Thomas George

The meeting covered several key discussion points and financial reviews. The Surface Transportation Committee reviewed the PAL Grocery Shuttle Pilot, noting modest participation and limited impact on weekday peak demand, leading to the decision to discontinue the program. Financials indicated that Total Operating Revenues were 3.0% unfavorable for the month, while Key Operating Assistance was 14.2% favorable year to date. In the Metro Capital Project Report, updates were provided on the LRRT - DL&W Station, where staff requested the award of a Supplemental Agreement for monitoring services; the LRRT - Fastener & Pad Replacement, Phase II, involving a request to award Change Order No. 2 for material replenishment; and the completion of bus wash equipment installations at all three garages. Performance measures showed favorable bus ridership year to date and improved On-Time Performance, despite complaints for bus service being up due to bus cuts. The Transit Police Department reported on calls for service, including incidents related to unattended bags and juvenile trouble, and highlighted prevention activities.

The document provides an explanation for the strategic decision to pursue light rail as the preferred option for rapid transit investments in the Amoris corridor. The key focus areas for this decision include maximizing ridership potential, effectively serving activity centers, achieving faster travel speeds, and fostering economic development. The intended outcome is to establish light rail as the long-term strategic path for the region's rapid transit investments.

The Annual Meeting covered several significant corporate resolutions and business group reports. Corporate resolutions included the authorization of a $3,676,738.00 NYSDOT Urban Master Grant Agreement for various projects, authorization for software maintenance and subscriptions with Stark Tech ($97,343.36) and Kaseya ($44,038.38), agreements for network connectivity with Crown Castle Fiber LLC for NFIA ($78,387.00 estimated) and Portage Road ($27,327.60 estimated), authorization for a Change Order with Stellar Services increasing year three security support costs, approval of a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters 264T, authorization for a $92,500.00 settlement in the Margie S. Trotter injury case, and procurement of seasonal chemicals totaling $641,524.52 from four vendors. The Executive Director reported on diversity spending for the month ($1.9 million or 37%) and year-to-date (25.9%), recognized the Public Information Officer with a Black Achievers Award, and acknowledged the Transit Authority Police Department's accreditation. Financial reports provided performance data for August 2024 and year-to-date comparisons.

This document, a transcript, discusses the rationale behind selecting the Amherst corridor for rapid transit expansion, referencing a 2010 study. The suitability of the corridor is attributed to its high population and job density, as well as significant activity centers such as the University of Buffalo North campus, commercial, and retail hubs, which collectively support effective rapid transit services.

The Aviation Committee meeting covered updates on airport improvement projects (AIP) for both BNIA and IAG. For BNIA, construction bids were received for the General Aviation Apron Rehabilitation, the Luis F. Kahl Way Circulatory Road Rehab project is paused for winter and scheduled for completion by summer end, and Terminal Standby Power Expansion is nearing completion with electrical panels expected soon. For IAG, C & S Construction submitted the design rational report for the Taxiway D Realignment and Extension. Discussion items included a presentation on the Airport Incentive Program and a detailed Financial/Business Update. Key financial points included a decrease in BUF enplanements for December due to weather, an overall slight year-to-date enplanement increase, an increase in operating revenues primarily from parking and auto rentals, and increases in direct operating expenses across several categories including parking, personnel, utilities, and operations/technology. Concession revenue updates reflected November numbers, showing positive trends per enplanement/deplanement. Parking revenue reports showed mixed results year-to-date. IAG enplanements showed year-to-date growth due to new route additions. The Aviation Group Business Update noted a decrease in flight activity and seat capacity for January, partly due to Frontier Airlines schedule changes, and confirmed Southwest Airlines starting seat assignments soon.