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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11-2018 - Hunter - Public CommentVIA E-MAIL John Logan Hunter, Jr. 1357 Phillips Lane San Luis Obispo CA 93401 Cell - (626) 664-4412 JLoganh5@hotmail.com 2 July 2018 John Osumi Chair, Mass Transportation Committee Dear Chair Osumi & Members of the Mass Transportation Committee, The draft minutes of the May 2018 MTC meeting poorly reflect my statement and request made during Public Comment. The transcript from which I read is on the following page. Mr. Anguiano has continually represented that the Double Decker bus is needed and used on routes 3A and 3B. This has been his basis for diverting the bus route onto the Phillips/Pepper Loop. Mr. Guyton said that the double decker is not used on routes 3A or 3B. Both statements cannot be true. My request was that this discrepancy be addressed at the July MTC meeting. Via e-mail on June 18 2018, Mr. Osumi assured me that this would be discussed. At no point in that statement during Public Comment did I request the closure of the Phillips bus stops. Please update the minutes accordingly. Sincerely, Logan Hunter Please bear with me, I promise I’m not just here to beat a dead horse. We all understand a few things about bus service on Phillips Lane. That it exists on that street to support the double decker, and that the double decker is needed and used on that route. That is what we have been continually told. Last meeting, Gamaliel stated the following, in reference to actual double decker usage on 3A & 3B between the dates of September 14 and November 9th. “When I look at this, this is pretty consistent but it could vary some. What this data shows on Page 17 of 40 is that the bus does anywhere from 1 to maybe 6 loops through that area…” He is saying that the use of the double decker shown during that date range is representative of its continuing use. Between 1 and 6 loops sounds great, but the reality is the double decker was only used 3.5% of the time during that period. Last week, I spoke with John Geitan at First Transit. I wanted to know if he could update the double decker usage numbers for the past couple of months. He quickly replied, and I quote: “It is not used on 3A or 3B.” I then asked him when it was last used on 3A or 3B. He replied that to his knowledge it has not been used on that route this entire school year. I’ll forgive him for forgetting when it was used 3.5% of the time over seven months ago. When asked, he also said that he was unaware of any plans to resume using the double decker on 3A or 3B. Think about that. Is that what you understood? Is this what Gamaliel told you when you asked him? If you have any doubt, listen to the recordings from the last few meetings. The answer is unequivocally no. This whole time, Staff has insisted that they would prefer to move off the loop, but they just cant because they need and use the double decker on that route. It would stand to reason that this statement would be matched by use. So what’s the real story? At best, it seems that staff has displayed a lack of candor. I am asking that you put this topic on the agenda for the next MTC meeting. At that time, there will be an entire school year’s worth of data to consider. How often was the double decker used? How many leave-behinds were there? If the double decker is really needed, it will be shown in the numbers. It will have been used. If it wasn’t used, what is the real reason that bus service continues along the loop? Is it some special interest? Mr. Figueroa asked that question in November. I don’t know the answer. I have submitted a letter with more detail to the City Clerk. It will be posted to the record for you to review.