PCC January 17, 2007, minutes

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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
January 17, 2007

711 Eddy Street, San Francisco

PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Stu Smith, Chair; Jean Lynch, Vice Chair; Genya Ehrlich; Bruce Oka; Cheryl Damico; Laurie Graham; Pam Martinez for Hal Mellegard; Tom Brush; Griff Humphrey; John Lazar; Sandra Fancher; Iona Lawhorn; Semyon Portnoy; Melecio Torres; Erma Brim; Patricia Lovelock; Betsy Eddy; Lisa Rosene; Ruth Lawner

PCC Executive Committee Members Excused: Jewel McGinnis; Gilda Chico; Byron Yan; Jacy Cohen

Guests: Nelson Sosa, TME; Feysan Lodde, MV Transportation; Derik Calhoun, MV Transportation; Silverio Sanchez, MV Transportation; Jack Brodnax, SF Taxi Commission; Wannee Ratanasanguan; Leon Schmidt, NSM Day Health; Diane Ngo, Self Help for the Elderly

Paratransit Broker: Tulay Atalay; Marc Soto; Kevin McNay

Muni: Annette Williams

Read and Approve Agenda

Stu Smith, PCC Executive Committee chair, called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. Jeanne Lynch read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) as presented.

Approve minutes of December 6, 2006 meeting

The minutes were motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) as presented.

Election of PCC Officers and PC&O Chair Coordinator

Stu Smith was elected Chair, Jeanne Lynch was elected Vice Chair, and Laurie Graham was elected Secretary, all by acclimation. Cheryl Damico was elected PC&O Chair Coordinator by acclimation.

Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Coordination Study

Richard Weiner from Nelson Nygaard led the following discussion which included:

• A brief overview of MTC’s Coordinated Public Transit - Human Service Transportation Plan

• A brief presentation of current research of senior and disabled transportation studies

• A feed-back gathering session where meeting participants may comment on transportation gaps in their county

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is currently conducting a Coordinated Public Transit Human Services Transportation Plan (Plan) for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area. This Plan will identify the transportation needs of persons with disabilities, older adults, and persons of low-income status, and it will also offer strategies to address the gaps. The Plan is required in order for local agencies to receive three sources of federal funds to support programs for these groups. MTC has contracted with Nelson\Nygaard to collect some of the information for the Plan.

An important aspect of the Plan is the public outreach portion, in which we as Consultants will hear from stakeholders who represent social service agencies, transportation programs, local governments, advocacy groups and others with an interest in the project. We therefore contacted your group or organization because it serves or represents persons with disabilities and/or seniors, and is familiar with the transportation needs for these populations. Thank you for allowing us to attend an outreach meeting with your group to present a brief overview of the Plan, and hear your thoughts about transportation gaps and barriers, as well as possible solutions.

Comments from SF PCC Participants

Gap Type	Comment
Connectivity	Taxi services as safety net for fixed rate users who have great difficulty using fixed route
Connectivity	Eliminate transfers from San Francisco Paratransit and Redi-Wheels
Connectivity	Hospital discharges coordination and transporting
Connectivity	Create system so that all areas of the city are well covered, especially by cabs
Connectivity	Solution: For admission and discharge, ER’s (should) to use non emergency medical transportation. There (are) many companies in SF – use smaller companies they are more efficient and less costly for tax payers
Connectivity	Use SF model of collaboration
Facilities	Enforcement of taxi stand regulations so cabs can get to curb (get rid of lines)
Facilities	Create mini taxi stops at senior locations
Facilities	Paratransit vehicles able to use bus stops to board & off-board.
Funding	$
Funding	A merit pay-incentives for quality service
Funding	Incentive pay for ramp taxi drivers – 5 – 1- per wheelchair pick-up
Funding	Raising salaries of Paratransit drivers
Funding	Incentives/rewards for service providers. Public rating for taxi companies for service to special needs committees
Funding	Funding incentives to for profit providers of ramp taxi services. Including drivers, medallion holders and companies
Funding	Need to know cost before measuring community support
Funding	How to advocate for more $ in New Freedom (and others)
Funding	Increasing funding must be a priority (Pelosi)
Funding	Grant process can conflict with sustainability goals
Information	Education/between social workers & hospital staff for transportation needs when leaving the hospital disabled
Information	The taxi driver should tell the passengers that he was the assigned to service said passenger
Information	More outreach and opportunities to provide information regarding problems experienced
Organization	Enforce Muni ADA regulations lower steps, etc. Also buses have to stop at stop
Organization	Use of catchment area for senior services
Organization	Lion’s Center (should not be) taking tickets (away) from seniors
Organization	Debit card swipe for cabs
Organization	(Out of control fraud) Too much fraud with out of control
Organization	Urgent need for taxi service centralized/computerized dispatch accountability/ enforcement for timely pick-up
Organization	Have incentive programs funded to encourage ramp taxis to see benefit in assisting
Organization	Improve communication between transit companies and the passengers
Organization	Sensitivity training for all individuals involved with transportation for people with disabilities and elderly
Organization	Improve drivers training
Organization	Incentivize ramp taxi drivers
Other	Training
Other	Training and election of drivers that are more sensitive to the needs of the seniors/disabled population
Other	The ability of ramp or sedan taxi to stop, unload and transport disabled passenger without getting ticket while parked in blue zone. Like a special unloading placard (that says) “good for 10 minutes”
Other	Vehicle ticketing in loading zones
Other	Husband and wife (of) 25 years or more accepted for taxi scrip. One die(s) other has to reapply and start all over new. Reapply – wait for approval, hopefully (at) the time (the spouse) is not thinking of transportation. Should be able to move into slot for taxi scrip and continue using. At this time, they are not thinking of transportation until it’s needed again.
Pedestrian access	Enforcement of xwalk laws for pedestrians
Pedestrian access	Enforcement of laws regarding parking, bi-cycles and skateboards
Pedestrian access	No turn on red lights, (unsafe for pedestrians)
Pedestrian access	Cell phone, driving, walking, seniors driving
Pedestrian access	Longer time limit for pedestrian cross walk light signal
Pedestrian access	Improve infrastructure of cross walks and boarding areas (fill potholes)
Pedestrian access	Enforce sidewalk repair problems so people can get to bus stops safely
Spatial	The taxi driver should fetch the passenger in accessible places where passenger cannot walk
Spatial	(There) May be pockets not adequately served. Maybe less emphasis on big numbers
Temporal	More taxi service GPS on all cabs
Temporal	Same day service for urgent needs
Temporal	Improve ramped taxi service, to eliminate long waits
Temporal	Transportation increase in East Bay Paratransit
Temporal	Additional group shopping trips, etc
Vehicles	Vans that open on the curb side of the street
Vehicles	All taxis be accessible

Paratransit Broker Report

Tulay Atalay provided the following report:

Status of Trans Metro Express Contract – At the last PCC Executive Committee meeting, Marc Soto presented a gloomy report regarding TME’s ADA Paratransit service performance. Since then, Marc has provided two updates at PC&O meetings – ADA Paratransit in December and Group Van in January.

Essentially what Marc has reported is that TME has presented a plan to meet all requirements of its contract to be accomplished via an acquisition by TecTrans, a Los Angeles-based transit operations firm. All parties met to discuss specifics of this acquisition.

It is anticipated that this acquisition will be finalized soon. Since January 2, TecTrans has taken a more direct role in day-to-day operations at the TME facility. TecTrans installed their own project manager, Tom Brush.

Thus far, Tom has had a positive impact on TME staff morale and day-to-day management of the TME operation. The Broker looks forward to more positive impacts once the acquisition is complete.

Upcoming Appeals Panel Training – Many of you who serve on Muni’s ADA Paratransit Eligibility Appeals panel have expressed an interest in a “refresher” training. Muni, through its Broker, is arranging for such a training course that will include panel members, Muni staff, and Broker staff. Art Hulscher of UCLA’s Orthopaedic Hospital will conduct the training at the SF Paratransit office on January 23rd. More information will be forthcoming.

Bruce Oka – In case you had not heard, the Mayor has appointed Bruce Oka to represent the disability community on the San Francisco Taxi Commission. Bruce will be sworn in today at 3pm at the Mayor’s office. Bruce has an enthusiastic agenda, and the Broker congratulates him and wishes him well. The Broker looks forward to working with him in his new role. The Broker also wishes to thank outgoing Commissioner Michael Kwok for his past work.

Newsletter – The SF Paratransit Broker’s office has prepared its winter newsletter that is going to press soon. Please be on the look out as it contains pertinent information regarding our services and other feature articles.

Report from the December 13, 2006 PC&O Lift Van/ADA Access meeting

Cheryl Damico provided the following report:

1. Dialysis update: Kate Toran stated that there was a meeting between TME and dialysis centers where a discussion of issues in regarding changes to standing rides, adjusting return trips, problems with no shows, updating clients’ phone and contact numbers.

2. Overview of Liquidated Damages: Marc explained that he is not a big fan of liquidated damages and that the schedule for liquidated damages under the current contract more closely reflects the actual cost for lost service. (Under the new contract a penalty for missed trip (over 60 minutes late) has been raised from $100.00 to $150.00.) The majority of the liquidated damages assessed are for administrative failures such as response time to complaints.

Marc also added that Veolia contracted with Professional Consultants to come and help identify weaknesses in TME administrative functions. He said that the Broker cannot make improvements at TME if TME is not willing to take the necessary steps to follow through on the consultant’s recommendations. Marc said that from the feedback that we are getting from our passengers, it is not the drivers that are at fault for poor service; it clearly is an administration weakness, which needs improvement in order to provide a better service. It is the lack of strong leadership that is creating most of the problems.

. Bruce Oka added that he believes that the Broker has done every thing possible to improve the quality of service. If TME can’t improve their service, then we should look for another provider, who can do the job effectively. Arkaidy responded that TME management is fully aware of its flaws and every one at TME is working hard to improve the situation.

Jeanne Lynch responded that only actions can fix the problems, not just the talking.

Kathy Davis agreed with Jeanne by adding that there should to be competition, where two providers work hard and provide a good service. She said the Paratransit Broker has given a tremendous amount of support to TME, and if the same support was given to MV, we wouldn’t have to go through so many difficulties. If we had a second provider to compete against TME then the service will get much better.

Bruce Oka and Alex Lodde, both believe that San Francisco needs strong financial support from the city in order to provide a decent service. They used East Bay Paratransit as an example.

3. Status of Annual Consumer Survey: Marc stated that annual survey is done every spring and it will be conducted again in spring 2007 and not in the fall as originally talked about.

Service Provider Report: Tran Metro Express Creola Walker, Project Manager at TME, said that she is working hard to make things better. Fred Martin mentioned that Vincent Webster has joined TME as their safety and training manager and they have noted a great improvement in driver training. Fred also said that TME staff is working closely together and drivers are getting better support and training. The Maintenance department is also working very hard to keep operating at high standards.

Broker Report: Marc reported the timeline is very short for corrective actions at TME. Many of those corrective actions are of an administrative nature. There is a void in TME’s management, and frontline staff has tried very hard to avoid a meltdown of service. He also reported that the Broker and Muni have not lost sight that the PCC wants there to be competition between two service providers for ADA services. Marc stated that corporate officers of Veolia Transportation will be meeting with TME in regards of service improvement and other possible actions that might be taken if service is not improved according to a timeline to be determined.

6. Public Comment: Kathy Davis stated that if the current service provider fails to meet the deadline, MV Transportation should be brought back. Wannee Ratanasanguan said it’s too difficult for TME to carry the full load on its own. She said a second service provider is necessary. Laurie Graham said that we must keep an open mind on any alternative, which may help provide a better service. Griff Humphrey said that he believes in having a second service provider as well.

Report from the January 3, 2007 PC&O Group Van Meeting

Annette Williams provided the following report for Jacy Cohen:

• The PC&O Group Van committee met on January 3, 2007.

• Ricky Ng from Laguna Honda Adult Day Health Center reported that there are still outstanding communication problems with TME. Laguna Honda has been trying to facilitate communication with TME, and they had a few meetings to set up a system to communicate changes in the daily schedule. But the system doesn’t seem to be working. Pedro, TME’s new group van manager, reported that they did set up a system for Laguna Honda to email and fax schedule changes, which is happening fine. The problem is that Pedro is having a hard time communicating with drivers in the field. Vincent Webster added that he is working with TME on Training, and he will set up a check out procedure to ensure that all drivers have communication devices before leaving the TME facility.

• Heidi Blobaum reported that Medsam provides consistently good transportation services for L’Chaim. Any problems that come up are resolved. Sam Portnoy reported that there have been a few issues with the 5310 vehicles, specifically the lifts. The body of the lift cracked and had to be changed twice.

• Leon Schmidt reported that North and South of Market ADHC is receiving excellent transportation services from Medsam. TME has been working hard to correct their issues. Pedro has been helpful in resolving issues. Marc added that he has received a request from North and South of Market to consolidate with one provider, Medsam. This is under consideration, and Marc will set up a meeting with Sam Portnoy to discuss this.

• Jacy reported that the ARC’s service went pretty well in December, and she thanked Pedro for his work. Pedro added that it’s a team job and that he needs support from his co-workers and superiors. He has identified many of the problems and he is working on solutions. Jacy stated that the ARC experienced problems around Thanksgiving and some clients didn’t want to go in because the vans were so late.

• Sam Portnoy reported that Medsam just signed a 5-year contract with the City of San Francisco to provide transportation services to General Hospital. Medsam has been ticketed several times by DPT during pick ups and drop offs at the Institute on Aging. Sam will write up the details and sent to Annette, who will follow up with DPT.

• Marc Soto updated the committee on the status of TME’s service, which will be discussed in more detail today in the Broker’s report.

Update on Debit Card

Annette Williams reported that Willie Brown, who has been mediating the debit card project, has completed his outreach to the taxi industry and vendor and that his report is pending. Annette will update the PCC after the report has been released.

The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007

10:30 am – 12:30 pm at 711 Eddy Street.

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