AGENDA
TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(TPAC)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
AON Center – 6th Floor Meeting Room
707 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.asila.org
TPAC MISSION STATEMENT
Through our diversity and expertise in the transportation industry, the Transportation Professionals Advisory Committee provides the ASI Board our perspective, advice, and advocacy with an understanding of the community, environment, and regulations.
TPAC promotes innovative, cost effective and high quality specialized transportation solutions.
Time
/Item
/Item Description
/Disposition
/Pages
Call to Order
/ ActionRead TPAC Mission Statement
Introductions
/ InformationChairperson’s Report
/ InformationApprove June 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
/ Action / 4-9Staff Report / Information
General Public Comment / Information
Report from Board of Directors / Information
15 / 1. / Rider 360/Adept Software / Information
10 / 2. / ADA Paratransit Plan Update - Free Fare Program / Action / 10-11
5 / 3. / Return Trip Booking /OMC Rescue Ride Policy Subcommittee / Action
15 / 4. / Impacts on ADA Paratransit from State Budget Cuts / Information
10 / 5. / Operations Project Update / Information
5 / 6. / Reappointment of Transportation Professionals Advisory Committee (TPAC) Members / Possible Action / 12-13
10 / 7. / Access Services Identity Program/Coupons / Information
5 / 8. / Bus Stop Accessibility / Information
5 / 9. / Metro OIG Audit Update / Information / 14-17
New Business Raised Subsequent to the Posting of the Agenda / Possible Action
Access Services does not discriminate on the basis of disability. Accordingly, Access Services seeks to ensure that individuals with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to participate in the range of Access Services events and programs by providing appropriate auxiliary aids and services to facilitate communication. In determining the type of auxiliary aids and services for communication that will be provided, primary consideration is given to the request of the individual with disabilities. However, the final decision belongs to Access Services. To help ensure availability of those auxiliary aids and services you require, please make every effort to notify Access Services of your request at least three (3) business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting in which you wish to utilize those aids or services. You may do so by contacting (213) 270-6000.
Note: ASI board meetings are held pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act [Cal. Gov. Code §54950] and are open to the public. The public may view and obtain all written information supporting this agenda provided to the board both initial and supplemental prior to the meeting at the agency’s offices located at 707 Wilshire Blvd., 9th Floor, Los Angeles California and on its website at http://asila.org. Documents, including Power Point handouts distributed to Board Members by staff or Board members at the meeting will simultaneously be made available to the public. Three opportunities are available for the public to address the board during a board meeting: (1) before closed session regarding matters to be discussed in closed session, (2) before a specific agendized item is debated and voted upon regarding that item and (3) general public comment. The exercise of the right to address the board is subject to restriction as to time and appropriate decorum. All persons wishing to make public comment must fill out a yellow Public Comment Form and submit it to the Secretary to the Board. Public comment is generally limited to three (3) minutes per speaker and the total time available for public comment may be limited at the discretion of the Chairperson. Persons whose speech is impaired such that they are unable to address the board at a normal rate of speed may request the accommodation of a limited amount of additional time from the Chair but only by checking the appropriate box on the Public Comment Form. Granting such an accommodation is in the discretion of the Chair. The Board of Directors will not and cannot respond during the meeting to matters raised under general public comment.
Pursuant to provisions of the Brown Act governing these proceedings, no discussion or action may be taken on these matters unless they are listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. However, the board may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future Board of Directors Meeting and the staff will respond to all public comment in writing prior to the next board meeting.
TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2009
Call to Order
Chairperson Joseph Stitcher called the meeting to order at 9:40 a.m.
Read TPAC Mission Statement
Mr. Stitcher read the TPAC mission Statement.
Introductions
Mr. Stitcher asked the attendees to introduce themselves.
TPAC Members in attendance: William Garcia, Shirley Hsiao, Kevin McDonald, Kathryn Engel, Joseph Stitcher, Jesse Valdez, Graham Ridley, Frances Jacobs, Elizabeth Carter, Dennis Kobata and Christopher Low.
TPAC Members Absent: Matt Gleason, Jose Medrano, Gracie Davis, George Sparks and Amelia Jennings.
Access Staff in Attendance: Shelly Verrinder, Arun Prem, Matthew Avancena, Luis Pacheco, Luis Garcia, Giovanna Gogreve, Geetu Banerjee, Evie Palicz, David Foster, Charace Thompson, Andre Colaiace and Alfredo Torales.
Guests: Tyesha Torres, David Lee and Ken Metz
Chairperson’s Report
Mr. Stitcher reported on the two board meetings held on April 27 and June 1of 2009. Jesse Valdez added that the TPAC and CAC Service Animal and Mat Subcommittee discussed the idea of a harness device that could be used as an alternative to service mats. The Board decided to pursue this option and requested the service animal subcommittee to test the harness device.
Approve June 11, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Motion: Mr. Stitcher moved to approve the minutes
First: Graham Ridley
Second: Jesse Valdez
Vote: All members were in favor and the motion passed
Staff Report
Giovanna Gogreve from Access Services informed members of a new service feature that was added on June 1, 2009. It is the Access Information line and customers can call 213-270-6110 to hear a recorded message that plays in English and Spanish about any new developments with the agency.
Mr. Prem briefed members on the following:
· Access Services recently donated a retired minivan to Interfaith Services, a social service agency in San Diego that serves low-income and underserved populations. The vehicle donation program was one of the recommendations of CTSA subcommittee.
· On the integration of the telephone, reservations, customer service and OMC numbers; Access plans to implement the integrated voice response technology in FY 2010, and that would automatically implement both CAC’s and TPAC’s recommendation.
General Public Comment
There was no public comment.
Report from Board of Directors
There was no Board member in attendance and Ms. Verrinder gave an update on the Board Meeting.
1. Access Coupons
Mr. Prem announced that Access Coupons are being re-designed to reflect the new fare changes. The new coupons are two tiered; the base coupon and the plus coupon.
· The base coupon has a fare of $2.25 and works from zero to 19.9 miles. It will be sold in booklets of 10 costing $20.50.
· The plus coupon has a fare of $0.75 that can be added to the base coupon for rides that are beyond 20 miles. It will be sold in booklets of 24 and will cost $18 per book. These coupons can be combined with cash or tokens.
The Board has approved the two tiered concept and requested the advisory committees, CAC and TPAC to evaluate the new designs. The majority of Access trips are considerably less than 10 miles in length and its projected that 88% of riders will be using the base coupon. The current $0.90 coupons will be exchanged until January of 2010. CAC has approved the concept and has given feedback for stronger color contracts, tactile devices, different sizes for base and plus coupons; to make it easier for people with visual impairments to recognize the different combinations. Andre Colaiace added that Metro Design Studio is working to incorporate the recommendations received from CAC.
Motion: Kevin McDonald moved the motion to approve the two-tiered coupon concept with CAC recommendations embodied in the final design.
Second: Mr. Ridley
Vote: All members were in favor and the motion passed.
2. Policy – Return Trip Booking and Calling OMC for Rescue Rides
Evie Palicz explained that a small percentage of Access riders are not booking their return trips and are calling the Operations Monitoring Center to request a rescue ride. Access Services has a no-strand policy which is a safety net for customers. In-case there is a problem with their ride, they can call OMC, and they are assured a ride back. OMC has a limited number of back-up resources, and they work with providers to get the rider to their destination.
Ms. Palicz reported that since January of 2009, there were 20 incidents of riders calling for back-up trips, and it has been a growing trend. It costs Access because riders are not charged for a back-up trip, and from January through April, Access has spent $4,700. The Return Trip Policy has been reviewed by QSS and CAC, and their recommendations have been incorporated. The DRAFT policy states that riders who have a frequency of 2 or more incidents in rolling 12 months:
· First incident - 10 days suspension
· Second suspension - Permanent suspension
· Riders always have a right to appeal
Mr. Prem added that permanent suspension is very rare at Access and is enforced only when it is a direct threat to an individual. The intent of this policy is to discourage the misuse of the no-strand policy. Mr. Stitcher and Ms. Engel stated that implementing this policy would be very tough and suggested staff to add more suspension layers.
Motion: Mr. Ridley made a motion to approve the policy with the exception for section 3.1 and 3.2 and requested staff for further clarification on these sections. He suggested that a joint subcommittee be formed with representatives from TPAC, CAC, QSS and staff to develop the penalties and then to bring back the recommendations and consequences to their respective committees.
Second: Mr. McDonald
Amendment: Frances Jacobs added that additional clarification should be added on each of the steps for offenses.
Vote: All were in favor and the motion passed.
3. Access Services Draft Budget
Ms. Verrinder briefly discussed the following updates under this item:
Bus Stop Accessibility:
TPAC discussed in the previous meeting that the FTA Office of Civil Rights received a complaint against Access Services, regarding trip by trip eligibility or eligibility for someone using a mobility device. The complaint was received from an individual who wanted eligibility and wasn’t sure if every fixed route location in Los Angeles is accessible. FTA and Access Services both agree that if someone cannot use the fixed route system, then they are entitled to use ADA paratransit.
There are locations in LA County that are not accessible and based on this presumption; FTA wants Access to give blanket eligibility to everyone using a mobility device. Access Services eligibility process is multi-tiered. In over 50% of the cases, people are given eligibility before they cannot even get to the transit walk, either by the answers to the questions or by obvious functional impairments. If their eligibility is not determined in the initial interview, then they move on the functional evaluations; to see if they can navigate the system through different obstacles and environmental barriers.
The last response to FTA was that Access plans to cooperatively work with fixed route operators to develop the database of inaccessible bus stops that will be posted on the website to inform riders. Mr. Stitcher suggested that if this database is developed, Access and Metro can write a joint application or identify money that could be used by the cities and the fixed route operators to bring these stops to ADA standards.
TPAC Chair Recognition:
Ms. Verrinder recognized Mr. Stitcher as Chair and presented him with a gavel. She stated that Mr. Stitcher has been very instrumental in the Strategic Planning process and in keeping TPAC focused as an advisory committee. Mr. Stitcher will be joining as one of the Access Board of Directors in August.
Access DRAFT Budget:
Mr. Verrinder gave a brief presentation on the Proposed Budget. Access Services demand projections are done by a third party consulting company and the budget is created using their projections. Some highlights of the presentation were as follows:
· Access Services budget for FY 2010 is about $95 million and funding sources include STP funding, Prop C, passenger fares, 5310 capital funds, New Freedom grant, vehicle disposal and interest income.
· It is projected that there will be a 7.2% increase in number of passengers and a 6.0% increase in trips
· Fuel in the budget is set at $2.53
· Incentive and penalties have been put on hold
· Access Services is now a Public Entity and its vehicles will have an exempt plate
· New expenses include relocation and cost sharing program
· Two new programs have been added: Emergency Preparedness and Safety
· No merit or cost of living increases for staff
New Insurance Program:
The Board approved a new insurance program that has a stacked structure. Access has created an insurance pool and will be self-insured for the first $50,000 of every claim. Historically, 95% of all the claims were settled for less than $50,000. As of June 21, 2009, Access will be the key insurance carrier for all Access owned and contractor owned dedicated vehicles.
4. Service Animal Mat Subcommittee Update
Mr. Prem stated that TPAC Subcommittee members Kathryn Engel, Gracie Davis and Wayne Wassell and CAC’s Service Animal Subcommittee met after the last Board meeting in June and discussed alternative solutions. Mr. Metz briefed members that the subcommittee members have discussed the idea of a harness that could be clipped on to the seat belt on one side and to the dog’s leash on the other end. The materials are similar to a heavy nylon material and are available in different sizes.