City of Lawrence

Public Transit Advisory Committee

Lawrence Public Library, Meeting Room C

April 9, 2018 minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Heather Thies, Mark Hurt, Lance Fahy, Phyllis Farrar

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Sarah Trumble, Zachary Kelsay, James Pavision

STAFF PRESENT:

Robert Nugent, Wendy Koerner, Serena Pearson, Ashley Myers

PUBLIC PRESENT:

None

 

 

1. Call to Order and Introductions

Heather Thies, Chair, called the meeting to order at 4:15. Quorum met. Introductions went around the room.  Phyllis Farrar introduced herself as the new PTAC member.

 

2. Approval of Minutes – (Action Item) – Mark Hurt made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 8, 2018 minutes.  Lance Fahy seconded, all in favor, no opposed.

 

3. Recommended Service Changes (Action Item) – Bob Nugent explained the proposed routes changes. Route 3 will go to N. Iowa and come back on Michigan, removing the Peterson loop. Route 27 will be bi-directional instead of loops. Route 34 is part of Route 36 so it won’t go up to North Michigan anymore, and the other part of Route 36 will stay the same. Route 38 will be rerouted to go through the Central District. Route 42 will also be rerouted to go through the Central District. Route 44 is a combination of routes at night, also rerouted to serve the Central District. Mark Hurt made a motion to approve service changes, Lance Fahy seconded. All in favor, no opposed.

 

4. Marketing Update – Serena Pearson let the group know that there is now a Lawrence Transit Facebook page. Postings on Facebook this week are on the new app (My Bus Lawrence) and the K-12 Student Summer Bus Pass. The passes go on sale on April 16. The library purchases 100 passes for their Summer Reading Program. Sales locations are grocery stores, recreation centers and pools, and City Hall. Each year, the program has grown.

 

Recent outreach activities include the Senior Resource Fair, KU Employee Health and Wellness Fair, Resource Expo at Free State High and Earth Day. Bus service will be free on Earth Day.

 

KU will be starting a bike share program that will be available starting April 18. The program is a partnership with KU and the City’s Park and Recreation Department. The bikes are equipped with GPS and will be locked to themselves. There will be certain bike racks to leave the bikes.

 

5. Quick Updates

a. Transit Center – Bob Nugent explained that the transit center study is complete and we have received the final report. It will not go in front of City Commission until May. The two locations recommended were a) 7th & Vermont and b) 21st & Stewart. The location at 21st & Stewart is at a different parcel than suggested before.  Phyllis Farrar suggested that neighborhood associations need to look at the positives of a transit center in their neighborhood. Bob Nugent mentioned that this study was looking at more than the technical analysis of the best location for a transit center, but an overall best location based on many factors.

 

b. Past Member – Lyle Hettinger, former PTAC member and Chair last year passed away this week. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 7.

 

6. Public Comment – Ashley Myers from the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) passed out the T2040 brochure for the long range transportation plan for Lawrence and Douglas County.  You can go to the interactive map at lawrenceks.org/mpo/T2040. The feedback from the committee was very positive.

 

7. Next Meeting – May 14 (tentative)

 

8. Adjournment - 5:10 pm

 

 

 

-Submitted by Serena Pearson