Western Washington University

Alternative Transportation Fee Committee

December 3rd, 2019	VU 567

Members:	Present: Trever Mullins (AS VP for Sustainability), Kenzi Garner (AS Alternative Transportation Coordinator), Jillian Trinkhaus (Financial Manager for the ATF), Seth Vidana (Financial Manager Designee), and Greg McBride (Assistant Director of the Viking Union Facilities).
Secretary:	Sierra Templeton
Guest(s):	None

As the members present weren’t enough to make quorum, it was decided to not hold an official meeting, but instead use this time as a chance for discussion as well as a work session. This session was held from 4-5 p.m. and used the agenda from 10/23/19 as a structure.

Review of the Student Survey

There are 3 versions of the survey intro (what students first see when they open the email to read about the survey)

Version 1

Vidana noted that there should be a tie between the request for information and why we are requesting this information in this version.

Version 2

Garner notes that this version seems to be clear and easy to read due to the format of bullet points

Version 3

Mullins states that the beginning is a good set-up for the survey.

McBride notes that the beginning is a little long and it maybe should be shorter and more concise in order to grab the eye. He suggests structuring the survey intro like version 2 and using the content of version 1

The decision was to delete the second paragraph of version 2 and then to use to bullet point format to use the information from version 1. Additionally deleting the original graph from version 1 and instead using statistics.

Survey Questions Feedback

#7: Which of the three following do you feel are most important for the WTA to improve upon?

The last two options are tentative selections (frequency of bus service and the area that is served by the bus). Should we keep these options?

Frequency of bus service is addressed in another section, but the area served is not clearly asked about anywhere else.

Vidana mentions adding “Other” at the end of all the questions to collect the answers that may have fallen through the cracks. Mullins and Trinkhaus state that they have been discouraged from doing this as it makes data a lot harder to quantify and may take away from the real results. There is also an option at the end that asks if there are any more statements the survey participant would like to make.

Vidana notes that it may be helpful to add an option concerning the functioning of the bus itself, for example adding electric buses. Trinkhaus responds that she is aware that the WTA is already in the process of adding electric buses to their rotation, and adding a question like this couldn’t make the process go any faster. The survey is supposed to focus on the service of the WTA, not their business model.

#6: Rank the bus service enhancement options.

Vidana noted to perhaps change the question to a selection only and not a ranking as it’s harder to draw data from.

Mullins inquired on whether or not there was a question concerning how much time a day a student spends on a bus. Trinkhaus clarifies that there is not.

Mullins questions when this survey will be sent out, and Garner clarified that they were hoping to have it out by the first 2-3 weeks of Winter quarter.

#8: What time did this (getting left behind due to crowding) occur?

If there is a multiplicity of times that students are being left behind it may be helpful to change the question to “What time would this be most likely to occur?” although this may not be as accurate.

Vidana noted adding the option for students to choose all the times that they have been left behind due to overcrowding instead.

McBride mentioned changing the time frames of the options so that they are all consistent would be better for data, and easier to understand. It was decided to change all units to [insert amount] per quarter.

Mullins expressed the need to expand the amount of times listed, as currently they are all later at night, and this would cover so many more students.

McBride questioned the purpose of asking how many students are left behind with you. Garner and Trinkhaus agree that this is probably an unnecessary question that can be cut.

#13: How likely would you be to vote on a fee increase if you were a student at the time of voting?

Trinkhaus notes that she’d like the ending of this question to be dropped in order to sound more clear.

#11: Would you be willing to pay an increased Alternative Transportation Fee to retain the current level of bus service?

Vidana asks whether it should be added to why we are paying to retain the same service as currently it isn’t clear. Mullins notes that a little background information would help so students are able to make an informed decision.

Trinkhaus notes thtat if we ask this, it won’t affect whether or not a student will vote for this increase down the line. There was a consideration on whether or not to cut questions #11-13 because they would not affect anything during bargaining as the ATF is always trying to ask for a lower fee no matter what.

McBride noted that we shouldn’t try to ask things that are out of our parameters and can’t achieve.

Mullins notes that instead it may be helpful to ask how likely a student would be to vote for a fee increase.

#15 and #16

To remove #15 and change the wording of #16.

Mcbride noted that it may be beneficial to switch the option stating “I use a car” to the option stating “I use a different mode of transportation” to make a broader statement that will cover more students. Garner mentions that using this wording doubles up on the other options because they ask specific modes of transportation, and some students don’t always use the same mode of transportation anyways so it might be best to remove these specified options.

McBride states that the broader question could be an original in the list of options, and if selected these more specified option would pop up that a student could select all the options relevant. Also, shifting this question to the end so that the students will see the other options before viewing the last one.

#2: How long have you used WTA bus service?

Change the ranges of 1-2 years and 2-3 years to 1 year, 2 years, etc. because this will be more specific and encompassing.

Garner asked if this question is even worth asking. McBride responded that this may let us gauge the accuracy of the results because those who have been using the WTA transportation for a longer period of time, or the opposite.

Regarding the Night Shuttle

McBride asked whether it would be important for the ATF to know how many people are riding with you in your group as WWU is looking at putting in place a dial-a-ride service, so this may be helpful in that regards.

Trinkhaus noted that this information can be lifted from the WTA and from night shuttle drivers.

Garner stated that she doesn’t think the dial-a-ride service is comparable to the night shuttle because it reaches a different demographic of students who may use other services of transportation at night.

Noted to remember that the process of negotiation doen’t have much influence from the committee, althought the ATF does decide how to move forward with the student fee once the number is decided. Fee negotiation also doesn’t affect the service of the WTA but this committee serves as a mode of transparency between students and the WTA.