The MST Board approved
Resolution 2004-11 recognizing Adam Balesteri, Coach Operator, as MST Employee
of the Month for March 2004.
The MST Board conducted a
public hearing to receive comments regarding a proposed service and schedule
adjustments. The changes would be implemented on May 29, 2004. At the
conclusion of the public comment period, the Board approved the proposed
service and schedule adjustments.
The proposed service changes are designed to improve
on-time performance and transfer connections on Line 2 Pacific Grove by
spreading out the frequency from every 75 minutes to every 90 minutes and to
improve productivity of Line 17 Edgewater-Marina through a slight reduction in
service. On Line 17, current Sunday
ridership does not require two buses on the line. Service to the VA clinic will
be discontinued on Saturday and Sunday.
Selected trips to Carmel from Line 9 Fremont-Hilby
and Line 10 Fremont-Ord Grove are being moved to the newly created Line 11
Edgewater-Carmel. This new bus line
will provide direct service between the Edgewater Transit Exchange and downtown
Carmel during morning and afternoon rush hours seven days a week.
Line
25 Monterey-Gilroy service to the bus stop at the Monte Del Lago mobile home
community is being discontinued due to extremely low ridership. Additionally, the schedule of Line 25 and
Line 26 Salinas-Gilroy will be adjusted to meet the proposed new Caltrain
arrival and departure times at the Gilroy Station.
MST RIDES
PARATRANSIT SERVICE PROVIDER FINANCIAL STATUS
The Board received a report
on the developing situation concerning Pro Transportation Services (PTS)
declining financial status.
MST
received a written request from Pro Transportation Services (PTS) for a 12%
increase in their hourly rate for MST RIDES van services. The primary reason
given for this request is that PTS has sustained an unpredicted increase,
(100%), in vehicle and workers compensation insurance expense over the past
year. Additionally, a 93% increase in average fuel costs over the past five
years was also cited as a contributing factor. The General Manager of PTS has
indicated that should the situation continue, PTS may have no alternative but
to cease operations prior to the end of the current contract term with MST.
PTS’s service agreement with MST is scheduled to expire on September 9, 2004.
PTS is actively pursuing alternatives to seek fiscal relief with their financial
institution, and with the Central Coast Alliance For Health (MediCal).
This item will be brought
back before the Board on April 12, 2004.