MAAC January 19, 2006, minutes

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MUNI ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAAC)
949 PRESIDIO, ROOM 150A SAN FRANCISCO CA 94115
PHONE (415) 923-6142 FAX (415) 923-6307 TTY (415) 351-3443

Minutes of January 19, 2006

Members Present:

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

Absent:

Rae Chamberlain, Bruce Oka, Maurice Wilson

Accessible Services Staff Present:

Annette Williams, Jamie Osborne

Guests:

Bill Lieberman, Peter Straus, Vernon Smith, Bob Planthold

Bill Lieberman: Introduction and Discussion of Effectiveness study

Mr. Lieberman introduced his work history in transit planning at properties in San Diego and Portland and his experience at SFMTA. He discussed MUNI’s exploration of new services (Bus Rapid Transit, Bicycles on LRVs) and service changes (changing location of bus stops, reconfiguring local routes). Mr. Lieberman also reviewed an in-process transit effectiveness study that will help increase MUNI’s efficiency and better identify rider trends. Following his presentation, Mr. Lieberman took questions from MAAC members and guests.

Peter Straus: Discussion of Bus Stop at Geary and Van Ness

Mr. Straus discussed the necessity of service changes in general and highlighted MUNI planning rationale for the moving stop and creating the bus bulb at Geary and Van Ness. At this location, the bus stop was initially located on the corner of Geary and Van Ness; however, the stop has recently been shifted to a bus bulb located mid-block on Geary between Van Ness and Polk. By moving the stop away from the corner and creating the bus bulb, MUNI wanted to accomplish the following:

Increase service accessibility and safety - Bus bulbs reduce the number of instances where buses were unable to pull to the curb.
Increase service reliability – Boarding at a corner creates traffic flow problems that prohibit buses from reaching stops on schedule.

Mr. Straus took questions and listened to comments from MAAC members and guests. MAAC members have been very concerned about this new stop location, thus the feedback he received was predominantly negative.

MAAC member and guest comments include:

“This is a treacherous stop”
“Shelter too close to the curb”
“Dangerous, inconsistent sidewalks”
“Sidewalk grade is too steep”
“Poor lighting”
“Unsafe surroundings”
“Bus shelter too close to the edge of the curb”
“Transit authority compromising services to the needs of furniture company”
“Jarring driveway slope”
“Distance is too great between transferring stops”
“Similar to MUNI LRV platforms, designate corner as accessible pickup point for seniors and people with disabilities”

Mr. Straus recognized the MAAC comments and reported that the current situation is “less than perfect.” He promised that he would look into the specific issues that the members raised.

Introductions:

Introductions were made in lieu of a roll call.

Reading and approval of agenda:

The agenda was approved as presented.

Marty Mellera: Discussion of Accessibility Features of New Orion 7 Low-Floor Buses

Marty Mellera was unable to attend the meeting. In his stead, Annette Williams reviewed design requirements and requested feedback from MAAC members and guests regarding additional accessibility features for new buses.

MUNI / Orion 7 access features include:

Wheelchair seating layout dimensions
Duo-fold wheelchair ramp
Door-mounted hand rails
Blue seat inserts
Yellow stanchions
Flip-up seat latches

Approval of the minutes of November 2005:

The minutes were approved with corrected name spellings and added guests.

Report from the Chair:

MAAC Chair, Les Clark reported that he is frustrated with MUNI operators who do not make stop and transfer announcements. He has observed many drivers not making announcements at transfer points, and although “Some of the drivers do call them out - 90% of driver’s do not call stops.” He has observed this behavior on all bus lines.

Mr. Clark has also observed this behavior on light rail vehicles. On LRVs, operators do not make announcements when they drive vehicles outside of the Metro subway.

Jean Ellis-Jones responded that while new ETI coaches have audio announcements for the stops, they don’t make the announcements for the transfer points. Ms. Ellis-Jones indicated that Unions have been fighting for transfer points to be included in the automatic stop announcements. To assist her in making a case to MUNI, she requested that MAAC document this complaint in writing and send it to her.

Bob Planthold: Discussion of Fare Increase

Bob Planthold warned the committee about the possibility of additional MUNI fare increases and suggested other sources for transit funding (DPT Parking ticket revenues, better enforcement of far collection, increased taxation of downtown businesses). He informed the committee of an upcoming City of San Francisco meeting on February 7, 2006 exploring alternative funding options.

Public Comments:

Vernon Smith presented suggestions for detectable tactile floor markers to ease MUNI station way finding and safety for people with visual disabilities. He believes that using these types of accessible indicators would be a big aid to people with disabilities who wish to use public transit.

ADA Complaints:

MUNI Accessible Services staff presented a comparison of ADA complaint data for the months of October, November and December for the years 2002 to 2005. MUNI staff also handed out a comparison of “In Service” ADA incidents as recorded by MUNI Central Control from January 2000 to present.

Discussion of MUNI Metro Improvement Project:

MUNI Accessible Services staff discussed the new construction project that will effect MUNI Metro riders on weeknights 9:30PM to 1:00AM for the next year. Specific procedures for riders with disabilities were reviewed with MAAC members and guests.

Riders will be required to utilize shuttle buses along Market Street from Castro Station to Embarcadero Station. Riders with destinations on the J Church and N Judah lines are asked to communicate their destination vehicle operators so that a shuttle bus may be detoured to an accessible transfer point. Riders who require use of the accessible wayside platforms and do not wish to transfer to shuttle buses may utilize Paratransit vans during construction hours. They must contact Accessible Services to coordinate this service.

The following comments and questions regarding service changes were discussed:

“Security during heavy traffic times late at night”
“Crowding on Market street boarding islands”
“Safety issues were not well thought out”
“Construction signage should include duration of the project and Paratransit options”
“MAAC would like their safety concerns to be brought to MUNI operations”
“Additional services / inspectors should be scheduled on nights where downtown performances create increased demand for public transit”

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 949 Presidio Ave.

Update on elevator signage at Hallidie Plaza:

MUNI Accessible Services staff discussed the issue of no signage at Hallidie Plaza elevator. SF Department of Public Works has indicated that that previous signs have been subject to frequent vandalization and that new “vandal resistant” signage has been ordered. The committee will be updated once the new signage is in place.

Member’s questions and comments:

Jeanne Lynch reported that there have been a high number of instances of MUNI operators not stopping at the curb. She would like the operators to be reminded of their obligations to uphold the laws and “Pull to the Curb” for riders with disabilities.

Announcements:

Ed Evans announced that he would be having his 60th birthday party on February 14, 2006 at the Moonstar (on 8th and Market across from the Orpheum theater). The dinner will be a “Dutch treat” and will be $18.99 per person. He requests that all interested in joining him should RSVP.

Jeanne Lynch made an announcement for people who are on Medicare and Social Security regarding prescription drug benefits.

Next Agenda:

No items were offered for the next agenda.

Adjournment:

At 3:15PM, the meeting adjourned to the next regularly scheduled meeting of Thursday, February 16, 2006, at 1:00PM.

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