Access-A-Bus

Accessible Transportation Advisory Committee

Minutes of September 22, 2004 meeting

1 . CALL MEETING TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 PM.

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

3. REGRETS/ABSENCES
Nancy Josey (Chair), Dawn Eyland-Reiss, Margo Sims

4. REMARKS FROM CHAIR
Because Nancy was absent, Gary Russell chaired the meeting.

5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 25, 2004
Moved by Robert, seconded by Carol that the minutes from August 25 with corrections be approved. Motion passed. Joeanne was informed that the executive could edit her minutes before other ATAC members have a chance to comment on errors or omissions.

6. APPROVAL OF ORDER OF BUSINESS, ADDITIONS & DELETIONS
Moved by Todd, seconded by Robert that the agenda with additions be approved. Motion passed.

Additions:
13.2 The Chronicle Herald Article (Lynn DeMont)
13.3 Mic Mac Mall Terminal AAB drop off location (Larry Hilton)
13.4 Numbers painted on buses (Gary Russell)

7. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF THE MINUTES
Copies of Agenda & Minutes: Two hard copies of the agenda and minutes will be made available at each monthly ATAC meeting.
Subcommittee's Job Descriptions:
7.1 Low Floor Bus Subcommittee: General approval of the description of this subcommittee except for the second clause (this deals with the subcommittee monitoring complaints about low floor buses with regard to persons with disabilities). Larry will look into this matter and bring comments back to the committee.

7.2 Cancellation/No-show Subcommittee: Moved by Robert, seconded by Jen that the description of the aforementioned subcommittee with changes be approved. Motion passed.

7.3 Feedback Subcommittee: No description of this subcommittee was available. Gary Russell and Lynn both explained how ineffective this subcommittee has become. Recently, changes have been made to reports (the reports now explain more completely how complaints are resolved). However, because names in the reports are confidential, the Feedback Subcommittee can't participate in resolving issues. Gary suggested that all compliments reported on operators be counted as merit toward winning the Lloyd Samson Memorial Achievement Award. ATAC felt it was important to keep a tally of compliments and complaints for statistical purposes and to periodically report these numbers to the committee. Larry will look into how this can be achieved and report back to the committee. Joeanne volunteered to assist with this task if Larry needs help.

Moved by Joeanne, seconded by Todd that the Feedback Subcommittee is to be dissolved. Motion passed.

7.3 Meeting Schedule: Gary Russell reviewed the schedule verbally for those who didn't receive a copy by mail.

7.4 Sunnyside Mall Drop-off Location: Larry has thoroughly studied this problem. The doors that do not open automatically and are located beyond Tim Horton's are the new drop-off location for Sunnyside Mall (this entrance avoids having to use the mall's excessively steep ramp).

7.5 Review Brain Storming Goals/Objectives and Subcommittees: Deferred

7.6 Announcement of Subcommittee Chairs: Todd is Chair of both Low Floor Bus and Cancellation/No-show Subcommittees. Gwen volunteered to work on the Low Floor Bus Subcommittee once she tries one out at Metro Transit at the October ATAC meeting.

8. MOTION OF RECONSIDERATION
None

9.0 CONSIDERATION OF DEFERRED BUSINESS

9.1 Late Cancellation/48 Hour Notice: It was decided a subcommittee should be formed to study this issue once the goals and work plan of ATAC are decided. Larry noted that the present AAB policy of late cancellation is a standard used by the industry across Canada.

A. Terms of Reference: Gary Russell and Nancy are still working on this document
.
10. CORRESPONDENCE, PETITIONS, PRESENTATIONS

There was no In or Out correspondence, no petitions and no presentations

11. REPORTS
11.1 Feedback Subcommittee: No report

11.2 Cancellation/No-show Subcommittee: Two new appeals are being processed.

11.3 Low Floor Bus Subcommittee: Report included with package (no discussion)

11.4 Executive Meeting September 8, 2004 – No meeting was held. Instead Lynn and Gary Russell continued organizing old files and arranging materials that can be used to celebrate the 25th anniversary of AAB. Discussion about retrieving plaques from defunct buses took place (these plaques honoured Marg Hiltz and Mel Heb). Larry will look into locating these plaques and returning Marg's to her family.

11.5 Transit Services Statistical Reports: AAB monthly report circulated. Larry will circulate statistic report every two months. This will allow more time for a serious discussion on implications of the figures.

12. MOTIONS
None

13. ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA

13.1 Oath of Confidentiality: The oath of confidentiality that's been used before will be brought to the next ATAC meeting.

13. 2 The Chronicle Herald article: Lynn explained The Chronicle Herald is running an article about a person with a wheelchair who's having difficulty using one of the low floor buses. Lynn explained that several wheelchair models (the Rascals for example) cannot be safely tied down on the low floor buses. Some operators are letting chairs on the bus that others will not admit. Presently, Laurie Patterson is handling the situation involving the people The Chronicle Herald is writing the article about. Lynn was contacted as a resource expert for the article through her work with DIAL. Larry explained the new system for securing motorized chairs on low floor buses is stuck in the early stage of being passed as legislation. Todd and Joeanne volunteered to start calling politicians to lobby that this legislation be moved forward.

13.3 Mic Mac Mall Terminal: The old terminal at Mic Mac Mall is gone. Larry explained that the new one is now across the parking lot on the east side of the mall. Operators of AAB will help clients across the parking lot into the Mall.

13.4 Numbers on buses: New Access-A-Buses don't have numbers painted on them yet. Larry explained the request has been put forward and numbers should be on them soon.

14. ADORNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:50 PM.

Next meeting is Wednesday, October 27,Metro Transit boardroom.

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