Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA)

The agenda for the February 1, 2006, meeting and the minutes of the January 4, 2006, meeting of the Ferry Passengers Advisory Committee were furnished to the Transportation Committee.  Copies are available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, General Manager Celia Kupersmith stated that the members of the Ferry Passengers Advisory Committee had provided a comment on the proposed Five-Year Fare Program, with a recommendation to increase fares using 25-cent increments rather than 5-cent increments.

Action by the Board - None Required

In a memorandum to Committee, Principal Planner Ron Downing, Planning Director Alan Zahradnik and General Manager Celia Kupersmith provided a staff recommendation to operate the second year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project. The report stated that in a letter dated March 1, 2006, the District received a request from the County of Marin (County), to operate the demonstration shuttle bus service to the Muir Woods recreation area in southern Marin County. The report also stated that the Board of Directors, by Resolution No. 2005-034 at its April 22, 2005 meeting, approved the first year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project, which was fully funded by the County with federal grant funding.

The report stated that for the 2006 summer season, the County is requesting that the level of shuttle bus service for this summer season be expanded to include service on weekends, holidays (including Monday, July 3, 2006) between Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 27, 2006) and Labor Day (Monday, September 4, 2006). The County is also requesting that several modifications be made to the shuttle bus service, based on the experience with last year’s shuttle bus demonstration project, as follows: (1) operate at an expanded 30 minute frequency throughout the day, between 9:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; (2) provide more service in the late afternoon to mitigate the need to provide backup service for visitors returning from Muir Woods; (3) print a greater quantity of shuttle bus service brochures at the beginning of the summer; (4) provide an increased level of marketing and public outreach for the service; and, (5) collect a nominal fare for the shuttle bus service. The report stated that the total project costs to provide this service for the 2006 summer season are estimated at $133,217, to include operating costs, vehicle lease costs and costs for an expanded marketing/promotional program. The report noted that operating costs were estimated using the appropriate hourly rates from the five-year agreement with the Marin County Transit District that will go into effect May 1, 2006. The County will fully reimburse the District for all costs incurred in providing the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project. Any passenger fare revenues collected for the shuttle bus service would be credited back to the County to partially offset the service costs.

The report also stated that because of the steep grades and winding roads along the shuttle bus route, the District will have to lease two small transit buses (30 to 35 feet long by 96 inches wide) as was done for last year’s service. The report further stated that in order to have the service operational by May 27, final policy-level approvals to do the service and determination of the service level to be provided must occur prior to April 1, 2006. Staff recommends that Board approve participation in this project by authorizing execution of an agreement with the County to operate the second year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project, which will be considered by the County at its March 28, 2006 meeting. A copy of the report is available from the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

At the meeting, Celia Kupersmith introduced the topic and then turned it over to Principal Planner Ron Downing. Mr. Downing summarized the staff recommendation, describing some of the changes in service that were developed based on the experience with the first year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project during the summer of 2005. He stated that the marketing and promotional budget for the project has significantly increased this year, and that there will be increased outreach to hotel concierges and local visitors’ bureaus to promote the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus service. He noted that the County declined to extend the shuttle bus service to connect with the Sausalito Ferry, due to costs associated with the service extension. He further stated that County and District staffs are considering charging a nominal fare of $1.00 each way, which would be collected as a $2 westbound-only fare on the way to Muir Woods, with no fare collected on the return trip.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Shahum expressed her support for the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project and inquired as to whether the County would consider making the service permanent.  In response, Celia Kupersmith stated that if the shuttle bus service were to be made permanent, the County would need to secure additional grant funding.  She noted that the current federal grant for the demonstration project is for three years only.

• Director Cochran inquired as to how many riders used the shuttle bus service during the 2005 summer season.  In response, Mr. Downing stated that over 10,000 riders used the service last year.

• Director Eddie inquired as to whether it would be more cost effective to purchase the smaller 30-foot buses rather than leasing them.  In response, Ms. Kupersmith stated that since it is indefinite how long the shuttle bus demonstration project will be operating, it would be more cost effective to lease the buses needed for the service.

AYES (5):       Chair Brown; Vice Chair Shahum; Directors Cochran, Moylan and Newhouse Segal
NOES (0):      None
ABSENT (4): Director Kerns, Murray and Pahre; President Middlebrook (Ex Officio)

[Note:  The above recommendation was forwarded to the Board of Directors meeting of March 10, 2006, for action.]

There was no public comment.