Access Services…Behind the Scenes
Volume 3, Issue 12: February 5, 2010
Executive Report
Last week the first Organization Leadership Readiness (OLR) Team met for the first time. To refresh your memory, OLR is part of Access Services approach to ensuring leadership continuity, individual advancement, and organizational development for all of our staff. The first group was selected based upon their performance, potential, readiness, and desire. Each team member has been linked with a mentor and these teams are busy completing their Mentor/Protégé Contracts which are a precursor to formalizing a career development plan. Please join me in congratulating the members of the Blue Team: Luis Garcia (Project Administrator), Evie Palicz (Project Administrator), Rogelio Gomez (Road Supervisor), Ngan Adams (Database Administrator), Geetu Roy (CTSA Analyst), and Matthew Avancena (Manager of Planning).
Shelly Verrinder, Executive Director
Centralized Software Update
I am excited to announce that the January 16th dynamic cutover of the ADEPT software in the Southern Region was a success! This implementation could not have been achieved without the full support and commitment from the entire team consisting of Global Paratransit, Stratagen, and Access.
Since the recent cutover, Global staff has expressed positive feedback in using the dispatch portion of ADEPT. By migrating to this "Dynamic" phase, the ADEPT dispatch system now allows the dispatchers to utilize key same day tools to better manage their operations. One of these ADEPT tools is “Dispatch Alert”, which allows dispatch to easily foresee late trips and take immediate corrective action.
The whole team is really pleased that considering Global went through a major dispatch software change in the middle of the month they were able to reach an 89.9% on-time performance. My personal thanks to Global for all their hard work.
Ruben Prieto, Systems Analyst
CARE Training Module
The wheelchair marking/tether strap program is designed to use two non-functioning Access Services minivans to accurately depict real world situations. These vehicles are called training modules. To create the vehicles used at CARE modifications were made to vehicles no longer in revenue service – an excellent recycling project.
The first training module was built from the shell of a vehicle purchased from one of our contractors’ after the vehicle was retired from revenue service. The vehicle was stripped down to its core shell, all doors windows, engine and transmission, fuel systems, brakes, rear axle, and all moving components were removed. This process also removed all liquid hazardous waste materials. The now empty (& damaged) nose of the vehicle was carved off, shortening it’s footprint and shedding un-necessary weight. Now that the nose had been removed, a cap had to be built to clean up the exterior appearance, and keep dangerously sharp edges from exposure to the public and evaluation staff. The interior was left intact and the ramp was retained, air bag compartments reupholstered, caster wheels and transportation hooks are added to the under carriage so that the new Module could be moved. Jacks salvaged from other retired vehicles were welded to the under carriage so that once in place the Training Module could be safely locked in place. The remaining components were cleaned and detailed and all openings were finished off so that clothing would not get caught.
All the work on these vehicles could not have been done without the help of the San Gabriel Transit El Monte shop led by Wayne Seale and William Kim. All body modifications were done by San Gabriel’s paint and body sub-contractor Raul Acosta owner of Performance Auto Body and Paint in Azusa.
Another shell from our California Transit shop led by Roberto Osorio has been stripped and sent to be built into a second training module. It is in process and should be ready for delivery after February 10.
Rick Streiff, Fleet Management
Helping Hand
Congratulations to Access customer Mr. William Craig, who is our January 2010 Helping Hand recipient.
Mr. Craig’s Helping Hand contributions have been observed by several Access staff members. Within a six-month period, while logging over 250 trips, Mr. Craig had no late cancellations on record! He also has filed several commendations and suggestions with Access to recognize good employees and improve service quality. These examples display a great recognition of Access Services policies and customer contribution.
Access staff would like to thank Mr. Craig and Pastor A. Eugene Parker (on the far right) of the Zoe Christian Fellowship in Reseda for inviting us to present the Access Helping Hand pin to Mr. Craig at their church. During the Helping Hand presentation, church members praised Access for providing an exceptional and needed service in their community.
Faustino Salvador, Dispatch Coordinator
Safety First Customer Orientation
Access Services Road Supervisors with the assistance of the Provider Road Supervisors and Trainers launched a wheelchair marking and tether strap program at the Eligibility Center on January 21, 2010. The purpose of the pilot project is to:
- Educate potential riders on the safety procedures and restraint systems of our vehicles.
- Mark and/or install tether straps on mobility devices to ensure the vehicle securement straps are place in the safest place on the mobility device.
- Give a brief orientation of the Access Paratransit service and what the potential rider may expect from the service.
During the first nine days of this pilot project, 936 applicants were given the safety orientation briefing, of which 154 had mobility devices. All 154 mobility devices were marked where the drivers are to put the vehicle securement straps and 42 had tether straps installed.
The responses from both potential and recertifying riders have been very positive. New applicants appreciated the safety instruction and recertifying applicants told ASI they liked the emphasis on safety.
Evie Palicz, Project Administrator
Safety Initiative Update
When Access first implemented a self insured retention, we knew there would be many changes coming and that staff would need to work together to ensure a smooth transition with this change. One of the very first things we implemented into the operation was to publish a monthly safety newsletter that focuses on current safety needs of the operating environment. The monthly safety newsletter serves as a communication vehicle to improve the way Access disseminates safety related information to the front line staff i.e. drivers, call takers and dispatchers. The first safety newsletter was published back in July of 2009, topics covered thus far include post accident procedures, safety driving tips, accident statistics, loading and unloading procedures, H1N1 flu information, and much more. The Project Administrators are currently working with their service providers to ensure safety information is properly passed on to the front line staff in a timely manner.
Steve Chang, Director of Contracted Services
Promoting Safety
Global Paratransit has made another safety push by installing a “safety monitor” that provides drivers with daily safety messages. In the photos provided you see a display to smile, Please Drive Safe and the number of continuous days GPI had being accident free (not at fault). These are just a few of the messages that GPI will be displaying to their drivers on a daily basis.
Geoffrey Okamoto, Project Administrator
JARC & New Freedom Grants
Access recently submitted two grant applications totaling over $ 13.3 million to fund two projects – the Access to Work and Tether Strap & Marking Program.
Access requested JARC funding for the Access to Work Program. The proposed new service will provide transportation to work and work related services for qualified low income Access riders in Los Angeles County.
The subscription service currently operated by Access is not designed for specific trip purposes, like employment, and is subject to restrictions and limitations. The proposed new service will be a premium service specifically designed to address the need for accessing jobs and related services.
The Tether Strap and Marking Program will examine Access rider’s wheelchair/mobility device to identify the best securement points. Access’ eligibility contractor will mark wheelchairs using color coded tape and/or a tether strap -- a nylon strap with loops in both ends placed around a securement location on a wheelchair to hold the strap in place. The program is intended to assist Access drivers when securing wheelchairs on their vehicles.
The proposed project will help speed up the boarding and wheelchair securement process, reduce late trips and most importantly increase the safety of Access riders in wheelchairs.
Matthew Avancena, Mgr. of Planning& Coordination
Janet’s Planet
On February 3rd, I gave an interview on Janet’s Planet. Janet’s Planet is a disability based radio show on KTYM AM-1460. Janet Neal, president of the Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities, hosted the show. Also in attendance were Eli del Rio, and Deanna McNeally to discuss the possible elimination of the City of Los Angeles Department on Disabilities. Overall the interview went well and I had the opportunity present Access’ two customer perception programs - Miles of Smiles and Helping Hand. Mr. del Rio chimed in about Access and how important these programs are for our customers and service.
Giovanna Gogreve, Strategic Planning Analyst
Rider Comments
“Access has definitely made a positive impact. Thanks to Access I have been able to do things that otherwise would have been skipped. I appreciate it when the drivers assist my entry in and out of the van. I appreciate it when the drivers listen to my route suggestion. I appreciate the fact that the drivers sacrifice their holiday time so that I can be with my family. I sincerely believe the most significant award for the drivers would be a raise. They need to be paid more.”
— Willie, Tarzana
— Rider since 1999
ASI…Behind the Scenes Page 3