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Home My WebLink About01-13-2016 MTC Minutes FINALFINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 13, 2016 Page 1 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson James Thompson called the meeting to order at 2:37 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Elizabeth Thyne, James Thompson, Denise Martinez, Michelle Wong, John Osumi, Louise Justice, and Cheryl Andrus Absent: Diego-Christopher Lopez, Heidi Harmon Staff: Gamaliel Anguiano (Transit Manager), Megan Cutler (Transit Assistant) PUBLIC COMMENTS Eric Veium, 1174 Osos St., reported that he was not allowed to load his electric-assist bike on to the bus bike rack and asked for explanation of the policy that prohibits such storage and asked that the policy be reviewed. Geoff Straw, RTA, noted that RTA allows electric bikes on a case by case basis and that the policy was mainly created due to the excessive weight of earlier electric bike versions; he felt current models were more streamlined and weighed less. MINUTES Approval of December 4, 2015 Special Meeting Minutes Mr. Thompson requested an approval of the December 4, 2015 draft minutes. Ms. Justice requested an amendment to the draft minutes to record that Mr. Thompson asked for a motion to adjourn meeting. The minutes were amended accordingly. Mr. Thompson requested an approval of the minutes as corrected. FINAL Minutes MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, Wednesday, January 13, 2016 – 2:30 pm FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 13, 2016 Page 2 Ms. Thyne moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Justice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. ACTION ITEMS Agenda Item #1: Selection of MTC RFP Observer Mr. Anguiano discussed the MTC RFP and scoring process and suggested that an MTC member join the process as an observer. Ms. Thyne moved to appoint Mr. Thompson as the RFP observer. Ms. Justice seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Mr. Thompson accepted the position. Agenda Item # 2: SRTP Recommended Route Changes Presentation by LSC, Inc. Gordon Shaw, LSC Inc. representative, discussed the presentation overview which studied the financial and operational plans for the transit system, as well as financial and operationa l aspects of proposed route alternatives for SLO Transit and RTA. Mr. Straw discussed the Executive Summary plan. Mr. Shaw reported that alternative routes explored for SLO Transit fixed route services addressed increased frequency during peak hours, reductions in runs, shorter routes and bi- directional service. He also pointed out that one key issue with current service is that there is not sufficient time for driver breaks. In discussing the Project Status Summary and outlining the next steps, Mr. Shaw presented highlight information of various current and proposed SLO Transit Service Plan routes, including details based on a financially-constrained list, a financially-unconstrained list, and information that proved not to work within the framework. He addressed service coverage, advantages/disadvantages, net reduction of vehicles, cost savings/increases, and ridership/revenue numbers for the following: • Routes 1 & 3 o Alternative 1: Two One-Way Opposite Loops, with Route 3 Extension on Broad Street FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 13, 2016 Page 3 o Alternative 2: Bi-Directional Routes with Route 1 on Broad Street, Route 3 on Johnson Avenue o Alternative 3: Bi-Directional Routes with Route 1 on Johnson Avenue and Route 3 on Broad Street o Alternative 4: Reverse Existing Routes • Route 2 o Alternative 1: Minor Revision to Serve New Development o Alternative 2: Large 1-Way Loop on Higuera Street, Los Osos Valley Road and Madonna Road • Route 2 & 4 o Large 1-Way Loop: Higuera, Los Osos Valley Road, Madonna Road • Routes 4 & 5 o Alternative 1: Revise Route 4 to 2-Way Hourly Service on Madonna Road and Revise Route 5 to Serve California Boulevard o Alternative 2: Revise Route 4 to 2-Way 30-Minute Service on Madonna Road and Revise Route 5 to Serve California Boulevard Mr. Thompson and Ms. Thyne noted that the “jog” from Mill Street to Pepper Street was still appearing in Routes 4, 5 and 6. It had been agreed at an earlier date that this “jog” would be eliminated, due to complaints from neighborhood residents. o Alternative 3: Combined 2-Way Route • Route 6A/B o Alternative 1: Two Half-Hourly Routes o Alternative 2: One Hourly Route Providing 30-Minute Frequency o Alternative 3: Two Half-Hourly Routes Providing Service Every 15 Minutes in Peak Periods FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 13, 2016 Page 4 o Alternative 4: Large Bi-Directional Loop Providing Service Every 20 Minutes in Peak Periods While they appreciated the level of details being considered, Ms. Justice and Ms. Thyne stated they were especially concerned that overall service efforts should be focused on serving the residents as well as student population. Mr. Shaw provided recap chart information on the SLO Transit Alternatives Impact on Annual Operating Subsidy and discussed Span of Service details pertaining to: • Extended Hours of Operation During the School Year • Providing Evening Service in the Summer Ms. Justice raised a concern regarding the discussion considering schools and not considering residents in transit schedule planning. Mr. Anguiano acknowledged that this is a challenge SLO Transit faces, the root of this issue being money. He also noted the possibility of planning summer service to be more equivalent to school year (K-12) service. Cal Poly subsidy also had major influence on service frequency and duration during school year. Ridership and levels of service also correlate. However, SLO Transit was interested in all demographics when planning the system: community members, students, transit dependent and choice riders. There was Committee discussion regarding Route 1 loss of service resulting from service changes. Mr. Anguiano acknowledged that Route 1 service will be accounted for with alternative service that may require a transfer. There was discussion regarding Senior/Disabled/Low-income population and question regarding whether the Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan (CHSTP) will be considered for the crafting of the Short Range Transit Plan. Mr. Anguiano suggested the opposite approach of the CHSTP considering for the Short Range Transit Plan. Mr. Straw acknowledged that the CHSTP is a subset of the SRTP. Mr. Shaw acknowledged survey results indicated a desire for longer service duration, especially evening service in the summer, and to potentially provide hourly service for Routes 2, 3, 4, 6A, and 6B. Mr. Shaw continued the presentation discussion: FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 13, 2016 Page 5 • Extended Trolley Hours of Service Mr. Shaw shared survey results indicating the desire to extend Trolley evening service. Currently, Friday service (June through Labor Day) and Saturday service (April through October) ends at 9:00 PM. There was a suggestion to extend service to midnight. Mr. Shaw continued the presentation discussion: • Crosstown Route Mr. Shaw discussed a crosstown route traveling from Madonna Road Promenade area to the Brickyard area, requiring approximately an hour-long round trip. Route option may reduce travel time for passengers traveling crosstown, but may also require an additional transfer. Mr. Shaw suggested revising the schedules to make better transfers downtown, rather than add a new route that serves this area. Mr. Shaw concluded his MTC presentation and stated that any comments could be either emailed to Mr. Anguiano, GAnguiano@slocity.org, or to GordonShaw@lsctahoe.com. It was agreed that further discussion of SRTP would be included at the March MTC meeting and the April RTAC meeting and that another joint meeting was still under consideration. DISCUSSION ITEM Agenda Item # 3: Transit Manager’s Report None. Committee Comments Mr. Thompson asked for motion to adjourn meeting. Ms. Thyne moved to adjourn the meeting at 4:42 p.m. to the next regular meeting of Wednesday, March 9, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. Ms. Justice seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Woske and Megan Cutler APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 03/09/2016