Related Links

CALL TO ORDER

The Regular Meeting of the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) was called to order at 1:07 p.m. by Chairperson Tamez in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present

Cynthia Aleman
Jeannette Bruntz
Sandra Gouveia
David Grant
Marjorie Jensen
David Julian
Martin Lasich
Aaron Morrow
Maryjane Naughten
Frederico S. Orillaneda
Marian Otis
Barbara Rhodes
Barbara Stahl
Randy Tamez

Members Absent

Emma Eljas
Linda Gallo
Michelle HammCiric
Katie Heatley (Ex-Officio)
Laura Michels
Thomas Slack

A quorum was present.

INTRODUCTION OF AUDIENCE MEMBERS

Received introductions from the audience including: David Ledwitz, Natalie Wells, and Paulette Mulligan, VTA Accessible Services; Randy Scott, Operations Light Rail; David Terrazas, Marketing and Customer Service; James Unites, Operations Planning; Carolyn Grattan-Aiello, Human Resources; Gary Hunnicutt and Bill Swartz, OUTREACH; and Tom Giuffre, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

There were no Public Presentations.

Minutes of August 13, 2003

M/S/C (Morrow/Gouveia) on a vote of 11 ayes, 0 noes and 1 abstention to approve the Minutes of August 13, 2003. Member Naughten abstained.

Conducting Committee Business

Chairperson Tamez requested that committee members try to be respectful of each other when speaking and stated that a professional demeanor needs to be maintained. Chairperson Tamez noted that each person would be able to speak to an item twice.

Chairperson Tamez requested that committee members refrain from calling one another other than their proper name, stating that to do otherwise is non-productive, not courteous and creates a level of hostility in the room. Chairperson Tamez requested that committee members keep in mind how they would like to be treated and to treat others the same way.

Member Naughten suggested limiting the time each person, including the Chairperson, speaks to between two and three minutes. Chairperson Tamez responded that this policy could be instituted especially for items that have much involvement from the Committee. Chairperson Tamez further stated that the committee needs to stay item-specific.

Advance Communications System Project Update

James Unites, Operations Planning Manager, reported that Advance Communications System is a new radio system for all of VTA's bus systems, support vehicles, and light rail service. Mr. Unites reported that VTA has built a new operations control center. A global positioning system is in the process of being installed on all buses that will allow control center personnel to know where all equipment is and will improve emergency response and incident response to locations in the field. Global positioning on buses allows for automated next-stop annunciation on all buses.

Mr. Unites stated that as the bus operator approaches a stop in the system, there would be an audible announcement in the bus as well as an electronic sign. Testing will take place in October 2003 and full implementation is expected by the end of 2003. Mr. Unites reported that he would like to demonstrate the system to the committee in late October 2003.

Member Rhodes requested that staff provide information regarding whether the annunciators have an on/off switch or whether they stay on continually.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Advance Communications System Project Update was received.

Guadalupe Retrofit Project Update

Rudy Lemus, Construction Inspector, reported that a number of stations from St. James south have not been retrofitted. Beginning September 20, 2003, low-floor vehicles will be operated on the entire system. There will be an automated announcement on trains leaving southbound once they leave Gish that all stations after Japantown require a step-down to de-board. When leaving Civic Center, there will be another announcement that the next station and all stations south of Japantown would require a step-down to de-board. Persons who need a level boarding and un-boarding platform will be asked to move to the first door of the first car to facilitate loading and unloading.

David Terrazas, Marketing Manager, noted that staff has introduced several marketing efforts to provide communication to the public regarding this change including posters, an update of the VTA website, and car cards. An article will appear in the October 2003 Take One.

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, reported that due to the economic downturn, local sales tax funds needed to retrofit the Guadalupe light rail line are unavailable.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Guadalupe Retrofit Project Update was received.

Segway Human Transporter Overview

Mr. Tacké reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), acting on behalf of their Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee (EDAC), has urged all Bay Area transit operators to review the issue of the Segway in a transit environment. A demonstration of the Segway was provided to CTA at the July 2003 meeting. Staff provided a report regarding Segway at the July 2003 meeting that included a reference to a BART pilot project regarding the Segway. Mr. Tacké noted that the information was incorrect, and stated for the record, that there is no BART pilot project regarding the Segway.

Mr. Tacké stated that staff is not requesting input on the use of the Segway outside of VTA's purview as VTA does not have control over cities and other government agencies regarding the use of the Segway. Staff is requesting input regarding the use of Segways at bus stops, transit centers, on light rail vehicles and light rail vehicle platforms.

Member Stahl suggested that the Segway not be considered an aid to mobility.

Member Rhodes commented that the Segway used in the demonstration was not equipped with features required by the State of California and therefore was not the instrument that would be encountered by the public. Member Rhodes stated that the Segway should be considered a bicycle and should not be ridden on light rail platforms. Member Rhodes further stated that she does not believe that the Segway belongs on public transportation.

Member Julian suggested that factual information regarding Segway would be helpful to him.

Member Naughten expressed concern regarding the amount of space necessary to transport the Segway in a paratransit vehicle.

Mr. Tacké stated that the State of California has passed legislation that allows each jurisdiction to use the Segway in their purview. The ultimate decision remains within each jurisdiction.

Member Orillaneda queried whether racks should be installed to transport the Segway.

Member Morrow stated that he does not have enough information regarding the Segway to make an informed decision regarding its use.

Member Rhodes stated that a collision occurred between a person using the Segway and a person in a wheelchair.

M/S/C (Otis/Julian) to note for the record, that at this time the Committee for Transit Accessibility cannot support the use of the Segway on the transit system due to inadequate information regarding the Segway. The information provided proves it to be too large, too fast, lacks adequate control, would be difficult to incorporate onto the transit system and would not be economically feasible.

Legislative Updates

Natalie Wells, Associate Management Analyst, reported that September 12, 2003, is the last day for each house to pass bills and October 12, 2003, is the last day for the Governor to sign or repeal bills passed by the legislature.

Chairperson's Report

Chairperson Tamez expressed concern regarding the descriptions and communications that come from VTA staff who are interviewed by news reporters and the San Jose Mercury News. Chairperson Tamez noted that there was an article in the San Jose Mercury News a month ago that categorized paratransit as gobbling up resources. Chairperson Tamez stated that this is very offensive, very hurtful, and very damaging to the program that VTA has been providing for over 10 years.

He continued his comments stating that paratransit is a service that is offered as well as light rail service and bus service. Chairperson Tamez stated that he rarely, if ever, hears anything derogatory about bus service or light rail service. The derogatory comments are made regarding paratransit and how it is inefficient and expensive and basically implies "We wish we didn't have to provide this level of service."

Chairperson Tamez stated that he would like to see VTA and other transit properties start to accept, acknowledge, and embrace the paratransit service as they embrace light rail and the bus system. Chairperson Tamez stated that it is counter-productive to have VTA staff talk about paratransit as though it was an abandoned child left on their doorstep that they now have to raise. It is a service VTA offers and they should be proud of it.

Chairperson Tamez stated that much has been accomplished by the CTA Committee and at the Board of Directors level to reduce the cost of paratransit, while keeping the service at a premium for people who use the service. He noted that the Committee has endorsed cost savings of approximately $10 million. Chairperson Tamez stated that he has never heard anything positive or a statement made in the newspaper acknowledging the efforts of CTA.

Chairperson Tamez stated that as soon as VTAâs management begins to embrace that concept and accept paratransit as a program that they offer, people will get along better and people can be more supportive of paratransit and the community will not be so divided against VTA because of the language that is put out in this community. As a person who uses paratransit, Chairperson Tamez stated that he finds it very offensive that VTA staff is quoted in the newspaper stating that paratransit is a program that simply gobbles up resources. Chairperson Tamez stated that he would hope that the Board of Directors would encourage VTA to begin to accept paratransit as a program that they offer because until the federal regulations are changed, it is not going to go anywhere. As soon as paratransit is accepted, endorsed and supported as best we can, people can begin to support VTA in some of the other things they are doing.

Chairperson Tamez requested that his comments be sent to the Board of Directors requesting their support to encourage VTA management and staff to begin to positively review paratransit, look at it as a program that they offer and support it in the same vein that they support light rail and the bus system.

Committee Staff Report

Mr. Tacké reported that the Caltrain Proof of Payment System is being changed on September 22, 2003. Caltrain will no longer sell tickets on-board. Passengers without tickets may be fined. Persons with disabilities will not be fined. An envelope will be provided to submit the fare to Caltrain.

Member Rhodes stated that Caltrain zones have also been changed.

Member Gouveia stated that she agrees with comments made by Chairperson Tamez regarding attitudes toward paratransit. Member Gouveia stated that she does not believe the public understands that users of paratransit pay for the service. Member Gouveia stated that she believes staff should sit with a reporter and give the "full skinny" on this so that paratransit gets a fair comment in the press. Chairperson Tamez agreed with Member Gouveia stating that VTA reports that OUTREACH is just a cost-draining program without mentioning that VTA is obligated to provide this service.

Chairperson Tamez stated that with the upcoming 2000 Measure A funding, OUTREACH is currently the only service that has increased its level of service since the Measure was voted into being. Light rail and bus systems may not be entitled to funds that become available in 2005 and 2006 since they do not exceed 2000 levels of service.

Member Julian stated that he shares Chairperson Tamez´s comments and requested a response from the Board of Directors to the comments.

Member Stahl stated that the future door-to-door service will increase the round trip fare to $9.00 and further stated that something needs to be said publicly that people who ride paratransit are paying quite a bit of money, it is not a "freebee" and it does not come from tax dollars.

Member Rhodes queried when the curb-to-curb or door-to-door service increase becomes effective. Mr. Tacké responded that the $9 per trip is not related to door-to-door service. On October 13, 2003, the new service area surcharge of $6 goes into effect. People traveling to or from locations on the periphery of the County, that are outside of the ADA service area but within the County borders (Mt. Hamilton, Highway 9 going out of Saratoga), areas within the County but beyond 3/4 of a mile of the bus and light rail service, will have a $6 charge added to the regular cost of the trip. The regular trip is $3, and the additional charge is $6. Mr. Tacké stated that a $1.50 fee surcharge for door-to-door service could be implemented in July 1, 2004.

Vice-Chairperson Grant requested a written decision from VTA's Legal Department of their opinion regarding whether the door-to-door escort surcharge is a valid tariff and whether it will be implemented on July 1, 2004.

Member Rhodes queried whether a recommendation could be made that this tariff be removed and that door-to-door service be provided for those who need it at no cost.

Member Gouveia suggested that the escort surcharge for door-to-door service be added to the October 2003 CTA Agenda so that a recommendation can be made for the record.

Tom Giuffre, AARP, stated that elderly citizens are on very limited budgets will need to pay for this surcharge.

Items of Concern and Referral to Administration

Member Rhodes requested that the escort surcharge for door-to-door service be added to the October 2003 CTA Meeting Agenda for discussion and recommendation to the Board of Directors to withdraw this tariff.

Member Morrow requested that all Minutes of the Board of Directors' Meetings be included in CTA packets.

Announcements

Member Julian announced a Disability Action Advocacy Conference to be held on October 3 and 4, 2003, in Los Angeles, California, at the Airport Marriot.

Member Jensen announced that in October 2003 the Assistive Technology Advocates throughout the State are going to conduct a survey regarding assistive technology use. One hundred volunteers are needed to take the survey.

ADJOURNMENT

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 2:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judith Tinlin, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors

NOTE:   M/S/C MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND CARRIED AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.