OUTBoard minutes 051618 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved 8/15/18 2 Theo Letman noted that his department had added five full-time bus driver positions and TeLeishia Holloway’s and 54 Allyson Coltrane’s positions. He reported that the department will soon add a transit asset mechanic position to meet 55 growing maintenance and compliance needs. 56 57 Alex Castro asked about the age of the fleet. Theo Letman answered that just before he assumed the Director 58 position the County replaced some vehicles and the older ones are now on a schedule to be replaced. The 59 replacement vehicles have a lower profile. Also, there has been positive feedback on the new logo, which is on all 60 vehicles. 61 62 Theo Letman noted that the Orange-Alamance Connector was implemented in December and he shared its route. 63 There is intention to market the route to increase ridership and an effort to include Tanger Outlet Mall in its route. It 64 currently runs from northern Hillsborough to the Cone Health facility in Mebane. 65 66 Theo Letman shared a photograph of a Simme Seat recently installed to serve as the bus stop in front of UNC 67 Hospitals in Hillsborough. He noted this photograph would be appearing in AARP’s national publication. 68 69 Theo Letman reviewed that staff members in his department have become active members of several national 70 industry organizations and have taken training opportunities. His department also created an employee-of-the-month 71 program. He shared slides of statistics and data and noted that a contractor, Nelson-Nygaard, will be working with his 72 department to create a 100-year plan addressing future growth scenarios. Public meetings will be held to share the 73 needs of OCPT. 74 75 Alex Castro noted that demand response generates the highest ridership, as Theo Letman had shared, and asked 76 whether the department has smaller vehicles to transport one or a few people rather than using a bus. Theo Letman 77 answered that the department does not at this time but is considering using a 20-foot bus or a van in the future. His 78 department is exploring moving toward an Uber style of service where one can schedule a trip from a cell phone. 79 80 Theo Letman reviewed that the Hillsborough Circulator II scored well for SPOT funding but it was pulled out by the D-81 CH-C MPO. He reviewed potential technology improvements including automated passenger counters and dispatch 82 scheduling software. 83 84 Alex Castro asked if AVL will be available to customers. Theo Letman answered it is called NextBus and you can use 85 it on your phone. He noted that TARPO scored 100 points for two vehicles. 86 87 David Laudicina asked if there is any document that shows how much new equipment or services have been funded 88 by the light rail bond. Theo Letman answered that GoTriangle publishes an annual report that has that information, 89 available on the GoTriangle website. 90 91 Donna Musson said there was talk in the past of hiring someone specifically for billing through NCTracks, (the multi-92 payer Medicaid management information system for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services) because it 93 is cumbersome and she is wondering if there has been progress on that hiring. Theo Letman answered that he 94 attended a conference in Wilmington on NCTracks and found that every provider in the state is having problems with 95 it. His department cannot load trips into the software, which is required to receive Medicaid reimbursement. 96 97 Donna Musson said she has to use it for her work and has to procure older equipment to interface with it. 98 99 Alex Castro asked whether the department has had trouble getting drivers and/or keeping them. Theo Letman 100 answered that he has been able to hire and retain drivers and even attract experienced drivers from other agencies. 101 102 Public Health Education Director Donna King informed the Board that Allyson Coltrane was working on creating an 103 event to provide an opportunity for local service providers to take a transit ride so that they can be better informed 104 about the system that some of their clients use. This was also done a year ago, before Coltrane joined the newly 105 created department. 106 107