Members Present: Shelly Brisbin, Fixed Route Subcommittee Chair William Brown, STS Subcommittee Member Jose Loera, Fixed Route Subcommittee Member Juan Muñoz, STS Committee Member Scott Meyer, Fixed Route Subcommittee Member Mary Ward, Secretary Judy Watford, STS Subcommittee Member
Members Absent: Julie Maloukis, Chair R.L. Glock, Vice Chair Jerry Doran
Capital Metro Staff Present: Nancy Crowther, Access Liaison Rafael Villarreal, Acting Director, STS Denise Guerrero, Training Department Betty Cravens, STS Road Supervisor Meredith Highsmith, Planning Roberto Gonzales, Planning Sandra Dahdah, Community Involvement Kim Peterson, HR
Guests Present: Carlos Aleman, Audley Blackburn, Kathy Blackburn, Diane Bomar, Christine Guevra (DACT), Jane Lansaw, Malcolm Graham, David Patterson, Wayne Spahn
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Shelly Brisbin standing in for Julie Maloukis, chair, at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum.
Approval of Minutes: It was moved by Scott Meyer and seconded by Jose Loera that the minutes from May 2, 2007 be approved. The motion passed.
Citizen Communication: Speakers were Carlos Aleman, Diane Bomar, David Patterson, Wayne Spahn and Malcolm Graham. Comments and concerns focused on difficulties with the IVR program in Paratransit and problems using the service, a requested correction in the minutes, the Paratransit Taxicab voucher program, Paratransit policy regarding the drop-off location and procedures, and a resolution was presented from the Austin Chapter of the NFB relating to the membership structure of the Access Advisory Committee.
Chairperson’s Report: Ms. Brisbin reported that Ms. Maloukis attended the Board of Director’s meeting however she didn’t have any recent information.
Ms. Crowther provided an update on the User’s Guide for Paratransit Services. She reported it was still in the editing mode for the users and when it is completed it will be presented to the committee before it goes to press. The guide is not rewriting policies but making the services easier to understand and in order of the process by which customers use the service, a step-by-step method. The Access policy revisions: (30-minute window, No-Shows and No-show penalties) will also be included.
Ms. Brisbin provided a reminder about the Access membership recruitment outreach and the process for the recruitment, interviews, interview scoring, selection and appointment by the Board of Directors. Ms. Crowther reported that the letters will go out soon and that everyone on the committee has a roll in the recruitment of members. The information will be on the CapMetro website and sent out to community organizations.
Anouncements: No announcements were made.
Paratransit Update: Ralph Villarreal gave an update on the Paratransit Professionalism and ADA Sensitivity and other training recommended by the ACCESS committee which will have the pilot beginning June 12. This training will involve four days of training for all Capital Metro STS staff, two days in one week and two in another. The training will be comprehensive and will cover a variety of topics, including customer service, riding in the vans etc. Mr. Villarreal thanked Nancy Crowther, John Ancira, Lenora Givens, Gracie Diaz and the training team.
Calling Out Stops: Denise Guerrero from Training reported on the several efforts being taken to improved the compliance with the Calling out stops. The enunciator systems have been checked for function, the PA systems have been checked, an Operator’s Alert was distributed to all Operators and the requirement was reinstructed at the June Safety meetings. All Operators who are found in non-compliance will be given a write-up (instead of the warnings) which is the first step in the disciplinary process.
Denise also reported that the entire fleet will be transitioned to a 4-point wheelchair tie-down securement system effective June 25, 2007. All Operators have been trained during the June Safety meetings. This new Hook-n-Go system will be a great benefit of safety and reliability to our riding passengers.
Committee Reports: Fixed Route. Report was given by Subcommittee Chair Brisbin. The fare cards were discussed at the subcommittee meeting. An extensive presentation of service planning was given by Roberto and Meredith. Citizens at that meeting discussed concerns over the enunciators, which they say are not being used on all fixed route buses.
Planning Department Presentation: Roberto Gonzalez and Meredith Highsmith provided and extensive overview of the changes being made for the Rail Stations. They discussed the express routes to Leander, Lakeline Mall circulator development, MOPAC/Scofield station, Burnet/Braker station with circulation from the Domain, the North Lamar station, Highland Mall, MLK, Jr. Station, and the Plaza Saltillo station. The rail cars are requested for review on vehicle layout and technology. April and May 2008 will be the public involvement sessions in the community for the finalized route designs.
Mr. Scott Meyer reported that there are still problems with buses passing other buses downtown rather than waiting to pull up to the stop. He reported that it is often very stressful for people with disabilities to get on buses at transfer centers because of this. Most people with visual impairments might prefer to remain at the stop instead of trying to find the bus by going back.
STS Subcommittee Report: STS subcommittee report was given by Mary Ward. That meeting dealt primarily with the training program. Ralph also discussed the possibility of having some taxi drivers assigned run sheets like the STS sedan drivers. Mr. Villarreal acknowledges that the system is not able to keep apace with the growth in ridership, and efforts are being made to alleviate the current situation. Paratransit vehicles are also being examined for use in the service.
Capital Metro Paratransit has begun to enforce the existing policy requiring that riders show a monthly pass or provide a ticket when getting into the vehicle. Mr. Villarreal said that currently, if a passenger tries to get into the vehicle without a ticket or pass, the driver is asked to call Dispatch immediately so that a decision can be made as to whether to carry the passenger or not. Mr. Villarreal assured the committee that those needing to go to dialysis or other life-sustaining medical treatment would not be left without a ride, and no one would be stranded without a return home.
New Business It was requested to have an information update regarding the GPS and AVL, ITS project involving Paratransit this summer.
Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.
Attention: There will not be subcommittee meetings in June or the Access meeting in July. All meetings will resume with the July 25 subcommittees.
The Next Access Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2007 Note: The meetings in the summer will be from 5::-6:30pm.
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200 | (800) 474-1201