Public Transit Advisory Committee Minutes

April 15, 2004, 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

Public Transit Division Office, 933 New Hampshire Street

 

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

 

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

 

Call to Order

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

 

Public Comment

Saunny Scott said she felt things were going well for the system. 

 

James Peek thanked the board for public hearings held on the proposed route changes.

 

Agenda Review

No changes were made to the agenda.

 

Public Transit Administrator Update

Ridership Report

Administrator updated the committee on the March 2004 ridership report.  The average daily ridership for the fixed-route system was 1001, and for paratransit, 170 passengers.  On-time performance remains high regardless of numerous road closures and reroutes.  In addition, The Merc has been doing a tremendous job selling bus passes for the system.

 

Budget Process Update

Direction from City Commission has been to keep the 2005 transit budget the same as the 2004 budget.  The budget hearing with the city commissioners is scheduled for May 19, 2004.  August 14, 2004 will be the public hearing for the proposed city budget.

 

A report of performance measures is now being required of all city departments.  LTS currently reports their performance measures to the National Transit Database on an annual basis, so this is not new to our department.

 

Marc asked how we are doing on federal funding.  Administrator stated that new federal legislation has not been approved by Congress to date.  However, grantees may apply for a portion of potential allocation.  Our current grant is in the application process and is awaiting final approval from the Department of Labor. State and local funding are still in place. 

 

 

 

Route Change Proposal

Marc Epard updated the board on the annual route review process and the Route/Scheduling Review sub-committees recommendations to the board. The review involved an examination of our system looking at operational efficiency, system-wide goals, budgetary constraints/opportunities, and input from staff and the general public.  Two public hearings were held with 48 individuals in attendance.  In addition, written comments were allowed and a driver meeting was held.

 

The public provided excellent feedback on the proposed route changes and also requested further improvements to the system.  The overall viewpoint expressed was that the public likes the transit system the way it is currently configured.  This is backed up by our 22% increase in ridership for the first three months of 2004 as compared to the same time frame in 2003.  While the public was receptive to tweaking a route to make an improvement in timing or pick-up/drop-off location, the public was also clear that any major changes or improvements made to the routes should be in addition to what is currently offered. 

 

PTAC is sending several proposals back to the Route/Scheduling Review sub-committee for further study.  Suggestions being considered are service to the jail; later hours; north/south routes for west Lawrence; east/west routes for east Lawrence; and shuttle service on the South Iowa retail loop.  In the next several months, PTAC plans to submit a detailed report to the City Commission regarding the current status of the transit system and a plan for system-wide improvements.  This report will further highlight public input and requests for service.  In addition, it will provide cost-estimates for each suggested service enhancement. 

 

The full PTAC committee reviewed all comments and carefully considered the following recommendations made by the sub-committee.

 

Route 1 – Outbound route will extend service to Prairie Park Nature Center; numerous requests from Parks & Recreation staff, schools, and day cares have been received for this additional destination

Route 2 – Route will utilize Barker instead of Learnard

Route 5 – Outbound route will provide service on 24th Place between Crossgate and Inverness instead of Clinton Parkway; this change will serve the Legends which rents to KU students and may enhance our KU on Wheels T Sticker sales; KU on Wheels has dropped service to this destination

Route 5 – Upon installation of the traffic light on 31st and Neider Road, the route when departing Four Wheel Drive will utilize Neider Road to turn onto 31st; this by-passes two lights and a stretch of Iowa where no opportunities for pick-ups/drop-offs exist since we are in the turn lane on Iowa

Route 6 – Outbound counter-clockwise route will turn onto Folks & Overland Drive to move the route closer to the high school and away from 6th Street where limited opportunities exist for safe pick-ups/drop-offs

Route 7 – Inbound route traveling on 27th Street will turn right onto Belle Haven and utilize 27th Terrace to access Louisiana; this avoids a left hand turn at the “limited” controlled intersection of 27th and Louisiana

Route 7 – Upon installation of the traffic light on 31st and Neider Road, the route when departing Four Wheel Drive will utilize Neider Road to turn onto 31st; this by-passes two lights and a stretch of Iowa where no opportunities for pick-ups/drop offs exist since we are in the turn lane on Iowa

 Route 7 – Inbound route traveling on Massachusetts will turn left onto 11th, turn right onto Vermont, stop on the bank side of 9th Street and proceed on the outbound route utilizing New Hampshire to 11th, turn left onto Massachusetts

 

Alan Black moved to accept the sub-committee’s recommendations and Jo Ann seconded.  Chairman Kaiser opened the floor for public comment.  Steve Cochran said this is the smartest decision ever made by the committee. 

 

James Peek suggested Route 5 bus turn left on K-10 to access East Hills Business Park by their main entrance rather than going all the way to Noria Road.   He would also like to see a connection between Routes 5 & 6 on the west side of town.

 

Mark Cline would like the service to run later in the evening.  He suggested the city close the library one hour early.  Funds saved could be used towards expanding the system.

 

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

 

If the route changes are approved by the City Commission, our next step will be to revise and print the Route Map and Schedule.  We are targeting an August 1, 2004 start date for the proposed route changes which is dependent upon our cartographer and printer meeting that deadline. 

 

Fixed Route Rules & Regulations

Administrator provided PTAC with an updated version of the Fixed Route Rules and Regulations.  No changes have been made to any of the original rules, however an additional sheet has been included that further defines rule #15 and what is considered a one-way trip.  The intent is to prevent someone from riding the bus all day and using the system as a destination in and of itself, which leads to undesirable behaviors that make other passengers uncomfortable.  Joanne Garrett moved to accept Fixed Route Rules and Regulations as presented; Melodie seconded.  Marc Epard offered a friendly amendment to the document to include a more simplified definition of the one-way trip rule.  Melodie did not accept amendment.  Marc then moved to table the discussion and send the document back to staff for further refining; Marian seconded.  Chairman Kaiser called for a vote and the motion passed with one dissention.

 

KU Sticker Program

Danny updated PTAC on the April 6, 2004, KU Coordination Committee meeting.  The committee reviewed the KU sticker program and felt it was a success with more than 500 passes sold.  The committee would like to continue the program with a cost increase to $25.00 for the year and $15.00 per semester.  The committee also wants to extend the program to Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU) students as well.  Administrator is waiting for a response from HINU regarding the program.  Tim Akright informed the committee that HINU students can purchase KU on Wheels passes, but since they no longer provide service to HINU, it is doubtful many HINU students purchase their passes.

 

Alan Black moved to continue the sticker program with the increase in rates; Andy Stahmer seconded. 

 

Chairman Kaiser opened the floor to public comment.  Jim Peek mentioned that it is often difficult for drivers to remember which passes of stickers are current since their colors change from year to year.  MV Transportation can provide current pass information to be posted on the buses for drivers to reference.

 

Saunny Scott feels it is important to explore HINU too.

 

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

 

Administrator reminded the board that the student fare recommendation is still in progress and she feels it is important to present all issues related to student fares to the commission at the same time.

 

Public Comment

Chairman Kaiser opened the floor for final public comment.  Steve Cochran told the board he liked the route review process and the consideration of public input.

 

Next Meeting: June 17, 2004

 

Adjournment

Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 pm.

 

 

Submitted by Wendy Koerner