10
Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA. 02116-3968
Voice:
617-973-7100, Fax: 617-973-8855, TDD: 671-973-7089, E-mail: AACT@ctps.org
AACT
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday,
September 26, 2012
The
AACT Executive Board meeting will meet from 10:00 AM to noon and the Membership
meeting will meet from 1:00 PM to 3 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month
except when noted.
AACT
has a page on the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s website at
www.bostonmpo.org; click on AACT.
Links can be found there for the following items: agendas, upcoming meetings,
past meeting minutes, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBTA
and AACT, and the AACT bylaws, the AACT brochure, and ADA regulations. There
are also links to the MPO’s newsletter, TRANSreport, the MBTA’s Office for Transportation Access, and the AACT
Coordinator.
Comments
and questions concerning AACT should be directed to the Acting Interim Chairman
James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator, Ms. Janie Guion, at
617-973-7507 (voice); 617-973-7089 (TTY); 617-973-8855 (fax); or at AACT@ctps.org (email).
The AACT meeting locations are accessible to people with
disabilities and via public transportation. Assistive listening devices are
available at the meeting site. Every effort will be made to provide other
accommodations, such as materials in accessible formats or languages, or
interpreters in American Sign Language (ASL) upon advance request. Please
contact the Central Transportation Planning Staff at 617.973.7507(voice),
617.973.7089 (TTY), 617.973.8855 (fax), or AACT@ctps.org.
The MPO fully complies with
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations
in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed,
ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, or military service. Any person who believes herself/himself or any
specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by
Title VI or related statutes or regulations may, herself/himself or via a
representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be
filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person
believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional
information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see above) or at
www.bostonmpo.org.
Members
needing service information or wanting to inquire about MBTA services should do
so through the MBTA Marketing and Communications Department at 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100, TTY 617-222-5146,
Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Sat/Sun from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, or the MBTA
website at www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/.
Please
sign in at all meetings.
Announcements
are always welcome. Please be prepared to give as many details as possible:
date, time, location, contact person, and phone number. A written notice is
appreciated.
Mary
Dennesen, Ian Perrault, James White, Rick Morin, Marilyn MacNab, Angela
Manerson, Beverly Ann Rock, Cheryl Ravalli, Mary Ann Murray, Nancy Miller, Viola
Thacker, Richard Mahoney, Donald Summerfield, Thomas Gilbert, Kathryn Piccard, N.
Murray, Jonathan Gale, Deanne Sisco, Nancy Martin, Reginald Clark, and Ellen
Frith
Daniel Amstutz and Pam Wolfe
Frank
Oglesby, Mike Hulak, Carol Joyce-Harrington, Tim Davis, A H Griffith, Nathan
Lescouflaur, Mindy Simmon, Larry Haile, Paul Fitzgerald, Lisa Semper, Thomas
Burgess, Melissa Dullea, and Alex Murkinson,
Kevin McDonald – Veterans
Transportation, LLC
Jackie
Dunlop – Greater Lynn Senior Services
Claire
DiPillo and Phil McGuire – The Joint Venture of Thompson Transit and YCN, LLC
Marilyn
Cole and Phil Maguire – Innovative Paradigms
Other
Sharon
Harrison-Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
Theadora
Fisher-HST
Acting Interim Chairman James White called the
meeting to order at 1:05 PM
Members,
friends, and guests introduced themselves and the agenda was read by the IC
Chairman White.
The
August 22 minutes were presented and approved unanimously.
I C White moved his report to a later time in the
meeting, giving representatives from Innovative Paradigms (IP) the floor so that the Membership would have sufficient
time for members to ask questions.
A brief introduction was
given for the newly selected vendor for the MBTA’s In-person Assessment Program for THE RIDE. Innovative Paradigms (IP) and its parent company Paratransit, Inc., come
with thirty years of assessing client abilities and in determining client
transportation needs. In addition to its extensive experience with eligibility,
IP is an ADA operating agency and has direct interaction with the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA).
IP has assigned Marilyn Cole
and Phil McGuire to work with the MBTA.
Mr. McGuire is the Corporate
Manager and Principal Advisor for THE RIDE project. He is also the CEO and has
35 plus years experience in transit and Paratransit management and has been
with IP since 2006.
Ms. Cole has been assigned as
Project Manager for the task for THE RIDE. She has been with the company since
2007 and involved with Paratransit and human services transport since 2005. She
will be responsible for the establishment and refinement of this program’s
operations. She will remain on-site for the next year.
Both Mr. McGuire and Ms. Cole
gave members a detailed presentation of what customers can expect from IP staff
when an assessment is done.
They stated
the following:
· IP staff
follows the guidelines of both the ADA and the Easter Seals
Project ACTION
· They are
approved by the FTA
· No paper
application is required for the eligibility assessment
· IP staff make
no medical decision
· Eligibility
will be based on the applicant’s functional ability to use fixed route transit
· IP is well
tested and approved by the FTA; their eligibility process is a model that the
FTA uses in other areas
Advantages
· One-on-one
in-person guidance through interviews
· Application
process will result in a scheduled interview
· Applicants
meet with a well-trained Mobility Coordinator who is trained in the area of ADA
paratransit
· Determinations are made within two to three
business days
· There is an immediate
assessment service in the case of medical necessity
-In the case of medical necessity by request
of your doctor you can receive temporary eligibility
-Unconditional eligibility will
be in effect for 30 days
-To continue after 30 days you
must arrange for an in- person assessment
· Where there
are multiple people who need THE RIDE, they can arrange for block booking and all
can arrive and be interviewed individually.
The
Process
· Applicant,
family member or caregiver may phone in for an appointment
· The interview
can take up to ninety minutes
· If you prefer
an application be mailed to your doctor it can be arranged, but it’s not
necessary
· Complimentary
transportation to your appointment can be arranged by IP staff or by you; also
the facility will have free parking
· IP staff will
review your profile to verify the information and ask you to sign a medical
release form, if necessary
-Applicant signs off that
information is correctly reported helping to ensure an accurate determination
-Your eligibility for THE RIDE
will be determined after this process
· You may
request a private interview with staff and your escort for the application
process.
· The application
is completed as part of the interview you will be asked to give information on
your condition, ability and disability are addressed
· A transit
skills assessment is not required of every applicant
Ms.
Cole thanked the membership for the opportunity to speak with them. She also
offered her office phone number for those who may have questions. It is
617-932-9242.
She
then asked for questions.
D. Summerfield
was
concerned that their human service providers may not have the skills to do
in-person assessment.
M.
Cole stated
that her staff is trained in how to do the needs and balance testing. She said
that they use the guidelines of Easter Seals Project ACTION which states that a medical degree is not necessary to perform an assessment.
These assessments are not medically related to transit ability.
J. Gale asked if the new
application introduced for THE RIDE this year would still be in effect. Will they
be using a “scale system” for the process and is that scale available for
public review?
P. McGuire stated that
the application form in circulation now can still be used by those who prefer
one. He also mentioned that the applicant’s information from that form will be
taken into consideration, but they will be relying on the questions that they
have always used for the eligibility process (which are reviewed by the FTA). The
scale system asked about is called a “decision tree.” It
was stated that it can be made available for public reviewing.
K. Piccard asked how
they would evaluate people who suffer from pain and fatigue. She also stated
that oftentimes people have more than one destination in a day; a transfer to
fixed route on several buses may be too much.
M. Cole stated that
their questions are never “yes or no,” which never give sufficient information.
Their Mobility Coordinators are well-trained to look at the bigger picture. The
IP staff spends a lot of time talking about a variable condition, and what may affect
a person’s eligibility. The IP staff will take the time to talk with the person
and draw out information that will help with their decision on eligibility.
M. Martin asked where
THE RIDE Eligibility center would be located.
P. McGuire the location
is now in negotiation. He stated that he will keep everyone informed.
M. MacNab is concerned
that the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPA) might be violated and identity theft might
occur. How will they obtain information from the medical community?
M. Cole stated that IP
is aware of the HIPA Act and is sensitive to people’s privacy. She assured the
members that all records are safeguarded. She stated that she has no idea how
long records will
be
kept. The MBTA must inform them about this issue. She said that IP will be
willing to work with the medical community on issues of obtaining information. She
stated that she is looking forward to establishing a working relationship with
the medical community since they will be working towards the same goal.
IC Chairman
White
thanked both Ms. Cole and Mr. McGuire for their in-depth presentation and
looked forward to working with them in the future.
Interim Chairman (IC) White reported:
· He commented
on the recent response letter received from Acting General Manager Jonathan
Davis regarding the fare increase effects; due to the length of the letter it
was not read, but is available
· AACT
participated in the interviewing process of the candidates for the MBTA General
Manager. IC White, while unable to attend, sent a letter and thanked Chairman
Jenkins of the MBTA Board of Directors for asking the questions
· He thanked
Rick Morin for his help with the letter
· A historic
moment at the MBTA --the new General Manager, Ms. Beverly Scott, the first
woman was selected to run the oldest system in the country
· Ian Perrault
will now represent AACT on the Rider Oversight Committee
· He expressed
thanks to Mike Lambert of the General Manager’s office for including
information regarding AACT in the Premium
· Service letter
to all THE RIDE users; it’s a great opportunity to introduce AACT in a mass
mailing. This is greatly appreciated
· There have
been no Passenger Assistance Training classes with any of the vendors
He
then asked for questions. There were none.
Larry
Haile, SWA Coordinator, introduced Marie Trottier, who has been named the new
Assistant General Manager for SWA.
Ms.
Trottier thanked the AACT Membership for their letter of welcome and
introduction.
She
commented that she has been on the job for four weeks; she has been meeting
people and setting up meetings. She told the members that she is willing to meet
in person, by phone or by email. She wants to hear what the needs of the
members are so she can help. She cautioned that she cannot help if she doesn’t
know what concerns need to be prioritized and what is important.
She
is looking forward to working on projects and with other members of the MBTA
staff to make transportation accessible at the MBTA.
She
also stated that twenty-one years after the ADA was signed, progress is still
lagging. She is looking forward to her new role at the MBTA.
IC
Chairman White thanked Ms. Trottier for her brief introduction
and stated that the AACT Board is looking forward to meeting with her soon. Due to a lack of time, questions were not allowed.
Members were encouraged to send any questions to the AACT Coordinator to be
forwarded to Ms. Trottier.
He
announced that MBTA officials, members of the AACT Board, and representatives
from the disability community are asked to participate in a full run-through of
the MBTA’s system orientation training in its entirety in early October.
The training is
designed to familiarize seniors and customers with safety and accessibility features on
buses and in rail stations. Participants and attendees will be asked to provide
feedback on the training.
The system
orientation training is tentatively scheduled to begin in fall 2012.
He
then asked for questions.
A Consumer was concerned
about handling her scooter upon entering a bus or Green Line car.
IC Chairman White suggested
that she might need more control and that the wheels may be problematic and exceed
the allowable limit.
M. MacNab
suggested that the MBTA staff for bus procurement look into the Brockton Area
Transit bus entrances. They are very wide and are nothing like the buses at the
MBTA. The turning radiuses on the buses are ample. She asked that the MBTA
staff please share this information with bus procurement.
L. Haile said he would forward the information.
A. Mannerson asked
when the training would be.
L. Haile stated
that it would be by the end of the year. There is a lot of work to be done.
IC Chairman White asked
where the money comes from when the MBTA has to settle a lawsuit judgment.
L. Haile stated
that he would need to do research.
T. Gilbert stated
that he is having problems on the timing of stops on Route 89 when he rings the
bell for a stop request. He stated that this is an ongoing issue for him. He
has reported this incident to Customer Communications.
L. Haile stated
that he would research the complaint.
Frank
Oglesby, MBTA Deputy Director of Paratransit Operations – OTA, THE RIDE,
distributed the August 2012 reports and stated the following:
·
THE
RIDE advisory regarding the five dollar premium fare to be effective October 1st
has been distributed to all THE RIDE customers by the U.S. Postal Service
·
The
premium fare information can also be viewed at mbta.com
·
There
have also been software updates completed both with the MBTA and THE RIDE
vendors
He
then asked for questions.
J. Gale
asked how the ridership numbers were since the fare increase went into effect.
F. Oglesby
stated that the decrease in ridership is one-thousand to thirteen-hundred trips
a day.
K. Piccard
asked for the percentage.
K. MacDonald stated it was just under twelve
percent.
J. Gale
asked about the level of training the vendors’ customer service staff
received.
K.
MacDonald answered that the user
interface is pretty much exactly the same. No, additional training was really
needed. The improvements to the program took place in the code and updates to
the system hardware.
K. Piccard was
concerned that she may have been over-charged for her trips on THE RIDE. She
would like an explanation. She also wants to know who is responsible for
adjusting her bill.
R. Morin stated it is twice the non-discounted cash
fare; the lowest non-discounted cash fare on the bus is two dollars.
F. Oglesby stated
that persons with questions regarding THE RIDE fare should contact Customer
Communications.
M. Murray
asked that flyers for the AACT meetings be placed in areas where they can be
seen by passengers in buses and vans.
F. Oglesby answered
that this is an issue to be worked
out with the vendors.
IC White
asked that drivers have extra flyers on hand for consumers.
MBTA
Vendor Reports
Jackie Dunlop, Director of Transportation, distributed her report, included in the handout.
She
then asked for questions. None were asked.
IC
White thanked Ms. Dunlop for her report.
Victor Herrera, General Manager for the Joint
Venture, distributed his
report and reported the following:
·
There
will be a hiring freeze for the next
thirty days due to the drop in ridership
·
Former
JV General Manager Albert Maldonado has passed away
He
then asked for questions.
R. Clark asked if any of the
twenty-seven drivers who were laid-off would be rehired when they are looking
for drivers again.
V. Herrera stated that those drivers
would be considered. None of the twenty-seven were union drivers.
D.
Sisco asked if working overtime was mandatory for drivers.
V. Herrera answered yes; JV’s pool of
drivers is limited.
K. Piccard asked were drivers laid-off
due to fewer trips caused by the fare increase.
V. Herrera said yes, this seems to
be part of the cause.
IC
White thanked Mr. Herrera for his report.
Kevin
MacDonald, Project Manager, distributed his report and announced that VT would
be having recertification classes for Passenger
Assistance Training every Tuesday in October from 9 AM to 3 PM; anyone
attending must make prior arrangements.
R. Clark asked if the
number of drivers remained the same.
K. MacDonald stated that
they typically lose three drivers a month.
IC White thanked Mr. MacDonald for his report.
Open Discussion
D. Sisco asked why was her friend
unable to add money to RIDE account at the new location.
IC White suggested that people use
a credit card that has stored value and phone into the 800 line.
IC White thanked Daniel Amstutz for assisting at the meeting today.
The
meeting ended at 3:05 pm.