Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

January 28, 2004 Minutes

Present:
Donald Allen,, Lynne DeMont, Carol Epstein, Dawn Eyland-Reiss, Todd Hacquoil, Ed Laverty, Ian MacArthur Catherine Macintosh, Gary Russell, Robert Von Schroder, Councillor Gary Meade

Also Present:
Kevin Hindle Supervisor of Special Services, Moss Mombourquette, Manager, Transit Services, Geoff Wright

Regrets/Absences:
Joeanne Coffey, Margo Sims.

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:56 PM.

2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS & STAFF PRESENT
Round table introductions were made.

3. REGRETS/ABSENCES
Regrets were received from: Joeanne Coffey, Margo Sims.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 26 ,2003 MINUTES
The minutes of November 26 , 2003, were moved and approved with minor changes.

5. Approval of the order of business and approval of additions and deletions.
The Agenda was approved with the following additions, and the presentation by Geoff Wright was moved to the beginning of the Agenda. Moved and approved.
12.3 Drop Off Locations
12.5 Holiday Hours
12.6 Fred (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown)

6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES
6.1 Terms of Reference,
The new Terms of Reference are being reviewed by Metro Transit and will be signed off once the review is competed

6.2 Trapeze Update ,
Kevin updated the committee on the progress of the new Trapeze program. The new version of Trapeze is operating, and appears to be doing well. A few minor problems have been worked out.

6.3 Low Floor Buses,
An issue of trip distance was discussed and clarified. There is no trip distance requirement for the LFB. If a passenger is encountering a problem with the LFB they are encouraged to call 490-4000 to make Metro Transit aware of the problem, and it will be rectified.

7. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION
None

8. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
8.1 Annual General Meeting
Recommendations for a date and location to hold the Annual General Meeting where made. It was recommended that Wednesday, May 26, 2004 be the date for the meeting and it be held at the Dartmouth North Community Centre. This date and location will be confirmed by Metro Transit.

A call for nominations for the position of Elections Officer was made.
Gary Russell was nominated and approved as the Elections Officer for 2004.

9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS & PRESENTATIONS
9.1 Correspondence
In
Three letters were given to Dawn Eland-Reiss as they pertained to
No-Show / Cancellations

Volunteer Nominations Letter and Package was given to Kevin as it was meant for HRM Departments.

Nova Scotia Health Council Annual Report was received, it can be viewed online at www.healthcouncil.ns.ca

Out
Letter to Laughie Rutt of the CPA. Copy to be sent to Joeanne

9.2 Petitions
None

9.3 Presentations
Geoff Wright gave an overview of the Rapid Transit Project that will be occurring within HRM. The two areas that are going to be covered are the Bedford/Sackville area and the Cole Harbour / Portland Valley. The Rapid Transit will be wheelchair accessible and serviced by Low Floor Buses. Further details can be obtained at www.region.halifax.ns.ca/metrotransit/BRT.html

10. REPORTS
10.1 Committees:
1. Feedback Sub Committee
A report was read from Lynn Demont

2. No-Show Cancellation Sub-Committee.
Report given by Dawn Eyland-Reiss - 3 suspension of repeater service, due to no longer using the repeater service.

3 Low Floor Bus / Accessible Taxi Sub-Committee

Covered in previous discussion

10.2 Transit Service.
Kevin distributed and reviewed statistics for the month of December 2003. Kevin also suggested that the eligibility criteria for Access-A-Bus should be reviewed in the near future.

11. MOTIONS
None

12. ADDED ITEMS
12.1. Transit Symposium,
A report given by Lynn that she had attended and found that it was geared towards Rural Transit Systems, that are in operation around the Provence. She recommended that in the future there was no need for a Transit representative to attend, unless more relevant material was being discussed.

12.2 Pamphlet Holders
The question on weather pamphlet holders could be placed on Access-A-Bus to circulate information to AAB users. Kevin stated that once the new buses have been received, Metro Transit will look at the new buses to determine where the holders will be placed. The older vehicles in the fleet will be equipped with pamphlet holders, once it is determined which vehicles are going to remain in the fleet.

12.3 Drop Off Locations
There was discussion surrounding designated drop off locations at shopping malls, and the proper information appearing on the driver’s schedule, so that clients are picked up at the designated door.

12.4 Holiday Hours
Donald asked about the hours of service for the Christmas Holidays. Donald had read somewhere that AAB did not operate during Christmas. He was informed that the system operates 365 day a year from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM.

12.5 FRED (Free Rides Everywhere Downtown)
Donald asked if FRED would be offered as a Low Floor Route? Under Department of Transportation’s rules D409, the type of bus that FRED utilizes, it would not be allowed. New rules, D435 are waiting to be approved, and will allow the FRED type bus to be used by wheelchairs. However the FRED service is provided under an agreement between Metro Transit and Downtown Halifax Business Commission, it would be up to the DHBC to offer this service, once the rules have changed.


ADJOURNMENT - DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 The next meeting will take place

February 25, 2004 2:00 - 4:00 PM Alderney Gate Library. 60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth

March 24, 2004 2:00 - 4:00 PM Alderney Gate Library, 60 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth

April 28, 2004 2:00 - 4:00 PM Keshen Goodman Public Library, 330 Lacewood Drive

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