City Council Minutes 2012 02 29 SP

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City Council Special Meeting Minutes February 29, 2012 Page 7 of 9 • Mayor Pro Tern Dalton stated RTD didn't ask for enough money to complete the project promised to the voters. Councilor Keany had several questions relative to the BRT options to Longmont regarding the projected ridership and the estimated ridership of the Northwest railway. RTD Assistant General Manager Clark estimated the future Longmont BRT ridership to be 40 thousand and the Northwest railway approximately 12,000 riders per day. Councilor Keany stated RTD is building the East line, which will not have expected ridership for 20 years. He inquired how the environmental process would change the options. Project Manager Quinn explained the environmental process would determine if additional lines are required. Councilor Keany asked what the difference was between bus transit and bus rapid transit and was one better than the other. RTD Assistant General Manager Clarke explained there is a different level of service with BRT such as center loading, dedicated fleets, dedicated lanes, passenger information, and, vending machines. The biggest difference is the rider will get to their destination quicker. Councilor Keany addressed real time information available to the riders. He • noted Kiosk information along the route would increase the ridership. He asked what is RTD's plan should the ballot fail. RTD General Manager Washington stated the projects will be delayed. He noted 6 of the 12 projects are currently under contract. Councilor Keany stated he was on Council in 2004 and supported FasTracks and is now very disappointed the City will not benefit from the options. Councilor Sackett stated the residents are disappointed they will not receive what they were promised. He stated he has seen light rail systems that traveled down the middle of the roadway and asked if RTD has looked at such an option. RTD Assistant General Manager Clarke stated CDOT is looking at BRT for US 36 and noted rail would be problematic. Part of the FasTrack plans for Option 3 is to use $80 million for US 36. Councilor Loo stated the City has made a lot of investments in the downtown area in anticipation of commuter rail. Councilor Jasiak agreed and stated commuter rail is more important to Louisville and it is more than the ridership. She urged them to continue the leadership role. Councilor Yamell was not interested in the options, but would like to see an aggressive Option 2. She felt it is very important to ask for the right amount of • money to get the project completed.