Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

March 24, 2004 Minutes

* NOTE: The February meeting was canceled due to the after effects of the winter storm.

Present:
Joanne Coffey, Carol Epstein, Todd Hacquoil, Ed Laverty, Ian MacArthur,
Catherin Macintosh, Gary Russell, Margo Simms, Robert Von Schroder

Also Present:
Kevin Hindle, Supervisor of Special Services

Regrets/Absences:
Donald Allen, Lynn DeMont, Dawn Eyland-Reiss, Councillor Gary Meade

1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2 pm

2. INTRODUCTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Round table introductions where made.

3. REGRETS/ABSENCES
Donald Allen, Lynn DeMont, Dawn Eyland-Reiss, Councillor Gary Meade

4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF JANUARY 28, 2004
The Minutes were approved as circulated

5. Approval of the order of business and approval of additions and deletions.

The flowing items where added to the agenda;
12.1 White Juan Update
12.7 Users Guide Joanne
12.8 Internet Booking
12.9 Funeral Transportation
12.10 New Buses

6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES

6.1 Terms of Reference
The updated Terms of Reference where signed off on February 11, 2004

7. MOTIONS OF RECONSIDERATION
None

8. CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS
None

9. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
9.1 In
1 Independent Living Resource Centre
A Thank You letter to Metro Transit, for transportation during the Christmas season.

2 Letters to Adult Workshops
Letters from Metro Transit to several Adult Workshops regarding Bad Weather Closing.

3 Nova Scotia - A New Age Of Partering
The quarterly magazine, was circulated to committee members who wished a copy.

4 Health News –– Provincial Health Council
Annual report from the Capital Health District.

5.Thank you card from Ann
A thank you card from Ann was received, for the card received.

6 NS Building Advisory Committee Regulations
A report on recommendations to the building code to make changes related to accessability was received.

7 Employment Equity Letter
An invitation to attend 3 employment equity seminars in rural areas of the Provence was receive.

8 Turtle Express
A information package was received from Turtle Express, a independent company that offers transportation.

9.2 Petitions
None

9.3 Presentations
None

10. REPORTS
10.1 Committees:
1. Feedback Sub Committee
A report was reviewed.

2. No-Show Cancellation Sub-Committee.
A report given with 2 suspension of repeater service, due to no longer using the repeater service.

3 Low Floor Bus / Accessible Taxi Sub-Committee

The route 6 service hours will be expanded in May, this will mean that there will be service to the farie terminal all day, as well as Quinpool Road. There will be a free trial period for the Low Floor Buses during the month of June. Anyone who requires the use of a mobility aide will be able to travel on the Low Floor Bus routes for free to try them out. There is talk of also expanding the Low Floor Bus service to routes 61 and 14 latter on this summer.

10.2 Transit Service.
The statistics were distributed and reviewed for the month of January

11. MOTIONS
None

12. Added Items
12.1 White Juan Update
Kevin gave an update on activities that took place during “White Juan” snow storm. The Access-A-Buses where off the road for several days, due to the large amount of snow that fell. The difficulties faced by Access-A-Bus and the Low Floor Buses was extreme due to snow banks and narrow streets.
12.2 Bus Dedication

An information item was brought forward on a bus dedication for an Access-A-Bus user who passed away. A discussion followed, and it was felt that with the number of Access-A-Bus passengers who pass away each year, it would be difficult to do a bus dedication for one, and not recognize other passengers. There have only been two bus dedications in the past, both have been Low Floor Buses, one for Mel Hebb who was instrumental in getting Low Floor Buses started and Marg Hiltz who was involved in getting Access-A-Bus started.

12.3. Access A Bus User ID Cards
With the free ride program on the Low Floor Buses open to everyone, not just Access-A-Bus passengers. There is no need to issue ID Cards to Access-A-Bus passengers who have misplaced theirs.

12.4. Scheduling

12.5. Annual Report
The Annual Report was read and corrections where made. The Annual Report was approved with corrections, and will be sent out to users mid April.

12.6. Elegibitaty Criteria
Deferred until next meeting

12.7. User Guide
It was suggested, that since there were no major changes to the Access-A-Bus Users Guide, that it not be sent out this year with the AGM package.

12.8. Internet Booking
Deferred until next meeting.

12.9. Funeral Transportation
The problem of booking buses for funerals was discussed. The problem with funerals is that they are unplanned and are booked with only a few days notice. Metro Transit will do what they can to try and accommodate transportation to funerals.

12.10. New Busses
Deferred until next meeting.

13. NOTICES OF MOTION
None

14. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:02 PM

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