Partnership with City and C.A.R.T.S. to benefit students, residents

Nov 5 2009 - 12:14am | DJ Nutter

The City of San Marcos is funding a transportation partnership with Capital Area Rural Transportation System in order to better mobilize residents without vehicles.

Lyle Nelson, chief officer of operation at C.A.R.T.S. said he will be working in conjunction with Texas State buses in order to “mitigate some of the parking needs around the city.” Council members at Monday’s meeting agreed to fund Nelson’s transit project in the amount of $100,000.

City Council member Chris Jones, Place 4, said he was skeptical in supporting the resolution because it does not consider the need for longer hours of operation. He said simply reinstating current hours – 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. – is negligent to the needs of those who get off work as routes are closing.

“We’re trying to move toward integration of two types of transportation,” Jones said. “People typically have time to run errands after (their evening shift), but can’t.”

Nelson said hours of operation optimize C.A.R.T.S. limited budget.

City Council member John Thomaides, Place 6, asked Nelson if adjusting routes to operate from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. would increase current ridership of 120,000 trips per year. Nelson was unable to answer the question. However, Nelson said he needs council members involvement in finding ways to increase the accessibility and use of transit systems.

“The approach that seems to be working for the Council is education through youth,” said City Council member Kim Porterfield, Place 1. “Would bringing buses to schools to teach students’ routes and (features of the bus) be something you’d consider?” Porterfield asked Nelson.

Nelson said he will consider council members’ request as they know what typically works for the community.

Porterfield said it is necessary for students to become familiar with a system officials’ expect them to use when they are adults. Additionally, she said the public is not aware of their current opportunities for public transit.

Nelson said he is willing to work with the city and the university in publicizing more opportunities to get “from point a, to point b.” He said the community is allowed to ride on campus buses in order to better accommodate their daily routes. Nelson said students can similarly use C.A.R.T.S. if certain university bus routes are too congested.

Jones tabled the discussion regarding council member compensation.

“I want to table this item because it has become very political,” Jones said.

Mayor Susan Narvaiz said the discussion of paying council members started in February, before the political season. She said her request at the first meeting was not politically driven.

“I’ve said since February that I ran for an unpaid public servant position,” Porterfield said. “However, I’d support $50 to $100 each meeting at the most.”

Narvaiz said the ordinance also calls for an audit and finance committee to review council members’ expense accounts for irregularities.

“It is unfair for it to be said that (council members’ expense accounts) are not audited,” Thomaides said. “I’d be happy if (all of my expenses for the past fiscal year) were put on the city Web site.”

Thomaides said nothing would change with Narvaiz’s proposal for a finance committee because problems would still land in the City Clerk’s lap.

“I know we can think more outside of the box,” Thomaides said.

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