Advisory Board
The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Friday, June 16, 2017 at 9:15 AM in the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown. Present were Alice Butler (Oak Bluffs), John Alley (West Tisbury), Lenny Jason (Chilmark), Lou Paciello (Edgartown) and Also present were Angela Grant (VTA) and Lois Craine (VTA). Absent was June Manning (Aquinnah).
The meeting was called to order at 9:15AM.
Jay Grande, (Tisbury) joined the meeting at 9:20AM
Meeting Minutes March 17, 2017
Mr. Alley moved to accept the minutes of December 16, 2016 and Mr. Jason seconded.
Ridership through May 2017
Ms. Grant advised the Board that ridership was down .68% through May due to wet weather.
Financial statements through April 2017
Financial reports through April 2017 with prior year comparisons were distributed and Ms. Grant advised that the year will end on budget with overall revenue and expenses up slightly. An increase in purchased transportation reflects added service to meet demand on routes 1 and 13. Fuel is costing 3c more per gallon. OPEB payments are decreased due to a new actuary report.
Capital Projects Update
Ms. Grant reported that the VTA has been awarded funding for 4 electric buses in FY 18 with chargers included in the pricing and batteries guaranteed for twelve years. Three will be 35’ and one 30’. In the fall the VTA will issue an RFP for solar canopies at 11 A Street. The State has surplus capital money from FY 17 allowing the VTA to carry Federal funds forward for three 3 years. Buses will be put in to service on the Park and Rides and routes 7 and 9 for proximity to charging. For FY 17 three new diesel buses will arrive in June with 2 new style vans which are narrower to better suit dirt roads and seating adjustable to accommodate more wheelchairs. Two new bus stops have been constructed at the High School and adjacent to Sunset Lake in Oak Bluffs. In FY 18 cameras will be installed at the West Tisbury Town Hall
Mr. Alley asked that operators be reminded to shut buses off at the West Tisbury Town Hall and to be sure to pull further in.
The meeting adjourned at 10:01AM