Advisory Board
The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Friday, January 5, 2018 at 9:30 AM in the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown. Present were Alice Butler (Oak Bluffs), Lenny Jason (Chilmark), and Lou Paciello (Edgartown). Also present were Alexandra Kral (Tisbury) Angela Grant (VTA) and Lois Craine (VTA). Absent were June Manning (Aquinnah) and Jay Grande, (Tisbury).
The meeting was called to order at 9:46 AM
Meeting Minutes 9.22.2017
Mr. Jason moved to accept the minutes of the meeting of September 22, 2017 and Mr. Paciello seconded. M/s/c. Ms. Kral abstained
Meeting Minutes 11.2.2017
Mr. Paciello moved to accept the minutes of November 2, 2017 and Mr. Jason seconded. M/s/c. Ms. Kral abstained
Ridership through November 30, 2017
Ms. Grant reported that ridership was up slightly over the same 5 month period last year. October and November were strong with good weather and route 1 retaining half hour service after the in season and more trips on the parknride. The off season schedule is a realignment implementing some changes in response to the RTA Study mandated by the Massachusetts Legislature which will tie funding to ridership numbers and also due to underfunding of the current year. Using trip by trip data collected by the fareboxes the early spring 2018 shoulder season schedule is currently being realigned.
Financial statements through November 30, 2017
Financial reports through November 30, 2017 with prior year comparisons were distributed and Ms. Grant advised that expenses are up and passenger fares down. Total revenue was up but includes MVRHS figures and Parts expense which will be reclassified. Additional service hours and equipment to help with traffic and capacity issues resulted in higher purchased transportation expense. State funding of the RTAs will fall short of reimbursable expense. To address the funding shortfall the 2018 in season schedule will be delayed until one week before Memorial Day. An interim schedule will save around 2000 hours of service
John Alley(West Tisbury) joined the meeting at 10:00AM.
Open Meeting Law
Ms. Grant explained that if the VTA Board votes to designate the VTA website as the posting site for notices of upcoming meetings a memo would be sent to each town for display that directs people to the website. Discussion followed and the matter was tabled.
ACES Grant Award
Ms. Grant reported the grant applied for in June was awarded at $545,000 by the State to advance energy storage in the Commonwealth and the storage installed will allow buses to be charged during the day without incurring costly demand charges. A joint application with the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah for $250,000. Tribal Transit funds for infrastructure will mean construction will begin in April.
Electric Bus Project Update
Ms. Grant reported that the six buses being built by BYD will most likely be delivered in June. The VTA is working on a further procurement for energy storage which awaits guidance from FTA on Buy America requirements. Construction of the infrastructure will likely begin in April.
MV Airport Letter/Bruce Gilmore
A letter written by VTA attorney Bruce Gilmore explaining that, in his opinion, the Airport Commission lacks any authority to unilaterally modify lease terms already in force was distributed. Mr. Paciello recused himself. Mr. Alley asked if the Airport’s plan to raise rates was a direct result of the VTA’s plans for energy improvements to the building. Ms. Grant replied that it was and the Airport sees the improvements as an opportunity to increase the lease rate. The Board agreed that the lease signed by the VTA cannot be changed while it is in force and asked that a letter be sent to the Director of FAA Regional Airports, Mary Walsh, detailing concerns about the effect any significant raise will have on the Vineyard community and on any public private partnership to advance solar energy infrastructure. Mass DOT would likely consider closing the local Registry branch if their rent increased.
Documents
- Meeting Minutes September 22, 2017
- Meeting Minutes November 2. 2017
- Ridership report through November 2017
- Financial Statements through November 30, 2017
- Draft Open Meeting Law memo
- Draft Open Meeting Law memo to Towns
- MV Airport Letter/Bruce Gilmore