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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-08-2016 MTC Minutes FINALMinutes - FINAL MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Thursday, December 8, 2016 Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee CALL TO ORDER A Special Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee was called to order on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at 1:15 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, California, by Chair Thyne. ROLL CALL Present: Committee Members Elizabeth Thyne (Chair - Senior), John Osumi (Vice Chair – Business), Cheryl Andrus (Cal Poly), Denise Martinez (Disabled), Louise Justice (Member at Large), James Thompson (Technical), Justin Frentzel (Student), Diego- Christopher Lopez (Alternate), David Figueroa (Alternate) Absent: None Staff: Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Assistant Megan Cutler, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Mr. Lopez states there is no awning or bench at the bus stop on LOVR in front of Target. This leaves passengers sitting on the curb while waiting which poses a safety issue. Chair Thyne suggests this be added to the five-year Short Range Transit Plan of improved bus stops. Mr. Anguiano informs the committee over the next two years the City will be undergoing a capital improvement project, such as replacement of buses and improved or new shelters at high boarding locations. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of December 8, 2016 Page 2 MINUTES Chair Thyne requests amendment be made within Adjournment section of the November 9, 2016 meeting minutes, changing December 1, 2016 Special Meeting from 4:40 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER OSUMI, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER FRENTZEL, CARRIED 7-0 to approve the Minutes of the Mass Transportation Committee Meeting on November 9, 2016. ACTION ITEMS 1.Revision to E-Bike Policy The current E-bike policy does not permit E-bikes onto buses due to their weight. For safety precautions, the bike rack manufacturer suggests bikes weigh no more than 55 pounds. As E-bikes are a growing form of transportation the policy will be amended to adjust for the demand of E-bikes and riders to board the bus. The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and the Bike SLO County Bike Kitchen are working on in-house programs to certify that an E-bike weighs 55 pounds or less, this is including the battery. An E-bike can be taken to either RTA or the Bike Kitchen to be weighed. If the E-bike passes, it will be certified and the rider will be given a decal that is to be placed in an appropriate spot, viewable from the driver’s seat. Battery packs will have to stay on the E-bike, and will still not be permitted on busses do to safety concerns. There will be a trial period of about a year, so long as no issues arise. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER ANDRUS, CARRIED 7-0 to set the provisions to the E-Bike Policy. 2.Finalize Recommended Major City Goals The MTC Goals are revisited, and re-worded to meet their specific descriptions to then be presented to the City for the five-year plan. The following titles were agreed upon: 1.Acquire advanced technological equipment 2.Dedicate funds for transportation center incorporating both local and regional transit services 3.Seek new local transit funding sources 4.Coordinate multi-modal transportation FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of December 8, 2016 Page 3 5.Add additional full-time staff member ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THOMPSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, CARRIED 7-0 to approve the finalization of Major City Goals (Committee Member Lopez excused himself at 2:05 p.m.). DISCUSSION ITEMS 3.Committee Items Committee Member Justice shares her recent interaction with the Yellow Cab Company, informing the committee that their business is not fairing out as desired due to the increase of Uber drivers. As a direct result of Uber, the Yellow Cab Company has reduced its drivers of 17 down to 4, and because of that lack of business, Yellow Cab Company is holding off on making improvements, such as investing in new cabs. 4.Staff Items A.) New Schedules based on SRTP (Short Range Transit Plan) A visual chart was created for examples of new time schedules and routes ranging as early as 6 a.m., and as late as 11 p.m. This new layout reflects the impacts of Cal Poly and RTA schedules, as well as evening, weekend and summer schedules. Extra bus route options and times are also mapped out for peak hours of the day, and will end promptly after, leaving the main bus route in effect. B.) Fare Increase - Preliminary Discussion As a result of increased routes and times, and the overall ridership of the general public decreasing steadily over time, a fare increase is being considered to make up the shortfalls of funding and ridership. Several options have been explored, such as equipping new busses with Wi-Fi, infotainment systems, advertisement boxes on the outside of the buses, and seeking funds from Cal Poly have all been considered. The thought of bringing more riders is desirable, but the amount of riders required to make up the lack of revenue, 20,000 needed, is not realistic. Considering seven years have passed since the last fare increase, a slight increase for single day riders seems plausible. Long term pass rates would stay the same. Ideas of household bus passes were considered, but would require more funding to staff an employee to issue and maintain issues that may occur. ADJOURNMENT FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of December 8, 2016 Page 4 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER JUSTICE, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER FIGUEROA, CARRIED 7-0 to adjourn the meeting at 2:45 p.m. until the next Regular meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee, January 11, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lareina Gamboa Recording Secretary Megan Cutler Transit Assistant APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 01/11/2017