10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA. 02116-3968
Voice: 857.702.3658, Fax: 617.570.9192,
TTY: 617.570.9193, E-mail: AACT@ctps.org
Meeting opened at 10:11 AM Board of Directors:
Chairman James F. White
Vice Chairman - Rick E. Morin
Executive Board
Mary Ann Murray
Ian Perrault
Beverly Ann Rock
Lisa Weber
Attendees:
Rick Morin, James White, Lisa Weber, Ian Perrault, Matt Archer, Jessica Podesva, Greg Sobczynski, Miles Walter, Mike Hulak, Carol Joyce-Harrington, Greg Alcorn-CEO and Bryan Overcash-COO
No minutes (no August meeting) were presented.
Chairman White stated the following:
No questions were asked.
Greg Sobczynski, and Miles Walters, gave an overview of the MBTA’s initiative to rework the MBTA’s Disparate Impact/Disproportionate Burden Policy. Mr. Sobczynski noted that although this is not a direct accessibility connection but a Title VI matter with fare changes, implications in transportation service monitoring, equitable distribution, and service changes were discussed. AACT was advised that the MBTA will be updating key policies on transportation equity and that their public participation in this policy development process is needed to ensure that the MBTA establishes a fair equity analysis policy and process.
He then asked for questions.
Chairman White invited the two to attend a membership meeting to get input from members.
Chairman White thanked the men for their presentation.
Carol Joyce-Harrington, Paratransit Contract Administrator from the Office for Transportation Access, introduced Greg Alcorn, CEO of Global Contact Services to the Executive Board. Mr. Alcorn spoke briefly and noted that GCS is pleased to have been selected to manage the MBTA’s call center now THE RIDE Access Center (TRAC). He stated the GCS mobilization team will be at the full membership meeting this afternoon with a complete presentation. He went on to explain that his staff has over 15 years of experience with success at organizing call centers across the nation. Mr. Alcorn invited the Executive Board to tour the TRAC facilities located in Medford. He also is looking forward to learning more about AACT and what are the needs of the group. He is looking to make sure that GCS can be a good partner and be transparent.
He then asked for questions.
L. Weber asked will passengers request for rides Uber and Lyft go through TRAC. M. Hulak stated that those calls would not go through TRAC.
Thanked Mr. Alcorn for his comments.
Ian Perrault reported that the guest speaker was Brian Shortsleeve, MBTA Acting General Manager and Chief Administrator. He discussed the purchase of the Orange Line vehicles and other improvements at the MBTA.
Chairman White discussed that AACT as two Board of Directors seats to be filled by members of the disability community. He noted that he would like to offer the seats to members of the Paratransit Task Force or the plaintiffs from the 2006 Settlement between the Boston Center for Independent Living and the MBTA. He noted that he is looking for people who are knowledgeable in transit accessibility. R. Morin suggested that he contact the executive director for each organization so that they can nominate someone who is dependable and knowledgeable.
Chairman White rejected that idea and will open the seat to all AACT members according to the bylaws. R. Morin was furious that the Chairman rejected his idea and he resigned angrily, explaining that he was not pleased with how the appointments to the Board are being managed.
J. Podesva asked if privatization of bus routes was discussed at the Fiscal Management Control Board (FMCB) meeting. Chairman White was unclear with his answer. He commented that the Carman’s Union was present at the meetingand really making their voices heard.
Chairman White discussed his fear of the MBTA privatizing bus routes that would wipe out many years of devoted ADA training of bus operators. He is very concerned that new vendors may not make an effort to have ADA training for their operators to accommodate persons with disabilities. He is considering addressing the Fiscal Management Control Board (FMCB) to advocate against the bus privatization.
L. Weber would like to have the support of the plaintiffs and members of the Task Force to sign-off on the letter. J. Podesva noted that the plaintiffs have been advocating against bus privatization possibility.
Meeting ended 11:57 AM
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.
Notices of AACT meetings are posted on the website of the MBTA at http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/public_meetings/. Visit the MPO’s calendar page at http://www.bostonmpo.org/calendar/month to find AACT agendas, meeting minutes, and past meeting minutes. For more on AACT, see the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBTA and AACT, the AACT Bylaws, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations at http://www.mbta.com/aact.
Also, find articles about topics discussed at AACT meetings in the MPO’s newsletter, TRANSREPORT, at http://www.bostonmpo.org/transreport. For more information on accessibility at the MBTA, please visit www.mbta.com/accessibility.
Comments and questions concerning AACT should be directed to Chairman James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator, Ms. Janie Guion, at 857.702.3658 (voice/relay), 617.570.9193 (TTY), AACT@ctps.org (email), or c/o CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150,
Boston, MA 02116 (US 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), 617.570.9192 (TTY),
617.570.9193 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org (email).
The MPO complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the 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 her or himself or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or other non-discrimination statute or regulations may, herself or 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 (voice), 617.222.5146 (TTY), Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to
6:00 PM or via the MBTA’s website at www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/.
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Announcements are always welcome. Please be prepared to give as many details as possible: date, time, location, contact person, and
telephone number. A written notice is always appreciated.