Access Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts Bay
Transportation Authority
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 Membership Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Notables
The AACT Executive Board meeting will meet from 10 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 Organizations (MPO) website at www.bostonmpo.org;
click on Get Involved then scroll down to Access Advisory Committee to the
MBTA. 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, and ADA regulations. There are also links to the MPOs newsletter, TRANSREPORT,
and information on accessibility at the
MBTA. This page includes the contact information for the AACT Coordinator.
Comments and questions concerning AACT should be directed to the
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); AACT@ctps.org (email); or at c/o CTPS, 10 Park
Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116 (mail).
The AACT meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities and
is near public transportation. Upon request (preferably two weeks in advance of the meeting), every effort will be made to provide
accommodations such as assistive listening devices, materials in accessible formats and in languages other than English, and
interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Please contact the MPO staff at 617.973.7100 (voice), 617.973.7089 (TTY),
617.973.8855 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org.
The MPO complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state non-discrimination 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, ADA, or other non-discrimination
statute or regulation 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 always appreciated.
The meeting opened at 1:03 A.M.
IC White opened the meeting by asking everyone to join in a moment of
silence; in memory of those who lost their lives and the many who
were injured at the Boston Marathon-2013.
Reading of the Agenda
Introductions
Attendees:
Interim Chairman Jim White, Allen M. Karon, Penny Shaw, Nancy Miller, Margaret Crowdis, Ian Perrault, Mary Ann Murray, Tyler Terrasi, Richard F. Mahoney, Kathryn Piccard, Reggie Clark, Don Summerfield, Lindsay Yazzolino
Agencies: Kathy Devin, Massachusetts Office on Disability; Theresa
Casey, Theadora Fisher, Executive Office of Health and Human
Services Office; Lisa Weber, Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
MBTA Staff: Melissa Dullea, Larry Haile, Carol Joyce-Harrington, William J. Grant, Mike Hulak, Frank Oglesby, Kelli Ahola, and Philip Balcom
Vendor Staff: Victor Herrera, Joint Venture of Thompson Transit;
Jacqualyn J.
Reynolds and Randy Hendrickson,
Greater Lynn Senior
Services; Kevin MacDonald, Veterans Transportation
Others: David Guardino and Julia Mickenberg, DEAF, Inc.; Judge Patrick King, Federally Appointed Monitor; and Chris Iwerks, Bertaux+Iwerks Architects
MPO Staff/Coordinator: Janie Guion and David Fargen
Approval Membership Meeting Minutes for February 27, 2013
The meeting minutes were approved with one abstention.
Chairmans Report
IC White stated the following:
He shared his experience at the Boston Marathon, including
his
feelings about being there with emotions he had not had
in
twelve years on that day. He commented
that a plan to
evacuate persons on THE RIDE should be in place in the event of future emergencies or disasters.
He has spoken with Michael Lambert, MassDOTs Deputy
Administrator of Transit/Special Assistant
to the General Manager, about AACT hosting a meeting on emergency
preparedness (like the Marathon bombing aftermath). AACT would invite the Boston Police, Transit Police, THE RIDE
contractors and dispatchers, the Office for
Transportation Access, the City of Boston Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and AACT Executive Board of
Directors. The goal would be to decide exactly who would
be responsible for helping THE RIDE customers to evacuate in the event of an emergency. He also gave
thanks to all first responders for their work during the crisis.
He attended the Passenger Assistance Training class at
Greater Lynn Senior Services.
He also attended
the MBTA bus operator recertification class in Charlestown where he shared information with bus operators regarding the importance of logging in blocked
bus stops to the transit master. He noted many veteran
operators refuse to comply but he sees an opportunity to encourage new hires to do so.
He asked for questions.
D. Summerfield also commended the MBTA Police and first responders. He said he still believes that the MBTA should not have
the Stryker Chairs behind lock and key.
AACT Nominations for Executive Board of Directors Terms 2013-
15
IC White opened the nominations for the AACT Board of Directors
by
reading the guidelines. He named the current nominees for
Board of Directors: Ian Perrault, Beverly Ann Rock, Mary Ann Murray and Tyler Terrisa, and for Vice Chairman, Rick Morin and Chairman, James White.
*Marilyn MacNab still has not accepted her nomination; she will be
notified again.
He then asked for nominations for the Executive Board of Directors.
D. Summerfield nominated Lisa Weber to the Executive
Board of Directors.
L. Weber stated that she will need to notify her Director at
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
before she can
accept the nomination.
IC White stated that Ms. Weber will also need attendance verification to accept the nomination. She will
be
notified by the Coordinator of her current standing.
There were no other nominees for the Vice-Chairman or for
the Chairman.
There were questions and comments presented.
K. Piccard asked if Ms. MacNab had accepted her nomination. She
also
wanted to know if she arrived before the meeting ended would she be eligible to then accept the nomination. She was not sure if Ms. MacNab wanted to run for office. She also asked if others walked in
later in the meeting would they also be eligible to be nominated
before the meeting ended?
IC White stated yes to both inquires as long as they are otherwise eligible.
MBTA Way Finding Report
Judge Patrick King, the independent monitor who was appointed by
the Federal Court in the 2006 settlement agreement between the
MBTA and the Boston Independent Living Center, was in attendance.
He and Chris Iwerks of Bertaux+Iwerks Architects presented the
results of the recently completed three-year study by
Bertaux+Iwerks Architects of signage at MBTA stations. Mr. Iwerks, an expert on wayfinding, has studied the MBTA system and has made
recommendations for improving the MBTAs wayfinding program. His recommendations are intended to improve the ability of people to
navigate through the MBTA system visually, by using Braille signage
and by other methods.
He then took questions.
K Piccard stated that she is concerned that the international symbol
of accessibility is going to be black instead of the current blue.
Judge P. King stated that the color for the symbol was reviewed by many groups of people and the discussion was quite spirited. After much discussion everyone agreed on black as the new color.
A. Karon asked that signage
designate where consumers can locate a private carrier or regional transit authority at MBTA stations.
C. Iwerks stated that this would be a decision made by MBTA Bus
Operations.
MA. Murray commented that arrows for public parking are not
detailed enough.
C. Iwerks stated that Bus Operations will make the final decision.
D. Guardino is concerned that in stations with many buses, a
particular bus location is not easy to find. He suggested that a large map be available for people to view and locate their bus route.
C. Iwerks explained that there are several large complicated stations that
serve many bus routes. He noted that Dudley Square is up for
renovation and that there will be noticeable changes.
K. Piccard asked if bus stop signage
would be reflective in the dark,
and if there will there be any Braille signage.
C. Iwerks commented that the MBTA has the option to use retro
reflect material. The MBTA is looking at many other effective ways for communicating during the design process.
Judge P. King shared his email address pking@jamsadr.com if anyone needs to contact him.
IC White thanked Judge King and Chris Iwerks for sharing the results
of the MBTA Wayfinding study and for their time.
Deputy Chief Kenneth Green, of the MBTA Transit Police Department is the night-time Commander and is also in charge of
Community Partnerships for the Department.
IC White commented that with all
that has happened in the last
week it is understandable that Deputy Chief Green was not available
for todays meeting.
MBTA System-Wide Accessibility Department (SWA)/Fixed Route
Services
Larry Haile, SWA Coordinator, presented his report with no further updates (please see the attached). He also noted that he would not
be in attendance at the May 22 meeting, but a member of the SWA staff will stand in for him.
He then took questions.
K. Piccard asked if there was data to show how the fare increase had affected those persons using the Transportation Access Pass. She also asked that he make a comparison to last years data.
L. Haile stated that he will need to do research.
IC White asked about the closing of Government Center and how will the MBTA coordinate the shuttle service.
L. Haile stated the closing will be near the end of summer; he will get
more details to share.
IC White thanked Mr. Haile for his report.
MBTA Office for Transportation Access
(OTA) -THE RIDE Program and THE RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC)
Frank Oglesby, Deputy Director presented his report (see attached).
Stated the following:
He thanked all the MBTA employees, vendors and their staff for
their dedication and commitment for ensuring that
every
consumer was transported safely to their destination during the
events of last week.
He noted that Ms. M. Cole would not be attending todays
meeting.
IC White commented that from his recent meeting with Ms. Dullea, he
believed that Ms. Cole would be attending todays meeting.
F. Oglesby stated that a report of TREC activities is listed on THE
RIDE Activity Report.
IC White commented that he has a complaint from a consumer about the TREC staff asking personal medical questions that made her very uneasy. The consumer informed Massachusetts Office on Disability. IC Whites stated that the questions went beyond TREC authority and suggested that Mr. Oglesby meet with the MBTA Legal Department to
discuss that consumers concern and that the consumer meet with him.
MA. Murray asked if the information on THE RIDE Report was accurate since he had a comparison for the same years listed. F. Oglesby apologized for the mistake and stated that the comparison should be for the year 2012.
Vendor Reports
Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS)
Jacqualyn Reynolds, MBTA Contract Relationship Manager,
distributed
her report.
She then asked for questions.
IC White asked if GLSS had experienced more consumers calling for
THE RIDE service.
J. Reynolds stated that in the last few weeks there has been an
increase in ridership.
IC White thanked Ms. Reynolds for his report.
The Joint Venture of Thompson Transit and YCN Transportation
(JV)
Victor Herrera, General Manager for the Joint Venture, distributed
his
report and made the announcement that
JV had rehired all the
drivers who were dismissed in November.
He then asked for questions.
P. Shaw asked why as an add-on to THE RIDE she has to go past
her neighborhood and go to Weymouth and then back into Boston to
before she is dropped off.
V. Herrera stated that she should call him directly when that occurs.
IC White stated that in the past, drivers were trained to call dispatch for authorization if a consumer informs a driver that they are going
near his or her home.
V. Herrera stated that drivers are obligated
to make the call. He noted
that he will reinforce the issue when he returns to the office.
IC White thanked Mr. Herrera for his report.
R. Clark stated that drivers arrive early to take you to your destination.
Veterans Transportation (VT)
Kevin MacDonald, Project Manager, distributed his report
and added that passenger training classes will be held every Tuesday in May; in addition, the CPR training class will be held on May 6.
He then took questions.
R. Morin asked for an update from last months problem with the
increased rush hour pickups.
K. MacDonald explained that the problem still exists, especially if there is a sporting event. He said that he has made adjustments by adding more drivers.
R. Clark stated that drivers arrive early to take you to your destination.
K. MacDonald explained that when THE RIDE arrives at your door early you are under no obligation to come out before the time that you have requested. The driver should wait or another vehicle may
be directed to your location.
IC White thanked Mr. MacDonald for his report.
Mobility Priority List Update
Due to unforeseen circumstances Rick Morin was unable to make his
presentation.
OPEN DISCUSSION
P. Shaw asked where you should a person stand when there are two bus stop signs; bus operators make it impossible to know where to stand.
L. Haile commented that the two signs indicate the bus zone and that the operator stops at the second sign.
D. Summerfield commented that when bus operators get to a stop they do not observe when a person with a mobility device or someone
who is visually impaired is waiting; this could make boarding unsafe.
R. Morin recommended members visit the website for the Disability
Rights Education Defense Fund http://dredf.org. He commented that there are seven Topic Guides on the
Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) concerning transportation written through the perspective of
persons with disabilities; it is also a guide to interpreting the ADA on
many topics such as No-Shows, On-Time Performance, Origin to
Destination Service in ADA and Eligibility for ADA Paratransit. The
guide is written by persons with disabilities and used by both the
transit and the disability communities.
M. Crowdis stated that she is very disappointed in
the new spring bus schedule for Salem Routes 455 and 459 Loring Avenue. She
commented that a bus leaves Vinnin Square heading to downtown
Salem at 7:33 A.M. and the next bus is not scheduled to leave until
8:30 A.M (57 minutes later). She made a plea for the MBTA to
schedule the buses to leave downtown Salem every 30 minutes at 10
minutes and 40 minutes past the hour. She would like to see this
service operated in the same manner that Eastern Massachusetts Railway operated. She remarked that Aspen, Colorado, operates a free on-time bus service; she would like the MBTA to do the same.
M. Dullea stated they have been trying to improve the service on many
of the routes; congestion today is not like it was twenty years
ago. She stated that schedules need to reflect actual traffic conditions to be timelier and be more reliable in general. They have the same number of buses on the route; its the traffic that makes the schedule. They have been looking into coordinating Routes 455/459.
MA. Murray is concerned about the Salem bus service cutback.
L. Haile stated that there are many reasons for service cuts; he stated it may have been the number of people taking the bus.
IC White commented that in a recent meeting with General Manager
Beverly Scott, she commented
that the MBTA will be doing individual analysis on every route counting the number of riders to determine the
number of buses needed
with an hour-to-hour count. He did not know the exact time this project would begin.
He also asked for an update on the Key Bus Route Improvement
Program.
M. Dullea stated that contracts have been awarded and work should
begin in the spring and summer.
R. Clark commented that he travels the Route 66 bus which is always crowded.
M. Dullea stated that the Key Bus Routes includes Route 66. She
said that with these changes the MBTA is looking to improve reliability
with less bunching of buses and to reduce overcrowding.
D. Summerfield commented that that the MBTA made a commitment
in
2006 to not add banners to the buses due to peoples disabilities
that may be cognitive, visual, or psychiatric among others. He
understands that there may be a
need due to special circumstances,
especially after the act of violence that was committed on the City of
Boston last week. He stated he has missed his bus not knowing it was
there due to the banner flashing in the rear. He does believe there should be exceptions, but is concerned about the inconvenience.
M. Dullea said that the current campaign We are One Boston or Boston Strong is not up continually, the sign flashes intermittently, then the route number appears. She stated that she would do some research for more information.
K. Piccard shared her observation that on a THE RIDE van she has noticed that the on-board computer console is located on the dashboard and interferes with the driver seeing the mirror on the right.
M. Hulak noted her comments.
IC White thanked everyone for participating in the meeting and wished them safety and wellness. And he hoped that he would see them
next month.
Meeting adjourned at 3:05 PM.