Advisory Board

The Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority Advisory Board met Friday, January 18, 2019,   9:30 AM at the offices of the Transit Authority, 11 A Street, Edgartown.  Present were Alice Butter (Oak Bluffs) John Alley (West Tisbury), Lenny Jason (Chilmark), June Manning (Aquinnah) and Lou Paciello (Edgartown).  Also present were Angela Grant (VTA), Lauren Thomas (VTA), Suzanne Cioffi (VTA).  Absent was Elaine Miller (Tisbury).

Guests present at meeting: Ed Pigman, Transit Connections Inc, Charles Smith, Richard Townes, Roland Goulart, John Thurber, Katharine Kavanagh, Trey Araujo, Robert Lane, Casy Stelitano, and Bruce Hamilton

The meeting was called to order at 09:37 AM

Meeting Minutes 11.19.2018—tabled to next meeting

RTA Task Force on Performance and Financing

Ms. Grant reported several meetings in last two weeks and the Commission is delaying report to the Governor’s Office (original date February 2019). She stated the commission has not built enough consensus of direction going in. The Legislative Members of the group said the voices of the RTA’s need to be heard. They are working on a balance of data verses the cost of getting data. Stated the next couple meetings will be difficult as they will be completing a blue print of what and where to go. 

Service Update

Ridership through December 2018

Ms. Grant reported that ridership through December information that was provided had an incorrect negative percentage as that data did not include December’s ridership information. She stated the first six months of FY19 ridership was 28,722 less than previous fiscal year. She attributed October’s ridership was down as off season scheduled changed at the end of September rather than Columbus Day due to budgetary cuts. She stated October there was a lot of rain that impacted tourists.

Operations Update—Transit Connection

Ed Pigman, Owner of Transit Connection, stated unionization negotiations have been ongoing with the work force. Stated he has met with the union 2-3 times September, 2-3 times October and 2-3 times this week. They have been unable to reach an agreement. He stated the union asked for Federal mediation or State mediation. Transit Connection has agreed to mediation.  

Mr. Jason asked if they have agreed on anything to date. Mr. Pigman stated they have agreed to a couple non-financial matters: eliminating language to lead to immediate termination was taken out and a provision for a leave of absence. He stated 4-5 matters that were not fundamental.

Mr. Paciello inquired if heading to mediation and who pays? Mr. Pigman said yes and both sides pay. Mr. Pigman said the fundamental is pay. Ms. Manning stated the wages are Florida rates. Mr. Alley stated that board members purpose is to not take sides; the board sets fare and bus service. He stated the board purpose is not who gets paid what. Stated need to stay away from picking sides.

Ms. Grant stated TCI has a 1 year contract with up to three 1 year renewals; January 31st is when the year ends on the contract. She further stated the drivers stay if the management leaves. She also stated that this is not the appropriate time to change vendors. She said the problem now does not mean TCI is doing a bad job. She further stated both sides need to give and take.  

Mr. Pigman said financially there is a 2 million dollar difference in the negotiations.

Mr. Townes requested to ask a question to board and he was advised he could do so during the public comment period time.

Financial Statements

Ms. Grant stated financials are status quo through November. The revenue is down 3.35% and cost is down 1.97%. Mr. Paciello inquired why parts are down 72% and Ms. Thomas advised we were able to capitalize parts. She also stated there was a formatting issue and the numbers were inverted. Positives should be negatives and negatives should be positive.

Capital Projects—Electric Drives the Future

Ms. Grant said six more buses were ordered for delivery in August/September of 2019. The company (BYD) dropped the ball and will be loaning us buses for the summer season. BYD is responsible for maintenance, warranties and repairs. VTA does preventative maintenance. Ms. Thomas stated the technician they have for the year has agreed to stay on for year 2. The following buses were ordered: 4 35 foot buses and 2 30 foot buses.

Old Business/New Business

State Ethics Sign off 2019—Ms. Thomas distributed to board members Summary of Law and Sign off Sheet; she informed the board there will be the required 2 year training on State Ethics on Friday, January 25th from 12:00 to 2:00.  Ms. Manning questioned why she needs to do this as she is neither a paid employee nor a paid Town employee. Ms. Thomas explained that as board members they follow the State Ethics. Ms. Manning stated she might attend the training. Mr. Alley, Mr. Jason, Mr. Paciello and Ms. Butler all signed off on the State Ethics; Ms. Manning did not sign off.

TAM Plan—Ms. Thomas stated it is now a federal requirement and needs to be submitted to the FTA. She stated previous plan not as inclusive and needs to be updated annually. Mr. Jason made a motion to accept TAM plan, Mr. Alley 2nds. M/V/C

Items Not Reasonably anticipated for discussion

Ms. Grant presented letter addressed to Ms. Butler from Astrid Glyn, Administrator, MASSDOT Rail and Transit. Ms. Grant stated RTA’s had available of 4 million discretionary funding and had 9 million dollars in request. Unknown time frame will make announcements for awards. The VTA submitted a request for around $100,000 to restore service on routes that had been cut due to budgetary constraints.

Ms. Manning inquired if Ms. Grant responded to Tim Carroll’s letter. Ms. Grant stated she had responded via email and cc’d board members on email. Ms. Grant stated Mr. Carroll forwarded a letter written to him by Jim Maulkin regarding Menemsha Bus Stop. Ms. Grant read the original letter to board and her response. She stated Mr. Maulkin responded to Ms. Grant’s email.

Ms. Grant addressed the board for consideration of a Fare Increase. She stated if fares increased by $00.25 ($1.25 to $1.50) there could be an additional 50-75 thousand dollars. Stated need to have a further discussion at next meeting. Possibilities of in-season vs. off season rates. She stated we could do a Fare Elasticity Study and that MASS DOT has offered to help with the process. Ms. Grant stated that typically increases have occurred first of the year but possibly move to fare changes with the schedule changes

Brief Statements

Ms. Butler advised that the board would hear brief statements from the members of the public. Mr. Townes addressed the board. He inquired about the sub-committee that was discussed at last meeting. He was advised no vote was taken to form a subcommittee as Board Members and Drivers cannot discuss wages. He further went on to say the board listened to Ed Pigman about what TCI gave up but will not listen to drivers. He passed out a packet containing a drivers’ response to a letter that was written by Ms. Grant addressed to Senator Keating with corrections that he wanted to point out to the board as the drivers felt the board had no knowledge of the letter. He questioned the accuracy of the letter written to Senator Keating

Ms. Butler made a statement that the conversation was turning inappropriate.

Mr. Jason made a motion to adjourn at 11:30. Mr. Alley 2nd. Ms. Butler 3rd; Mr. Paciello abstained and Ms. Manning no to adjourn. Meeting passed to be adjourned.

Documents

• Ridership report through December 2018
• Financials through November 2018
• TAM Plan
• MASSDOT Letter
• Conflict of Interest Acknowledgement
• Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law