Board of Directors:
Chairman - James F. White
Vice Chairman - Rick E. Morin
Executive Board:
Mary Ann Murray
Ian Perrault
Beverly Ann Rock
Lisa Weber
The AACT Executive Board will meet from 10:00 AM to noon and the Membership meeting will be conducted from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except when noted.
AACT has a page on the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (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 MPO’s 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 Chairman James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator, Ms. Janie Guion, at 857.702.3658(voice); 617.570.9193 (TTY); 617.570.9192(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 857.702.3700(voice), 617.570.9193 (TTY), 617.570.9192 (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 Saturday/Sunday 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.
Lisa Weber, James White, Rick Morin, Mary Ann Murray, Ian Perrault, Diaz, Rob, Reggie Clark, Yasi Abdol, Linda Shepard Salzer, Gina Laurent, Marilyn MacNab, Debbie Weathers, Kim Blout, Nancy Miller, Sharon Harrison, Kathryn Piccard, and Angela Manerson
Mike Hulak, Frank Oglesby, Larry Haile, Ken Green, Rashad Lyn, Rob Sampson, Mike Lambert, C.J. Harrington, and Brian Francis
Selena Walckner, Jacqualyn Reynolds, John Tuttle, Victor Herrera, Mike Rushin
Matt Archer, Janie Guion, David Fargen, Natalie Raffol
Chairman White requested a motion to approve the meeting minutes for September 24, 2014. A motion was made and carried with one abstention.
The Chair stated the following:
Michael Lambert, Deputy Administrator & Assistant to the General Manager, MBTA & MassDOT, stated the following:
He then asked for questions.
K. Piccard asked about the means testing program’s relation to MassHealth’s PT-1 medical transportation. Mr. Lambert stated any THE RIDE customers who are part of MassHealth will be eligible for means testing; they can opt to use either PT-1 or THE RIDE. Prior to the fare increase on THE RIDE, many customers chose THE RIDE over PT-1; after the fare increase, customers began to use PT-1. He stated that the means testing program may motivate individuals to use THE RIDE, and he encouraged THE RIDE users to use the service that is best for them.
R. Dias asked if there is a minimum amount of trips a customer needs to take in order to be eligible. Mr. Lambert stated that number of trips will be used as a benchmark, but not as selection criteria.
M. MacNab asked about the timeline of the project and the possibility of a fare reduction for all THE RIDE customers. Mr. Lambert stated that the program will be rolled out as soon as possible, yet they expect to implement it in July. Hestated that the pilot program will determine whether the MBTA should roll back the fare to $2.00 for all customers; at the moment, there is not enough information to determine the effect of reducing the fare for all customers.Hestated that it may make sense to roll back the ADA fare but still means test for the premium fare, which is not constrained at twice the fixed-route cost.
Chairman White asked if fuel savings could be used to subsidize the program. Mr. Lambert stated that THE RIDE budget is part of the MBTA budget, and that those savings go to the MBTA; he noted that fuel savings pay for the means testing program, so that outside money is not required. He noted that THE RIDE updates its GPS and scheduling software in order to optimize routes; all three vendors should be updated by the end January. The hybrid vehicles have increased their fuel efficiency.
Chairman White thanked Mr. Lambert for his presentation.
Rob Sampson distributed his report and stated the following:
He then asked for questions. There were none.
Chairman White thanked Mr. Sampson for his report.
Selena Walckner, EEO/Title VI Manager, KCS stated the following:
She then asked for questions. There were none.
Chairman White thanked Ms. Walckner for her report.
Chief Kenneth Green stated the following:
He then asked for questions.
Chairman White asked if Chief Green would extend an invitation to the new permanent Chief to speak at an AACT meeting; Chief Green stated that he would.
Chairman White thanked Chief Green for his update.
Frank Oglesby, Deputy Director, submitted the OTA report and had no further updates.
He then asked for questions. There were none.
Chairman White thanked Mr. Oglesby for his report.
Victor Herrera, General Manager, distributed his report and announced passenger assistance training classes.
He stated the following:
He then asked for questions. There were none.
Chairman White thanked Mr. Herrera for his report.
Jacqualyn Reynolds, MBTA Contract Relationship Manager, distributed her report and had no further updates.
She asked for questions. There were none.
John Tuttle distributed his report and had no further updates.
He then asked for questions. There were none.
Chairman White thanked Mr. Tuttle for his report.
D. Weathers stated that single seats in the new THE RIDE vans are uncomfortable for persons with back issues. Mr. Hulak stated his office will check for possible adjustments. He suggested sitting in the bench seating. Ms. Piccard suggested using a portable, foldable seat cushion.
M.A. Murray stated that individuals have found it difficult to place their walkers in THE RIDE hybrid cars. Mr. Hulak stated that foldable walkers fit in the trunk, while larger walkers are difficult to fit. He noted that the scheduling software does not differentiate between walker types; they are currently working with the software company to classify them as different walker types. He stated that customers with larger walkers can call to inform the vendor, at which point the customers will be classified as van-only; and that the trunks in the hybrid cars can accommodate both a folding walker and reasonable amount of packages. Shealso noted that dispatchers continue to provide inaccurate information regarding pickups; and that customers are be given more courtesy. Heagreed that customers should be given honest estimates. Ms. Reynolds noted that a weather or traffic pattern may further delay the driver after information is provided.
A. Manerson stated that people have been classified as no-shows before their five minute grace period had expired. Mr. Hulak stated that if a THE RIDE customer witnesses this happening, they should inform OTA.
Chairman White read a letter from AACT to John Jenkins, Chairman, MassDOT Board of Directors, supporting the pilot program (see attached).