2005-06-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilors agreed this route should not be implemented if the County is not willing to pay for it. Mr. Caravati said we need a commitment from the County for a comprehensive approach, and suggested that the route be implemented next year. Dr. Brown said the first step is to get staff agreement. Mr. Watterson said he would like to use taking $outhwood out to help with the agreement. He said he needs to know by the end of next week about County funding. Council agreed with Mr. Watterson's suggestion. Mr. Watterson explained that the Transit Development Plan was done in 2001 and carries us through to next year. He said staff wants to update the Plan and is asking the County and University to be participants. He said U. Va. has agreed, but he has not heard back from the County. He said the cost of the Plan is covered by the State directly. He said supplemental funds can be added, and the University has committed $20,000. He said the process includes interviews with Council and public sessions. He said it will look at Sunday and night service. Mr. Lynch said he hopes we can get major employment centers into the Plan to determine where future riders are, and suggested that major employers be interviewed. He asked if an origin and destination study will be part of the Plan update. Mr. Watterson said it is welcomed and expected that Councilors will give good contacts to follow up on. He said this will not be an origin and destination study. Mr. Lynch said an idea that came from a transit rider is that when routes are added or changed that it be made free for the first two weeks as an incentive for people to check it out. Mr. Watterson said that is an excellent idea, but perhaps not at the first but shortly after the change if Council gives him the freedom to determine that. Councilors agreed with Mr. Watterson. Mr. Caravati said he would like the agreement with the County to come to Council. Dr. Brown said we could have a work session with the Board of Supervisors, perhaps expanding the discussion beyond buses to park and ride lots, etc. Mr. Watterson said that an application for $190,000 new funding for night service has been submitted. He said local participation is now needed. He explained that JAUNT's VIEW service has been discontinued. He said staff did not budget for this and he is working with the County on a match for night service in the County. He said if we do not get the grant funds or the County funds he will have to come back to Council. He said he expects to hear back about the grant in October. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Mr. Watterson said the following are night routes: 7, 20, 21, 22, and 23. Mr. Lynch asked if restricting night service to Route 7 is an option if there is no funding, and Mr. Watterson said yes. Mr. Lynch said that as we move toward a backbone and feeder system, we have talked about what needs to happen on W. Main Street to tee up the 2007 grant applications. He said one owner on W. Main is interested in structured parking which could also be used as a transit center. He said there is also one planned at U. Va. He asked about the appropriate next step to get satellite stations on W. Main.