FAIRFAX COUNTY TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
MEETING SUMMARY
Regular Meeting -
May 3, 2005
7:15 PM - Room 7, Government Conference Center
TAC Members in attendance:George Barker (Chair), Earl Flanagan, Janyce Hedetniemi, Roger Hoskin, Camile Klein, Jeffery Parnes, George Smith, Eric Thiel, Harry Zimmerman.
Others in Attendance: Jay Guy, Michael Lake , Walter Daniel, and Tom Black all of Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FC DOT ).
The meeting was called to order at 7:20pm
Main Topics Discussed
Meeting minutes of 04/05/05 were approved.
Board Referrals:
There were no new referrals from the Board of Supervisors.
Presentation on Fairfax County Department of Transportation Employer Services Program (ESP) by Walter Daniel (FCDOT)
The role of the ESP is to work with business and all levels of government to promote the use of mass transit, carpools, vanpools and telecommuting. The ESP works with key decision makers in an organization to tailor a commuter program to the organization’s needs.
Services include: providing transit schedules, route maps, park and ride locations to facilitate use of existing public transportation. ESP also assists with parking cash-out programs, telework programs and provides support to employee transportation coordinators within the organization.
ESP also conducts employee commute surveys and maps employee residence patterns, offers computerized ride matching service and assists in implementation of alternative commuting programs.
ESP offers incentives for firms to employ their services such as the “Best Workplaces for Commuters” designation which a firm may earn by participation in one or more of ESP’s programs.
Presentation on South County Bus Plan and REX Service by Tom Black (FCDOT)
What was done: REX (Richmond Highway Express) service was implemented along with complimentary Connector service. Eighteen new Connector routes were begun. Six other routes were realigned and fourteen discontinued. Connectivity was improved, reducing travel times. Days and hours of service were increased. Service was extended to new areas, specifically South county High School.
How’s it going: Through March 05, ridership along Richmond Highway Corridor increased overall 20 percent this includes REX and Connector service. The balance of the south County Bus Plan area experienced nearly a 15 percent increase in ridership.
Issues: REX fairs were scheduled to increase in June, this was postponed. More REX stops have been requested. Plans remain to expand service to five more routes in the South County Area.
In the future: Future plans include VRE neighborhood collectors and feeders. Technology applications to make REX Service more like Bus Rapid Transit i.e. Smart Trip fair boxes.
Transportation Summit Update
A review of “lessons learned” from the 2005 Transportation Summit was discussed. The objective was to determine what went well, what didn’t and to lay the ground work for future Summits.
Other Business
There was no other business
Upcoming Agendas
- Transportation Summit Follow-up
- Travel Training Bus Presentation by Denis Paddeu
- Dulles Rail Update by Rick Stevens
- TAC Spot List for FY 2006
Announcements:
George Smith, long time TAC member, announced his resignation. He is moving to Gainsville Virginia outside Fairfax County and will no longer be eligible to sit on the Commission. He will be missed.
Meeting Adjourned
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10pm
