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The Regular Meeting of the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) was called to order at 1:05 p.m. by Chairperson Tamez in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Present

Jeannette Bruntz

Emma Eljas

Sandra Gouveia

David Grant

Michelle HammCiric

Katie Heatley (Ex-Officio)

Marjorie Jensen

Laura Michels

Aaron Morrow

Marian Otis

Barbara Rhodes

Thomas Slack

Barbara Stahl

Randy Tamez

Members Absent

Cynthia Aleman

California Department of Rehabilitation

Linda Gallo

David Julian

Martin Lasich

Maryjane Naughten

Frederico S. Orillaneda

A quorum was present.

Received introductions from the audience including:  Scott Buhrer, Chief Financial Officer, Mike Aro, Deputy Director; David Sausjord, Revenue Services Manager; Natalie Wells, Paulette Mulligan, Edna Pampy, and Sheri Fisher, VTA Accessible Services; Gwene Haywood and Elaine Baltao, Board Secretarys Office; Carolyn Grattan-Aiello, Human Resources; Gary Hunnicutt, OUTREACH; and Tom Giuffre, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

There were no Public Presentations.

Minutes of September 10, 2003

M/S/F (Morrow/Gouveia) on a vote of 8 ayes, 0 noes and 3 abstentions to approve the Minutes of September 10, 2003.   Members Eljas, HammCiric and Michels abstained.

Appointment of Nominating Committee for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for 2004

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, stated that the Nominating Committee for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) would meet in January 2004 for a two-hour meeting.   The goal of the Nominating Committee would be to determine the qualities and attributes of a chairperson and vice-chairperson

Chairperson Tamez appointed Members Eljas, Slack, and Stahl to the Nominating Committee for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Committee for Transit Accessibility for 2004.

Chairperson Tamez encouraged Committee Members to contact Mr. Tacké if interested in the position of either Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the CTA.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, Members Eljas, Slack, and Stahl were appointed to the Nominating Committee for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for 2004.

BUSINESS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS/GENERAL MANAGER

Proposed Fare Policy

Scott Buhrer, Chief Financial Officer, reported that the 2002 Business Review Team reviewed a number of VTAs efficiencies and business practices and recommended that the Board of Directors should adopt goals for increasing the farebox recovery ratio. In 2003 the Ad-Hoc Financial Stability Committee of the Board of Directors recommended that VTA should set a goal to achieve a farebox recovery ratio of between 20 and 25 percent.  They also recommended that VTA adopt a fare policy.

Mr. Buhrer stated that 20 or 25 percent farebox recovery ratio could not be attained by pricing alone.  Improvements must be made in cost of service delivery and service productivity.  The average fair per boarding can be affected by the pricing and discount policy.

Mr. Buhrer stated that the recommended fare policy includes: 1) the base fare shall be the adult cash fare for all pricing, 2) cash fares should be in 25 cent increments, 3) fares for senior and disabled riders shall provide a discount of 50 percent from fares for adult riders, 4) fares for the youth should provide a 25 percent discount, 5) the relationship between the day pass and the cash fare is that the day pass should be priced three times the cash fare, 6) the relationship between the monthly pass and the cash fare should be the same for all categories of riders, 7) express fares should be placed at two times the adult cash fare, 8) the Eco Pass Program should generate the same average fare per boarding as the adult fares, and 9) the regional coordination credit be limited to the adult cash fare.

Member Morrow stated that he would like to see VTA increase the farebox recovery ratio to at least 25 percent in order to become comparable to other transit agencies.

Ex-Officio Member Heatley queried if there might be a distance-based fare approach.  Mr. Buhrer responded that distance-based fares are primarily used when dealing with rail that travels long distances.

Mr. Buhrer stated the proposed fare policy would be brought to all Advisory and Board Standing Committees this month for discussion.  The proposed fare policy would return to the Standing Committees in November 2003 and be brought to the Board of Directors for consideration at the December 4, 2003 Board of Directors Meeting.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, Proposed Fare Policy was received and filed.

Proposed Service Standards

Mike Aro, Deputy Director, provided an outline of the service management plan.  Mr. Aro stated that VTA has always had service standards, guidelines and policies to plan and evaluate services that are used to measure the performance of the system.  The Ad Hoc Financial Stability Committee recommended that the standards should address target and minimum acceptable measures by routes and service type to improve system efficiency.

Mr. Aro provided an overview of the Service Management Plan which includes four parts: 1) service area/transit network, 2) service design guidelines, 3) service evaluation policy, and 4) service change process.

Member Stahl expressed concern that many bus stops do not have shelters and queried whether there are plans to address this issue.  Mr. Aro responded that there is a program to expand shelters.  Mr. Aro responded further that funds are not available to expand the shelters quickly.  Shelters are placed in locations with high ridership.  Mr. Aro stated that specific suggestions could be forwarded to staff.  Member Stahl requested a copy of the Service Management Plan when it becomes available.

Member Rhodes stated that the Federal Government requires that at least a 50 percent discount must be given to Senior/Disabled riders.  Mr. Tacké responded that the 50 percent discount must be provided on the adult cash fare during non-peak hours.  Mr. Tacké responded further that VTA also provides the 50 percent discount to commute hours.

Member Stahl expressed concern that staff is proposing to bring everyone to the same level though everyone does not have the same income.  Mr. Tacké responded that the multiple would be standard, not the cost for a pass.

M/S/C (Grant/Eljas) to recommend that under the Fare Structure Policy that VTA not change the day pass multiple from 2.3 to 3.0 for Senior/Disabled fares, but leave it at 2.3.

Paratransit Door-to-Door Surcharge Report

Mr. Tacké reported that on June 5, 2003, the Board of Directors approved the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan.  An overview of the approved plan was presented to the CTA on July 9, 2003.

Mr. Tacké stated that the Board of Directors passed a Motion to Defer the door-to-door paratransit per trip service surcharge of $1.50 for one fiscal year and until current paratransit customers have been evaluated for their medical need for the service and their ability to pay.

Member Otis queried whether there has been an established definition for door-to-door vs. curb-to-curb.  Mr. Tacké stated that curb-to-curb means that a passenger is delivered to the curb of a destination and helped out of the vehicle.  Door-to-door service refers to bringing a passenger to the curb or parking space of a destination.  The passenger is then helped out of the vehicle and taken to the main entrance of a facility.

Member Stahl queried whether VTA has considered law suits if a person is dropped out at the curb and hit by a car.  Mr. Tacké responded that VTA does not want to put anyone in a dangerous situation.

Member Eljas queried the cost savings for implementing curb-to-curb vs. door-to-door service.  Mr. Tacké responded that 30 percent of riders would need door-to-door escorts or $450,000 in increased revenue as a result of the $1.50 surcharge.  Curb-to-curb only service would save a range of from $380,000 to $700,000 based upon an increased opportunity to create shared rides.  Member Eljas further queried the cost to VTA of a lawsuit.

Member HammCiric queried whether VTA would expect a driver to detect a change in the mental status of passengers.  Mr. Tacké responded that drivers would not be expected to detect a change in the mental status of passengers.

M/S/C (Bruntz/Gouveia) to recommend that the Board of Directors rescind the $1.50 tariff plans for door-to-door service as it places undo hardship on the most frail, needy, and at risk in the community.

M/S/F (Gouveia/Bruntz) on a vote of 10 ayes to 3 noes to 0 abstentions to recommend that door-to-door service be maintained as it is now and not become a premium service.

Members Eljas and HammCiric volunteered to send a letter on behalf of the CTA to the Board of Directors and any other interested persons expressing the dangers and unreasonableness of leaving passengers at the curb.  Mr. Tacké noted that if the CTA endeavors as a Committee to write a letter including specific recommendations, the Office of the Board Secretary needs to be contacted.

Fiscal Year 2003 Preliminary Annual Performance Report

Mr. Aro reported that this is a preliminary report in that all figures have not been audited at this point.  Both financial and non-financial figures need to be audited before being turned in to the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA).

Mr. Aro reported that overall system ridership on bus and light rail has decreased over 14 percent compared to the previous fiscal year.  Paratransit ridership increased 1.7 percent compared to last fiscal year, one of the lowest increases in paratransit ridership seen since the service has been in operation.

Mr. Aro reported that service quality on the bus system has improved.  Miles between road calls has increased by 27 percent and miles between accidents had increased by 38 percent.  Mr. Aro stated that fare revenue has held steady due primarily to fare increases.

Legislative Updates

Natalie Wells, Associate Management Analyst, stated that the new Governor has been elected.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Legislative Update was received.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee Report

Member Rhodes reported that the MTC Committee meets once per month.  The Committee has been working on 511, both the telephone and web sections.  The transit planning and problem travel areas would be available in mid-October on the website at 511.org.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission Elderly/Disabled Advisory Committee Report was received.

Committee Staff Report

Mr. Tacké provided an update of CTA referrals.  Mr. Tacké stated that the Agenda packet has changed noting the change regarding Business referred to the Committee by the Board of Directors/General Manager.

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the Committee Staff Report was received.

Chairpersons Report

Chairperson Tamez stated that the December 10, 2003 CTA Meeting would be his last meeting and provided an overview of the position of chairmanship for CTA.

Announcements

Member Jensen announced that a statewide survey is being conducted by AT Network and requested that Members who use assistive technology take the survey at www.ATnet.org.

Member Rhodes queried what happened to the item, Items of Concern and Referral to Administration.  Mr. Tacké responded that the Agenda has been restructured based upon input from Executive Management and the Board of Directors.   The Board of Directors and Executive Management want to ensure that items that come on the Agenda are items that are for the most part referred by the Board of Directors and General Manager. 

Mr. Tacké stated that there is not enough staff to entertain time-consuming projects that are not initiated by the Board of Directors and the General Manager.   Mr. Tacké stated that to place items on the Agenda, Members could talk to the chairperson who would forward the issue to the Staff Liaison and then to Executive Management. 

ADJOURNMENT

On order of Chairperson Tamez, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,