Access Services…Behind the Scenes
Volume 6, Issue 5: September 28, 2012
Executive Report
Carmaggedon Two is Coming! Beginning tonight through Monday, October 1st a segment of the 405 freeway between the 101 freeway and the 10 freeway will be closed due to construction. Public safety officials are encouraging the public to avoid the area or stay local if possible during the construction. If you must travel, please plan ahead because we anticipate heavy traffic and significant delays.
In preparation for this event Access Services’ conducted its own extensive outreach including advance notifications on our website, seat drops on our vehicles, additional on-hold messaging, and notices posted at high trip generators such as the VA and UCLA. Additionally staff conducted 405 Project Incident Command meetings (Part II) with our service providers. On Thursday 9/27 at 1200 pm Access Services staff initiated our internal Incident Command System (ICS) and, if all goes well, we will de-activate the Access ICS on Monday 10/1 at 1200 pm.
Shelly Verrinder, Executive Director
MVs Safest Drivers Awarded
Once again we had a very special presentation on September 7th as Francisco Lujano became the first MV driver to reach 90,000 safe miles and for this great accomplishment he was recognized and presented with a 37 inch FULL HD VIZIO TV. He was not alone as nine drivers were also recognized with a GPS for reaching 80,000 safe miles, eight drivers with an IPod Nano for 70,000 safe miles, as well as many others for reaching the different milestones.
Shelly Verrinder, Mark Maloney, Steve Chang, and Geetu Banerjee made the long trip to the San Fernando Valley early in the morning and joined the festivities to congratulate all of the recipients for a job well done.
MV was a great host and their management staff including Nader Raydan, Walter Andrade, & Walter Burgess also joined in the festivities.
Luis Pacheco, Safety Analyst
CalACT Fall Conference
The California Association of Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) hosted its Fall Conference in Monterey, CA from September 18th to 21st.
CalACT provides a number of educational sessions throughout their conferences which provide staff from different agencies the opportunity to learn from one another as well as share their own experiences and successes. At this conference, Shelly Verrinder spoke in two sessions. The first of these was on proposed Federal rules that could change how paratransit and fixed route agencies provide service to customers with disabilities and how agencies may address such changes when the rules are published. Such regulations are still under design, and do not have a proposed date of release. Shelly also spoke on Access’ role of providing curb-to-curb service. Some CalACT member agencies are uncertain as to whether to provide door-to-door or curb-to-curb service. Shelly provided why Access’ adherence to the rules of the Americans with Disabilities Act, guarantees Access will remain a curb-to-curb service and how Access provides this service.
Gilbert Garza spoke with a panel about volunteer driver programs and coalitions of volunteer driver programs developing in both Northern and Southern California. Recently, at Access, Gilbert has spearheaded the efforts to create a Los Angeles County volunteer driver coalition. David Lee of C.A.R.E. spoke as an expert on the benefits of in-person evaluations for paratransit eligibility to staff from various California transit and paratransit agencies.
CalACT generally hosts two conferences each year. A spring 2013 conference will be held in Northern California early next year.
Eric Haack, Strategic Planner
Farewell to Geetu Banerjee
Project Administrator Geetu Banerjee is leaving Access Services and California. For the past 11 years, Geetu has made countless contributions to Access Services helping our agency to improve the way we do business and making sure our customers are transported safely and on-time. Some of her significant contributions at our agency include CTSA program management, strategic planning, contract management, successful relationship building with member agencies and stakeholders. Geetu’s last day with Access will be Friday September 28.
I will miss Geetu’s professionalism, her positive attitude, and her wonderful smiles. No matter what challenges assigned to Geetu, her response is always “Got it. I am on it.” Geetu will always be part of the Los Angeles Access Family, we will miss her dearly and wish her the very best in the future.
“Having worked at Access for almost 11 years, I have come to regard those I work most closely with almost as a second family. While I am truly sad to leave, I am also excited to start a new adventure ahead in Texas. I am hoping that our paths will cross again in future, as I plan to pursue my transit career.” - Geetu
Steve Chang, Deputy Executive Director,
Contracted Services
Eric Haack Named to ‘Top 40 Under 40’ List
Mass Transit, the only magazine exclusively dedicated to public transportation, announces the fourth annual Mass Transit Top 40 Under 40 list, honoring those professionals who have made significant contributions to the public transit industry. I am proud to announce that Access’ Strategic Planner, Eric Haack is one of the professionals to have received this prestigious award. Honorees were nominated by their peers and judged on criteria that included job commitment, industry involvement and contribution, achievement in his or her position and innovation in his or her field.
“Millions of people utilize public transportation every year, relying on it to transport them to work, school, social and sporting activities,” says Publisher John Hollenhorst. “The individuals chosen for this year’s list have been stand outs in their respective areas and show a strong passion and commitment that exemplifies the best of the best.”
“We received so many qualified nominations we could easily have extended the list,” adds Editor Leah Harnack. “It was challenging to narrow it down, but we are confident that this list is made up of professionals who are not only extremely deserving of this honor, we expect they will continue to play a significant role in public transport for decades to come.”
Winners will be showcased in the September/October cover feature of Mass Transit magazine and online at www.MassTransitmag.com.
Matthew Avancena, Manager, Planning & Coordination
Upcoming Public Hearing on Fare and Service Change Proposals
Access will be holding a public hearing regarding the fare and service change proposals in the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Boardroom on Wednesday, October 3rd from 10am to noon. This hearing is part of the extensive outreach Access has been conducting over the last two months. This has included direct mail, seat drops, comment line, web surveys, and 11 community meetings throughout the County.
Access is proposing a 25 cent fare increase that would take effect on January 1, 2013 and another 25 cent fare increase that would take effect on July 1, 2014. In addition, Access is proposing to change the “reservations window” from 6am to 10pm to 6am to 7pm. Transfer and North County fares will remain the same.
Following the public hearing all comments will be summarized and presented to the Community Advisory Committee and Transportation Professional Advisory Committee in October for their recommendations on the proposals. Access’ Board of Directors will also consider the proposals at their October Board meeting.
F Scott Jewell, Deputy Executive Director, Administration
Helping Hand Winners for July & August
Please join us in congratulating our July and August “Helping Hand” award winners.
Our July winner, Mr. Joseph Davis of Los Angeles, completed 270 trips from February to September without a “no show or late cancellation”. He has been using our services since 2010, and has expressed deep and sincere appreciation for the level of service and professionalism he has experienced with Access. During the week of September 16th, our Operation Supervisor team presented Mr. Davis with our signature “Helping Hand” pin.
Our August winner, Ms. Trina Champe of Whittier, has used our services since 1994 enjoying our long term relationship and is thankful for our professionalism, services and support. Ms. Champe has befriended many of our drivers and call takers enjoying a sincere and respectful relationship that has evolved over the years. In the last six months, Ms. Champe has taken 134 trips with no occurrences of “no shows or late standing orders”. Access also honored Ms. Champe with our signature “Helping Hand” pin during the week of September 16th, for her friendship, dedication and loyalty in making our relationship a cohesive and lasting experience.
Hamilton Franco, & the Operations Supervisor Team
Rider Comments
“With grateful heart and with appreciation that I have for the service Access provides for me. I’m a senior citizen 86 yrs. old. I live on a very steep hill and because my accident in 1984 hurt my left leg & damaged my ligaments. I have been unable to walk up and down to the bus.
Access has given me the service of being able to go places. Without that service it would be unbearable. Access not only gets me places but gives me the satisfaction of being independent from my loved ones who sometimes want to take me and sometimes don’t. Being independent is very important for anyone.
So please thank all the personnel that work to provide the service for us.”
Catalina, Los Angeles Rider since 2004
ASI…Behind the Scenes Page 3