MAAC February 16, 2006, minutes

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MUNI ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAAC)
ONE SOUTH VAN NESS, 3RD FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO CA 94103
PHONE (415) 701-4485 FAX (415) 701-4728 TTY (415) 701-4730

Minutes of February 16, 2006

Members Present:

Leslie Clark (Chair), Jeanne Lynch (Vice-Chair), Ed Harley (Secretary), Arden Wheeler, Ed Evans, Melvin Galloway, Jean Ellis Jones (TWU 250A), Barbara George (JLMB), Janet Copriviza, Bruce Morgan, Bruce Oka

Absent:

Jewel McGinnis (Excused), Rae Chamberlain, Maurice Wilson

Accessible Services Staff Present:

Jamie Osborne

Guests:

Oliver Gajda, Vernon Smith

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 1:05PM.

Introductions:

Introductions were made in lieu of a roll call.

Reading and approval of agenda:

The agenda was approved as presented.

Approval of the minutes of January 2006 MAAC meeting:

The minutes were approved as presented.

Report from the Chair:

MAAC Chair, Les Clark (LC) had nothing to report.

Oliver Gajda: Exploration of bicycles on MUNI LRVs

Mr. Gajda introduced himself and described his role as the Assistant Bicycle Program Manager with MTA Planning. He discussed the history of the exploration of bicycle access on MUNI Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs). He described the efforts of other transit agencies (“Most Transit Agencies in the US allow some access for bicyclists on their LRV vehicles”) and proposed a field trip for MAAC members to observe bicyclists and bikes in a controlled demonstration at MUNI’s Green Division.

Mr. Gajda took questions and comments from MAAC members about this issue. MAAC member and guest comments include:

“If two cars are used, then maybe bikes could fit on the last car.”
“The last car on the light rail train could be the bicycle car”
“If people want to ride bicycles they shouldn’t be riding MUNI”
“I see problems with the use and securement of many other objects besides bicycles such as carts, strollers, skateboards”
“I think that it will take a while for people to be aware of certain restrictions.”
“Bringing a bicycle on the LRVs will be a mess”
“Will there be a time limit on use by bicyclists”
“BART has tried the bikes on the last car, now they allow them on other cars”
“I think that some people will abuse the privilege of bringing bikes on MUNI. We have enough issues with people not yielding seats to people with disabilities.”
“We need the bike coalition as our allies, but on this issue, we need to solve the current problems related to MUNI space-usage and carry-on objects before we look at the bicycle issues.”
“How will people (Disabled and able-bodied) get around the bicycles?”
“How often are the bike racks used currently?”
“The city has catered to the power of the bicycle coalition – In my experience, you give the bicycle coalition an inch and they take a mile. And they have done it.”
“I see problems. I have grave concerns about a bicycle coming on an LRV”
“The issue is not that the police won’t enforce. The issue is that the judge will throw the case out.”
“I was once an avid cyclist, I enjoyed the challenge of the hills. I enjoyed the challenge of suiting up and riding in the rain.
“In such a compact city I cannot understand why they need to bring a bicycle on public transit.”
“I don’t see the need for paying for a study when it is so obvious that they are in the way.”
“Police department has previously made empty promises regarding enforcement of moving violations for bicyclists.”
“You can create all the legislation and rules that you want, but if they are not enforced then they are useless.”

Mr. Gajda recognized the comments and answered the questions raised by MAAC members. He reported that trying to address all of the outstanding issues on MUNI would be a challenge. However, he feels that exploring the use of bicycles on MUNI is a good opportunity to bring more attention to a number of existing problems.

Mr. Gajda noted that this test may conclude that it is not appropriate to bring bikes on LRVs. He envisioned using research from this issue as a platform to address a wider variety of issues. The research will directed by Mr. Gajda and MTA, but will be completed by three Urban Studies students from San Francisco State University.

Following the discussion, he queried MAAC members about their availability for a meeting at the Green Division’s LRV yard. MAAC members decided that a tentative date of February 28, 2006 at 10:00AM would work the best. When this date is confirmed, MUNI Accessibility Services staff will contact all of the MAAC members to confirm their attendance.

Discussion of MAAC Meeting location

MUNI Accessible Services Staff discussed the possibility of moving the MAAC meeting from 949 Webster to MUNI’s offices at One South Van Ness. A motion to move the location of the MAAC meeting to One South Van Ness was seconded and approved.

Update on MUNI Metro Improvement Project

MUNI Accessible Services Staff reported on the progress of the Metro Improvement Project. Bus Ridership for the lines effected by the construction at that time has been lower than expected. As a result, Market Street Shuttle bus headway times will be increased. No complaints regarding the accessibility of service changes have been received. Only one accessible transfer was reported by MUNI inspectors. The transfer was a success.

Report from MAAC Nominating committee

Jeanne Lynch (JL) reported that the nominating committee met in February following the last MAAC meeting. The following members whose terms were up in 2006 were reappointed for another two year term:

Jewel McGinnis
Bruce Morgan
Arden Wheeler
Melvin Galloway

JL indicated that the terms have expired for the current Chair, the Vice-Chair and the Secretary. The following officers were nominated:

MAAC Chair - Edward Evans
MAAC Vice - Chair Les Clark
MAAC Secretary – Ed Harley

The committee has also made a recommendation to extend MAAC membership to Vernon Smith and Felton Peterson. To accommodate these additional members, the committee would like to amend the MAAC bylaws to increase the maximum MAAC membership from sixteen to seventeen members. This item regarding bylaw amendment will be agendized and will be discussed during the March MAAC meeting.

Update on services for Deaf-Blind passengers

MUNI Accessible Services staff presented the minutes of a meeting of the Deaf-Blind working group. Services are being explored better accommodate Deaf-Blind persons

Jamie Osborne (JO) took questions and comments from MAAC members about this program. MAAC member and guest comments include:

“If a rider is sitting further back on the bus – the operator goes to help the person off the bus – they could fall and hurt themselves.”
“Where will the operator keep the Special Assistance Card”
“No problems with the operators reminding the rider where the stop is”
“We have done a lot to make things easier for the drivers; However, I see this program creating a lot of chaos for the driver.”

Public Comments:

No public comments

ADA Complaints:

MUNI Accessible Services staff will present February data along with the March data at the next MAAC meeting.

Next Agenda:

1. Discussion of Discussion to amend MAAC bylaws to increase the maximum membership from sixteen members to seventeen members.

2. Discussion to extend MAAC membership to Vernon Smith

3. Discussion to extend MAAC membership to Felton Peterson

4. Discussion to extend MAAC membership to Paul Fichera.

5. Rider Safety Concerns regarding Wheelchair lifts.

6. Discussion with DPT Staff regarding Bus Zone enforcement.

Update on MUNI Accessible Services office relocation:

MUNI Accessible Services staff presented information to the committee regarding their upcoming move from the MUNI offices at 949 Presidio Ave. Starting February 17th, the Accessible Services offices will be located on the 3rd floor of 1 South Van Ness. For the time being, the discount ID offices will remain at 2630 Geary Blvd.

Member’s questions and comments:

JL reported about a hearing on March 9, 2006 with the San Francisco planning commission regarding Senior Housing. The Institute on Aging has purchased the site of the old Coronet Theater (on 3575 Geary) and plan to build a Senior Living and Health Center. She requested that any interested MAAC member should attend the hearing and make a statement in support of senior housing development in the Richmond District.

Arden Wheeler reported that the elevator signage at Hallidie Plaza was up and seemed to be in good shape.

LC indicated that he has really enjoyed working as the MAAC chair over the last two years. He thanked all members for their support and offered the following words of advice for the incoming chair:

“Ed - if you ain’t here [for MAAC meetings] I am going to kill you.”

Announcements:

Ed Evans announced that he has a petition for David Lillalobos who is running for the Democratic Central Committee.

JO announced that on February 21, 2006 between 9:30AM and 11:30AM there will be a meeting at the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to discuss the use of Talking Signs.

Adjournment:

At 3:00PM, the meeting adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting of Thursday, March 16, 2006, at 1:00PM.

MUNI ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAAC)
ONE SOUTH VAN NESS, 3RD FLOOR
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94103

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