Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

Minutes of August 25, 2004 meeting

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:05 PM

2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Present: Nancy Josey (Chair), Lynn DeMont (Sec), Joeanne Coffey (Sec),
Robert Von Schroder, Margo Sims,, Gary Russell (Vice), Todd Hacquoil, Jen Powley (MAL), Catherine Macintosh, Carol Epstein, Councilor Gary Meade, Larry Hilton (Supervisor Special Services)

3. REGRETS/ABSENCES
Gwen Maclachlan, Dawn Eyland-Reiss
A get well card for Gwen was circulated for members to sign.

4. REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
The Chair explained that appeal recommendations submitted to Metro Transit on ATAC business are seriously considered. However, Metro Transit has the option to choose any course of action it wants. Members on the ATAC cannot be held legally responsible for Metro Transit's actions on these items.

Members were advised to be prudent about adding too many items to the agenda.

Member were asked to please bring their own copy of the Agenda and Minutes. Extra copies will no longer be handed out. ACTION: ALL MEMBERS

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JULY 28, 2004
Moved by Todd, seconded by Lynn that the minutes of July 28, with deferred items to be added, to be approved. Motion passed.

6. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF BUSINESS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
There were no additions or deletions to the agenda. Order of items for discussion and agenda were approved.

7. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

7.1 Sub Committee mandates: DRAFT Copies describing the purpose and mandate of each subcommittee (Low Floor Bus, Appeals/Late Cancellation, Feedback Subcommittees) were distributed
ACTION: Review Drafts and forward comments to appropriate
Committee. Then have final copy signed off by the Chairperson
Of ATAC. Also, please provide 2 copies for Policy/Procedure
Manuals.
7.2 Meeting Schedule: Meeting schedule till December 2004 distributed. Corrections will be made to the list. ACTION: Gary R

7.3 Drop-off location at Sunnyside Mall: Larry is still looking into this item. However, an assessment of the problems has been made. Larry plans to take a bus to the location and try several options.
ACTION: Larry will report back to the Committee.

8. MOTION OF RECONSIDERATION
None

9. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

9.1 Endorsement by ATAC of platform paper: The chair advised members that ATAC cannot endorse any political platform. Can ATAC participate in advocacy work? This will be discussed under 9.3 (n)

9.2 Non ATAC members sitting on ATAC subcommittees: Outside people want to form subcommittees to help ATAC with Access-A-Bus issues. Our Terms of Reference indicate ATAC can use outside people for resource purposes. However, there is no provision for non elected people with an interest in Access-a-bus to form subcommittees of ATAC.

9.3 Brain Storm Goals 2004_2005/2005_2006: The Chair asked members to make a list of items of interest that could become the basis of a work plan for the committee.

a.2005 is the 25th anniversary of Access-a-bus. Form a PR subcommittee to promote this item. (Todd)
b. Increase number of companions, attendants allowed to accompany a user on the Access-A-Bus (Margo)
c. Feedback Sub Committee and the role thereof (Gary)
d. Orientation process/package for new ATAC members (Nancy)
e. Role of ATAC and it's mission (Jen)
f. One Additional bus each year purchased for service (Councilor Meade)
g. Eligibility criteria for using Access-a-bus (Todd)
h. Change late cancellation policy from 48 hrs. to 24 hrs. (Margo)
i. Clarification of the 48/24 hour late cancellation policy (Gary)
j .Policy and procedure manual (Jen)
k. Call back system to notify people about status of request (Carol?)
l .Call back system to notify users they're on the waiting list (Robert?)
m. Regulation/monitoring of Handicap Parking Permits (Councilor Meade)
n. ATAC and advocacy work (item 9.1)
o. Access-A-Bus's policy of door to door service (Nancy?)
p. Wrong pick-up and drop-off times reported to users (Lynn)
q. Medical appointments to be a priority in trip requests (Margo); Trip priority system (Jen)
r. Sensitivity training for operators (Councilor Meade?)
s. Drop-off locations and how familiar operators are with these (Gary)
t. Operators of Accessible Low Floor Buses need training with tie down system (Lynn)
u. Access-A-Bus's repeater service (Jen)
v. Application renewal process with Access-A-Bus (Margo)
w. Rework criteria for annual Lloyd Samson Award (Gary)

The Chair will make this list of items available to members. A work plan will be formed around these items.

9.4 Set up subcommittees:

The Low Floor Bus Subcommittee: Joeanne and Todd volunteered for this subcommittee.

The Feedback Subcommittee: Gary, Catherine, Lynn, and Robert volunteered for this subcommittee. Larry will meet Lynn and Gary before their next ATAC executive meeting to discuss matters related to this subcommittee. Information will be shared with Catherine and Robert.

Cancellation/No-show Subcommittee: Todd, Carol, Margo, Gary, Nancy, and Dawn volunteered for this subcommittee.

The aforementioned subcommittees will chose a person to act as chair.
New subcommittees will be formed as the work plan evolves.

9.5 Terms of Reference: Deferred

9.6 Late Cancellation /48 hours notice: Deferred

10. CORRESPONDENCE

10.1 In: Two more letters regarding appeals received
Out: Recommendations sent to Brian Taylor, Director Transit Services,
regarding two appeals in July, 2004. These appeals are completed.

10.2 Petitions – none

10.3 Presentations – none

11. REPORTS

11.1 Feedback Subcommittee – no report

11.2 No-Show/Cancellation Subcommittee – 2 new appeals (see Correspondence In)

11.3 Accessible Low Floor Bus Subcommittee – Todd showed his map with all the available routes.

11.4 Executive Meeting August 11, 2004 – minutes circulated.

11.5 Transit Services & Statistical Reports – It was decided by the committee statistical reports will be reviewed every two months instead of each month. Larry will give an orientation to new members when we meet in October at Metro Transit. An Accessible Low Floor bus will also be on view. Issues about the new fare boxes being used on were discussed.

12. MOTIONS
None

13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4 PM

Next meeting Wednesday, September 22, HRM Financial Services Room, 3rd Floor, Duke Street Towers

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