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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTAB Meeting Minutes 11 21 18Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 1 1 1 Attendees: Absent: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Karl Buelow, Board Korbin Figg, Operations Manager Jane Cryan, Board Marlene Binder, Secretary Lynnsey Erickson, Board Evelyn Meuret, Chairperson Mike Norton, Board Troy Monday, Vice-Chair Lori Palmeri, City Council Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Meeting Started Evelyn Meuret Evelyn Meuret called the meeting to order at 4:12 p.m. The October 17, 2018 TAB meeting minutes were accepted. 1st: Jane Cryan 2nd: Karl Buelow Public Comment Steve Barney Steve Barney, of 1335 Summit Avenue, said he suggests installing a crosswalk midblock by the bus stop at Festival Foods on Westowne Avenue. He told he has seen passengers cross the street here. Public Hearing Consider changes in fixed route and paratransit fares Jim Collins Paul Mathwig Steve Barney Jim Collins opened the public hearing at 4:14 p.m. and explained the fixed route cash fares are proposed to increase from $1.00 to $1.50, and the cash fare for seniors over age 60 and disabled individuals would increase from $0.50 to $0.75. Paul Mathwig, of 4818 Island View Drive, stated he is not for increasing any of the fares. Steve Barney, 1335 Summit Avenue, said he encourages GO Transit to do everything possible to fill the seats on the buses rather than raise the fares. He said he believes higher fares may create more empty seats. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 2 2 2 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Public Hearing Consider changes in fixed route and paratransit fares Steve Barney Jim Collins Steve Barney said he thinks keeping fares low will encourage people that own a vehicle to use the bus because it will be financially advantageous. He suggested that group deals be made with schools and businesses. He told that he heard UW-O has pulled out of a group deal. He asked that GO Transit please exhaust these options before raising fares. He explained he rides the bus because it is a carbon free mode of transportation. He also suggested implementing a wheel tax for additional revenue. Steve Barney told many of the bus riders tend to have low incomes. He suggested offering 6-month or annual bus passes at an even greater discount than the 3-month pass. Jim Collins explained that GO Transit had a revenue agreement with UW-Oshkosh so their students, faculty, staff and alumni rode the bus free with their ID card. He told they had some budget issues and have decided to end that agreement however; current students, faculty and staff can obtain a bus pass from the parking office. He said revenue is expected to decline because all the alumni are eliminated from the program. Karl Buelow added that the inconvenience of having to ask for the bus pass from the parking office will deter some riders. Jim Collins told the price of the monthly passes will increase from $25.00 to $35.00 and closed the public hearing at 4:22 p.m. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 3 3 3 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Lori Palmeri Karl Buelow Jane Cryan Jim Collins Lori Palmeri stated long range finance will hold a meeting to consider a wheel tax the first week in December and you are welcome to attend. She also said Council will follow up on this as well. Karl Buelow stated he wanted to point out the fare increases were not just thought of and done but were talked about, studied and evaluated with the budget guidelines and the needs of the system for many, many months. He doesn’t want the perception that this was a knee jerk reaction or a wish list, this was a long term project. It was clarified that even with the fare increases we would still have the second lowest fare in the state. Jane Cryan asked if under the paratransit programs, the fare increase could be split over a two year period, thus increasing $0.50 in 2019 and $0.50 in 2020. She said she thinks with the bus situation at Walmart, more riders will opt to for the 4 bag limit of paratransit and shop less often. Jim Collins explained paratransit fares are typically and statutorily allowed to be double the fixed route fare. He said typically ridership declines initially, but then eventually rebounds. He told that fixed route bus fares are lower than paratransit fares. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 4 4 4 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Presentation of Transit Development Plan final draft Jim Collins Nick Musson Lynn Erickson Mike Norton Jim Collins said Nick Musson and Kolin Erickson, of East Central Planning Commission of Central Wisconsin, will present the Transit Development Plan (TDP) final draft. Nick Musson gave an overview of the Transit Development Plan and how it was developed. He told the results of the survey conducted were as follows: Fare increases - $1 to $1.50 cash fare, $25 to $35 monthly pass, $60 to $90 3 monthly passes bought in bulk. Sixty percent said the increases were about right, 37% thought they were too much, 2% said it was too little. The results were evenly split between not changing the current 3-month passes, offering one quarterly pass and buying 3 monthly passes. Seventy-four percent responded they would like transfers to remain as is valid for 60 minutes unlimited transfers, 15% preferred transfers be allowed only one transfer, 6% wanted unlimited transfers within 45 minutes and 4% said to eliminate transfers and pay for each trip. Nick told Route #9 currently is an underperforming route with 33,929 riders annually compared to the highest performing route with 158,528 riders. He said SRF Consulting was brought in to evaluate and redesign the route to better serve the area. Lynn Erickson inquired what the next lowest ridership numbers were but those were not available at the meeting. Mike Norton asked if lost bus passes are replaced free of charge. Jim Collins replied GO Transit does not offer free replacements as it would involve intensive record keeping. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 5 5 5 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Presentation of Transit Development Plan final draft continued Nick Musson Nick Musson said the recommendations were formed taking into account all feedback, comments and input received. He explained it is important everyone understand the proposed increases are necessary to maintain the existing level of service with the continued decline in state and federal funding. Service changes to Route #9 Nick Musson Jim Collins Mike Norton Jim Collins Nick Musson said SRF Consulting developed three cost and three no cost options for Route #9. He told additional funding is not on the table at this time so focus was on the no cost options. He said eliminating the alternate pattern going to the YMCA will provide increased frequency to the southwest industrial park and outlet mall. He explained Carl Traeger School and the YMCA stops will continue to be serviced upon request – passenger asks the driver for the deviation when they board or telephone the office to request a return trip. Jim Collins told the Route #9 bus would always go to Carl Traeger School twice in the morning and once at dismissal time when school is in session. He said Carl Traeger School has a breakfast program before school so the bus will get those students there early and then the remainder of students arrive on a later trip. Mike Norton inquired how someone would telephone for a pick-up after hours, when the GO Transit office is closed. Jim Collins replied the telephone is answered by garage personnel when the office is closed and buses are operating. Jim Collins stated two Route #9 bus stops on 20th Avenue would be eliminated; one at Westhaven Drive, which has almost no ridership and another at Lenox Street. He told there is a bus stop on Washburn Street at Allerton Drive, which may be closer than the Lenox stop for passengers living in the apartments. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 6 6 6 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions TDP Recommendations Nick Musson Jim Collins Nick Musson Nick Musson Nick Musson told recommended technology upgrades include automatic stop announcement system, new radio communications, real-time bus location app/software, and a text messaging system to alert riders. He said it was recommended to develop a marketing plan which includes transit advertising, adopt-a-bus shelter program, on-going rider surveys, potential full-time marketing position/internship opportunities with area universities/schools and business engagement/sense of community/ambassador program. He explained the marketing plan is to get the community more involved in supporting transit. Jim Collins said the River East Neighborhood Association is sponsoring two shelters, the same standard size but with a different style roof. One shelter will be located at Washington & Court, the other in front of the county building. He further explained the current shelter in front of the county building will be relocated to Otter & Court. Nick Musson said another recommendation of the TDP is to develop a site plan and design alternatives for a future downtown transit center so GO Transit would be able to apply for grant funding if one became available as Eau Claire has recently done. Nick told there are additional policy recommendations. He said ongoing collaboration with Valley Transit, formation of a Regional Transit Authority has been talked about in this area for a number of years and on-going collaboration with Oshkosh Area School District were specifically mentioned. Jim Collins clarified currently the school district is looking for ways to fund a transportation program for all students but currently students in need are provided for. Committee Name: Transit Advisory Board Date: 11/21/18 Location: Safety Building 7 7 7 Topic Facilitator Discussion Actions Approval of TDP Nick Musson Jim Collins Karl Buelow Nick Musson told the Route #10 bus will have a slight change to the route. He told the Route #10 bus will turn onto Sunnyview Road (Cty. Rd. Y) and then turn right onto Soda Creek/Jacktar Road and stop near the walkway to Winnebago County Park. Jim Collins clarified this will not add any time or additional cost but will provide the benefit having a bus stop closer to the Coughlin Center, Winnebago County Park, fairgrounds and Expo Center. Karl Buelow moved to approve the TDP. He stated he believed that his positon on the Board is not that he will ever be an expert on what the market needs but to make sure that staff have put in the work that they need to do. He said he is satisfied that staff and ECWRPC put in the work to put forth a recommendation that is responsible to the people. 1st Karl Buelow 2nd: Jane Cryan Carried: 7 - 0 Approval of fare increases Jim Collins Lynnsey Erickson Jim Collins asked that the Board also vote on the fare increases separate from the TDP so we are transparent. Lynnsey Erickson inquired what would happen if fares were not raised. Mr. Collins replied service and service hour cuts would need to be evaluated. 1st Evelyn Meuret 2nd: Karl Buelow Carried: 7 - 0 Adjournment Evelyn Meuret Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Next meeting: December 19, 2018 1st: Evelyn Meuret 2nd: Karl Buelow