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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 Julian in Building A, Auditorium, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), 3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

A quorum was present.

Received introductions from the audience including:  Suzanne Gifford, General Counsel; Sandra Weymouth, Board Secretary; Matthew Tucker, Chief Operating Officer; David Sausjord, Revenue Services; William Capps, Service Planning; Gwene Haywood and Michelle Garza, Office of the Board Secretary; David Ledwitz, Edna Pampy, Paulette Mulligan, Natalie Wells and Sheri Fisher, VTA Accessible Services; Carolyn Grattan Eichin, Human Resources; Julie Dominie, Pacific Autism Center, and Robin Anderson, Interested Citizen.

Member Eljas queried whether an application for Committee for Transit Accessibility (CTA) membership had been sent to former CTA Member Michelle HammCiric.

M/S/C (Morrow/Gouveia) on a vote of 11 ayes, to 0 noes, to 2 abstentions to approve the Minutes of January 7, 2004.  Members Eljas and Jensen abstained.

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

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

William Capps, Service Planning Manager, provided a briefing of what is being proposed for the opening of the new Tasman East/Capitol Light Rail Extension.  Mr. Capps stated that Tasman East would be an extension of the existing Guadalupe Line.

Mr. Capps stated that the new light rail extension includes three key transit centers that will become the focal points for the bus/rail integration plan.  The transit center at the Great Mall will be the major transportation hub for both bus and rail in the Milpitas area.  A series of shuttle routes will feed into neighborhoods around Milpitas and East San Jose.  There other stations are at Penitencia Creek and Alum Rock.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Preliminary Tasman East/Capital Bus/Rail Integration Plan was received and filed.

David Sausjord, Revenue Services Manager, reported that in June 2003, the VTA Board of Directors approved a fare increase effective August 1, 2003.  At the same time, the Board of Directors approved a budget covering Fiscal Year 2003 2004 and Fiscal Year 2004 2005.  In addition to the fare increase approved for Fiscal Year 2004, the budget also assumed a fare increase for Fiscal Year 2005.  Mr. Sausjord stated that the Board of Directors asked staff to develop a multi-year fare policy to address the issues of financial stability and to provide guidance for future fare changes.

Mr. Sausjord reported that the VTA Fare Policy was adopted by the Board of Directors by resolution in December 2003.  The Fare Policy affirmed the commitment of the Board of Directors to achieve a 20 25 percent farebox recovery ratio.  Mr. Sausjord stated that until VTA has achieved a 20 25 percent farebox recovery ratio, there would be an annual review of fares and annual fare increases.

Mr. Sausjord reported that at the January 30, 2004 Board of Directors Workshop Meeting the Board approved an amendment to the two-year budget which reduced the budgeted fare revenues for Fiscal Year 2005 to reflect the fact that the planned fare increase would not take place until January 2005.

Mr. Sausjord stated that the fare policy that was adopted in December 2003 not only establishes the necessity for fare increases to improve farebox recovery ratio, it establishes January as the date for future fare increase and provides guidelines to the Board of Directors.  Mr. Sausjord stated that almost all fares become multiples of the adult cash fare.

Mr. Sausjord stated that the next expected increase would be effective in January 2005.  Mr. Sausjord reported that meetings would be scheduled for public review and discussion.

The Committee expressed concern regarding the large financial impact on those with the lowest disposable income and the need for discussion of monthly passes for paratransit.

The Committee noted that revenue for boarding VTA as compared to AC Transit and SF MUNI is due to land use issues.  There is a higher per population density in the City and County of San Francisco, San Mateo County and Sacramento.

M/S/C (Bruntz/Gouveia) to recommend that VTA investigate offering a monthly flash pass for paratransit riders.

The Committee queried whether a discounted token could be adapted for seniors and disabled persons and further queried the legality of not having tokens for seniors and disabled persons.

M/S/C (Grant/Gouveia) on a vote of 13 ayes, to 0 noes, to 1 abstention to recommend that VTA adapt the youth token for the senior/disabled population identifiable by feel and that its value be set at what the senior/disabled day pass rate would be and that VTA no longer offer a youth token.  Member Otis abstained.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Proposed Fare Modification was received and filed.

George Tacké, Accessible Services Manager and Staff Liaison, reported that the first three phases of the Plan focused on paratransit policy modifications, changes in operational practices, vendor and broker cost reductions, increasing revenue, and the new Eligibility Certification Program.  Phase four includes a study of the overall paratransit service business model.  Mr. Tacké noted that the goal is to continue to develop strategies to further contain costs while maintaining service quality.

Mr. Tacké stated that since the implementation of the first cost-containment strategies, expenses have continued to fall.  Mr. Tacké reported that before implementing cost-containment strategies, the expenses projected for this year were $43.8 million.  Based upon the first six months of information in operational reports, the expenses are projected at approximately $26.95 million.

Mr. Tacké stated that savings last year were due primarily to improved operational efficiencies.  Additional savings are due in part to the new Eligibility Certification Program.  Customers are being shifted, as appropriate, for the highly accessible fixed route bus and rail services.  The pre-screening process is effective in educating customers about the eligibility requirements.

Mr. Tacké stated that it is important to note that of those who submit applications, the approval is approximately 97 percent, which is about what it was the previous year.  Mr. Tacké stated that he anticipates that in the near term ridership would continue to decrease until all current customers are re-certified.  In the long term, a more moderate, manageable, and reasonable growth rate is expected.

The Committee expressed concern that: 1) people who are eligible are pre-screening themselves out, 2) VTAs need to be sensitive to the needs of seniors and persons with disabilities, and 3) eligibility certification pamphlets are difficult to find.

The Committee requested an outline of the scope of the work before the consultants report is prepared as well as a copy of the consultants resume.

The Committee commented that the eligibility process is seriously flawed. Mr. Tacké explained the performance requirements of the contract with Orthopedic Hospital regarding turnaround time for applications and noted that there is a hotline for persons requesting help with the application process.

The Committee suggested a study to follow up on a certain number of persons who requested applications and did not pursue certification any further and report back the statistics.

M/S/C (Eljas/Rhodes) on a vote of 12 ayes, to 0 noes, to 2 abstentions, to investigate finding a way for persons being certified for eligibility for the first time to get to the interview appointment free of charge.  Members Michels and Otis abstained.

The Committee suggested that when investigative motions are made, there be a CTA Member working with staff to ensure that things work out in an equitable manner and requested that this issue be placed on a future agenda.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan:  Project Update was received and filed.

Mr. Tacké stated that when the 2004 Nominating Committee for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson met, there was a discussion regarding co-chairship and expressed an interest to nominate co-chairs.  There was nothing in the CTA Bylaws at the time to support this interest.  Mr. Tacké noted that the Committee is able to make recommendations to change the Bylaws.  Mr. Tacké proposed reducing the size of the Committee and introduced term limits for the consideration of the CTA.

The Committee requested clarification regarding the policy for responding to persons who submit applications to the CTA.

The Committee noted objection to reducing the size of the Committee and term limits.

Committee Members suggested a sub-committee to review the CTA Bylaws.

M/S/F (Bruntz/Stahl) on a vote of 6 ayes, to 7 noes, to 0 abstentions, to accept proposed changes in verbage regarding co-chairs in Section 4.1 of the CTA Bylaws drafted by Member Bruntz.  Members Gallo, Jensen, Michels, Orillaneda, Otis, Rhodes, and Slack opposed. 

The Committee suggested that the issue of CTA Bylaws be placed on a future Agenda.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the CTA Bylaws Report was received.

NOTE:M/S/F MEANS MOTION SECONDED AND FAILED.

OTHER

Edna Pampy, Senior Management Analyst, reported that the Fiscal Year 2004 Second Quarter Accessible Services Performance Report focuses on six major areas including paratransit ridership, paratransit expenses, broker telephone performance, subscription service, ADA paratransit eligibility, and bus lift performance.

Ms. Pampy stated that Fiscal Year 2004 second quarter paratransit ridership decreased by 11.7 percent when compared with Fiscal Year 2003 second quarter ridership.  The number of same-day trips provided increased by 23.8 percent during the same period and was due to increased utilization in December 2003.  The number of no-shows declined by 17.9 percent during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2004 when compared with the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2003.  Ms. Pampy noted that this is a significant decrease due to the implementation of tracking no-shows and implementing suspensions where necessary thereby reducing travel delays as well as the number of vehicles required to provide scheduled service.

Ms. Pampy reported that paratransit expenses decreased by 11.4 percent compared to the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2003 and total revenues were down 9.3 percent.  The average net cost per ride is $27.43, a slight increase compared to the same period last year.  The average net cost per trip has decreased slightly by 2.0 percent.  The decrease in cost is due to efficiencies implemented in the Paratransit Service Business Practices Improvement Plan.

Ms. Pampy reported that the number of wait time for scheduling calls decreased by over 20 percent.  However, the wait time for dispatch calls increased by about the same percentage.

Ms. Pampy stated that there are no subscription limits.  The average subscription trips per weekday is 1,370 trips which represents 44.1 percent of total average weekday ridership.  Ms. Pampy noted that this allows for more productive ride scheduling carrying more passengers per hour with decreased use of vehicles and drivers.

Ms. Pampy reported that there were 981 applicants interviewed for the Paratransit Eligibility Program.  Of these, 538 new applicants and 425 re-certifying customers were granted eligibility to use paratransit services and 18 were denied eligibility for an overall denial rate of 1.8 percent.  Ms. Pampy noted during the same period last year 1,275 new applicants and 468 re-certifying customers were granted eligibility to use paratransit service, with 59 being denied eligibility for an overall denial rate of 3.3 percent. 

Ms. Pampy reported that the percentage of pullouts with down lifts was 1.24 percent.  This represents a 66.1 percent increase when compared with the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2003; however, the Fiscal Year 2004 year-to-date rate remains below 1 percent.

The Committee requested data regarding buses that have low floors and those with operational lifts and suggested the use of median waiting time rather than average time as it pertains to telephone broker performance.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Fiscal Year 2004 Second Quarter Accessible Services Performance Report was received and filed.

Member Rhodes reported that at the last meeting of the Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee for MTC the Committee discussed call boxes noting that Caltrans has placed curbs in front of some call boxes making them inoperable.  The Committee is looking at other ways of trying to make the call boxes more accessible.

Member Rhodes reported that the Committee is looking at the way land use is tied to transportation and encouraging cities and counties to build more housing closer to transportation.

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

Natalie Wells, Associate Management Analyst, provided information regarding SB916 (Perata) which proposes a $1 increase for bridge tolls.  This proposal would be called Regional Measure 2 and it appears at the end of the ballot.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the Legislative Updates were received.

Mr. Tacké reported that the Committee requested an update on the Advanced Communication System Project.  The request has been forwarded to the Project Manager and a verbal report will be provided to the Committee at the March 10, 2004 Meeting.

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

There was no Chairpersons Report.

There were no Announcements.

Members Bruntz, Grant, and Jensen left the meeting at 3:15 p.m.

On order of Chairperson Julian, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,