The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2007-04 recognizing Glen Hamilton, Mechanic, Revenue Equipment, as
MST Employee of the Month for September 2006. Recently Glen and another mechanic were able to install new
forward facing cameras to 40 buses with existing security systems. The new
forward facing camera project has been a valuable tool to assist in accident
investigation and recovering costs from individuals who have collided with MST
buses.
The MST Board ratified the
renewal of insurance coverage for Property Insurance to include the addition of
Boiler and Machinery coverage with the current carrier CHUBB. This new coverage
protects MST from loss due to mechanical breakdowns, not wear and tear, of
electrical systems, HVAC and pressure vessels of insured properties.
The MST Board authorized
staff to negotiate a contract for an amount not to exceed $170,000 to Wilbur-Smith
Associates to perform the Monterey Bay Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Study.
BRT systems are designed to
offer some combination of decreased travel and wait times, increased passenger
comfort and convenience, and increased operating efficiencies. BRT will usually
be differentiated from ordinary service by color-coordinated buses that are
more comfortable, cleaner, more fuel efficient and quieter.
The MST Board awarded a
contract in the amount of $47,600 to Bay Area Economics for land use and real
estate consulting services.
In January, 2006, staff was
directed to devise a plan to develop MST properties to crease a long-term,
continuing source of revenue to support the operations of MST and increase
utilization of the community’s public transit system. MST has also identified
the need to acquire property for future transit stations and to complete the
construction of the Frank J. Lichtanski Monterey Bay Operations Center on
property it already owns on the former Fort Ord.
The MST Board approved a
contract with LNI Custom Manufacturing, Inc. for $42,344.85 for the purchase of
5 passenger shelters equipped with benches and trash receptacles and an option
to purchase up to 15 more at a cost of $8,468.97 each.
The MST Board approved the
final Peninsula area route changes to be implemented in January 2007.
The Peninsula Area Service
Study evaluated how well MST’s bus service in and around the Monterey Peninsula
area is meeting passenger demand with regards to on-time performance, safety
and convenience, and examined present and anticipated development and travel
patterns. The following lines will have route changes to improve service,
convenience and connectivity for the majority of MST’s passengers: Line 1
Asilomar-Lovers Point; Line 2 Pacific Grove; Line 4 Carmel Rancho; Line 5
Carmel Rancho; Line 11 Edgewater-Carmel Express; Line 16 Edgewater-Marina; Line
17 Edgewater-Marina; Line 24 Carmel Valley-Grapevine Express; Line 54
Monterey-Airport Business Center; and DART Monterey Peninsula.
The MST Board1:) Approved
the purchase of 15 new buses from Gillig Corporation in the amount of
$6,200,000; and 2) Authorized a financing package with Municipal Services Group
(MSG) for this purchase and refinancing the existing bus loan.
This purchase will replace a
fleet of unreliable Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fleet with 15 new “clean
diesel” vehicles with California Air Resources Board approved emissions
ratings.
The MST Board approved a
contract amendment between MST and MV Transportation Inc. providing for up to a
15% rate increase per hour for all fixed route and DART purchased
transportation services.