The GTAB met on Friday, June 12, 2015. The primary issues discussed related to the Georgetown Airport and the Transit Development Plan with Capitol Metro.
With respect to the airport, it seems the Board and staff is ill-equipped to deal with the complex technical issues involved with making policy recommendations for operating an airport. There was much floundering around with the issue of pricing aviation gas and jet fuel. No decisions were made because of incomplete information necessary to make a rational recommendation to City Council.
There were several presentations by members of the public concerning the Airport Capital Improvement plan to repair and maintain runway 18/36 via a grant request from TxDOT. Several citizens were concerned that the runway capacity is being increased to accommodate aircraft takeoff gross weights up to 60,000 lbs, a doubling from the existing 30,000 lb capability.
A developer recommended that the main runway be extended to accommodate larger aircraft.
The Airport Manager emphasized this is a maintenance effort only and the proposed repairs were recommended by a "consultant". There were no discussions with respect to the consultant's qualifications nor were typical aircraft identified that would be expected to use the upgraded runway. It was emphasized that the airport design criteria, C-II, were not being changed, even though the FAA has changed the calculation methodology used in defining acceptable aircraft wheel weight. All in all, a data and fact free, disjointed presentation.
As with all public meetings, the Chair proceeded with the published agenda without acknowledgement of the citizens concerns!
Further analysis of airport issues will be forthcoming in an effort to make clear the direction the city is taking with the airport.
With respect to the Transit Development Plan, two items are worth pointing out. One, it will cost $466,000 to provide the service. At maturity, 2 years, 3 years?, 20,000 riders are expected annually. With a fare of $1.50, that will generate $30,000 per year in revenue. The net cost to the taxpayer for 20,000 riders is $436,000, or $21.80 per trip.
Two, it was revealed that the CARTS curb-to-curb on demand system that is currently operating, costs $36 per trip. 8942 passengers used CARTS last fiscal year at a cost of $322,000.
At a cost to the city of $22 to $36 per trip, it seems the city should consider reimbursing riders and let them use Uber or similar services. I am sure that they could provide a superior service at a lower cost!
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