The MST Board adopted Resolution 2007-20 recognizing
Debra Daniels, Operations Supervisor, as MST Employee of the Month for May
2007. On April 3, 2007, MST was notified that two of the children of an MST
Coach Operator had been critically injured. The father of the two boys had not
yet been notified and was at that time driving the Line 42, which serves
Natividad Hospital in Salinas - the very hospital where his sons were being treated
for their injuries. The parents were notified that one of the boys was in grave
condition and that he was being transferred by helicopter to the Trauma Center
at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose. Without hesitation, Debra
loaned the distraught parents the use of her personal vehicle and cellular
phone so they could respond to San Jose to be with their son.
30-YEAR SERVICE AWARD
The MST Board recognized
Michael Hernandez, Chief Operating Officer, for 30-years of service. Mr.
Hernandez started at MST as a Coach Operator and worked his way up to his
current position.
The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2007-21 declaring the week of May 12-18, 2007 as Monterey County
Bike Week and declaring May 2007 as Clean Air Month in the Monterey Bay Region.
FEDERAL
FUNDING
The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2007-22 authorizing the General Manager/CEO to perform all required
duties necessary to ensure receipt of federal capital and operating grants.
DRUG
& ALCOHOL POLICY
The MST Board approved the
revised Anti-Drug Abuse & Alcohol Misuse Program Policy.
LETTER
OF SUPPORT FOR LIGHTHOUSE AVENUE TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT
The MST Board authorized the
Chair to send a letter of support to the City of Monterey regarding Lighthouse
Avenue traffic improvement.
RELEASE
OF TITLE
The MST Board authorized the
disposal and release of title and salvage rights for vehicle #5113 to MV
Transportation.
Vehicle 5113, a minibus that
was part of the MV Transportation “RIDES” fleet, was involved in an accident
causing significant damage to the bus, leaving it beyond repair.
FARE
STRUCTURE ANALYSIS REPORT
MST’s current fare structure
is comprised of six zones and five overlap zones. Fares are calculated
according to how many zones a customer travels in on their trip. Reduced
pricing for shorter trips could also attract new customers.
The Board received a final
report from Connetics Transportation Group. The report recommended that in the
long-term, MST should consider adopting a fare structure based on usage of the
system based on time or distance traveled. This type of fare structure would:
1) price fare by the type of service; 2) rebalance fare products based on
actual and perceived value; 3) introduce discounted multiples on tickets and
day passes; 4) introduce rolling 7-day and 30-day passes; 5) eliminate paid
transfers; 6) eliminate the zone fare collection process; 7) change child
validation for free fare from age-based to height-based; and 8) expand college,
employer and social service programs. To implement this type of fare structure,
it is likely that MST would have to implement smart-card or other fare
collection technology.
The Board directed staff to
work towards implementing a future fare structure based on usage, and to work
with the Marketing Committee to determine what new fare products MST should
offer. The Board expressed interest in receiving an update on new fare
collection technology.
FY
2008 BUDGET
The Board moved to: 1)
approve the FY 2008 budget; 2) authorize staff to file the appropriate state
and local grant applications to execute the budget; 3) approve Resolution
2007-24 authorizing filing federal grant applications; and 4) approve FY 2008
Goals and Objectives.
STRATEGIC
PLAN
The
Board adopted the FY 2008-2010 Strategic Goals.
The
Strategic Goals will drive MST staff activities for the next several years.
Five strategic priorities include: 1) improve service design and
infrastructure; 2) develop stable, long-term revenue sources; 3) enhance
information technology; 4) improve service quality; and 5) conserve natural
resources.