MINUTES
MassDOT BOARD MEETING OF APRIL 15, 2015
These minutes were not approved by the MassDOT Board of Directors
because of the resignation of the entire board. However, in the opinion of
Board Counsel, these minutes reflect the discussions and actions taken at
the April 15, 2015 meeting of the Board.
At the call of the Chair, a Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Massachusetts
Department
of
Transportation
was
held
at
the
State
Transportation Building, MassDOT Boardroom, Suite 3830, Boston, MA.
Those present were: Chairman John Jenkins, Directors Joseph Bonfiglio,
Dominic Blue, Andrew Whittle, Robin Chase, and Secretary Pollack being a
quorum of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation.
Also present were Frank DePaola, Interim General Manager, Tom Tinlin,
Acting
Highway
Administrator,
Christopher
Willenborg,
Aeronautics
Administrator, Erin Deveney, Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Jonathan Davis, Chief
Financial Officer-MBTA; Dana Levenson, Chief Financial Officer-MassDOT;
Owen Kane, Senior Counsel to the Board and Paula Fallon.
Chairman Jenkins called the Open Meeting to order and opened the public
comment period.
The first speaker was Paul Regan from the MBTA Advisory Board who
commented on the FY16 budget. Next was Marilyn McNab who commented on
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Late Night Service. Next was Jeffrey Ferris from the Bridging Forest Hills who
commented on the Casey Overpass. Next was Andy Forman from BCIL who
commented on systemwide accessibility at the MBTA. Next was Jessica
Podesva from the Greater Boston Legal Services who said it was an obligation of
the MBTA to ensure access for people with disabilities to remain in the forefront.
Next was Louise Baxter from the TRU who was concerned about the
‘recommendations put forth by the Governor.’ Next Carolyn Villars from Mass.
Senior Action spoke about seniors and the disabled accessing the system. Next
Rob Parks from BCIL commented about accessibility issues at the MBTA. The
next speaker, Steven Kaiser commented on the Casey Overpass and offered
some suggestions to improve the subway system. The last speaker was Bill
Henning from BCIL who commented on accessibility issues at the MBTA
Chairman Jenkins closed the public comment period.
Next was approval of the minutes for March 11, 2015.
On motion duly made and seconded,
VOTED: to approve the minutes of March 11, 2015.
Next Secretary Pollack gave her report. She noted it was One Boston
Day, the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, and acknowledged
Transit Officer Dic Donohue who was injured that day. Governor Baker and Lt.
Governor Polito would be observing a moment of silence at 2:49pm, and
Secretary Pollack suggested the Board should do the same if it were still in
session. Next, the Secretary updated the board on the Winter Recovery
Assistance Program and noted MassDOT continued to work closely to meet the
needs of the cities and towns that needed assistance. Secretary Pollack noted
the Ch. 90 letters were sent to each city and town announcing there were $330
million in Ch. 90 funds available to all of the cities and towns to improve their
transportation networks. Secretary Pollack also commented on the Special
Panel Report that was released a week ago to do a rapid diagnostic of the
MBTA. The report represented the consensus of their findings on the structural
problems of the MBTA, and the Secretary was pleased that some of the
recommendations would be implemented immediately to comply with the Panel’s
recommendations which created some of the tools that would allow the T to do a
better job.
Next Chairman Jenkins asked Acting Highway Administrator Tom Tinlin to
give the report of the Highway Division
Next, Acting Registrar Erin Deveney gave the report of the Registry of
Motor Vehicles.
Next, Interim General Manager Frank DePaola gave the report for the
MBTA.
Next, Administrator of Aeronautics Chris Willenborg gave the report for the
Aeronautics Division. Administrator Willenborg announced he would be stepping
down from his position on July 31, 2015 and looked forward to working with the
Administration towards a smooth transition.
Next, Chairman Jenkins asked Rose Yates, Assistant General Manager of
Customer Communications and Marketing to present Agenda Item 7, a
discussion of Late Night Service.
Ms. Yates said the Authority announced the extension of the pilot through
June 26th, with the intention of soliciting input from our customers and other
stakeholders through a public comment process. The public comment period
ended on March 11th.
She said nearly 1,700 people participated in the public comment process
through a variety of methods: via email, the website, phone calls, and by sending
a letter. In March, a Twitter Town Hall and five public meetings were held.
Ms. Yates said two surveys were also conducted: one surveyed late-night
passengers over two weekends, and a one-day daytime passenger survey during
the morning and evening commutes. During this process, she found a high level
of support for late-night service. Excluding late-night riders themselves, 81%
supported continuing the service, 4% opposed it, and 15% percent did not
express a specific opinion.
The survey showed that 24 to 35-year-olds were the largest age group
using the service. She said that as compared to our customers overall, late-night
customers were more likely to be non-white, male, and have lower household
incomes. The survey also indicated that 31% of people using late-night service
were coming to or from work.
Ms. Yates discussed the options for late-night service:
-Eliminate the service;
-Operate the current service with no change in the fare;
-Operate the current service, but charge customers a premium fare; and
-Alter the current service to improve productivity and respond to budgetary
constraints.
She discussed in length each option:
-Option 1; eliminate service.
The Authority did not support eliminating service because of the high level of
support among users and non-users alike; 80% of people who never use the
service believe late-night service should be offered.
This support is also widespread among businesses and civic, community and
political leadership.
In addition, 59% of late-night users were T monthly pass-holders; this indicates
that it is a valued service to regular customers.
-Option 2; operate current service with current fare
The Authority does not recommend this option.
The cost of late-night service as it is operating today is unsustainable, especially
the cost of operating bus routes with low late-night ridership.
The subsidy per passenger is $20.73 for the bus and $5.10 for rail, as compared
to daytime service at $2.74 for buses and 84 cents for rail.
The projected cost to continue operating the current service at the current fare
would be $14.6 million in FY16.
There is $10 million allocated to late-night service in the FY16 budget.
-Option 3; operate current service with premium fare
The Authority does not recommend charging a higher fare for late-night service
for two reasons:
A premium fare add-on would require software modifications that would take at
least 15 months to install.
In addition, we do not yet know the impact a premium fare would have on our
customer base.
-Option 4, alter the service and continue to work to make the service as
cost effective and productive as possible
This is the recommended course of action.
Ridership drops off steeply at 2 a.m. although service continues until 2:30 a.m.
downtown. Ms. recommends ending service at 2 a.m. to align more with demand.
Plus, by ending late-night service at 2 a.m., the Authority will gain 7% of
additional time to maintain the tunnels, tracks, signals and power.
Also, late-night service operates currently on all subway lines and 15 key bus
routes. It is recommended reducing the number of bus routes to eliminate the
least productive trips; eliminate routes 15, 22, 71, 73, 77.
It is recommended to reduce the frequency on all other bus routes and rail lines.
These modifications in service will save more than $5 million, which is about 35%
of the projected $14.6 million cost of continuing late-night service at its current
level.
These changes would be made on June 27th with the start of the summer
schedules.
In addition, Ms. Yates would also begin developing an RFP for smaller,
contracted vehicles that would enhance the modified service based on data,
demand and cost savings. It would build into the contract an innovative pricing
structure that would offer value to our customers.
She said a smart RFP would also offer value for the MBTA in terms of costs; the
bus and rail costs are fixed regardless of ridership and are the same whether
they are carrying 200 people during rush hour or 2 people at 2 a.m.
A smart RFP can better share these costs during non-peak periods.
Choosing this approach of providing service delivery through outside contractors
aligns with longstanding T practices. Currently, 46% of the vehicles that operate
at peak periods are contracted.
Finally, Ms. Yates said the Authority does not consider this present configuration
of late-night service as fixed, and it will continue to modify late-night service to
make it as productive and cost-effective as possible, while still offering a valuable
service to our customers.
Next, Jonathan Davis presented the MBTA‘s Fiscal 2016 Budget,
including funding for the Late Night Service recommendation.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: That the Board of Directors approve the Authority's budget of
current operating expenses and debt service costs for a one year periodJuly 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016- in the amount of $2,020,964,459 in the
form submitted at this meeting; and
Next was the approval of a contract entitled “Springfield – Rehabilitation of
Viaduct Bridge No. S-24-061 along Interstate 1-91.”
On motion duly made and seconded, it was;
VOTED:
That the Secretary/CEO and/or Administrator for the Highway Division, be
and hereby is, authorized to award and execute, in the name and on behalf
of the Department, and in a form approved by General Counsel, a certain
Highway Division Contract entitled, “Springfield – Rehabilitation of Viaduct
Bridge No. S-24-061 (steel) along Interstate I-91” with a contractor in an
amount based upon a schedule of unit prices, said contractor being the
lowest responsible and eligible bidder in response to requests for sealed
proposals.
Next was approval for MassDOT to transfer $82,893,191 to the MBTA to
fund the necessary mitigation projects related to the delayed opening of the
Green Line Extension to Somerville and Medford.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was;
VOTED: That the Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation, hereby is, authorized to execute, in the name and on behalf
of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, an ISA with the
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority for the transfer of $82,893,191
to fund the necessary mitigation projects related to the delayed opening of
the Green Line Extension to Somerville and Medford.
Next was the authorization to execute a construction management at risk
contract with Barr & Barr, Inc. for the construction of the Central Research and
Materials Lab with the value of the contract not to exceed $31,500,000.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was;
VOTED: the Board of Directors award and authorize the Secretary/CEO to
execute in the name of and on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of
Transportation, and in a form approved by the General Counsel, a contract
with Barr & Barr Inc, an amount not to exceed $31,500,000, to fund the
construction of the new Central Research and Materials Laboratory in
Hopkinton, MA.
Next was the approval the Steelworkers 2010-2014 and 2014-2018
MOUs.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was;
VOTED: That the Interim General Manager is hereby authorized to enter
into a collectively bargained Agreement in the name and on behalf of the
Authority, between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and
the United Steelworkers of America, Local 9501, AFL-CIO, relative to the
terms and conditions of employment for a period from July I, 2010 through
and including June 30, 2018, and the Interim General Manager is authorized
to execute said Agreement in the name and on behalf of the Authority upon
ratification by the Union membership. Copy of said Agreement in the form
submitted is hereby ordered filed with the records of the meeting.
Next was the approval of the Transportation Executives Association (TEA)
first contract.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: That the Interim General Manager is hereby authorized to enter
into a collectively bargained Agreement in the name and on behalf of the
Authority, between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and
the Transportation Executives Association, Local 76 OPElU ("Union")
relative to the terms and conditions of employment for a period
commencing July 1, 2012 through and including June 30, 2019, and the
Interim General Manager is authorized to execute said Agreement in the
name and on behalf of the Authority upon ratification by the Union
membership. Copy of said Agreement in the form submitted is hereby
ordered filed with the records of the meeting.
Next was the approval of Local 651 MOU for 2015-2019.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: That the Interim General Manager is hereby authorized to enter
into a collectively bargained Agreement in the name and on behalf of the
Authority, between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and
the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders,
Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, Local Union 651, relative to the terms
and conditions of employment for a period from July 1, 2015 through and
including June 30, 2019, and the Interim General Manager is authorized to
execute said Agreement in the name and on behalf of the Authority upon
ratification by the Union membership. Copy of said Agreement in the form
submitted is hereby ordered filed with the records of the meeting.
Next was the approval of Lodge 264 MOU 2014-2018.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: That the Interim General Manager is hereby authorized to enter
into a collectively bargained Agreement in the name and on behalf of the
Authority, between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and
Boston Lodge 264 of District 15 of the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, relative to the terms and
conditions of employment for a period from July 1, 2014 through and
including June 30, 2018, and the Interim General Manager is authorized to
execute said Agreement in the name and on behalf of the Authority upon
ratification by the Union membership. Copy of said Agreement in the form
submitted is hereby ordered filed with the records of the meeting.
On motion duly made and seconded, it was:
VOTED: To adjourn.
Documents used for this reports
Minutes for March 11, 2015
Late Night Service PowerPoint
FY16 Operating Budge Staff Summary and PowerPoint Presentation
MassDOT Highway Division Central Research & Materials Lab Staff Summary &
PowerPoint Presentation
Labor Agreements