OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Transit Advisory Board Business Meeting - August 1, 2024

Commissions & Advisory Boards — Thursday, August 1, 2024
BodyLoudoun County, Virginia
SessionCommissions & Advisory Boards
DateThursday, August 1, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 41:42

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Okay, Ray, we're ready.

0:05

Go.

0:05

All right.

0:06

Well, good evening, all.

0:08

Maybe happy to see that you breed the beautiful window we experienced in our site.

0:14

Thanks for showing up today.

0:16

I'd like to postpone the meeting to order.

0:20

And we would like to welcome all and we have a new member.

0:27

To the members.

0:29

New members.

0:30

And we would like for you to take a few minutes to introduce yourselves.

0:35

Thank you.

0:36

I'm Dory O'Brien.

0:37

I'm representing the economic development advisory commission.

0:41

I work for a Nova Latin hospital as their director of government relations.

0:45

Prior to that, I actually worked for Latin County government for almost 20 years.

0:48

So that's how I worked in economic development, and then I was the vice chair to the I was the uh board age of staff of the vice chair of the board of supervisors, and my ex-boss actually appointed Rishi to this commission, but 10 years ago.

1:07

So and I live in Leesburg, so really happy to thank you.

1:10

Wonderful, thank you.

1:11

Um district.

1:16

I live in Hamilton, Virginia.

1:18

Uh and I've been in the transit industry all my career.

1:24

Looking forward to your inputs.

1:27

We have any public comments.

1:30

We don't have any written public comments, but we do have a member of the public here at the meeting.

1:38

Hello.

1:38

Um, I just like to make a couple um to the first time.

1:43

Yeah, my name is on Brian's pre-provider of the buses and even the frame.

1:49

Um, the problem I've been really having is the Saturday service.

1:53

I cannot get from the after metro back to Leesburg without taking three buses and the spring to a concourse because you don't have the same level of service you have during the week.

2:05

And I can understand service would be reduced, but the main bus route from these birds to the after metro cannot be eliminated.

2:16

I also think you could use the same type of level of service even on Sunday, and even on holiday, you could run that main lines up and down, at least from the metro station to back here.

2:28

That's my that's my primary main thing.

2:31

I don't know if there's any future plan to expand later.

2:35

Um I'd really like to actually see that would make it easier for me to operate and run my business, which I write out of Greensburg, but I do an answer, so I don't drive.

2:46

So I really rely on the buses for that.

2:49

I'd really like to see the weekend service expanded.

2:58

Uh thank you for that comment.

3:01

I I will note that that is uh a high priority for our operations staff to offer weekend service.

3:09

And um, Steve, I don't know if there was something in the board item.

3:15

Yeah, it's funny.

3:15

I was just looking at there was nothing specifically uh that the board endorsed or put a motion on, but as Sarah said, weekend serve the development of weekend service is probably the next major priority for us.

3:27

We kind of have two.

3:29

Well, one is to execute the things we've already been given direction on, which I think we'll touch on that here in a little bit.

3:35

Um, and then in terms of new developments, one is going to be to examine the whole local service in terms of where it goes, when it goes, how it goes, but then one of the probably early thrusts in that will be to get Saturdays up and running more.

3:51

And the intent word right now.

3:55

The intent is to whatever we develop for Saturday, we would replicate on Sunday.

4:00

Um, of course, that is all it's not funded, it's not designed, so it's all you know, very much intentions, and we'll see what actually comes from that here when we get to it.

4:09

That's good to hear.

4:10

I'm hoping they can do that.

4:12

Now I understand starting next year, but unless I miss read all this service is now free from the January 1.

4:20

Okay.

4:21

They expect to be able to raise money a different way other than the fair or something.

4:26

It pretty much shifted to tax funding.

4:28

I think I can't remember.

4:29

It wasn't part of the summit conversation, but I think there may be some effort to go and look at trip grant funding, um, which is funded other fare-free initiatives.

4:38

Um, but quite honestly, the fair offset on the local service may not even make the time have to be the trip grant really that worthwhile because the fare free is just on the local service, the community service.

4:50

Um, and factors are gonna go up and out.

4:53

So, yeah, hopefully that can spur some usage and and keep making the case for uh developing the uh local transit service.

5:06

Anything more, sir?

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Transportation█████████████████████████████████████████████65%
Public Engagement██████9%
Marketing██████8%
Procedural█████7%
Public Health██3%
Parking Regulations██3%
Technology and Innovation██3%
Transportation Safety█2%
Summary of Proceedings

Transit Advisory Board Business Meeting - August 1, 2024

The Transit Advisory Board (TAB) held a business meeting on August 1, 2024, to review recent transit initiatives, discuss the Board of Supervisors Transit Summit outcomes, and receive staff updates on ridership and service changes. The meeting included public comment, approval of prior minutes, and planning for the 2024 annual report.

Consent Calendar

  • Approval of May 8, 2024, Minutes: The minutes from the May 8, 2024, TAB business meeting were approved unanimously (6-0-3) with three members absent.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Weekend Service Concerns: A member of the public (identified as Brian) expressed frustration with limited Saturday transit service, noting that returning from the Metro to Leesburg required three bus transfers. He urged expanded weekend service, including Sundays and holidays, to support non-drivers like himself. Staff responded that weekend service is a top priority and is part of future planning but is not yet funded. The initiative will also explore replicating Saturday service on Sundays.
  • Bus Stop Parking Issues: A board member raised a concern about a bus stop on Bentwood Circle (possibly Route 18) being persistently blocked by parked cars, making stops unsafe. Staff noted that a program to install “No Parking” signs is underway as part of stop improvements, but enforcement requires posted signage. The issue will be considered in ongoing stop development.

Discussion Items

  • Recap of May 29, 2024, Transit Summit: Staff presented outcomes from the Board of Supervisors Transit Summit, including multiple actions:
    • Paratransit Service: The existing service area was expanded to include the Suburban, Urban, Leesburg JLMA, and Town of Leesburg policy areas, beyond the federal minimum of ¾ mile from new routes. This took effect immediately.
    • Commuter Bus Service: The revenue neutrality policy was suspended; ten underperforming routes will be discontinued as soon as practicable in FY2025 (pending an equity analysis); the one-way fare will increase to $11.00 in FY2025 and $12.00 in FY2026; the Brambleton Park-and-Ride lot will close (possibly by October 1, 2024); and a motion to relocate buses from Dulles Transit Center to Ashburn South Metro garage was tabled until board members receive a briefing on parking agreements.
    • Local Fixed Route Service: The Board endorsed the “Hybrid Strategy” and seven operational/equity objectives.
    • Fare-Free Program: Local fixed route and paratransit services will become fare-free starting January 1, 2025 (motion passed 5-1-2-1, with one abstention).
    • Additional Items: Staff were directed to evaluate accelerating the Bus Shelter CIP, develop trash/recycling containers at stops, and include a request to eliminate fares on Senior Bus Service in FY2026 budget.
  • 2024 Annual Report Planning: The board discussed preparing the 2024 annual report (deadline: November 2024 meeting). Members were encouraged to start brainstorming content and send suggestions to staff. Formal discussion will occur at the September meeting for approval in November.
  • Ridership and Service Updates (presented by Steven Pairo):
    • Local Bus: Ridership is trending upward, with strong growth on Silver Line routes (newer, maturing). Recent improvements in timing and a new marketing campaign (Spotify, Pandora, Facebook) are credited. Average riders per trip rose from 3 to 3.9 year-over-year.
    • Commuter Bus: Ridership is relatively flat, with Tuesday–Wednesday–Thursday trips stronger than Mondays and Fridays. Staff may adjust Friday schedules.
    • Paratransit: Daily rides remain near 70–80 (nearly double pre-pandemic levels). Service area expansion is expected to increase demand further; staff are preparing for potential growth in vehicles and drivers.
    • Marketing & Tools: Staff emphasized using the “Transit” app and Google Maps for trip planning, rather than PDF schedules. Members suggested better promotion of these tools, including QR codes at stops and targeted social media (Instagram, TikTok) to reach younger riders.
    • Data and Demographics: Staff shared that Title VI data on minority and low-income populations is available via census and onboard surveys; age demographics were not tracked in current reporting.

Key Outcomes

  • Minutes Approved: May 8, 2024, meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
  • Transit Summit Actions: The TAB acknowledged and discussed the Board of Supervisors’ decisions; staff will proceed with implementation as directed.
  • Next Steps: The 2024 annual report content will be developed in September 2024; the next TAB meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the Transit and Commuter Services Office in Leesburg.
  • Public Feedback: Staff will continue to evaluate weekend service expansion, stop parking enforcement, and marketing strategies to increase ridership.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, Ray, we're ready. Go. All right. Well, good evening, all. Maybe happy to see that you breed the beautiful window we experienced in our site. Thanks for showing up today. I'd like to postpone the meeting to order. And we would like to welcome all and we have a new member. To the members. New members. And we would like for you to take a few minutes to introduce yourselves. Thank you. I'm Dory O'Brien. I'm representing the economic development advisory commission. I work for a Nova Latin hospital as their director of government relations. Prior to that, I actually worked for Latin County government for almost 20 years. So that's how I worked in economic development, and then I was the vice chair to the I was the uh board age of staff of the vice chair of the board of supervisors, and my ex-boss actually appointed Rishi to this commission, but 10 years ago. So and I live in Leesburg, so really happy to thank you. Wonderful, thank you. Um district. I live in Hamilton, Virginia. Uh and I've been in the transit industry all my career. Looking forward to your inputs. We have any public comments. We don't have any written public comments, but we do have a member of the public here at the meeting. Hello. Um, I just like to make a couple um to the first time. Yeah, my name is on Brian's pre-provider of the buses and even the frame. Um, the problem I've been really having is the Saturday service. I cannot get from the after metro back to Leesburg without taking three buses and the spring to a concourse because you don't have the same level of service you have during the week. And I can understand service would be reduced, but the main bus route from these birds to the after metro cannot be eliminated. I also think you could use the same type of level of service even on Sunday, and even on holiday, you could run that main lines up and down, at least from the metro station to back here. That's my that's my primary main thing. I don't know if there's any future plan to expand later. Um I'd really like to actually see that would make it easier for me to operate and run my business, which I write out of Greensburg, but I do an answer, so I don't drive. So I really rely on the buses for that. I'd really like to see the weekend service expanded. Uh thank you for that comment. I I will note that that is uh a high priority for our operations staff to offer weekend service. And um, Steve, I don't know if there was something in the board item. Yeah, it's funny. I was just looking at there was nothing specifically uh that the board endorsed or put a motion on, but as Sarah said, weekend serve the development of weekend service is probably the next major priority for us. We kind of have two. Well, one is to execute the things we've already been given direction on, which I think we'll touch on that here in a little bit. Um, and then in terms of new developments, one is going to be to examine the whole local service in terms of where it goes, when it goes, how it goes, but then one of the probably early thrusts in that will be to get Saturdays up and running more. And the intent word right now. The intent is to whatever we develop for Saturday, we would replicate on Sunday. Um, of course, that is all it's not funded, it's not designed, so it's all you know, very much intentions, and we'll see what actually comes from that here when we get to it. That's good to hear. I'm hoping they can do that.

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