| Members: | Jessica Wilson, Rene Barrera, Kirk Royal, James Harris, Roger Cauvin, David Patterson, Martin Thomen, Shannon Halley |
| Visitors: | Kris Schludermann, Lee Hill, Alta Moten |
| CMTA Staff: | Kirk Talbott, Inez Evans, John-Michael Cortez, Justin Marlin |
- Citizens Communication
Mr. Hill stated that proposed service changes to lower South Congress are bad for the area and disagreed with the CSAC resolution supporting the proposed changes. Mr. Hill was also concerned that flyers for public meetings on proposed changes were distributed only one day before the meeting. Mr. Hill also requested that Capital Metro allow more time to alert the public of service changes.
Mr. Cortez acknowledged a lack of adequate notification, and stated that additional public meetings were scheduled in response to the late notification of original meetings. Mr. Cortez suggested having someone from the Capital Metro Business and Community Development or Planning Department speak to CSAC in a future meeting about the process of public notification for service changes.
- Quarterly Information Technology Update – Kirk Talbott
Mr. Talbott discussed four major information technology projects in progress.
Interactive Voice Response System (IVR). Feedback was solicited from ACCESS committee for IVR troubleshooting purposes. Capital Metro is now prioritizing the most easily resolved issues and currently evaluating other technologies for improved IVR solutions.
Adopting a bus stop numbering model will aid the IVR system. The new Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) will update bus and STS locations every 90 seconds, thus providing IVR with improved information. System testing is being conducted on several vehicles before rolling out on all buses this summer. Capital Metro is also considering options for callers to choose between IVR and touchtone interfaces.
An internal committee is reviewing the Capital Metro website in order to make improvements. Future website changes could include a transparent and open troubleshooting forum that deals with all aspects of Capital Metro service. CSAC requested from Mr. Talbott a list of troubleshooting issues that the IT department is dealing with now. Mr. Talbott also suggested providing CSAC with the list of web improvement ideas that they being evaluated.
Automated Ticket Vending Machines are still on schedule to be implemented with the introduction of MetroRail service
Wi-fi on MetroRail trains is on schedule to start in conjunction with the opening of the Red Line in late Fall of this year. Wi-fi on express routes will be evaluated to see where other optimal wi-fi services should be provided.
- Paratransit Proposed Changes Update – Inez Evans
STS will be changing names in conjunction with other Capital Metro brands. The new name will either be “MetroMobility” or “MetroAccess” and will be decided upon by Capital Metro users.
The system of advanced reservations will undergo some changes. Capital Metro currently accepts reservations up to 8 days in advance. After community involvement, it was decided that 6 days advance reservation would be an adequate compromise. This will allow people to schedule a week’s worth of transportation needs with adequate notice (other Texas agencies are between 1-3 days).
The 30 minute pick-up window is also a proposed change. Paratransit is still in discussion with ACCESS on this topic. 30 minute window was too large and inefficient from an overall shared-ride system perspective. A 30 minute window allows Capital Metro 15 minuets on the front- and back-end. Capital Metro will no longer quote a scheduled arrival time but rather a 30 minute window time. Changes will be implemented only after ITS technology is installed, tested, and proven functional.
Determining the eligibility of Paratransit users is process that will also see changes. Currently Capital Metro staff performs the initial examination/assessment. It is now proposed to have the assessment made by hired medical professionals who can help Capital Metro understand how people function with certain disabilities. There is also the possibility of in-person assessments for greater understanding of disabilities and better control over the certification and assessment process.
Vouchers on request are subsidized up to 6 miles ($14.30) with customers paying any additional fares and the initial 30-60 cent coupon. Capital Metro is open to suggestions and engaged in discussion with ACCESS for more ideas on restructuring the voucher program.
CSAC expressed a desire to wait and consider all proposed changes and ongoing compromises before making any final recommendations or crafting any resolutions regarding Paratransit changes.
CSAC requested more information regarding possible Paratransit changes, including original proposed changes to compare to current and final proposed changes; reports performed by consultants; and other agency best practices.
- Subcommittee Reports
Mr. Patterson reported that the ACCESS subcommittee supported a resolution to amend the ACCESS bylaws to remove “CSAC”, and to amend the #7 route (based on discussion between Roberto Gonzales and Mr. Patterson) to have the 9:30pm bus come back around to the Greyhound station and bring back any passengers into town on its way to the bus yard.
Mr. Patterson also took specific issue with what he believed were substantial variances from the facts in the report on proposed Paratransit changes. Mr. Patterson also discussed the damage to the working relationship between CapMetro staff and volunteer citizen committees as a result.
- Approval of Previous Minutes
March minutes approved with Mr. Patterson abstaining and April Minutes were passed with Mr. Patterson opposed.
Mr. Patterson requested that the minutes and agenda be published earlier.
Mr. Cortez reported that the “bullpen” room is available on the second Wednesday of each month. The date seemed favorable to the CSAC members.
- Adjourn
Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority
2910 East 5th Street | Austin, Texas 78702 | (512) 389-7400
Specific Route Information | (512) 474-1200