Public Transit Advisory Committee Minutes

March 18, 2004, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Public Transit Division Office, 933 New Hampshire Street

Members Present: Chairman Danny Kaiser, Rob Tabor, Andy Stahmer, Jo Ann Garrett, Marian Hukle, Melodie Christal, Marc Epard, Alan Black, Tim Akright.

Staff Members Present: Karin Rexroad, Mike Sweeten, Wendy Koerner.

Call to Order

            Chairman Danny Kaiser called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

Public Comment

            No public comment was provided.

Agenda Review

            Item #7 was removed from agenda as it was a duplication of item # 5.

Public Transit Administrator Update

Ridership Report

            Administrator updated the committee on the February 2004 ridership report.  The average daily ridership for the fixed-route system was 993 and 163 for paratransit.

On February 4, staff participated in the Transition Council’s Resource Fair where they offered information on services the transit system provides.

Administrator updated the committee on the progress of communications with the Lawrence Public Library in regards to a partnership on a possible decked parking structure that could be shared by both parties.  Administrator and Chairman Kaiser met with library administration and they were receptive to the idea of a possible partnership.  The next step will be to present the idea to the library board.  

Student Pass Discussion

            Administrator addressed a question posed by Saunny Scott on whether or not the proposed swim pass promotion would also apply to the paratransit system.  The administrator expressed her feeling that the intent of the promotion is to increase ridership on the fixed-route system and would not apply to paratransit.  PTAC agreed that the promotion is intended only for the fixed-route system.  Administrator added that the board will need to address paratransit issues later when they discuss student fare passes.

Administrator outlined a document that summarized student fare research that had been distributed to the committee.  Research show many other transit agencies offer reduced fares for students.  In addition, many agencies issue ID cards for students to present to drivers in order to receive the discounted rate.  The board discussed whether LTS should issue reduced fare qualifying passes to students or if school issued ID cards would be sufficient. It was decided that K - 6 grade students would be fairly easy for drivers to identify and would not be required to show ID to pay lower fare.  Students in grades 7 – 12 are issued school IDs that can be presented to the drivers if the question of qualification arises.  Board directed staff to investigate ways to identify home and private-schooled students and the effective ways to promote the service to them. 

Alan moved to adopt a school based, reduced (1/2) fare for K – 12 grade students on a year-round basis; Marian seconded.  Chairman requested public comments before the vote. 

Jim Peek pointed out that the drivers currently do not make special patrons or persons over the age of 60 present ID to pay the reduced fare and he is concerned that making students show their ID may place additional burden on the drivers.  PTAC responded that the intent is not for drivers to ID every single passenger, but that IDs would be a tool for drivers and road supervisors to use in enforcing the rules if problems arise from passengers who abuse the system.

Brenda Nunez asked if the board wanted K - 6 students to start carrying IDs, as she is on an advisory board that could facilitate this.  PTAC responded it is not necessary since students of this age group are fairly easy to identify. 

Chairman Kaiser called for a vote, and the motion passed unanimously.

Route Change Proposal

Committee Update

PTAC discussed the intended timeframe for implementation of the proposed changes, keeping in mind the processes that must be followed.  It was decided that the board would work aggressively to implement changes prior to the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year. Committee agreed to vote on individual route changes as they are presented, rather than one vote for all proposed changes.  Administrator reminded the committee that moving forward to public hearings on the changes does not necessarily mean all the changes will be implemented as presented.  Alan Black suggested staff have the proposed changes drawn up on a map to be used to illustrate changes at the public hearings.  See Attachment A for document of proposed changes.

Changes to Route 1 will eliminate need for left turns on Haskell Avenue that currently disrupt the flow of the route and will enhance service to the Prairie Park neighborhood and school.  Melodie moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage with proposed Route 1 changes; Jo Ann seconded.  No public comment was presented and Chairman opened for a vote and the motion passed unanimously. 

Changes to Route 2 will move route from Learnard Ave, which is not adequate to handle transit vehicles, to Barker Ave.  Melodie moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage with proposed Route 2 changes; Rob seconded.  No public comment was provided and Chairman called for a vote.  Motion passed unanimously.

Two changes have been proposed for Route 5.  The first will provide increased service to the Legends apartment complex and future retirement facilities planned for the area.  This is an area that KU on Wheels is considering cutting or eliminating their service to altogether which may result in their riders transitioning to LTS. The second proposed change is to eliminate the HINU loop to help build time into the route where delays along 23rd Street have occurred.  Marian said that Route 5 drivers say they do not have a problem with the HINU portion of the route and that changes are needed where the bus stops behind JC Penney’s.  Rob moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage for proposed Route 5 changes; Melodie seconded. 

Chairman opened discussion for public comment.  Geri Bowers feels we are taking away service from one college to add service to another college.  Mike Sweeten pointed out that we either need to increase headway on this route or ask it to do less with the current headway.  Route 5 will continue to service HINU, but access will move to 23rd and Barker which is a block north of existing bus shelter.

Duane Van Anne asked the committee to look at possibly building time into the route at East Hills Business Park as an alternative to dropping HINU.

Chairman called for vote and the motion passed with eight votes in favor and one vote against.

Proposed changes to Route 6 will improve access to the system for both FSHS students and apartment complexes in the area and will maintain the existing 40 minute headway.  Melodie moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage with proposed Route 6 changes; Rob seconded.  No public comment was provided and Chairman Kaiser called for a vote. The motion passed unanimously.

Proposed Route 9 would be a new route that responds to ongoing requests for a West and South Lawrence connection.  In addition, it would offer West Lawrence another connection to KU.  The proposal requires the acquisition of parking spaces by the Carnegie Library to allow for a downtown layover. If the spaces cannot be acquired, the route would not have a layover downtown. Melodie moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage on proposed Route 9; Andy seconded.  No public comment was given and Chairman called for a vote.  Motion passed unanimously.

Two changes are proposed for Route 7.  The first would eliminate problems the bus has making left turns onto Louisiana Street from 27th Street.  The proposed change puts the bus on 27th Terrace which is a 4-way stop at Louisiana.  The second increases service to a 60 minutes headway at no additional expense.  Melodie moved that PTAC proceed to the public hearing stage on proposed Route 7 changes; Jo Ann seconded.  During public comment Saunny Scott said she appreciates any changes that would increase service along the route. 

Geri Bowers said she does not like the changes because she works hard to get students to all the schools along the route on time and feels the changes would affect that.  Administrator pointed out that the proposed schedule allows adequate time for students to get to schools along the route on time.

Chairman Kaiser called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.

The final change that has been proposed is the most drastic and is based on scenarios the City Commission required the Transit Administrator to prepare to address 2004 budget shortfalls.  Route 8 has proven to be the busiest route and would benefit the most from increased service to 40 minute headway.  Unfortunately to increase service in one area, it is necessary to pull service from another.  By reducing Saturday and evening service on all routes, resources saved could be utilized to increase the frequency on Route 8 to 40 minutes.  The change would also require an additional vehicle which could be pulled from the interlined Route 1 and 4.  A paratransit bus, painted in fixed-route colors, could then be substituted to serve Routes 1 and 4.   A small bus would be less likely to damage the Prairie Park Nature Center driveway and will be easier to navigate the streets of North Lawrence.  

Alan Black moved to proceed to public hearing with the proposal to increase Route 8 headway to 40 minutes, with a reduction in evening and Saturday service; Melodie seconded. 

Chairman requested public comment.  Duane Van Anne said he felt that LTS is not providing service to the working class that do not work traditional Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm jobs.  Marian added that she would like to protect the service we have now without cutbacks.  Jim Peek added that paratransit vehicles get better gas mileage than fixed-route buses.  Mike Sweeten agreed that the smaller buses get better gas mileage, but they have much shorter revenue hours.

Chairman Kaiser called for a vote and the motion passed unanimously.

Due to the meeting running long, Danny suggested deferring agenda item #8 – Fixed Route Rules & Regulations discussion until the April meeting and opened the floor to final public comment.

Public Comment

            No final public comments were presented.

Next Meeting

April 15, 2004

Adjournment

            Meeting was adjourned at 5:47 pm.

Submitted by Wendy Koerner             Approved via email