R. Cannan (City of Kelowna) D. Knowles (Westside Elect. Area) A. Dinwoodie (Westside Elect. Area) D. Boyd, BC Transit M. Docherty, Kelowna Transit

Transcription

1 Minutes of the REGIONAL TRANSPORTAT ION COMMITTEE MEETING, of the Regional District of Central Okanagan held in Council Chambers, City of Kelowna, 1414 Water Street, Kelowna, B.C. on Thursday, April 29, 2004 VOTING MEMBERS REGRETS GUESTS STAFF C. Day (City of Kelowna) W. Gray (City of Kelowna) R. Hein (District of Lake Country) P. Hanson (Ellison/Joe Rich Elect. Area) B. Harriman (District of Peachland) R. Hobson (City of Kelowna) L. Novakowski (Westside Elect. Area) S. Shepherd (City of Kelowna) R. Cannan (City of Kelowna) D. Knowles (Westside Elect. Area) A. Dinwoodie (Westside Elect. Area) D. Boyd, BC Transit M. Docherty, Kelowna Transit H. Reay, Director of Finance, Regional District of Central Okanagan R. Westlake, Transportation Manager, City of Kelowna J. Dombowsky, Transportation Demand Supervisor, City of Kelowna K. Grayston, Financial Planning Manager, City of Kelowna M.J. Drouin, RDCO Administrative Assistant (recorder) 1. Committee Administration a) Adopt Minutes November 20, 2003 HARRIMAN/HANSON THAT the Regional Transportation Committee meeting minutes of November 20, 2003 be adopted as circulated. b) Correspondence i) Les Burrows, Captain Kelowna Community Church re: Santa Sleigh Bus Promotion GRAY/NOVAKOWSKI THAT the January 18, 2004 letter from Les Burrows, Captain Kelowna Community Church regarding the Santa Sleigh Bus Promotion be received.

2 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.2) ii) Gregory Slocombe, Chair BC Transit re: 2004/05 Provincial Funding for Transit iii) Gregory Slocombe, Chair BC Transit re: BC Transit Corporate Service Plan D. Boyd outlined the funding challenges for 2005/06 and 2006/07. A shortfall in funding has been identified and could result in service reductions of up to 11% in conventional transit service if funding sources are not found. The Committee discussed: - Refund of GST will assist to some degree but there is a need for sustainable funding - Provincial plans not in line with Federal government funding - Must lobby the Province for increase in transit funding - That reduction in funding and service reductions are unacceptable when the decision was just made to add back service. - Continued reduction in funding from the Province puts transit back to where service cuts will be required. - What is the contingency plan at local level should funding not be received. It was noted that details regarding the performance measures for municipal systems and forecasted reduction to service plans can be reviewed at BCtransit.com or busonline.ca Mayor Hein arrived at 12:40 p.m. SHEPHERD/NOVAKOWSKI THAT a letter be forwarded to Premier Campbell expressing concerns regarding the projected BC Transit funding reductions and the need for a partnership to maintain transit funding over the long term. DAY/HANSON THAT the December 5, 2004 letter from Gregory Slocombe, Chair BC Transit re: 2004/05 Provincial Funding for Transit be received. AND THAT the February 18, 2004 letter from Gregory Slocombe, Chair BC Transit re: BC Transit Corporate Service Plan be received. 2. Transit a) Customer Service Report J. Dombowsky circulated and reviewed the customer service report for the period November 13, 2003 to April 14, total of 68 complaints related to poor connections, new route requests, shelter

3 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.3) inquiries, schedule) - poor connections complaints have been reduced since service was increased. - number of new route requests have increased significantly - as service reliability increases more individuals want to use transit - M. Docherty noted that costumer service complaints to Far West are similar for the same period to the report b) Report on the February expansion (schedule maintenance) Service expansion was introduced February 29, Since start-up, the following has occurred: o improved reliability general overall schedule maintenance has improved o improved route coverage approval from passengers with little to no complaints o changes to Lake Country schedule received petition from Lake Country commuters scheduling reviewing that o detailed schedules posted 3 weeks in advance o ridership being monitored impact of changes will be seen in six to eight months o M. Docherty reviewed the cleaning maintenance program which has recently been completed. c) 2004/05 Annual Operating Agreements Summary R. Westlake noted the operating agreements for 2004/05 have been circulated and to date the Regional District and City of Kelowna have approved their agreements. Lake Country to review if their agreement has been received and approved. R. Westlake summarized the conventional and custom operating agreements. A revenue summary for the last four years was reviewed. It was noted that fare box revenues have changed--more commuters are purchasing passes as opposed to paying day rates. Expenditures reviewed costs down, major overalls completed in the previous fiscal budget. d) Policy for Transit Charters R. Westlake noted that transit staff have had a practice of charging for transit charters and that there is a desire to formalize this practice into a policy. The rates have been determined in consultation with the provider. Prices are competitive with the private sector.

4 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.4) NOVAKOWSKI/HARRIMAN THAT the Regional Transportation Committee adopt the following rates and policies with respect to Transit Charter Service offerings; External Group charter: Low Flyer & Dennis Darts: $70.00 per hour plus $0.55 per kilometre. Double Decker: $ per hour plus $0.55 per kilometre Local Government Partner charter: All buses $33.67 per hour plus $ per kilometre All charters are subject to a minimum 2 hour charge. Service requests are not guaranteed Monday to Friday prior to 9:00 a.m., and 2:00 6:00 p.m. Service will be offered only within the boundaries of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Local government partner use is limited strictly to direct usage only, and is not intended to be a non-profit group rate. e) Clean Air Day Promotion - Transit Passes For the past four years, the Transportation Committee has approved the offering of free transit service to those wearing Go Green buttons on Clean Air Day. Last year approximately 2,000 buttons were distributed and about 315 were used. The financial impact of the promotion is approximately $612. SHEPHERD/HEIN THAT ridership on the Kelowna Regional Transit System be free on Environment Day (June 2, 2004) for those wearing Go Green buttons. f) UBCM Conference - Transit Passes The Union of BC Municipalities is having its annual convention hosted by the City of Kelowna this year. Approximately 1,600 delegates are expected to attend the convention. Typically complimentary transit passes are offered to the delegates of the convention. The Committee reviewed whether passes would be given or delegates would use their UBCM delegate badge. The lanyard badge is much more distinguishable than a rider pass. SHEPHERD/GRAY THAT delegates/partners to the Union of BC Municipalities Convention being hosted by the City of Kelowna September 20-24, 2004 be offered the opportunity to ride transit for free during the length of the convention via complimentary transit passes to be included in each delegate s conference kit.

5 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.5) g) Smart Transit Plan - Next Steps R. Westlake noted the second of three transit workshop was held earlier today. The third workshop will be held in June. At the end of the exercise, the consultant will be recommending guidelines to move forward. It was noted there may be an opportunity to develop and move forward with some specific guidelines before the completion of the review ie: The question was raised whether to move forward with a design charrette (illustrated brainstorming) this summer ie: Stevens exchange, UBC. Vision and budget considerations would be put forward later in the fall. There was consensus for an à la carte approach to develop the charrette. Mayor Hein noted that Lake Country has agreed to move monies into a reserve funds for transit planning but will not expand transit services until BC Transit lifts fees. 3. TDM a) Commuter Challenge Upcoming Promotions A Regional Transportation Committee Commuter Triathlon promotion is being held Wednesday, May 26 beginning at 8:15 a.m. starting at the corner of Dehart and Lakeshore. The Commuter Triathlon is a friendly race between elected officials to see who can reach city hall first on a predefined route by riding transit, walking/running and cycling. Go Green Week is being held May 30-June 5. The Central Okanagan has won the national competition in the past few years. The schedule of activities was reviewed. b) Social Marketing Research Update J. Dombowsky noted the consultant, Cario Communications, has been completing the social marketing research from November to March 31. There are three phases to the research: secondary research (best practices); primary research (focus group discussions) and the third phase (telephone research). The final phase is the development of a strategy. A first draft has been received and is being reviewed. The final report will be brought forward to the next Transportation Committee meeting. c) Cash for Clunkers Program Director Shepherd noted that one of the incentives for the Cash for Clunkers Program is a transit pass for the owner of the vehicle. The transit pass is not generic in that it is provided to the owner of the vehicle and is a Photo ID pass. A request has been made to have it more generic so that other family members may use the pass. ACTION: Staff to review the issue of transit passes for the Cash for Clunker

6 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.6) Program and make the necessary amendments to the incentive program. d) Cost of transit tax deductible expense The Committee was reminded of the need to continue to lobby the Federal government to allow employers the ability to provide non-taxable transit benefits for their employees. It is believed that this will help to encourage the public to Go Green and use public transit. SHEPHERD/HARRIMAN THAT a letter be forwarded to the Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, with copies to Prime Minister Paul Martin and the Hon. John Godfrey, Parliamentary Secretary for Cities, asking that the Income Tax Act be amended to allow employers to provide non-taxable transit benefits for their employees. e) Transit Schedules and Shelters ACTION: Staff were requested to ensure that current riders guides are located at all bus shelters and that the date be published on the schedule so the public will know it is current. Staff noted that there have been problems with graffiti on the Westside shelters. When selecting sites for shelters staff take into account areas that are less graffiti prone. 4. Regional Transportation/Roads a) Okanagan Lake Bridge Update It was noted that the City of Kelowna has negotiated an agreement with the Ministry of Transportation for the East approach to the bridge. It is expected that the Treasury Board and cabinet will be approving the bridge agreements in the near future. b) Other Regional Roads Chair Hobson noted the Transportation Corridor Steering Committee has reviewed Urban Systems report and this will be presented to the Transportation Committee on June 3 rd. 5. Next meeting a) June 3 rd Transportation Committee meeting to review the Transportation Corridor study Regional District offices, Woodhaven Board Room at 9:00 a.m.

7 Transportation Committee Meeting, April 29, 2004 (Pg.7) The proposed June 16 Transit Workshop has been rescheduled to take place at noon on June 9 th (lunch to be provided) at the Kelowna Library. If there is a requirement, a transportation committee meeting will be held after the workshop. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2:15 p.m. CERTIFIED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT Robert Hobson (Chair) Committee Member H:/Data/Admin/Transportation/minutes/2003/RTC-Apr_29-04