that several categories, such as cost, background, experience, references, employees, training, vehicles, maintenance, service delivery, data collection, and technology, are rated during the selection process. Ms. Panske asked if this could be put into an agenda item so the Board can see what comes in for bids. Mr. Collins stated that the after the bids were evaluated a recommendation would be made to the city council who would be asked to approve the award. Mr. Norton inquired what criticism and suggestions have been brought forward while seeking input and how these issues are being addressed. Mr. Collins replied he could share the basics on an agenda item. Mr. Vickman interjected that he could summarize how input was addressed in the new contract. 2. TITLE VI PROGRAM UPDATE Mr. Vickman stated the Title VI Program is a plan mandated by the FTA to ensure individuals are not discriminated against because of color, race, or national origin. He explained that language assistance must also be addressed. He told FTA mandates the document be updated every three years and contain a complaint form. Ms. Panske inquired if it is a problem that all members of this Board are Caucasian. Mr. Vickman assured her that it is not problematic, that the requirement is the same here as for large metropolitan areas. Mr. Norton suggested Mr. Collins look to get more diverse members on this Board. Mr. Collins replied that he, as department head, cannot hand pick members to serve but could inform someone of an opening. Ms. Meuret suggested publicizing the opening on the bus. Mr. Norton moved to accept the Title VI update. Ms. Meuret seconded the motion. (Motion carried 5 - 0) STAFF STATEMENTS 3. GO TRANSIT AWARDED GRANT FUNDING FOR BUS Mr. Collins told that GO Transit is identified as a small urban transit system by the FTA. Small urban systems requested $7.7 million this year with only $1.94 million available to fund capital needs. Mr. Collins stated he would not expect the new bus to be delivered until the beginning of next year. TAB MINUTES 3 JUNE 2015 Please contact the Transit Advisory Board at TAB@ci.oshkosh.wi.us with any questions or concerns. Ms. Meuret asked if we dictate the specifications of the bus we order. She would like to see the request sign put in front of the driver and not behind him as in newer buses. She noticed drivers don’t see the request and need to be reminded to let someone off. Mr. Williams interjected that the newer buses have a panel beside the driver that has a light that comes on when a request for a stop is made. Mr. Collins explained to draw up specifications for one bus is extremely time consuming and that the state is exploring combining different municipalities under one order to help simplify the process. Mr. Collins said he would ask a sales representative what options would be available to us. Mr. Norton asked about Wi Fi access onboard GO Transit buses. Ms. Panske suggested that perhaps we could offer free Wi Fi for our GO Transit website but charge to surf other sites, like the airlines do. Ms. Meuret didn't think this idea was worth investigating because most passengers, except for Route 10, are not on the bus long enough to use it. Mr. Collins said Go Transit is looking at technology for tablets to report vehicle location and he could inquire about Wi Fi at this time. Mr. Norton said he would like an app or something user friendly to access the bus location. Ms. Panske would like this as an agenda item to discuss. 4. FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE RIDERSHIP OFF TO A STRONG START Mr. Collins declared there had been over 2,000 FVTC rides provided in both April and May. Mr. Norton asked how GO Transit was paid. Mr. Collins replied FVTC pays $12,000 annually, funded from student fees therefore the free rides are available to students only. He added that the FVTC program will be reevaluated in fall. He said UW-O provides free rides for faculty, staff, students and alumni and is funded at a flat rate of $55,000 minimum, up to a cap of $75,000. Mr. Norton clarified that both programs included the Rt. #10 Neenah bus. Ms. Meuret inquired if Wal-Mart gave the system a kick back for taking passengers to their door. Mr. Williams said Shopko did not want the bus near the entrance. Mr. Collins replied that Wal-Mart did not pay us to locate the stop there. Ms. Meuret would like this on the agenda in the future. Mr. Williams requested a shelter be placed at the Waukau Avenue stop by the Outlet Mall. Mr. Collins said GO Transit is waiting for the results of the bus stop analysis from East Central Planning. He explained the least accessible stops with the most ridership will be improved first. Mr. Williams requested the bus stop by the Super 8 hotel be moved closer to the Express Laundry. He stated almost everyone using this stop goes to Express Laundry and are walking in the road with their laundry because there is no sidewalk here. Mr. Vickman replied he would look into this. Mr. Norton asked members to participate in the Dump the Pump program. He distributed a pledge sheet to everyone and encouraged them to participate. ADJOURNMENT There being no more items to come before the Transit Advisory Board, and upon being duly moved and seconded (Norton, Meuret), the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.