Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-11-2017 MTC Minutes FINAL Minutes - FINAL MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Wednesday, January 11, 2017 Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee was called to order on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at 2:34 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), James Thompson (Technical), Justin Frentzel (Student), Diego-Christopher Lopez (Alternate), David Figueroa (Alternate) Absent: Louise Justice (Member at Large) Staff: Transit Manager Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Assistant Megan Cutler, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. MINUTES Amendment to Minutes of the Mass Transportation Committee, meeting of December 8, 2016, Discussion Item 4, deletion: Though Cal Poly has continuously increased over the years, and make up 65% of ridership, that only takes into account half of the City. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 2 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THOMPSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER FRENTZEL, CARRIED 8-0, to approve the Minutes of the Mass Transportation Committee Meeting on December 8, 2016. ACTION ITEMS 1. Title VI Plan The Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits any federally funded group or program from discriminating a person based on race, color, and national origin. SLO Transit receives federal funds, so accepts and abides by Title VI regulations. The City’s existing Title VI Plan has been updated in compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Title VI regulations. The Title VI Plan holds accountable all City staff, as well as contractors, subcontractors, and vendors to abide by these rules. The Title VI Plan identifies the methods the City and its contractor will operate in order to help prevent Title VI violations from occurring. The Plan also includes the method for formally submitting a Title VI complaint and the method by which this complaint will be responded. Should a problem arise, all complaints will be investigated, responded to, and reported back to the person. Complaints must be submitted no later than 180 days from the alleged date of discrimination. A letter acknowledging receipt of complaint will be mailed within 30 days. There will be information on how the person can appeal a decision, and how to contact the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the ultimate authority, should a person be unhappy with the outcome. Committee Member Frentzel questions the complaint submittal procedures (Section V, Page 2) and proposes additional submittal methods be listed, such as in person, by phone, or by email. Transit Manager Anguiano responds complaints can be submitted by phone or email, but will also need to be formally documented no later than 180 days of the alleged incident. Committee Member Figueroa questions how a passenger will file a complaint against another passenger. Transit Manager Anguiano clarifies this complaint would not fall under the Title VI Plan, but would need to be reported to the police. The Title VI Plan will be produced in Spanish, in addition to other critical pieces, such as the transit guide, fares, and policies. Title VI Plan is currently and will continuously be displayed in every vehicle. The public is invited to submit comments in regards to the Title VI Plan until February 13, 2017. These comments may further shape the Title VI Plan before it is submitted to City Council. The Plan may also be updated according to any new government rules or technology developments. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 3 ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER THOMPSON, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER LOPEZ, CARRIED 8-0, to support the Title VI Plan with recommendations from the general public before finalizing the plan. 2. Draft Fare Change Transit Manager Anguiano reviews why a fare change is necessary. Per the implementation of the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP), there will be new routes and schedules to provide better service to the public. Cal Poly routes will no longer be the only routes that run later or earlier. The weekend and summer services will also be more consistent. However, with the lo ss of Measure J, and scheduled improvements for buses, routes, and schedules, a proposed fare change is in the works to make up the losses of grants and federal funds. The proposed fare changes will be as follows: • Cash Fare: $1.25 to $1.50 • 1 Day Pass: $3.00 to $3.25 • 3 Day Pass: $6.00 to $7.00 • 5 Day Pass: $10.00 to $12.00 • 7 Day Pass: $14.00 to $15.00 • 31 Day Regular Pass: no increase • 31 Day Student Pass: no increase • 31 Day Senior/Disabled Pass: $12.50 to $22.00 Committee Member Thyne questions if certain pass types will be eliminated per the Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP). Transit Manager Anguiano acknowledges the SRTP makes this recommendation, but explains the benefit of offering the public with more pass type options since some cannot financially commit to the 7 Day Pass or 31 Day Pass. As for the 31 Day Senior/Disabled Pass, there has not been an increase in at least 7 years. Therefore, over the next five years, the rate will increase in $2.00 increments while Transit Manager Anguiano looks into obtaining grants to help keep rates stable. Interior advertising space will continue to help increase revenue. Committee Member Figueroa acknowledges the sensitivity of fare increases, but suggests an increase in the cash fare in a manner that encourages the purchase of multiple ride/day passes. Committee Member Frentzel questions the frequency of our ride free events contributing to a loss of revenue. Transit Manager Anguiano responds these free ride events are inten ded to promote ridership among people who will try transit for free, which will hopefully generate future ridership. These free ride events typically occur on low ridership days, such as Sundays, so results in minimal revenue loss. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 4 RTA Executive Director Geoff Straw suggests conducting a fare elasticity analysis to further evaluate the proposed fare changes. ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER FIGUEROA, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MARTINEZ, CARRIED 8-0, to move the draft fare change topic to a special meeting on February 8, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, located at 990 Palm Street. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Committee Items a. Update on SRTP 4. Staff Items a. Transit Manager’s Report Transit Manager Anguiano reports on ridership. A decline in ridership is seen in October and November, then an increase in ridership is seen in December due largely in part to rainy weather conditions. Transit Assistant Cutler reports on the New Bus Unveiling Event scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2017 in Mission Plaza at 4:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to draw public attention to our new vehicles with new features. In addition to new buses, new bus stop signage and bus passes will be revealed to the public. Transit Manager Anguiano states the new signage meets the new Federal guidelines for reflectiveness. The city emblem, route number decals, website and phone number will all be included on these signs. Transit Manager Anguiano highlights the features of the new buses, such as BRT aerodynamic styling, elongated escape hatches that increases safety and natural light, two-toned flooring, perimeter seating for more space, LED lighting, infotainment systems, and a new paint scheme. The double decker returned to the bus yard and returns to service following thorough inspection, likely within the next couple of weeks. ADJOURNMENT ACTION: MOTION BY COMMITTEE MEMBER OSUMI, SECOND BY COMMITTEE MEMBER MARTINEZ, CARRIED 6-0 (Committee Member Andrus left at 3:31 p.m. and Committee Member Lopez left at 3:37 p.m.) to adjourn the meeting at 4:24 p.m. until the Special Meeting of the Mass Transportation Committee, February 8, 2017 at 2:30 p.m. FINAL Minutes – Mass Transportation Committee Meeting of January 11, 2017 Page 5 Respectfully submitted, Lareina Gamboa Recording Secretary Megan Cutler Transit Assistant APPROVED BY THE MASS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 03/08/2017