Pioneer Valley Regional Transit Authority

The meeting included a public comment regarding the addition of frequency in Holyoke and coordination of service to assist with outreach to the homeless, people struggling with substance abuse, as well as better access to jobs and medical care. The board accepted the report of PVTA's Paratransit Sub-Committee. The board also discussed and approved the Title VI Equity Analysis Report for Dial-A-Ride Service Enhancements and PVTA's Dial-A-Ride service enhancements that will expand Dial-A-Ride hours Monday through Friday until 7:00pm as well as the addition of Saturday Service 8:00am -- 7:00pm. The Chief Financial Officer's Report indicated that farebox revenue is down, while insurance recoveries are higher than expected. The Director of Transit Operations reported an increase in systemwide fixed route ridership. The Administrator's Report highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on RTA operations and discussed the upcoming state budget.

The meeting included reports from sub-committees, including the Route Sub-Committee's discussion of schedule adjustments and the Eastfield Mall bus stop relocation, and the Administrator's Compensation Committee's recommendation to extend the Administrator's contract. The board approved a one-year contract extension for the Administrator. The Chief Financial Officer reported on farebox revenue, interest and insurance recoveries, federal operating grant status, and budget matters. The Director of Transit Operations reported on fixed route and paratransit ridership, schedule adjustments, and changes related to the Eastfield Mall closure. The Administrator reported on federal and state budget matters, the RTA's MOU, a visit from the Secretary of Transportation, and a statewide Driver Recruitment Campaign.

The meeting addressed the FY24 Final Budget, receiving an update from the Chief Financial Officer and a recommendation for approval by the Advisory Board. There was also a recommendation to approve a 3% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2022, and a $10,000 one-time bonus payment for the Administrator. The Director of Transit Operations reported on fixed route and paratransit ridership, route adjustments, and safety survey findings. The Administrator discussed the MA Budget for 2023, Bytemark usage, onboard validator installations, Transit App integration, website updates, new vehicle acquisitions, and the paratransit radio system.

The meeting included a report from the Finance & Audit sub-committee, a discussion on the PVTA FY24 Draft Budget, and a report from the Director of Transit Operations. The budget discussion covered expenses related to administration, paratransit, fixed routes, shuttles, allocated insurance, and IT support, as well as revenues from farebox, advertising, interest, insurance recovery, operating subsidy, federal operating grants, state contract assistance, and local assessments. The Director of Transit Operations reported on fixed route and paratransit ridership, route performance, safety and security, and grant applications. Updates were provided on the President's 2024 Budget and Governor Healey's proposed state budget, including transportation funding and allocations for regional transit.

The committee discussed and approved PVTA's Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) update for 2022 and the FY23 Safety Targets. The committee also reviewed and approved the Title VI Equity Analysis Report for Labor Related Staffing Service Adjustments on the G2E, B6, B7, and X90 routes, which found disproportionate impacts on people of color and low-income riders but proposed no mitigation strategies at this time, focusing instead on restoring service on the X90, B7, and B6 routes.