Jack Khzouz

The meeting addressed operational statistics, noting that ridership returned to approximately 62 percent of pre-pandemic levels, with LIRR ridership being surpassed by Able Ride, and regional performance lagging in Westchester and Suffolk. The goal is to reach 70 percent ridership by the end of the year. Full service levels are currently being maintained. Budget season is set to conclude in April, with expectations that funding will be restored, though no funding increases are anticipated for the next 24 months. An employee fundraiser, Island Harvest, is planned to support families in need. Service performance metrics for October were reviewed, showing an average wait time of 10 seconds and 96.62 percent of calls answered. No-show rates stabilized at 2 percent, consistent with pre-COVID levels, with most current riders utilizing essential trips. The initiation of a new class is expected to improve on-time performance.

The committee held an evening session which included public hearings. The CEO of NICE Transportation presented an overview of the current funding situation and the budget outlook for 2017, projecting a $12 million gap based on anticipated expenses and revenue drops. The presentation emphasized that NICE Bus has been more efficient than previous operators, saving the county significant amounts, but current funding limitations necessitate service adjustments. The committee discussed the need to potentially eliminate nine poorly performing routes in January to start closing the gap, and the possibility of deeper cuts and fare increases later in the year if revenue relief is not secured. Public comments strongly opposed the proposed service cuts, citing negative impacts on residents reliant on this essential service, and advocated for the county to find alternative funding sources instead of reducing service.

The committee meeting involved several key agenda items, beginning with a roll call confirming a quorum. The NICE CEO presented on first-quarter performance metrics for both fixed route and Paratransit services, noting successes such as high on-time performance for Paratransit and a decreasing accident ratio. A major focus was the preparation and impending launch of the OMNY fare system, targeted for January 4th, which will allow riders to use smartphones or smart credit/debit cards, with extensive public education underway. The committee also discussed the proposed fare increase, which is necessary to align fare structures with the MTA to maintain free transfer benefits for customers traveling into the New York City system. The fare changes affect adult fares, senior/disabled fares, and single-ride tickets, while introducing fare capping benefits via OMNY usage. Finally, discussions addressed ongoing efforts regarding MetroCard to OMNY conversions and potential service expansions, alongside Title VI study conclusions related to the fare increase.

The committee discussed the introduction of new buses, including features like high floors, the absence of rear wheel wells, and increased lift capacity. There was also discussion about the retirement of older International buses. Updates were provided on fixed route performance, with a focus on on-time performance (OTP) and the implementation of "Headway Scheduling" on certain routes. Able Ride updates included a new alert system for users, the status of the Able Ride app, call answering rates, staffing levels, online cancellations, appointment processes, and bag policies. The number of trips provided by Able Ride in January was also reported.

The committee discussed the difficulty of reaching a quorum and amended the by-laws to state that 50% of active membership will constitute a quorum. NICE reported a $12 million deficit that could lead to service cuts and is working to find additional funding; Able-Ride may be affected by funding/service cuts. The delivery of articulated vehicles was also discussed. Able-Ride presented statistics for November and December, and will start enforcing their late cancelation/no-show policy beginning February 1, 2017. The committee also discussed contacting state representatives for funding and the possibility of online reservations for Able-Ride.