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Agenda Item # 11

BOARD MEMORANDUM

BACKGROUND:

At the August 2005 meeting, the CTA approved a motion to support the bus mobility device securement recommendations presented by the CTA Bus Mobility Device Securement Task Force.   The Task Force recommended changing the current bus mobility securement policy from optional to mandatory and recommended that VTA purchase and install new bus mobility device securement equipment.   The CTA included in their motion a condition that the Task Force continue as an active committee for at least one year to ensure the policy is implemented successfully.

The CTA raised concerns about bus operator training relative to the new mandatory mobility device securement.   During the September 2005 meeting, the CTA requested that a discussion about VTA’s bus mobility device securement training program for bus operators be placed on the October 2005 Agenda. 

DISCUSSION:

Federal Regulation 37.173 requires VTA to provide training to operators as follows:   “The Authority shall ensure that personnel are trained to proficiency as appropriate to their duties.   This includes safe operation of the vehicle, properly assisting and respecting the needs of customers with disabilities and courtesy in paying particular attention to the differences among these individuals.”  VTA complies with this federal requirement through standard operating procedures that are in the Coach Operator’s Rulebook.

Section 4, Chapter 8 of the Coach Operator’s Rulebook describes the type of service operators must provide pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).   Examples of some of the rules are as follows:

• Rule 8.1:   Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations – All Operators shall comply with ADA regulations.
• Rule 8.2:   Operator Assistance - The Operator is required to leave their seat to assist passengers with disabilities to board or exit the coach, or to use the wheelchair lift and/or securing devices as necessary or upon request.
• Rule 8.3:   Lift Deployment – The Operator shall deploy the lift on request.   Anyone may request the use of the lift.

Other rules include securement of mobility devices, announcing stops and stations, priority seating for seniors and disabled persons, service animals, and emergency exit procedures.   The Coach Operator’s Rulebook provides the foundational structure for all new and refresher operator training programs.   These programs emphasize extending professional and courteous customer service to all passengers and include sensitivity training when serving passengers with disabilities.

VTA’s operator training department offers training on a variety of ADA and other regulatory requirements topics as required by law or policy through new operator training classes and its Verification of Transit Training (VTT) program.   All VTA drivers must attend VTT one day (eight hours) per year as required by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and must carry a valid VTT card to operate a VTA bus. 

VTA will include the new securement policy requirements in its VTT program and through scheduled training at each division.   As current operators are familiar with ADA law, lift usage, and other requirements, trainers will focus on the new securement policy and how to use the new securement equipment. 

In unusual circumstances, operators must communicate the nature of the situation to the Operations Control Center (OCC).   OCC dispatchers will offer instructions appropriate to the circumstance and/or deploy field supervision, transit patrol, or local law enforcement personnel to assist the operator.   Field supervisors, transit patrol, and/or local law enforcement personnel will respond to the operator’s location as needed to provide assistance securing a device or providing alternate transportation. 

OCC dispatchers, field supervisors, customer service representatives, and transit patrol personnel receive training to proficiency in a wide range of routine and emergency issues, including addressing transit issues faced by persons with disabilities.   VTA will provide specialized training for these classifications to include:

• Applicable ADA regulations;
• Instructing operators to properly secure mobility devices;
• Instructing operators how to secure mobility devices of unusual size or proportion;
• Transit options available to mobility device users if the operator is unable to secure a mobility device;
• What to do if a mobility device user refuses to ride with their device secured.
• How to document unusual circumstances related to mobility device securement.

As directed by the CTA, Task Force members will actively participate in the full and successful implementation of the new mandatory securement policy including installation of new equipment, operator training, and application of the new policy.

To ensure quality control, CTA and Bus Mobility Device Securement Task Force members David Julian and Aaron Morrow will participate in current and new operator training to ensure operators are trained to proficiency.   Finally, VTA will monitor the success of the implementation of this policy through observational field audits and will provide periodic feedback to CTA. 

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