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Access meetings Minutes

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
ACCESS Advisory Committee Minutes
June 2, 2004

Members Present: Shelly Brisbin, Randall L. Glock, Jerry Doran, Juan Munoz and Robert Raines. Members

Absent: Scott Meyer (excused).

Capital Metro Staff Present: Nancy Crowther, Jan Johnson, John Ancira, Bill Buford and Kathleen Moore.

Guests: Julie Maloukis, Christine Guevara and Michael Zitz-Evancih

All decisions are voted upon and all votes are unanimous unless stated otherwise.

Call to Order.
Chairperson Shelly Brisbin called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. The May 5, 2004 meeting minutes were approved without corrections.

Citizen Communication. There were no requests made to speak at the meeting.

All Systems Go. Nancy Crowther made the "All Systems Go!" presentation to the ACCESS Advisory Committee.

"All Systems Go!" is an effort to develop a vision for effective public transportation in the Austin area that will link surrounding communities to downtown Austin with "faster buses, sleek new rail on exiting tracks and no new taxes." The vision includes:

  • Commuter Rail Urban Service - operating on existing freight tracks from Leander to downtown Austin.
  • Commuter Rail Regional Service - operating on existing tracks along MoPac Expressway and the abandoned MoKan corridor to that could provide express service to downtown Austin from Georgetown and San Marcos, eventually linking San Antonio.
  • Rapid Bus Routes - using new high-tech buses that can control the "green traffic lights" to speed up service and connect to existing bus routes.
  • Express and Local Bus Service - expanding existing bus routes as a part of the long range plan.
  • No New Taxes - 50% of the funding will come from existing sales tax revenues and 50% will come from federal funds (that are just waiting to be accessed).

Capital Metro is in the process of presenting the "All Systems Go!' campaign at community Open Houses from May 5, 2004 through June 8, 2004. A series of "Roll Up Your Sleeves" Workshops will begin on June 10, 2004 and continue through June 22, 2004. A full media advertising campaign is also in progress, featuring local celebrities who have leant their support. Chairperson Shelly Brisbin encouraged committee members to attend an Open House and Workshop in their neighborhoods.

It is important to point out that this proposal includes the use of Commuter Rail along existing tracks at a cost of approximately $ 1.5 to 2 million per mile. The previous rail proposal, which failed at referendum, included the use of Light Rail at a cost of about $11 million per mile.

After the Open Houses and Workshops conclude later this summer, the Capital Metro Board of Directors will determine whether the "All Systems Go!" plan should be put before the community as a possible referendum in the November 2, 2004 general election.

New GFI Fare Box. Bill Buford and Kathleen Moore provided a demonstration of the new fare box to the Access Advisory Committee members. This box is similar in size and shape to the current fare boxes. Capital Metro will begin testing the fare box by placing 45 boxes on selected buses beginning June 7, 2004. It is expected that all buses will have the new box by August 15, 2004.

The new fare box will utilize a "swipe and ride" monthly pass with a magnetic strip on the back. Capital Metro staff will be in the community to swap passes with riders who have June passes without the magnetic strip. Future passes sold will all contain the magnetic strip and will be effective for 30 days from the date purchased. The fare box will be able to recognize invalid or expired passes and transfers as well as invalid coins. A special validation slot is available to double check rejected items. It will also produce transfers, with a magnetic strip on the back, which will be valid for two hours from the time issued.

Committee members practiced using the farebox and raised several questions about the ease of use. However, it was felt that once the boxes are in place that the community will become accustomed to them quite nicely. There was a concern about the "smart card" passes that will be distributed to disabled riders, the ease of use as well as access to the box by riders sitting in wheelchairs and the operators providing assistance with the swiping. However, the general consensus was that the new fare boxes will work well.

Fixed Route Subcommittee Report. The committee met on May 26, 2004 and Chairperson Randall Glock provided a report.

  • No report was provided by Capital Metro regarding fixed routes at the meeting due to communication issues. However, a report will be provided at the next meeting.
  • Service into the ACC Northridge Campus will be provided by the #174 from morning until about 6:00 p.m. Service will be provided by the #242 after 6:00 p.m.
  • No change was made to Route #252. It was noted that mass construction is beginning near the path of the #252, along the western frontage of IH 35 from Slaughter Lane to FM 1327 and that service changes may be made prior to the conclusion of construction.
  • Chairperson Glock announced that he will be out of the country for the next two meetings of the committee and he asked Shelly Brisbin to act as chair in his absence.
  • Chairperson Glock also announced that he would like to ask Julie Maloukis to hold his proxy and/or vote on his behalf at both the Fixed Route Subcommittee meetings and the ACCESS Advisory Committee meetings in his absence. Approval was granted. The next meeting will be June 23rd.

    STS Subcommittee Report. The committee met on May 26, 2004 and Chairperson Juan Munoz provided a report.

    • They reviewed the presentation provided by staff to the Board of Directors concerning ways to cut costs in STS. The committee will be looking at reasonable approaches to changes in the policies such as cancellations, reservations and same day service. The committee will provide a prioritized list of the policies targeted for changes with a goal of August to be finalized. The next STS subcommittee meeting is Wednesday June 23rd, 5pm at 323 Congress.

    Announcements/Calendar.

    • The Capital Metro Board of Directors Work Session will be held on June 21, 2004, 12noon, at 2910 E. 5th.
    • The Capital Metro Board of Directors Board Meeting will be held on June 28, 2004, 4pm at 2910 E. 5th.
    • The STS Subcommittee will meet on June 30, 2004 at 5:00 pm at 323 Congress.
    • The Fixed Route Subcommittee will meet on June 30, 2004 at 6:00 pm at 323 Congress.
    • The ACCESS Advisory Committee will meet on July 7, 2004 at 5:00 pm at 323 Congress.

    Adjourn: The June 2004 Access Committee adjourned at 6:50pm

    Respectfully Submitted by
    Julie Maloukis,
    Volunteer Secretary,
    on behalf of Scott Meyer, Secretary.


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