| Members: | Acting Chairman Rene Barrera, Oscar Gaytan, Roger Cauvin, David Patterson |
| Visitors: | Kris Schluderman, Jessica Wilson, Alfredo Ojeda |
| CMTA Staff: | John-Michael Cortez, Kirk Talbott, Tim Steinitz, Meredith Highsmith |
- Meeting called to order - Introduction of CSAC members, staff, and visitors
- Approval of Minutes for January 15, 2008 CSAC Meeting Approval of Minutes was tabled until next meeting.
Dillo Task Force Update – Meredith Highsmith
Dillo history: 1999-2000 the first Dillo task force worked hand in hand with the Downtown Austin Alliance to develop a circulator plan. Priorities for this plan included circulation for downtown employees for lunch destinations; park and ride use for downtown facilities, and circulation for visitors, tourists and convention center attendees. Dillos developed from the previous systems. The original system was developed in the 1970’s by the City of Austin as a parking intercept and circulator service. It served 5,800 people daily in its prime. Originally there was one Dillo route that grew into four Dillo routes.
Current Dillo routes have been in operation for five to six years, with ridership peaking in 2003. Weekend and entertainment Dillo route was short lived, due to lack of use. In November 2007 a new task force began looking at the current Dillo system. Proposed restructuring is scheduled to be implemented in August 2008.
The task force assembled was designed to capture a wide variety of downtown interests. The interests include the State, City, County, area schools, Downtown Austin Alliance, neighborhood associations, the Downtown Commission, Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association.
Current problems with the Dillo system include unexplained large ridership fluctuations on the Orange and Gold Dillos. Ridership on the Red, Silver and Blue routes are on a slow decline. Ample downtown parking decreased the popularity of weekend and entertainment Dillos. Additional concerns for the new Dillo system include connectivity to other modes and possible competition with fixed route service
The current Dillo task force established current target areas and populations. First are the downtown workers, followed by tourists, visitors and downtown residents. It is important to note that different types of users have different needs. Workers want frequency, tourists and visitors want information and marketing, while residents’ most important needs are the destinations served. The new Dillo system will seek to capitalize upon these populations and their needs. The name system of the Dillos will change to more accurately reflect route and location.
Changes to the downtown area, including more amenities and destinations, have produced the need to examine and change the Dillo services. Passengers expressed preference for linear routes that are easier to understand. Greater frequency is also preferred over extended coverage. The new system will be streamlined to meet these needs.
Timeline: CMTA is working on proposal development and the Dillo task force is submitting recommendations. Plans will be revealed to public in March or April 2008, followed by public hearings and input, and board approval in May 2008. Marketing and scheduling will take place in the summer with final changes being implemented in August 2008.
Concerns raised by CSAC members include one and two way street designations, parking issues, and compatibility with other Downtown plans.
Quarterly Information Technology Update – Kirk Talbott
Mr. Talbott’s presentation included information about technology affecting Capitol Metro users, including current and future projects and the impact on the riding community.
Current projects include:
- ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) and automatic vehicle location systems. System includes GPS tracking and reporting the location of all fixed route, rail, and paratransit vehicles every 90-120 seconds. This results in better arrival and location information availability.
- Automated Ticket Vending Machines. Initially for Metro Rail but potentially for other key locations, these machines intended to help speed the boarding process.
- Rail dispatch control system. Automated train control system allows greater productivity and more efficient routing of trains.
- Board Agenda and Meeting Management System. System displays agenda items for the board and public to help with quicker and smoother operation of meetings.
- DriveCam. Helps analyze and track bus safety and performance related incidents. Used to improve training and repair practices. System will later be integrated with all other bus systems and cameras.
- Web site enhancements. Intent is to share better vehicle tracking info through Capital Metro website, and to make website more interactive. Website management will shift to a professional web company. Website will also be used to acquire additional rider feedback about Capitol Metro future operations.
- Expansion of wi-fi. Wireless internet service will be available Metro Rail, and expresses busses. Based on the success of these programs additional wi-fi opportunities will be examined. Wi-fi will be free to the public, but that also means that it will be of nominal speed (i.e. for checking email instead of downloading video).
CSAC expressed concerns about wi-fi on express vs. local busses. Mr. Talbott explained that typical ride times are longer on express and rail service and thus it was determined that those routes provide more opportunity for people to use the wi-fi, instead of the shorter ride times for local service.
CSAC expressed desire to look at a formula or guidelines for exploring options of expanding wi-fi to local services. Mr. Talbott explained that initial intent with wi-fi is not social equity, but who will get the most “bang for the buck” in the provision of wi-fi. It was noted that some stops and transit centers have wi-fi accessibility provided by outside entities. In addition, partnership opportunities are being looked at to help advance wi-fi opportunities for Capitol Metro.
CSAC expressed concern about distinctive identification numbers for bus stops, for identification and location purposes. Mr. Talbott explained that this information is being updated and will be of better use in the future, but unsure of when, if, and how that info will be available to riders.
Future research projects include:
- (IVR) Voice Recognition for route and stop identification purposes is still in developmental stages, roughly 6-12 months away.
- Installing fiber optics along rail lines, to better relay info to riders and provide better services. Potential commercial applications may also exist.
- Smart card technology will make it easier and quicker to go between modes, while also speeding up boarding process.
- Idea in development includes a tool or forum for public feedback and input on new and developing Capitol Metro ideas. Similar to a Google “labs” concept.
- Subcommittee Reports:
- CSAC Bylaws CSAC agreed that Nominations Committee needed to meet again to talk more about bylaws before recommendations are made to CSAC.
- Officer Nominations Committee Floor was opened to nominations for chair person, vice chairperson, and a secretary for CSAC. Motion passed to table providing of nominees for CSAC membership.
- Report on Action Items – John-Michael Cortez
- Include a summary of Customer Call Reports in CSAC members’ meeting materials. A customer call reports database was created and the data is being cleaned for analysis and should be available in the next few months. This will include route specific calls and comments.
- Continue recruitment of additional CSAC members. Seven applications are pending and will be forwarded to board for approval.
- Report on status of stop and service requests from CSAC meeting attendees. Mr. Cortez reported that he will have information on Sunday Service for route 201 and proposed shelter at South Park Meadows next month. Capital Metro is ready to move the Riverside bus stop but is waiting for the city of Austin to complete safety enhancements. City enhancements include installation of bollards to prevent traffic from crossing across lanes where the bus stop will be located. Mr. Cortez will call Mr. Hasandras when task is completed. Based on route data Capital Metro sees some overloading of routes # 26 and 27. It was emphasized that customers should place a call to enter a record of specific overloaded buses, times and locations. This will also provide more accurate detail for the customer call reports. Capital Metro and the Planning Office are looking into implementing service standards, including the overloading of buses.
- Send letter of thanks to Ms. Barbara Irwin for her suggestion to install a shelter at the East 2nd & Chalmers Bus Stop. Mr. Cortez reported that the letter will be transmitted and that he will copy the board when it is sent.
- Update on proposed rapid bus service. Rapid Bus will not be implemented until 2010, but work has taken place. 95 percent of engineering work is completed and permits for all stops are in place. The initial route will be the #1 from Tech Ridge to the Slaughter - I-35 area. The main issue currently facing Capital Metro is funding. The proposed vehicles are expensive, and careful consideration is needed to determine how they will be integrated into the Long-Range Financial plan. All new facilities are being built to accommodate rapid bus. Vehicles will operate 20% – 25% faster than current bus routes, will have signal prioritization and limited stops. Fares will also be prepaid prior to boarding the bus. Bike racks may also be inside the vehicles speeding the boarding process. This new service will most likely replace Route 101.
- Report on procedures to ensure that route schedules are replaced at bus stops when service changes are made. Mr. Cortez will report back on this item next month.
- Report on how Capital Metro receives information regarding detours and special events and report back to CSAC. Mr. Cortez will report back on this item next month.
- Investigate fixed route service to Greyhound bus terminal on Sunday evenings. Mr. Cortez reported that providing late night Sunday service to Greyhound is contradictory to Capital Metro’s focus on peak period service. Additionally, the Capital Metro bus system is usually shut down on Sunday evenings resulting in an inability to transfer to others routes. The anticipated ridership for such service is also extremely low. In conversations with Greyhound we found that most passengers arriving at the intercity bus terminal transfer to other intercity locations and that Austin is often not their final destination on Sunday evenings.
- Report on pocket schedule distribution. Mr. Cortez will report back on this item next month.
- Investigate if offsetting publishing costs with advertising has been discussed within Cap Metro. Mr. Cortez reported that advertising will not be pursued for schedule books at this time. He will arrange for someone from the transit advertising office to speak with CSAC in March.
- New/Other Business
- CSAC Meeting Location CSAC Meeting location will be changed to new location, and posted on website. CSAC member suggested asking Commissioner Gomez to reserve commissioners’ court room.
- Discussion of future agenda items and issues CSAC requested future presentations regarding a Downtown transfer center and vehicle maintenance
- Adjournment
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200