Minutes of the GATRA “Moving Forward Together” Kick Off Meeting on

March 21, 2014

Taunton Holiday Inn

Frank Gay, Administrator, Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority, welcomed the group and made introductions. He gave a presentation on GATRA’s background, services, and its role in the Southeastern Massachusetts region.

Mary Basilone, GATRA’s Mobility Manager, gave a presentation on Ride Match – an online searchable database of transportation providers in Massachusetts – and explained how GATRA is using Ride Match data to track unmet needs and improve service in the region.
Mary Basilone also gave a brief presentation on the results of the Unmet Transportation Needs survey that was sent to the group in early February.

Joanne Laferrara, GATRA’s Director of Customer Relations, gave a brief background on the Governor’s Executive Order 530 and the formation of a Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) in Southeastern Massachusetts. She explained that the first official meeting will take place at the end of April.

Frank Gay wrapped up the meeting with a background on the state’s Transportation Finance Bill and the goals of the Study Advisory Committee which will include local employers, business associations, employment centers, labor organizations and RTA riders. The committee will assist in the development of a Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan for the region.

Frank Gay also led the open discussion portion of the meeting.

Open Discussion Notes

  1. Have Ride Match link on all Veteran’s Services Websites in each community. Rachel Fichtenbaum (HST) will talk to committee? It was also mentioned that Ride Match should be linked from town and/or Council on Aging sites.
  1. After a brief discussion about how the data in Ride Match is updated and maintained, Mike Kelley (Plymouth Career Center) explained how the Department of Labor has two organizations: Citizens for Citizens (Fall River) and RSVP (Plymouth) that may be able to help with low cost help for database administration.
  1. Bob O’Leary (Boston VA Healthcare System) is interested in finding out the origins of the respondents to the survey and where they felt was the greatest need for destinations. Mary Basilone (GATRA)will check back through the surveys and have something to present at the RCC meeting as well as send him the Ride Match data.
  1. Veteran’s Service Agents as well as Disability Commission members from each Town should be invited to the RCC.
  1. GATRA should contact the Secretary of Veteran’s Services, Coleman Nee, to make sure that all Towns are involved.
  1. Need to make taking public transportation more appealing to young professionals who are living in the suburban communities. Show economic benefits as well as environmental.
  1. Provide small scale flexible services to determine if the need does exist and how to best provide for the need.
  1. Industrial Parks – the issue is “the guaranteed ride home”. The public bus can get them to work, but does not operate late enough to get people home. Public/private partnerships with companies who have 2nd and 3rd shift employees. Work with the industrial parks’ management company/TMA to form partnerships. “One company pays for the vehicle and other companies join in over time.”
  1. Explore tax advantages for taking and offering transportation services to people entering the workforce.
  1. More of the local hospitals are regionalizing and this is causing services to be offered further away from patient’s home area, causing an increased need for long-distance transportation options.
  1. Fight for the money. Look more closely at transportation funding at the state level.
  1. Should have a student pass program that encourages kids to use the bus.
  1. The medical marijuana dispensaries are required to have a transportation plan for their license. GATRA should explore partnerships.
  1. Market toward high schools in areas where the ridership is lower.
  1. In Franklin there are no available funds for transportation, but public transportation is a big issue in the SWOP communities. A recent study revealed that there is a need to tie Medway and Norfolk with transportation to Patriots Place.
  1. Dick Shafer from the Taunton Development Corp. told the group about a Career Fair that was taking place at the Taunton Holiday Inn on April 9, 2014.
  1. Frank Gay asked for agencies to let GATRA know of any studies/surveys that have been completed in their area that would show transportation needs.
  1. Friendship House in Norwell offers vocational training and has limited transportation resources.
  1. Bill Shine from Independence Associates said his organization serves people with disabilities in 31 communities south east of Boston. Agencies should contact Independence Assoc. for all types of services, including transportation, at 508-583-2166.
  1. Crossing borders to connect with other RTAs is a challenge.
  1. Transportation to Independent Living Centers is an issue. Attleboro goes to Fall River and Plymouth goes to Brockton.
  1. Send out Attendee List to all with contact information.
  1. Contact Veteran’s Services to get funding for pass programs.
  1. Add links to Ride Match for organizations that cater to people with disabilities, veterans, and seniors.