| Members: | Acting Chairman Rene Barrera, Jessica Wilson, Martin Thomen, Shannon Halley, James Harris, Roger Cauvin, Oscar Gaytan, Rich MacKinnon, Kirk Royal, BJ Taylor, Hammans Stallings, Laura Willard, David Patterson |
| Visitors: | Francine Fowler, Margaret Hudson, Richard Hudson, Sylvia Warren |
| CMTA Staff: | John-Michael Cortez, Roberto Gonzales, Peggy McCallum, Justin Marlin |
- Meeting called to order–
Introduction of CSAC members, staff, and visitors
- Approval of Minutes of the August 13, 2008 CSAC Meeting.
Minutes were approved, with a minor spelling correction under section IX, with Messrs. Patterson, Thomen, Cauvin and Royal abstaining.
- Citizens Communication –
Ms. Fowler voiced concerns about overcrowding issues on the Route 5 northbound during rush hour commute times. She also expressed concern about buses being late, the change from 20 to 30 minute headways on the number 5, and a lack of pocket schedules on buses.
Mr. Gonzales explained that new service changes will add additional trips during peak hours. Mr. Gonzales also noted that bus maintenance issues had made it difficult to assign the optimal size buses on specific routes at certain times, thereby exacerbating some overcrowding issues. The recent purchase of additional 40 foot vehicles should help address the issue of overcrowding on some routes. The issue of supplemental buses was discussed, and there is some flexibility on vehicle insertion in the morning, but not in the afternoon, as the fleet is at maximum capacity at that time.
Mrs. Hudson inquired as to whether the Circle C development is in the Capital Metro service area, and expressed desire for more bus service to Circle C. Mr. Gonzales informed CSAC that several years ago, Capital Metro searched for a joint partnership to increase service to the Circle C area. Environmental sensitivity and the lack of a partner with whom to develop a joint facility caused Capital Metro to shift focus to providing more service to the Oak Hill area just west of Circle C. A lack of demand in the area was also cited as a reason for not increasing service in the Circle C area. The requirements for extending service are determined by evaluating population density levels, the roadway network, journey to work census data, area attractors, neighborhood reaction and support, and agency resources.
- Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Review – Peggy McCallum
Ms. McCallum provided an overview on Capital Metro’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Some of the budget highlights include:
- Budget figures presented were still subject to public meetings and final board approval.
- Department managers prepare budgets based on service levels.
- Capital Metro uses zero-based budgets, which requires budget items to be justified every year.
- Department reviews are made in July, with budget service level and budget assumptions modified until August. Proposed budget then goes through a board review before it is made available to the public in September. Public hearings then take place before final board approval.
- Capital Metro’s strategic goal is to double ridership by 2025.
- Service levels and bus services are the largest part of the Capital Metro budget, with fixed route service growing at 6.11%, and ridership expected to grow at 7-8%.
- Much of the Capital Metro budget comes from sales tax which is budgeted to grow at 3% over the next fiscal year.
- A smaller component of the budget, farebox revenue, is expected to increase by 71% over the previous year due to increased fares. The fare increase raises the fare-box recovery rate to just over 12% of operating costs.
- MetroRail revenue is predicted to be $371,000.
- Major revenue sources include passenger fares, third party fares from the UT football shuttle service and other special events, MetroRail and freight rail, sales tax, and investment and grant revenue.
- Major initiatives for Capital Metro include the beginning of revenue service for MetroRail, expansion of fixed route service, increase in demand for paratransit services, the introduction of fuel hedging, transit oriented development, and the implementation of intelligent transportation systems for the Capital Metro fleet.
- The major expense categories for Capital Metro are salaries and benefits, services, materials and supplies, fuel, utilities, MetroRail, freight rail, and purchased transportation. Major expenses are up 8%, which is a significant amount, but much of the increase can be attributed to fuel and service increases.
- Fuel costs, which comprise 14% of the operating budget, are projected at $3.60 per gallon and $3.49 for diesel.
- Capital expenses for the fiscal year include new and replacement vehicles, facility construction and maintenance, freight rail, technology, transit oriented development studies and design, bus stop amenities and ADA accessibility costs, and “Build Central Texas” the suburban communities program.
- Fiscal Year 2009 Service Change Concepts – Roberto Gonzalez
Service changes occur three times per year. Major service changes occur in the fall when school terms begin, then in January, referred to as the spring service change, and again in May when schools end session. Service changes for this January will include adjustments to many of the paired routes which were realigned during the previous fall service change. Some of the important “tweaks” include correcting timing issues and overcrowding on popular routes such as 1, 3, 5, 10, 17, 20, 30, and 37.
In addition to tinkering with core routes, some changes are also required on the peripheral routes such as the Express and Flyer routes that bring people in from further distances. Additional trips are being reviewed for some of these routes.
The Oak Hill Park and Ride will be undergoing changes in the future. Capital Metro has outgrown its joint use agreement and exceeds the amount of leased parking spaces. A new agreement could not be negotiated because Capital Metro was not able to increase the amount of leased spaces. An interim solution is now being sought to expand capacity at an adjacent parking area. Unfortunately this solution is only available through January at which time another park and ride solution must be found. Therefore Capital Metro is evaluating TXDOT property along Highway 71 just east of the Y. This solution will work for a few years until major land use changes including a possible TOD alter the existing landscape. Mr. Gonzalez further explained that Capital Metro seeks to purchase property where available to allow for flexibility when planning, developing, or expanding future transit stations and transit oriented developments.
- Proposed 2009 CSAC Workplan – John-Michael Cortez
Mr. Cortez presented a draft workplan that details the issues to be covered during the next year of CSAC meetings. This was done in an effort to align the CSAC agenda with items that will be considered by the CMTA Board of Directors. The workplan would allow CSAC adequate time to provide input, and adequate time for the CMTA Board to consider that input before final approval. Mr. Cortez requested that CSAC members email suggestions on the workplan.
CSAC Chair Rene Barrera asked new CSAC members, BJ Thomas, Laura Willard, and Hammans Stallings to introduce themselves.
- Fare Implementation Update – John-Michael Cortez
Mr. Cortez distributed the new fare cards, and requested that CSAC members remind other riders of the coming fare changes. New fare issues and questions were discussed by staff and CSAC members.
- Report from Urban Transportation Commission – Rich MacKinnon
Mr. MacKinnon reported that UTC has recently formed a bicycle and pedestrian subcommittee.
- Report from ACCESS Committee – David Patterson
As a result of a court mandated mediation, a workgroup comprised of three Capital Metro employees, three ACCESS members, and a final member to be chosen by the new group was formed to address proposed changes to MetroAccess. Bylaws for this group are at or near completion, and a chairperson is being selected. Further developments will be reported at later meetings.
- Report on Action Items – John-Michael Cortez
Mr. Cortez reported that recruitment of new CSAC members is less necessary with the recent addition of several new CSAC members. The shelter request for the stop at Southpark Meadows is near completion. The lack of pocket schedules on buses remains a persistent problem. Crash statistics for accidents on Congress was compiled and will be provided to CSAC members.
- New/Other Business
A motion was made and passed unanimously to suspend the CSAC rules so that a resolution pertaining to an item not listed on the agenda could be considered by the Committee.
Mr. Patterson motioned to approve a resolution requesting that the CMTA Board initiate MetroRail in 2008 without regard to the completion of the Howard and Kramer stations. Motion seconded by Martin Thomen. Motion passed with Mr. Cauvin opposing. Resolution Attached.
- Meeting adjourned
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Resolution # 20080910-01
WHEREAS the Customer Satisfaction Advisory Committee (CSAC) serves as an advisory body to the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors, as outlined in the Transportation Code, Subtitle K. “Mass Transportation”, Section § 451.109 “Advisory Committee;” and
WHEREAS, CSAC reviews, studies, and makes recommendations to the Capital Metro Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, CSAC receives and studies member and citizen comments and suggestions in all areas of Capital Metro operations, including but not limited to route planning, facility design and operation, customer service, marketing, budgeting, purchasing, and special projects;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that CSAC recommends Capital MetroRail service be initiated in 2008, without regard to the completion status of certain rail stations.
align="left">Adopted this __10th _ day of __September___, 2008
_____________________________
Rene Barrera, CSAC Acting-Chair
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
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