Administrator’s Report for April 21, 2010 CCRTA Advisory Board Meeting

Administrator’s Report

April 21, 2010

1. BUDGET

I met with the Budget Committee in my office on April 14^threlative to our FY11 budget proposal. We had a productive, detailed discussion as I explained several new initiatives that will impact revenue/expenditures. Committee Chair Bob Lawton and I will discuss later in this agenda.

2. MULTI-MODAL

We have continued to meet with the Multi-Modal Group to create a better transportation infrastructure and connectivity to and through Cape Cod. Since the last meeting, we have made significant progress on integrating GPS systems onto the Steamship Authority vessels, as well as the Hy-line vessels into the CCRTA web portal, which will allow riders the ability to know where their transportation network is in real time.
The CCRTA met with Scheidt Bachmann, the company that produces a ticketing system for the MBTA and large-scale agencies, to discuss an efficient parking management system, as well as integrating fare box systems onto our fixed route and paratransit buses.
The CCRTA will host an additional meeting with Scheidt Bachmann so that our transportation partners can review the parking management and/or fare box opportunities within their respective organizations.
We have discussed biking opportunities Cape-wide, and have also attended various bike meetings throughout Cape Cod.

3. STATE ISSUES

On March 25, 2010, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board appointed Richard Davey as General Manager of the MBTA and Administrator of Transit and Rail for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Rich comes to MassDOT as the former General Manager of the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR). As you know, in my prior position, I was Deputy Secretary for Transportation Programs which included oversight of both transit and rail programs. During that time I had many positive interactions with Rich. Rich’s appointment is a great choice for transit and rail programs and will surely have positive impacts for transit on the Cape.

As the Administrator for Transit and Rail programs, GM Davey has identified his top priorities:

· Safety

· Customer Service

· Employees

· Fiscal Responsibility

· Innovation

Since my appointment as Administrator of the CCRTA, we have made great strides in these areas including streamlining our fare structure for paratransit services, improving customer service, righting our financial stewardship and, of course implementing state of the art technology to improve our bottom line and ease of system use.

GM Davey and I have already had several productive conversations since he has accepted his new role. It is also with great pride, that my long-time legislative aide and former Chief of Staff, Cathy Lynds has been named Chief of Staff for GM Davey. Cathy started this position on April 12 and will be directly involved in all issues impacting regional transit authorities.

I have been discussing the possibility of a demonstration rail service during several weekends during the summer. I am presently investigating its feasibility and intend to have more information at the time of the board meeting on the 21^st.

We are also moving ahead with an improved parking system which will simplify parking and improve our ability to not only collect parking revenue but better serve our customers by alerting them as to parking availability, reducing ticketing to customers and minimizing costs to patrol and ticket parking facilities. These changes will be made in conjunction with a statewide push for farebox interoperability meaning that a person may use one pass to ride on multiple service providers such as CCRTA and the MBTA. I am working with Plymouth and Brockton to ensure that private carriers are also part of the seamless transportation network.

As the creation of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation continues to develop, I will provide you with information regarding how changes at the State level will affect our services.

4. MARKETING

Our b-bus fare & payment policy went into effect on April 1^st, 2010. We held a Customer Appreciation Day in order to thank our customers for their feedback. Kathy Jensen went well beyond the call of duty to make this event so successful and we received many positive comments. Attendance remained vibrant throughout the day as radio personality, Cat Wilson, broadcast from our terminal during the morning hours and we held a number of raffles of generous gifts donated by our transportation partners and others.

· I have been invited to participate in a talk show called “Barnstable This Morning” hosted by Nick Cortese. There will be a weekly call-in every Tuesday at 8:35 a.m. where I will be discussing topics such as projects we are conducting and educating the public about our services.

· CCRTA will again be featured in 4-color, free Info-maps with a circulation of 160,000. Distribution includes both the Rte. 28 and Rte. 6 Visitor Centers year-round, motels, hotels, restaurants, Chambers of Commerce, attractions and retail outlets. All routes are highlighted on individual maps with a key labeling each route. This Info-map program is on-line year-round with links to advertiser sites.

A full-page layout with photos and copy outlining benefits to "parking the car and taking the bus" were created with a focus on all the destinations and attractions the CCRTA services. This "Advertorial” will be in 900,000 editions of "Guidebook Cape Cod” from May of 2010 to April of 2011 and in 150,000 copies of "Kids on the Cape" in July and August. The covers of both magazines will feature a headline directing readers to our “Advertorial”.
The Eastham Chamber offered a free display ad to the CCRTA in their 2010 Guidebook. The ad was increased from a 1/4 pg to a 1/2 pg in 4-color, incorporating a map of the Flex Route from Harwich to Provincetown.

5. BARNSTABLE COUNTY RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION (BCRA) PENSION SYSTEM

CCRTA employees welcome the opportunity to be part of the BCRA and voted unanimously to change Article 18, Section 1 of the SEIU union contract.
PERAC has accepted CCRTA into the state pension system and submitted to BCRA (see attached letter).

6. CCRTA & PTM SCOPE OF SERVICES AGREEMENT:

CCRTA has drafted a Scope of Services Agreement for the upcoming renewal of PTM’s contract. The Scope of Services increases the efficiencies, accountability and overall performance levels expected of PTM.

7. ETHICS COMMISSION EXAM CERTIFICATES:

Many of the CCRTA Board Members have not turned in their Ethics Commission Exam Certificates. Please turn them in as soon as possible.

Keywords : Administrator’s Report

Release Date : 04/21/2010

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