Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

April 23, 2003 Meeting Minutes

PRESENT:

Donald Allen
Joeanne Coffey
Lynne DeMont
Carol Epstein
Todd Hacquoil
Margo Sims
Catherine MacIntosh
Gary Russell
Councilor Gary Meade District 23

ALSO PRESENT:

Kevin Hindle, Supervisor, Special Services

REGRETS/ABSENCES:

Edward Laverty
Darrell Robar
Ian MacArthur
Robert VonSchroder

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM.

2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS & STAFF PRESENT

Round table introductions were made.

3. REGRETS/ABSENCES

Edward Laverty, Darrell Robar, Ian MacArthur, Robert VonSchroder

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MARCH 26, 2003

The Minutes of March 26th were approved.

5. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES

5.1 Eligibility Criteria - Medical Escorts / Traveling Companions

A lengthy discussion regarding Medical Escorts and Traveling Companions took place. This has been a recurring topic with the committee.

If a user requires a Medical Escort for all trips, it is important for the doctor filling out the Functional Assessment Form, to identify this need. A Traveling Companion will be accommodated on Access-A-Bus, provided there is room on the bus. Users are encouraged to identify weather a Traveling Companion will be traveling with them, at the time the trip booking is made.

With the configuration of the buses, with flip up seats, occasionally the seats are required to transport wheelchairs. The emphasis is on transporting users of Access-A-Bus and not Traveling Companions. The point was made, if a user is refused a trip due to a seat being taken up by a Traveling Companion, the user would be annoyed.

5.2 AGM - Any Outstanding Issues.

Gary Russell was elected to the position of 'Elections Officer.'

A discrepancy between the Terms of Reference for the Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee and the Users Guide was identified.

In the Users Guide it stated that nominations for individuals running for positions on the ATAC needed two users to nominate them. The Terms of Reference states that they only need one nominations. Only one nomination is required, and the Users Guide will be updated to reflect this.

6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES

None.

7. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION

None

8. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

8.1 Access-A-Bus Community Presentation

Kevin will give a brief presentation at the AGM. The presentation was deferred by the Committee until the new Committee is formed in May.

8.2 Update On Social Work Student's Project

Todd gave an overview of the meeting that was held with the Social Work Students and the Low Floor Bus Sub Committee. There was some misunderstanding about the purpose of the meeting, but was beneficial to both the Students and the Sub Committee

9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & PRESENTATIONS

9.1 Correspondence In/Out

In: Kevin circulated an article on "Para-Transit Fare Payment"

Out: None

9.2 Petitions - None

9.3 Presentations - None

10. REPORTS

10.1 Committees:

1. Feedback Sub-Committee

There was no Feedback Report for the month of April.

2. No-Show Cancellation Sub-Committee

There were 5 warning letters sent out to users and 2 suspension letters.

10.2 Transit Services.

Kevin circulated the statistics for the month of March 2003.

11. MOTIONS

None

12. ADDED ITEMS

12.1 May Meeting

There will be no May meeting, due to the AGM.

12.2 Meeting Locations for Next Year

The meetings for June and July will take place at the Keshen Goodman Public Library, 330 Lacewood Drive.

12.3 New Low Floor Bus Routes

Kevin announced that the New Low Floor Bus Routes had been selected. These routes will be made Low Floor Bus compatible in the near future.

Route 66 in Dartmouth, Gaston Road, Penhorn Mall, Woodlawn Shopping Center, Tacoma, Mic Mac Mall, Highfield Park, Burnside, Bedford, Sackville.

Route 9 in Halifax, Point Pleasant, Park, Tower Road, Ingles, Barrington Street, Duffus, Lady Hammond, Connaught Ave. Mumford Terminal.

A new route 52 is under review and may be made Low Floor depending on requirements of the route.

13. NOTICES OF MOTION

None

ADJOURNMENT - DATE OF NEXT MEETING

June 11, 2003 - 1:00 - 3:00 PM Metro Transit - Orientation and Long Term Planning Meeting.

June 25, 2003 - 2:00 - 4:00 PM Keshen Goodman Public Library, 330 Lacewood Drive

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