The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2006-09 recognizing Luis Morales, Maintenance Supervisor, as MST
Employee of the Month for December 2005. He recently took on additional supervisory
responsibilities within the maintenance department.
The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2006-10 recognizing Kitty Melicia, Operations Assistant, as MST
Employee of the Year for 2005 for her role in an extensive recertification of
registered RIDES clients.
The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2006-11 recognizing Assemblymember Simon Salinas for his advocacy of
transit through his sponsorship of AB765 Amtrak Bus Feeder Service. The MST
Board also adopted Resolution 2006-12 recognizing Congressman Sam Far for his
leadership and advocacy of public transit in the federal transportation
reauthorization process.
The MST Board adopted
Resolution 2006-13 recognizing December 1, 2005 as Rosa Parks Day. MST will
join with transit agencies across the country and participate in a National
Transit Tribute to Rosa Parks Day.
The MST Board awarded a
$289,900 contract to Knowlton Construction for construction of improvements at
the Salinas Transit Center (STC). Primary construction elements include new and
upgraded lighting, new and upgraded walkways and access, new street furniture,
wiring for future installation of ‘next bus’ displays, landscaping improvements
and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades.
The MST Board approved the
purchase of three vehicles as replacements for the MST RIDES program. The
vehicles will be purchased from El Dorado Bus Sales through CalTrans FY
2004-2005 Federal 2310 procurement program. These new vehicles will replace
five older program vehicles that need to be decommissioned from service due to
excessive mileage and maintenance costs.
The MST Board awarded a
$71,113 contract to PerTeet, Inc. to analyze and study MST’s transit services
in the Monterey Peninsula area and to make recommendations for improvements.
The Peninsula Area Service
Study (PASS) is designed to evaluate how well MST’s bus service in and around
the Monterey Peninsula area (coastal communities from Big Sur to Watsonville)
is meeting passenger demand with regards to on-time performance, safety and
convenience; to examine present and anticipated development and travel
patterns; and to subsequently propose a series of new and adjusted bus routes
that would better serve existing and future public transit customers as well as
increase overall ridership.
PRESENTATION
ON 2005 MST ATTITUDE AND AWARENESS SURVEY AND THE 2005 MST ON-BOARD PASSENGER
SURVEY
The MST Board received a
presentation on the 2005 MST Attitude and Awareness Survey and the 2005 MST
On-Board Passenger Survey by Thomas Wittman, Senior Transit Planner for
Perteet, Inc. During October, 377 randomly selected non-passengers participated
in a telephone survey, and 434 passengers were interviewed aboard MST buses and
transit facilities. The surveys gauged the opinions of customers and to find
out information about those individuals who do not currently take public
transportation. This data can then be used to improve services for existing
passengers as well as to increase ridership by marketing MST more effectively
to non-riders.
The MST Board received a
report on results of the Carmel Valley Grapevine Express demonstration project.
This new service involved a rebranding of MST’s existing Line24 Carmel Valley
and an increase in frequency on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during October
and November of 2005. New passengers began riding the service immediately, with
ridership levels increasing dramatically throughout the program. The highly
successful 2-month long demonstration project ended with the Thanksgiving
weekend. Staff is currently working with TAMC to secure ongoing funding for the
Carmel Valley Grapevine Express.
The MST Board adopted the
2006 MST Legislative Program. The 2006 Legislative Program would advocate
preservation of existing transportation funding and increased funding for
priority projects. The 2006 Legislative Program will be presented to state and
federal legislators and will guide MST positions on legislative matters
throughout the year. The Legislative Program is also used as a guideline for
supporting, opposing, or watching legislation when time does not permit
official MST Board action on specific legislation.