| Members: | Roger Cauvin, Oscar Estrada Gaytan, Rich MacKinnon, David Patterson, BJ Taylor, Jean Mather, and Laura Willard, Jessica Wilson |
| Visitors: | Margaret and Garrett Hudson, Lee Hill, Queen Walker |
| CMTA Staff: | John-Michael Cortez, Adam Perkins |
- Introduction of CSAC members, staff, and visitors
- Approval of Minutes for August 12, 2009 and September 9, 2009 CSAC Meetings.
Motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Gaytan, with Mrs. Willard seconding the motion. The minutes were approved with one abstention by Mr. Cauvin.
- Citizens Communication
Mr. Hill discussed his concerns with CSAC’s role and the difficulty in getting to meetings at 6 PM. Mr. Hill asked CSAC to remember non-downtown riders, including riders from SouthPark to TechRidge, to Lakeline.
Ms. Luciano announced a new cycling program for school children beginning in February. The program will teach children how to ride their bike and the bus.
- Information Technology Update – Kirk Talbott
Mr. Talbott discussed the progress of several Cap Metro technology projects. Mr. Talbott reported that the ITS system had been installed on some fixed route vehicles is being tested. Following successful testing, the technology will be installed on all vehicles. IT hopes to begin installation in the springtime and be completed by early fall. This project will allow riders to obtain real-time information on service.
Regarding the IVR system, an outside party helped Cap Metro staff determine the scope of system problems, which are substantial. The option to reconstruct the system from scratch is very costly.
A new IT position has been created to make customer information more user friendly on the Cap Metro webpage, and facilitate the development of mobile phone applications, etc.
The new Cap Metro board has placed increased emphasis on transparency, and would like to make transportation information readily available to the public. The plan is to bring research data out to the public. For example, how many riders, what is the most frequent route, etc. Mr. Talbott asked CSAC what they believed the most useful information for the public would be. Responses from the Committee included riders per hour and on time performance. Ms. Wilson suggested Cap Metro ensure that information would be readily available for the visually impaired. Mrs. Willard asked if data could be filtered by route. Mr. Talbott also discussed financial performance metrics as a possible area of data to be published on the website.
- Proposed ServicePlan2020 Service Concepts
Mr. Cortez discussed the ServicePlan 2020 goals and the policy direction provided by the Cap Metro Board of Directors in initiating this planning project. He then discussed the initial assessment of highly productive services and unproductive services and the general recommendations for routes, which include improving route directness, improving downtown operations, improving focus on employment and retail destinations, reduce service in non-productive areas, and reinvest service in high ridership corridors.
Mr. Cortez then discussed in detail the recommendations pertaining to each geographic area of service. Regarding the downtown area recommendations, Mr. Cauvin expressed concern for the number of traffic lanes that would need to be crossed for transfers if service is focused on the Guadalupe and Lavaca corridors.
Ms. Luciano inquired if supporting capital facilities in the plan will accommodate bikes. Mr. Cortez says they are still having conversations to discuss these issues in more detail, and will follow up on this item in more detail.
Mr. Cortez discussed the short-term and mid to long term recommendations in the plan, and the next steps. The Cap Metro Board will consider adopting this plan in February. Public hearings must still take place in order for service changes in this plan to occur.
- Proposed Resolution regarding Pedestrian and Bicycle Access – Jessica Williams
Ms. Wilson discussed concerns regarding pedestrian and bicycle access around the rail line and offered a resolution on the issue. A motion to adopt the resolution was made by Mr. Patterson and seconded by Mr. Cauvin. The resolution was approved unanimously. (Appended to these minutes)
- CSAC Officer Elections
Mr. Cortez discussed the recruitment of new CSAC members. Mr. Cortez presented a map of current CSAC member residences to illustrate representation of the service area. No nominations were made for the CSAC Chair position. The Committee elected Mr. MacKinnon to the Vice-Chair position by unanimous vote.
- Approval of CSAC 2010 WorkPlan
Mr. Cortez presented the proposed 2010 CSAC Workplan, which was developed with input from the Committee. The workplan was adopted by the Committee without objection.
- Report from Urban Transportation Commission – Rich MacKinnon
- Report from ACCESS Committee – David Paterson
Mr. Patterson reported on the status of the proposed MetroACCESS changes and an upcoming Board public hearing on the matter. Mr. Patterson made the Committee aware of the upcoming ACCESS Fixed Route Sub Committee meeting
- Report from ServicePlan2020 Community Advisory Council – Roger Cauvin
Mr. Cauvin indicated that there has been no activity by the advisory council over the last few months. He reminded the Committee of the resolution passed regarding ServicePlan2020 several months ago. Mr. Cauvin also announced a reception for the new Capital Metro board to be held by the Downtown Austin Alliance in February.
- January 2010 Service Changes and Fare Increase
Mr. Cortez reported on the implementation of the January 2010 service and fare changes.
- Report on Action Items – John-Michael Cortez
Mr. Cortez reported that Rail Operations has advised that a bike and pedestrian cut-through cannot be provided on the East 7th street median due to safety concerns. Mr. Cortez will continue to follow-up on the matter.
- Discussion Regarding February Agenda Items:
The Committee briefly discussed agenda items for the February meeting.
- Adjourn
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Resolution # 20100113-01
WHEREAS the Customer Satisfaction Advisory Committee (CSAC) serves as an advisory body to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors, as outlined in the Transportation Code, Subtitle K. “Mass Transportation”, Section § 451.109 “Advisory Committee;” and
WHEREAS, CSAC represents a broad range of riders with diverse backgrounds and needs and reviews, studies, and makes recommendations to the Capital Metro Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, CSAC receives and studies member and citizen comments and suggestions in all areas of Capital Metro operations, including but not limited to route planning, facility design and operation, customer service, marketing, budgeting, purchasing, and special projects; and
WHEREAS, transit system users are pedestrians or bicyclists at some point during their journey; and
WHEREAS, pedestrians include citizens traveling by foot, bicycle, or wheelchair; and
WHEREAS, the safety of transit users, pedestrians, and bicyclists is important to CSAC members and critical to Capital Metro’s continued success, and
WHEREAS, CSAC believes Capital Metro should set a high standard for promoting safety and comfort for pedestrians and bicyclists, and
WHEREAS, CSAC members have observed recent construction by Capital Metro contractors which impedes and possibly discourages pedestrian or bicycle traffic.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, CSAC urges the Capital Metro Board of Directors enact policies to ensure that Cap Metro staff and contractors prioritize pedestrian and bicycle-friendly design is prioritized in future construction projects, and to remove existing pedestrian and bicycle impediments as soon as possible.
Adopted this __ day of _________, 20 ___
_____________________________
Jessica Wilson, CSAC Acting-Chair
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200