Advisory Committee on Accessibility (ACA)

A Notice of Cancellation for the January 2008 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility was furnished to the Transportation Committee. A copy is available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Bus Passengers Advisory Committee

The agenda for the January 23, 2008, meeting and the minutes of the November 14, 2007, meeting of the Bus 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.

Ferry Passengers Advisory Committee

The agendas for the January 9, 2008, meeting and the minutes of the November 7, 2007, 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.

Action by the Board – None Required

Authorize Execution of an Agreement with the County of Marin, Department of Public Works, for Provision of the Fourth Year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project for the Summer of 2008

In a memorandum to Committee, Principal Planner Ron Downing, Director of Planning Alan Zahradnik and General Manager Celia Kupersmith provided a staff recommendation for provision of the fourth year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project (Muir Woods Shuttle). The report stated that the District received a request from the County of Marin (County), to operate a one-year extension of the demonstration shuttle bus service to the Muir Woods recreation area in southern Marin County, following three successful demonstrations in the summer seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Board of Directors, by Resolution Nos. 2005-034, 2006-019 and 2007-008, approved the first, second and third years, respectively, for the Muir Woods Shuttle, which has been fully funded by the County each of those years.

The report stated that for the 2008 summer season, the County has requested that several modifications be made to the Muir Woods Shuttle service, as follows:

The report also stated that because of the steep grades and winding roads along the shuttle bus route, the District will have to lease five small, 35-foot long transit buses as was done for the previous three summer seasons. The report further stated that weekend “shoulder season” service will operate between Marin City and Muir Woods at 30-minute headways, between Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 18, 2008, and also between Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 28, 2008. Weekend and holiday peak season service (Marin City-Muir Woods service at 20-minute headways plus dedicated Sausalito Ferry-Muir Woods service) will operate between Saturday, May 24, and Monday, September 1, 2008 (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day).

The report stated that the County will fully reimburse the District for all costs for the Muir Woods Shuttle service. The total cost for the 2008 summer season is estimated to cost $278,369, which includes operating costs, vehicle lease costs and marketing/promotional costs. The report noted that operating costs were estimated using the appropriate hourly rates from the amendment to the Agreement with the Marin County Transit District that went into effect on January 1, 2008. The portion of the service that will operate during FY 07/08 will cost $93.94 per hour, and the portion that will operate during FY 07/08 will cost $98.64 per hour.

The report further stated that in order to have the service operational by May 3, 2008, final policy-level approvals must occur prior to March 15, 2008. Staff recommends that the District authorize execution of an agreement with the County for provision of the fourth year of the Muir Woods Shuttle service. The Marin County Board of Supervisors will take up this matter at its meeting on March 4, 2008. 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 summarized the staff report, noting that the Muir Woods Shuttle service has been quite successful over the past three summers.

Discussion ensued, including the following:

• Director Eddie inquired as to whether it is customary for demonstration projects to last four years. In response, Ms. Kupersmith explained that initially, the County of Marin had sufficient funding for a three-year demonstration, and then they were able to work with the National Park Service to identify funding for a fourth year of the Project. She noted that it appears that the County of Marin will have to seek funding from another source in order to continue the Muir Woods Shuttle service in future years.

• Acting Chair Cochran asked what the farebox recovery was for the Muir Woods Shuttle. In response, Ron Downing stated that the farebox recovery is 12 percent, which is actually on a par with the farebox recovery rates of other rural bus service. Mr. Downing noted that the adult round-trip fare will increase this year to $3.00 from $2.00, which might contribute to a slightly higher farebox recovery rate.

Staff recommended and the Committee concurred by motion made and seconded by Directors MIDDLEBROOK/EDDIE to forward the following recommendation to the Board of Directors for its consideration:

RECOMMENDATION

The Transportation Committee recommends that the Board of Directors authorize execution of an Agreement with the County of Marin, Department of Public Works, for provision of the fourth year of the Muir Woods Shuttle Bus Demonstration Project for the summer of 2008, beginning Saturday, May 3, 2008, through Sunday, September 28, 2008, with a round-trip fare of $3.00 for adults and a round-trip fare of $1.00 for seniors, youths and persons with disabilities, to be collected in the westbound direction only, for an approximate cost of $278,369, to be paid for by the County of Marin; with the further understanding that the following modifications will be made to the Muir Woods Shuttle service:

1. An additional bus will be added for the service between Marin City and Muir Woods; and,
2. Larger buses will be used, and an additional bus will be added during the early afternoon for the service between the Sausalito Ferry and Muir Woods.

Action by the Board – Resolution
NON-CONSENT CALENDAR

AYES (7): Vice Chair Cochran; Directors McGlashan, Middlebrook, Newhouse Segal and Pahre; President Moylan (Ex Officio)
NOES (0): None
ABSENT (3): Directors Eddie, Reilly and Stroeh

Monthly Report on Activities Related to Marin Local Service Contract with Marin County Transit District

The monthly report on activities related to the Marin Local Service contract with the Marin County Transit District (Marin Transit) was furnished to the Transportation Committee. The report included the following elements:

1. The monthly report from the District’s Transtat Transit Information System showing GGT bus service performance of both District regional routes and Marin Transit local routes for the month of December 2007, providing statistics regarding riders per hour, revenue per hour, cost per hour, fare recovery and deficit per passenger for the two types of bus service; and, outlining GGT bus service performance of both District regional routes and Marin Transit local routes, providing statistics regarding riders per hour, revenue per hour, cost per hour, fare recovery and deficit per passenger for the two types of bus service, for the month of December 2007; and,
2. A spreadsheet from the Auditor-Controller outlining the history of payments made to date by Marin Transit to the District for intra-county bus transit services in Marin County, under the Amendment to the Agreement with Marin Transit for Marin Local Bus Service, which became effective January 1, 2008.

Ms. Kupersmith announced that Marin Transit is proceeding with its search for a General Manager. She also announced that District staff is working closely with the staffs of Marin Transit and ERG regarding Marin Transit's interest in pursuing Translink as a means for its day and monthly passes.

Due to the high volume of agendas and minutes from Marin County agencies related to this item, hard copies of those items were not provided to the Committee. Instead, electronic versions of the following items were posted on the District’s web site:

Copies of all of the above-listed items are available in the Office of the District Secretary and on the District’s web site.

Action by the Board – None Required

Public Comment

There was no public comment.

Adjournment

All business having been concluded, the meeting was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.