The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2004-23 recognizing Jon Downing, Coach Operator, as MST Employee of
the Month for June 2004.
The MST Board presented a
retirement award to William Welch, Coach Operator. Other retirements this month
included Sione Tulua, Coach Operator.
The MST Board presented a
30-year service plaque to Frank J. Lichtanski, General Manager/CEO. In addition
to recognition from the Board, other transit agencies, the American Public
Transportation Administration and California Transit Association also sent
their congratulations to Mr. Lichtanski on his 30th Anniversary with
MST.
SOUTH
COUNTY TRANSIT SERVICE
The MST Board approved the
amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding with the cities of Gonzales,
Soledad, Greenfield, King City, and the County of Monterey to extend the
current contract for the provision of fixed route and ADA transportation
services for one additional year.
The
MST Board approved the disposition of accountable property determined obsolete
and surplus. The California Air Resources Board determined that MST’s entire
fleet of 1300, 1500, and 1600-series buses did not meet the required air
quality measures and could no longer be used in service. However, four buses
(1615, 1623, 1625, and 1626) will be retained for the contingency fleet. In
addition, Hartnell College has requested that one bus be acquired to support
their diesel technology program.
MST RIDES
ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT
The
MST Board appointed Brandy Abend to serve as a member of the MST RIDES Advisory
Committee. This appointment will provide the committee with four voting
members.
ENSEICOM
SHELTER PURCHASE CHANGE ORDER
The
MST Board authorized a change order to the existing Enseicom Shelter purchase
contract in the amount of $41,408.20 for the installation of 29 bus shelters.
Enseicom’s
pricing for the installation phase of the project has risen 18% since the time
of contract award. Increases are due to inflation and the design changes
requested by MST during the production phase. Design changes include
reconfiguration of the solar panel system onto the roof sections and in-ground
storage of battery, both changes needed for additional security.
FIRST
ALARM SECURITY & PATROL CONTRACT
The
MST Board awarded a three-year contract with two additional option years to
First Alarm Security & Patrol, Inc. of Aptos, CA in the amount of $337,524
for security guard and mobile patrol services of MST properties. Uniformed
guard services at MST properties enhance the public and employee safety. This
contract represents a 20% decrease in annual costs over the previous security
guard and mobile patrol service.
MST RIDES
ST PROGRAM RESTRUCTURE
The
MST Board: 1) approved to discontinue limitations on trip purposes and time of
day restrictions; and 2) adopted a fare structure of $2 per trip to travel from
outside of the ADA service area into an ADA service area. Once in an ADA
service area, passengers will pay the standard ADA passenger fare of $2.50 per
zone. The new fares will be implemented on September 4, 2004.
Currently,
registered MST RIDES clients living outside of ADA service corridors are
subject to trip limitations and varying fares. Removal of trip limitations and
restructuring the fare in order to simplify and standardize countywide ADA
transportation will ensure full compliance with all ADA requirements. The new fare structure will continue to meet the
minimum 10 percent farebox recovery ratio required by the Transportation
Development Act (TDA).
The MST Board conducted a
public hearing to receive public comments. The proposed changes would affect
lines 3-Skyline DART, 8-Seaside-Del Rey Oaks DART, 10-Fremont-Ord Grove,
16-Edgewater-Marina, 17-Edgewater-Marina, 20-Monterey-Salinas,
21-Monterey-Salinas via Highway 68, 43-Memorial Hospital, 44-Westridge, and
46-Natividad. Public comments will continue to be received until June 25. Final
approval will be made at the July 12, 2004 Board meeting.
MST
TROLLEY SERVICE FOR PG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The
MST Board approved a five-year contract with the Pacific Grove Chamber of
Commerce for MST Trolley Service between the Monterey Bay Aquarium and downtown
Pacific Grove. Service will commence on July 6, 2004 and will operate Tuesday
through Saturday through the Labor Day weekend. There is no service on Sunday
and Monday. The fare will be free, the same as on The WAVE Trolley between the
Aquarium and downtown Monterey. The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce will
cover 100% of the cost of this service.