DATE: April 5, 2005
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Parking
and Transportation (Trinity Parking Garage)
1815 Trinity St.
Members: Rene’
Barrera, Dr. Bob Harkins, David Patterson, Colleen Stoll, B.J. Taylor and Verona Thornton
Associates: Joseph
Thornton, Jesse Chapa and Thomas Butler
Staff: Ivonne
Gibbs, Travis Hausmann, Rob Smith, and Allen Walker
I. The meeting was called to order at 6:09 pm by Rene’ Barrera and followed by introduction of members and welcomed new members, Colleen Stoll (present) John Taylor and Barbara Espinoza (not present), and CMTA staff.
II. The minutes for February and March were tabled for later approval.
III. Amenities Update – Travis Hausmann
Mr. Hausmann reported he has been asked to give quarterly updates on status of the Amenities Program. He reported that the first quarter has just been completed. It has been a very active and very productive period. Significant rainfall in January and February impacted productivity, but the quarter was very productive, nonetheless.
Shelter Projects
In terms of shelter projects installed, 15 were completed. Eighteen bench projects were completed. This is somewhat misleading because 25 bench projects were 90% complete. All the site work is complete. All that needs to be done is install the bench, but currently there are no benches in the inventory. However, the Board approved a procurement for 230 benches on last Monday (3/28). It should take about 5-6 weeks to get those benches in, and then Amenities should be back on schedule. On a good day, 15-16 benches can be installed once they have been received.
Upcoming Procurement
Activities:
1. Prefab
Prototype Shelter
There were four prefab prototype shelters expected to be delivered. All 4 were delivered but only three were installed. Of the three, one was installed on Pleasant Valley and Elmont (northbound). Apparently, it is very useful to students. Mr. Hausmann reported the shelters were good but they did not match the existing style. As far as roof materials, aluminum type was preferred but a colored one was received instead. As a result of the aforementioned, it was decided not to purchase the rest of the 30 shelters needed for this project. Instead, a couple of adjustments in the package’s design have been made and another procurement should be completed by this summer.
2. Solar Lighting Pilot Study
There are at least two types of solar lighting that would be applicable to bus stops. One of these two types, solar lighting for the shelter itself has just come on the market within the last 12-24 months. The stand-alone lighting on a pole is the standard that has been out for some years, now. Mr. Hausmann reported that in this pilot study a pilot that had 8-10 units for the shelter itself and then another 8 or 10 units for just a bus stop, stand-alone pole with security lighting was going to be structured. After this pilot, public response will determine future programs in years to come.
Mr. Barrera asked if there were any benefits for working with Austin Energy. Mr. Hausmann response was that the window of opportunity for getting rebates was pretty narrow, but that it was a possibility that could be examined.
Mr. Smith expressed he would like to check into project places for solar lighting.
3. Sign Program with Customer
Care
The sign program is also going
forward right now as a prototype. Mr.
Hausmann provided an update on this prototype by mentioning it had been
presented to the Board last Monday (3/28).
Mr. Hausmann stated that he was involved with this project in the
capacity of finding a package to install the signs once they are
finalized. In order to get the signs out
this summer, the projected completion date for the signs is within the next 2-3
months.
Mr. Barrera asked about costs per unit. Mr. Hausmann replied that at some point there would be a presentation on this, but first an agreement would have to be made on the signs and a budget would have to be developed to present to the Board.
Mr. Smith agreed with Mr. Hausmann’s response and added that it was not only the cost that had to be figured out for building the signs, but also the cost of placing them and getting the right information on the right sign.
Mr. Barrera asked if any of the existing signs could be recycled into the new ones. Mr. Hausmann responded that he was not aware of anything that could be recycled to be used with the new ones. However, the poles might have some recycle value.
Mr. Smith wanted to make a matter of record regarding the University’s concern on the yellow and black colors on the University’s bus stops.
Mr. Hausmann mentioned that a shelter and some benches have been placed at the Great Hills Park and Ride on Jollyville Rd. and Braker. There are about 55-60 parking spaces at this Park and Ride. There is also a nice bus stop at UT on the 23rd Street Circle. Lastly, the bus stop located on 7th and Congress is impressive when compared to the way it used to look.
Mr. Barrera wanted to know if a newsletter was provided to the downtown alliance that conveyed this information. Mr. Hausmann replied affirmatively stating that there is lot of one-on-one interaction with them.
Mr. Smith mentioned that funding and whitewashing for the beautification of the 6th and Brazos stop was being provided. Mr. Barrera interjected that the signage seemed to be tucked away at Brazos. Mr. Hausmann replied that there were a number of signs like this one where the sign had to be adjusted relative to the stop. This improvement is pending on the new signage program to be implemented.
Mr. Barrera made a reminder that the stop on 6th and Brazos is illegible.
Mr. Patterson expressed that in the past amenities has been presented at CSAC meetings. Mr. Barrera mentioned that standards or guidelines for bus lines have never really had a full disclosure nor revisions made to it. Mr. Smith pointed out that this summer would be a good time to talk about this topic because a new draft of the service guidelines is currently being drafted internally. When the new guidelines are drafted, Mr. Smith stated an item could be put on the agenda for an overview of it. Mr. Patterson wanted to know what the possibilities for CSAC’s participation were on being included in the development of the draft. Mr. Smith replied that CSAC would have an opportunity to make comments before finalizing it and taking it to the Board. Ms. Thornton asked if neighborhood input was going to be allowed. Mr. Smith replied that normally, neighborhood input for service guidelines is not received.
Mr. Barrera expressed that he thought it was very effective of Mr. Hausmann to get the seats that were too close to the sidewalk further back from the sidewalk.
Dr. Harkins complimented Mr. Hausmann on his job for the University as far as putting shelters and working well with the University’s faculty. Furthermore, he reminded the audience of his previous recommendation to present a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Hausmann for his outstanding work.
IV. Farebox Ridership Numbers
Fall 2004 Route Analysis from 2002-2004 Data – Rob Smith
Data Source
·
APC units on fixed-route buses
Over 20% fleet
coverage
·
Covers
Fall 2002, 2003, 2004 service change periods
August-January
·
Most
routes have 100% of trips sampled
Most trips
multiple times
·
Connex
routes were not counted until 2003
Steady
Improvement Routes 2002-2004
|
1-North Lamar/South Congress |
320-St. Johns Service
Increase |
|
5-Woodrow |
325-Ohlen |
|
6-East 12th * |
328-Ben White Route
Extension |
|
16-South 5th/Westgate |
339-Walnut Creek/Koenig |
|
27-Dove Springs |
350-Airport Blvd. |
|
100-Airport Flyer Service
Increase |
383-Research |
|
101-N Lamar/S Congress Limited |
456-Gold ‘Dillo |
|
142-Metric Flyer |
987-Leander/Northwest Express |
|
242-Metric Service
Increase |
|
* Note: more than
10% of trips not surveyed, higher chance for error
Steady Loss
Routes 2002-2004
|
26-Riverside |
462-Blue ‘Dillo Service
Decrease |
|
171-Oak Hill Flyer * |
490-HEB Shuttle |
|
174-North Burnet Flyer
Service Decrease |
984-Northwest Direct Express |
|
252-Buckingham Service
Decrease |
|
* Note: more than 10% of trips not surveyed, higher
chance for error
Fast Route Growth
2002-2004
|
101-N Lamar/S Congress Limited +43.0% |
5-Woodrow +28.6% |
|
6-East 12th *
+42.4 |
325-Ohlen +24.2% |
|
18-M.L. King +31.7% |
983-Leander Express
+21.1% |
|
328-Ben White +29.2% |
383-Research +20.7% |
Top Ten Routes for Growth (%)
See the map and list on the next page (p.5).
Top Ten Routes for Growth (%) (Continued from page 4)
Greatest Absolute
Growth 2002-2004
n
1-N Lamar/S Congress +1,065
n 27-Dove Springs +864
n
242-Metric +599
n 311-Stassney
+568
n
10/20-South 1st/Manor
Road +522
Absolute Growth for
High % Routes 2002-2004
n
987-Leander/Northwest Exp +115
n 100-Airport Flyer +130
n
456-Gold ‘Dillo +433
n 101-N Lamar/S Congress Ltd +433
n
6-East 12th * +475
* Note: more than 10% of trips not surveyed, higher
chance for error
Busiest Routes
n
1-N Lamar/S Congress 12,257
n 7/27-Duval/Dove Springs 7,881
n 300-Govalle
6,566
n 10/20-South 1st/Manor Road 5,691
n
15/16-Red River/South 5th 4,451
n 3-Burnet/Manchaca 4,421
n 17-Johnston
3,562
n
331-Oltorf 3,218
n
37/137-Colony Park/Windsor Park 2,976
n
350-Airport Blvd 2,666
These top 10 account for 53,689 daily boardings – well over half the
fixed-route total
Most Productive Routes (Riders/Revenue Hour)
n 300-Govalle
51.06
n 7/27-Duval/Dove Springs 49.69
n 331-Oltorf
46.68
n 325-Ohlen
45.78
n 1-N Lamar/S Congress 44.62
Least Productive Routes (Riders/Revenue Hour)
n 482-Night Owl East 8.00
n 29-Barton Hills 9.80
n 100-Airport Flyer 10.40
n 392-Braker
10.43
n 983-Leander Express 10.89
V. Subcommittee Reports
A.
Rapid Transit Subcommittee – Carl Tepper – No Report
B. Amenities Subcommittee – David Patterson
Mr. Patterson pointed out that there was incorrect schedule information posted at the 37th and Guadalupe bus stop headed southbound. He said he reported this information to the proper channels in February and then talked to Mary Helen a week later. In March it was still there. He found out today (4/5) that the same schedule misinformation is still there. Mr. Patterson also mentioned signage confusion at Westgate and at Highland Mall. He pointed these examples out to convey the low ability of Capital Metro to react to existing problems. Mr. Barrera said he thought there was a tracking system to identify these things. Mr. Walker said that there was a process beginning with a phone call to customer service, and Mr. Patterson countered that he had done 2 different things to try to get it resolved and 2-3 months later nothing has happened, yet. Ms. Taylor pointed out that there might be a larger issue in terms of a lack of a check off list to know when something is going to be done. She also stated that she is not sure of the timeframe or the process. Mr. Walker stated that there should be a four day turnaround on comments or complaints called-in.
C. Technology Subcommittee – Richard Greenwalt - No Report
D. Fixed Routes Subcommittee – Jerry Balaka- No Report
E. By-law changes – Tepper/Barrera – No Report
F. CSAC Membership – Rene’ Barrera
A.
Membership – Rene Barrera Membership – Renẻ Barrera
Applications sent but not received
prior to the meeting for April 5, 2005:
Ø
Kay McAllister (04-04-05)
Ø
John P. Harris (02-01-05)
Ø
Betty-Kells-Murphy (02-10-05)
Ø C. Harris (02-18-05)
Mr. Barrera will
inquire about Mr. Greenwalt’s lack of attendance.
VI. Return to Minutes Approvals
February’s Minutes were motioned for approval by Dr. Bob Harkins and seconded by Mrs. Stoll. All were in favor and the motion was carried out for the approval of February’s minutes.
March’s Minutes were moved to approval by Dr. Bob Harkins and seconded by Mrs. Stoll. All were in favor and the motion was carried out for the approval of March’s minutes.
New/Other Business:
- At the end of the meeting Mr. Barrera moved that CSAC make a presentation to recognize Mr. Hausmann. Dr. Harkins moved to approve the motion, Colleen seconded it, and everyone favored the presentation.
Future Agenda Items:
- Present a certificate of appreciation to Mr. Hausmann.
- A presentation on bus stop signs to include the price of each unit will be made in the future.
- An overview of the revised bus service guidelines is to be presented in a future meeting to give CSAC members an opportunity to make comments before its finalization and presentation to the Board.
- Implement a Dillo review program to analyze downtown circulators in light of recent developments such as Whole Foods.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM