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132 <br /> <br />Stadium, and would have 15 minute headways. Ms. Mueller said that such a route should <br />help tourism <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if the service is agreed to, would it be possible to reroute the <br />existing buses now on West Main Street to decrease the headways on Cherry and Preston <br />Avenues. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles petty, with the Charlottesville Transit Service, said that the service is <br />a hub system, with most buses feeding into downtown, and if the routing was moved, it <br />would reduce the headways on the trunk system. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if any consideration had been given to providing free fares for <br />anyone who boards a bus or trolley on West Main Street, and what the impact might be <br />on the revenues. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said she thinks that would cause a problem with federal regulations, <br />noting that the prOposed trolley route can be designated as a special route and have free <br />fares. Ms. Muelter said she does not know what impact such a policy might have on fare <br />revenue, but said it might impact JAUNT fares and would create an inequitable policy. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if fare box revenues are expected to decline as a result of the <br />proposed trolley route, and Ms. Mueller said that it is expected to decline very little. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked about other communities' experiences with fare free routes, <br />and Mr. Petty said that a lot of these route are designed for tourists and lunch time travel, <br />not for regular commuters. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said that the route is expected to be used by those who would <br />otherwise use their cars. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said he feels this is a lot of money for a pilot project, and he would <br />like to know what other localities' experience has been. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if there has been coordination with the University and their <br />perceived need for their employees, and Ms. Mueller said that University employees will <br />be part of the target audience and it will be marketed to them, and said University Transit <br />Service has been involved in the planning. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he questions whether 15 minute headways will be adequate, and <br />asked what the additional cost would be to make it 10 minute headways. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said that staff can cost out 10 minute headways, but she is reluctant <br />to say this can be done because of the unreliability of the old trolleys. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks it would be convenient to be able to wave tmlteys to Stop <br />anywhere along the route. <br /> <br /> Mr. Petty said this can be explored, but added that it is safer to have passengers <br />board and disembark at bus stops. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said that the proposal includes putting CTS's very best customer <br />service drivers on the trolleys so they can act as ambassadors for the City and provide <br />tourism information. <br /> <br />Mr. Caravati asked how data will be compiled in order to evaluate'the route. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller said that the route will be evaluated as other routes are, including <br />who are the riders using the service. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. O'Connell said that the funding, <br />if approved, would come from Council's reserve, and added that if the route is successful, <br />the City may be able to get state or federal funds to continue operation. <br /> <br /> <br />