Looking at reducing costs - River Oaks Shuttle Service

Hi,

I've been asked by the B.O.D. to post this question on the forum to get owner's opinion.

The River Oaks Shuttle costs Villagio several thousand dollars a year. We cannot back out of the agreement not to contribute. In fact we are the second largest contributor following the Elan. We have been in touch with the other HOA's in the community and they have also expressed interest in not paying for the shuttles in the future. The only way to close down the service is if the majority of complexes all agree.

We get the sense that VERY few people ride the shuttles and even fewer (if any) live in the Villagio.

Any thoughts or comments anyone would like to share on the subject??

I commute by light rail a min of 4 days per week. I take the shuttle most mornings My husband picks me up or I walk home in the evenings, since the shuttle doesn't wait for arriving trains. I was surprised to hear that Villagio is a major contributor. I just assumed the shuttle was primarily paid for and geared towards the surrounding companies. The shuttle drops off company employees in the evenings but doesn't wait for the arriving locals . I watch the shuttle leave when a train approaches the river oaks stop and when existing passengers (myself included) are leaving the train and crossing the street to the shuttle stop.
The shuttle is certainly an added benefit, it would be better if it actually was geared for the residents especially in the evenings.

I am against funding the Shuttle. I have used it very infrequently and found that it stopped running before I completed my trip at the end of the day. Residents are paying for the very few riders that actually use it!

I am against funding the Shuttle. i have seen very few riders that actually use it!. The money can be used for a better purpose ( or even given back to us by reduction in HOA fees )

I am against funding the shuttle. My husband and I have never used shuttle. If someone really need it, VTA should consider charging riders instead of allocating expenses to people who don't use the service at all.

Just so you know.... the shuttle has been discontinued as of July 12, I think it is.