Universal Transit Farecard Standards (UTFS)Task Force

Tim W. will distribute the presentation to the group asap.

The presentation included:

1. Deliverables Schedule
2. IP Policy
3. Budget- figures presented:

• Expenditures to date- $153,500
• Remaining balance- $226,500
• Committed expenditures- $180,000
• Remaining Uncommitted Funds- $46,500

New funds for FY05 to complete program:

• APTA will pursue a $100,000 grant from FHWA for FY05
• Committee approved a $2000/member assessment for FY05. This would raise $26,000.
• Committee directed APTA to pursue funds from the Bus CEO Committee.

1. Deliverables Schedule- this was well received by the committee members who were satisfied that the program’s deliverables were on a solid timeline.
2. IP Policy- This topic was covered in more detail by Dave P. later in the call, but the committee members gave guidance based on the current issues.
3. Budget- Tom gave general budget levels to the group. He directed Tim W. to forward the final presentation to the group. Budget figures presented:

• Expenditures to date- $153,500
• Remaining balance- $226,500
• Committed expenditures- $180,000
• Remaining Uncommitted Funds- $46,500

It was pointed out that there is a TBD item for future consulting and that Ops Comm is determining the scope and budget for a consulting project, but the anticipated budget exceeds the $46,500 remaining.

Tom went on to state that he presented that the Task Force could not complete the program with current funds. Tom Peacock presented that APTA will pursue a $100,000 grant from the FHWA for FY05 and suggested a $2,000/member assessment for FY05 as a matching contribution. The committee members approved this assessment and directed that they pursue other funds from the Bus CEO Committee. A $2000 assessment would raise $26,000.

Rail CEO Committee gave following guidance:

• A recirculation ballot be held
• A representative group of major stakeholder participants review IP Policy changes to resolve any concerns prior to formal ballot
• Above refed email was the first step in comment resolution
• Delay implementing the policy until all issues are resolved

Due date for comments to the proposed IP Policy changes are due by 8AM Eastern time Feb 17.

• APTA staff reviewed comments received during the IP Policy ballot process and Made changes to the policy accordingly
• APTA determined that the changes were sufficiently substantive that a recirculation ballot would be needed
• This course was recommended to the Rail CEO Committee and the Committee concurred
• The Committee also directed that the changes be vetted through key representative group of major stakeholder participants to resolve any concerns prior to formal ballot
• The Committee directed to delay implementing the policy until all issues are resolved in the review
• Comments on the proposed changes are due by 8 AM Eastern time, Feb 17

Discussion turned to the encouragement of the return of the recirculation ballot. Tim suggested a teleconference for all legal questions be held for interested balloters. No hard next steps were determined.

The Fare Media Committee next meets on Feb 9 and the "Trends" document will potentially go out for electronic ballot.

The "Farecard Procurement Procedures" document has been posted to the web site for committee review ending Feb 9.

The Magnetics WG is reviewing the magnetics deliverable.

Tim reported that the three Work Groups were in the final stages of completing their deliverables. The Research WG "Trends" document is in final comment resolution (editorial comments only) and it is expected that the document will be called to ballot on the next committee meeting on Feb 9. The Procedural WG "Farecard Procurement Procedures" document is in Committee review that ends Feb 11. Additionally, Ed Pollan has stepped down as leader and no replacement has been found. Finally the Magnetic WG is in final WG review of it’s deliverable. The deliverable will be a Guideline Specification. IP issues have been resolved thus far and the final WG review period closes Feb 16. Final review and approval expected at the next WG meeting the week of Feb 24. The committee hopes to begin review immediately following the WG meeting.

The next Committee meeting is February 16. The Steering Committee has finalized:

• The Committee work plan for calendar 2004
• A proposed work plan for calendar 2005.
• The SOW for a consulting project.

All final documents will be forwarded to the TF leadership.

Leisa reported that the Operations Steering Committee met twice in January. The committee finalized the detailed work plan for work in calendar 2004 and proposed work for calendar 2005. They have finalized the statement of work for the consulting work they have identified. The next Committee meeting is Feb 16. The final documents will be forwarded to the Task Force leadership.

The work package teams are meeting on Feb 10-12 in Chicago. Work Package progress:

• WP1- Finalizing final smart card specifications and definitions
• WP3- Feb 10-making progress, but work is slowing due to availability of members. Deliverable schedule slipping to Fall 2004.
• WP4- Working on high-level system functionality and refining definitions.

Definitions of WP1 and WP4 must be reconciled.

Booz Allen is beginning the WP4 research study. Preliminary results of the study by the Mar 25-26 WP meetings in Brooklyn, NY.

The deliverable is a report of findings and recommendations on a potential baseline document for WP4.

There has been informal talk among Task Force members regarding the contract award. No conclusion was reached on addressing this issue.

Rick reported that the Work package teams are meeting in Chicago on Feb 10-12. WP3 meets on the 10^th, WP1 meets on the 11^th and WP4 meets on the 12^th. Additionally, there will be a joint meeting of all WP’s in the afternoon of Feb 11 to discuss to ensure ongoing coordination. The Work Packages are seeing progress:

• WP1- Finalizing final smart card specifications and definitions
• WP3- Feb 10-making progress, but work is slowing due to availability of members. Deliverable schedule slipping to Fall 2004.
• WP4- Working on high-level system functionality and refining definitions.

Glossary definitions must be coordinated across all working groups. Tim W. will update and distribute the glossary of terms.

Booz Allen is beginning the WP4 research study. The committee hopes to have preliminary results of the study by the next Work Package meetings in Brooklyn, NY on Mar 25-26. The schedule calls for an 8-week timeframe for the study. The deliverable is a final report of findings and recommendations on a potential baseline document.

Tim mentioned that he has heard informal talk from the Task Force members regarding the contract. Discussion of sending an official notice from APTA on who was awarded the contract and why.

A meeting is proposed for March and is open to any leadership member who desires to attend.

Dave will send the group high-level information.

Booz Allen should be researching these programs as part of their work for WP4.

Dave asked if he should distribute the information received to the group and Tom Parker directed him to do so. Dave further asked who should sit in on this meeting. Tom Parker suggested keeping the meeting open to the leadership. Whoever wants to attend and can attend may do so.

Rick suggested that Booz Allen should be looking at these programs in the research work they are doing. There was general agreement to this statement.