TRANSIT SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting Summary
Thursday April 12, 2007
PRESENT:
Paul Edmunds, Davidson
Linda Newton, Charlotte
Walter Horstman, Matthews
Barry Dodd, Charlotte
Don Carnahan, Cornelius
Rick Sanderson, Charlotte/Pineville
STAFF: Jim Zingale, Vida Covington, Ramon Robinson, Patrick Hoskins, Elizabeth Presutti, Larry Kopf, Pamela Seward, Thomas Stringer, Theron Barrino
MEETING TIME: 4:00-5:30 PM
________________________________________
I. Call to Order and Approval of March Meeting Summary
Chairman Paul Edmunds called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The March 8, 2007 TSAC meeting summary was approved as written.
II. Public Comment
Franklin Green stated that routes 11 and 22 during the rush hours are still very crowded. Mr. Kopf mentioned that staff will conduct further research for the July service change.
III. Action Item
There were no action items.
IV. Information Items
A. Proposed 5-Year Capital Budget - Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale presented the FY2008-12 Transit Capital Program, which reflects revisions to the Debt Services Expense. The summary of the proposed FY2008-12 Transit Capital Program Income and Expenses is as follows:
(millions)
FY2008
Capital Income: $69,636,747
Capital Expense: $138,859,671
FY2009
Capital Income: $111,713,703
Capital Expense: $111,795,441
FY2010
Capital Income: $165,548,857
Capital Expense: $231,310,953
FY2011
Capital Income: $257,828,105
Capital Expense: $257,147,264
FY2012
Capital Income: $191,888,670
Capital Expense: $191,363,211
Mr. Zingale noted that this five-year plan focuses on completion of the LYNX Blue Line, advancement of the 2030 Transit Corridor Plan, and replacement and expansion of revenue vehicles. He said the plan also focuses on implementation of the 2007 County-wide Transit Services Plan, design and/or construction of transit facilities, technology, safety/security, and asset procurement and maintenance.
He added that the MTC will take action on the FY08-09 Transit Operating Program/FY2008-12 Capital Investment Plan in April, followed with action by the Charlotte City Council and Board of County Commissioners.
Mr. Edmunds asked if the 2008-12 fiscal year total amounts were for each year.
Mr. Zingale said those are the total amounts coming in through out those years.
Mr. Sanderson asked if this plan includes all the corridors. Mr. Zingale said the FY2008-12 Capital Budget includes funds for the South Corridor and future corridor projects.
Mr. Edmunds asked if the fleet management plan for 158 buses included purchasing hybrid buses. Mr. Zingale said there are some hybrid buses included in the plan.
Ms. Presutti said staff hopes to incorporate more hybrid buses into CATS' fleet, but that depends on the prices of the hybrids. Mr. Edmunds asked if the cost for hybrid was going down. Mr. Zingale and Ms. Presutti agreed that there are indications of the prices coming down.
Mr. Edmunds asked if there was asset maintenance for rail operations. Mr. Zingale stated that buses get the majority of the funds for asset maintenance, but there are funds allocated for rail asset maintenance. However, he said rail won't need as much maintenance because it is newer.
B. LYNX Blue Line Project Update - Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale provided an update on the Lynx Blue Line. He said the City Council agenda items for this quarter are to close out construction work contracts and ordinances related to the light rail project, and make a change order for installation of the pedestrian connection to the Epicenter.
Mr. Edmunds asked if there were any issues with the train going through the Convention Center. Mr. Zingale stated there were no problems or issues concerning the Convention Center. Mr. Edmunds asked why there is construction occurring by the tracks at MLK Blvd and the Convention Center. Mr. Kopf stated he would find out and report back.
Mr. Zingale reviewed the Lynx Blue Line construction progress, budget, schedule and Full Funding Grant Agreement. He reported that construction of the Vehicle Maintenance Facility is complete and that all 16 light rail vehicles are in. He also said track and station work continues, as does light rail vehicle testing. He said the budget is as follows:
EAC:
$462.7 million
Spent:
$344.2 million
Available Funds:
$7.9 million
Working Contingency:
$8.84 million
He noted that the project's opening date of November 26, 2007 is very achievable.
V. Service Issues - All
Mr. Horstman said Route 65X, which goes to Sharon Amity and connects to Route 29, has a late transfer announcement. Mr. Zingale asked what starts the announcement. Ms. Presutti said the GPS sets it off. She noted that she would check into changing the announcement.
Mr. Edmunds stated the signage at the CTC is not working properly. Ms. Presutti said during testing, the old signs locked up and will require the vendor to install a new chip. She also noted that signage will change once light rail starts, so instead of using funds to correct the old signs, staff will just wait.
Mr. Edmunds said the monitors work well and that staff should have paper schedules, instead of repairing the current system. Ms. Covington said communication of bus information for visually impaired customers should have some consideration. She noted that Metrolina Association for the Blind might have some suggestions as to what kind of communication would be preferred.
Mr. Edmunds said there has been a problem on the 77X with a new driver being hostile to passengers. Mr. Stringer stated he will have a meeting with that particular driver to settle the matter. Mr. Zingale assured the group that staff has been working extensively on customer service and safety issues. He said any driver with complaints goes through customer service retraining.
Mr. Edmunds asked what the policy is for complaints. Mr. Stringer stated it is CATS policy to respond to complaints within 5 days. Mr. Zingale said customers may report complaints to 366-RIDE or they may call Mr. Kopf or himself directly.
Mr. Kopf said CATS will have express service for races at Lowes Motor Speedway May 17 and May 28. He said buses will run from Carolina Place and Northlake Malls and the cost will be $20 roundtrip. He noted that tickets will be sold at the CTC and Lowes Motor Speedway. Mr. Kopf reminded the committee that the cost of running the buses will be paid by Lowes Motor Speedway.
Mr. Horstman asked how many riders participated in last year's event. Mr. Kopf stated 490 people rode last year and there is a prediction of more riders for this year's event.
Mr. Edmunds asked how CATS will advertise this service. Mr. Kopf said the service will be promoted through press releases, riders' alerts, CATS' website and signage at the CTC. He said Lowe's Motor Speedway will also be promoting the service. Mr. Carnahan suggested information signage for the event, such as park here, ride the bus from here etc.
Mr. Horstman asked if there was an increased in ridership during the CIAA tournament. Mr. Kopf said yes, noting that the Gold Rush showed the highest ridership. He said the tournament brought $27 million into the City's economy.
Mr. Kopf then reported that all the service changes implemented were doing well and had increases in ridership.
VI. Chairman's Report - Paul Edmunds
Mr. Edmunds reported that the petition for the repeal of the half-cent sales tax will be on the City's ballot this fall. He said there would be significant impact to the revenue of the transit system if the repeal is passed. He noted that he has written a letter representing TSAC's view on this matter and presented it to the MTC along with sending it to the editor of The Charlotte Observer. He then asked if the committee had other outlets to send the letter. It was agreed by the committee that sending the letter closer to fall voting would be more effective. Mr. Edmunds urged the committee to speak out about the benefits of the transit system to the community and the negative impact repealing the sales tax would have on the transit system
Mr. Green asked if CATS had an alternative plan for transit if this tax is repealed.
Mr. Kopf explained that CATS has developed four different scenarios that include various funding and services options.
Mr. Zingale explained that the City provides $18 million towards transit and the sales tax goes toward running bus, rail and other public transportation for the City. He noted that the only way the debt for rail and operations gets paid is by the sales tax.
VII. Chief Operating Officer's Report - Jim Zingale
Mr. Zingale reported that the McDonald Transit negotiations have been settled. He also stated that this weekend CATS will hold its annual Bus Roadeo.
NEXT TSAC MEETING: THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2007 4:00 PM
