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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
May 31, 2006
711 Eddy Street, San Francisco
PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Stu Smith, Chair; Jeanne Lynch, Vice Chair; Dee Ann Hendrix, Secretary; Ruth Lawner; John Lazar; Erma Brim; Bruce Oka; Cheryl Damico; Iona Lawhorn; Jewel McGinnis; Sandra Fancher; Gilda Chico; Michael Gurevich; Kaye Griffin; Ruach Graffis; Jacy Cohen; Genya Ehrlich; Lisa Rosene; Byron Yan; Griff Humphrey; Cynthia Petersen; Laurie Graham
PCC Executive Committee Members Excused: Betsy Eddy; Thomas George-Williams
Guests: Diane Diep Ngo, Self Help for the Elderly; Alex Lodde, MV Transportation; John Murphy, MV Transportation; Derik Calhoun, MV Transportation; Russell Green; Martin Smith, SF Taxi Commission; Nicolette Noyes , Lighthouse for the Blind; Roger Ray; Cathy Davis, Bayview Hunters Point ADHC; Lurilla Harris; Creola Walker, TME; Arkadiy Gurevich, TME; Frederick Martin, TME
Paratransit Broker: Marc Soto; Tulay Atalay
Muni: Diana Hammons; Annette Williams, Kate Toran
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 March 29, 2006 and April 26, 2006 meetings
The minutes were M/S/P with one correction – Griff Humphrey was marked as excused for his absence on April 26, 2006.
Comments from the Chair
Stu Smith asked that PCC members please respect each other and the work that we do on this committee. He stated that he would like PCC members to work together as a team. If there are disagreements or differences of opinion, please address these issues in a respectful manner. Please do not talk negatively behind a person’s back. If an issue cannot be worked out, please call on Stu to help mediate. Stu asked that PCC members listen carefully when people give an opinion, even if it is different from your own. Provide positive solutions along with constructive criticism
These meetings are a chance for PCC members to engage in a constructive dialogue. Stu will call on PCC members first to speak. Non-PCC members can speak after committee members have had a chance to speak. Non-PCC members can also speak during Public Comment.
Stu then introduced Diana Hammons, Acting Manager of External Affairs. Diana stated that she was attending the PCC meeting on behalf of Nathaniel Ford, the new Executive Director of the Municipal Transportation Agency. Mr. Ford wanted to attend the meeting, but he was sick. Diana stated that she is in close contact with Kate and Annette, who brief her on the on-going issues and projects in the paratransit program. Diana then asked the PCC to voice concerns or issues that she can bring back to Mr. Ford. No issues were raised, and Stu thanked Diana for attending and he let her know that there are many issues that the PCC is working on and that he will keep her informed.
Report from the May 3, 2006 PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi meeting
John Lazar, provided the following report:
• Expansion of the Taxi/Ramp Taxi Driver Training Program Outline was discussed. A motion was passed unanimously to recommend the San Francisco Taxi Commission to accept the training outline and extend the two hours sensitivity training to four hours.
• It was reported that Mr. Ford, MTA Executive Director, would send a letter to all taxi companies to invite them to a mediation session regarding the debit card project within the next 30 days. The former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown will be the mediator.
• John Brodnax from the SF Taxi Commission arranged for the Broker’s office to receive the SFO airport exit logs. Laurie Graham and Roger Ray will analyze the data on the exit log to create a report and bring it to the next meeting.
• The group discussed how to capture the cell phone ramp orders in the statistics. The SF paratransit office will prepare a form for drivers to complete when they receive a cell call order. These completed forms need to be submitted to the color schemes and eventually to the San Francisco Paratransit office.
• The ADA Lift-van/ADA Access services have been transitioned from MV Transportation to Trans Metro Express and Medsam on April 1, 2006. Three days in the service, Medsam submitted its written 90 days termination notice.
• The Medsam’s work load was offered to MV Transportation at Trans Metro Express’ rate. MV Transportation turned the offer down asked for the rate in their proposal. MV’s rates, if accepted, would have cost an estimated additional $1M - $3M annually to the Paratransit Program. Trans Metro Express will provide all the ADA Lift-van/ADA Access service in San Francisco by the end of May 2006.
• San Francisco Paratransit office has been working on the annual system wide customer satisfaction survey.
• The next PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi meeting will be on Wednesday, August 2, 2006, at the Paratransit Broker’s office, Conference Room A, which is located at 68-12th Street in San Francisco.
Ruth Lawner stated that she has been having problems with Luxor. She made two “time-calls” last month and they didn’t show up either time. One trip took four hours to get a cab. Ruth has been stuck in some bad neighborhoods at night, and she is scared. Ruth purchased a cell phone, which is expensive, so that she will be able to make phone calls if she is stuck without a ride. Jeanne Lynch stated that she is chair of the outreach program at the Institute on Aging, and a representative from Salvation Army announced that there are emergency cell phones available for free to call 911. Lurilla Harris stated that she has been stuck in an unsafe neighborhood several times, and she reiterated there are free cell phones for emergency purposes.
Jewel McGinnis asked John Lazar to discuss his participation in the design of a new accessible taxi. John stated that Standard Motors in Detroit is working on building an accessible taxi from the ground up, not retrofitted. This vehicle will have all American parts and will cost an estimated $20,000 - $25,000. The vehicles are in the design stage, but Luxor is interested in purchasing 100 when they are available. Currently, Luxor has 11 ramp taxis out of service because of rear axel problems, which can be problematic due to welding problems associated with the retrofit. Annette asked if San Francisco would be able to get a prototype to test. John stated that the first vehicles will be manufactured in the fall of 2007, and will be gas operated, although they are looking into hybrid technology. Ruach Graffis stated that she is working with John on the new vehicles.
Martin Smith stated that there should be a phone out at the airport because a lot of ramp taxis are out there. He added that all the ramp taxis should be in one company. In his opinion, it would be better for the vehicles to all be at Luxor or Yellow. According to Laurie Graham, the data from the airport indicates that the average number of exits per individual ramp taxi is 2.5 exits a day. This is 1.25 per shift which indicates that the ramp taxis are not all hanging out at the airport.
Ruach stated that all the ramp taxis don’t need to be in one company, they just need one dedicated dispatch phone number. Kate Toran announced that the Ramp Taxi Secret Rider program, which was approved by the PCC a few months ago, has been implemented. There are currently five Secret Riders and Kate asked for more volunteers to participate.
A motion was passed to accept the recommendation from the PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi Subcommittee that the San Francisco Taxi Commission accept the expanded taxi training outline and extend the two hours sensitivity training to four hours. A letter will be written to the Taxi Commission from the PCC regarding this matter.
Report from the Membership Subcommittee
Bruce Oka provided the following report:
- The Membership Subcommittee met on April 19 to continue the discussion of the proposed By-Laws amendments.
- After reviewing proposed the By-Laws amendments, two main changes were suggested by the group:
- add an organizational chart to provide a visual schematic of the committee and subcommittee structure
- delete the reference to treasurer, which sounded too formal to the group, and just add language about the duties an individual would have regarding receiving and disbursing funds related to PCC activities.
- No other changes were proposed. The group decided to move forward with the name change suggestion for the Membership Subcommittee (changing to Planning and Review Subcommittee), and to keep the wording for the PC&O definition.
Annette suggested that the wording in the description of the PC&O be clarified as follows:
Paratransit Coordination and Operations Sub-Committees: The Paratransit Coordination and Operation sub-committees are the working committees of the PCC. The PC&O is an umbrella structure that includes the PC&O modal committees (PC&O Group Van, PC&O Lift Van/ADA Access, and PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi. :, as well as the Systemwide PC&O. The PC&O modal committees shall meet once a month on a rotating basis and focus on specific issues related to each mode. The Systemwide PC&O, as a full body, shall meet on an as-needed basis to deal with broader issues that are relevant beyond one specific mode. There shall be a PC&O Chair Coordinator that is elected at the first PCC Executive Committee meeting of the new calendar year. The PC&O Chair Coordinator is responsible for calling systemwide PC&O meetings of the full body as needed. Each PC&O modal committee shall elect a Vice Chair at the first modal committee meeting of the calendar year. The modal committee Vice Chairs are responsible for drafting the agenda in conjunction with the Chair Coordinator and running the meetings. Please see PCC organization chart on page 1 which includes a schematic view of the PC&O umbrella structure.
The recommendations from the Membership Subcommittee were M/S/P as amended.
Paratransit Broker’s Report
Marc Soto provided the following report:
• Status of Lift Van/ADA Access Transition: The transition has occurred in two phases. Phase 1 was April 1st and the transition was from MV to Medsam and Trans Metro Express (TME). On April 5, Medsam provided termination notice, and on May 26 a second transition occurred when Medsam effectively stopped providing lift van and ADA Access service, and TME picked up Medsam’s portion of the service. There have been problems and achievements during the transition time. The on-time performance for April was 80.6%, which is less than what the Broker would like, but not too much below MV’s last reported on-time performance. There have been some impacts on the Group Van service during the transition because TME took on more service than they expected after start up. Medsam was unable to provide approximately 160 trips per weekday, which were sent back and then covered by TME. TME even leased some vehicles to take on the additional service. The Broker’s office has been working with TME intensively on compliance issues relating to vehicle maintenance, on-time reliability, uniforms and ID badges. TME needs refinements in maintenance and better monitoring on telephones and submittal of reports. The Broker will continue to work closely with TME and expects to see full compliance in June.
• Information Technology: Veolia Transportation has reached an agreement with Trapeze software regarding Mobility Master software. Mobility Master will now be owned and supported by Trapeze, and eventually Mobility Master will merge with Trapeze routing and scheduling software. The Broker and Muni will meet with Trapeze on June 8th to discuss this new arrangement and the future of this paratransit software tool. This arrangement with Trapeze may bring new opportunities, for example, software connections to on-board computers for drivers and additional tools to help dispatchers do a better job.
• Emergency Preparedness: The Paratransit Broker has an emergency plan that was submitted a few years ago to Muni. This plan will be updated to make it more robust. The Broker will meet with Muni staff to analyze the existing communication resources, because that will be the key in an emergency. Annette added that if others have good emergency plans in their organizations, please let Marc know, so that the Broker can interface with other agencies. Transportation will be a critical component to any emergency plan.
• Broker Office Re-location: The Broker’s office moved to its new site at 68 12th Street in May. The front of the building still needs proper signage, and Marc is working with DPT to change the parking designation.
Jeanne Lynch stated that she has been receiving calls from people who haven’t received their scrip. Marc stated that some people mailed checks to the old address. That adds time on to the process because the mail then needs to be forwarded to the new address. Russell Green stated that the Broker’s office moved from a calm neighborhood to an unsafe neighborhood. Marc stated that he reviewed the crime statistics for 68 12th Street, 1449 Webster Street and one other location that the Broker was considering, located on Market Street between 5th and 6th. Of these, 68 12th Street actually had the fewest number of reported incidents, and 1449 Webster had the highest number.
Byron Yan stated that TME is more frequently late now than a few weeks ago. He added that a driver complained that there is no copy of the insurance, also a driver complained to the supervisor about loud noise on the vehicles. Marc responded that TME has upgraded their insurance policy so that it covers all vehicles and drivers in service instead of individual vehicles because vehicles and drivers change. He added that while vehicles should all be equipped with insurance card, the Broker’s office has the certifications on file.
Cathy Davis stated that in her 20 years working at the Bayview Hunter’s Point Adult Day Health Center, she has never experienced transportation so bad. There were 4 stair assist clients today that didn’t get picked up, and her agency loses money when the clients aren’t picked up. Clients are getting dropped off the schedule. Cathy stated that she has a list of problems since the transition, and that she is very frustrated. A dialysis client missed their appointment because of TME, and these are on-going issues. Cathy stated that she felt the Broker’s report glossed over the problems. Cathy doesn’t understand why MV didn’t get the other contract, and she wants people to talk to the Public Utilities Commission and the Board of Supervisors.
Jewel McGinnis stated that yesterday a taxi driver told her that he didn’t receive a change of address notice for the Broker’s office move. Marc responded that notices were sent to taxi companies.
Patty Clement stated that Catholic Charities CYO was switched from Centro Latino to TME recently. Last week TME changed the drivers that had been providing their service and the new drivers were not properly trained. It was not a good transition. Her clients have dementia and physical disabilities. They have bathroom issues if they’re on the van too long, and they get frustrated, confused and agitated. Patty received no notice of the change in drivers.
Marc responded that this is the first he’s heard of Patty’s complaint and he will follow up with Michael. Marc apologized for problems occurring at group centers and he added that he is committed to providing good service and that he will work hard to work out the problems.
Lurilla Harris stated that she sent some suggestions for improving the service to the Broker’s office and they ended up in the complaint department with Alex. Some vehicles have a high step up and no ramp, no stool and no grab bars. This is very unsatisfactory.
Russell Green asked about the timing of the software transition to Trapeze. Marc responded that the changes related to software are not in his control, but that he feels that it’s a good move because Trapeze is a high quality product. Marc added that the service quality has been impacted by the transition. SF Paratransit is now about 60 days into the transition. TME and the Broker’s office are working on the issues, and there has been progress.
Erma stated that Cathy is right, and that when PCC members speak out, they are the odd man out.
Michael Gurevich stated that two drivers were re-routed from Catholic Charities CYO after TME transitioned the rest of Medsam’s work on May 26. The two new drivers were trained last week, but apparently it was not enough. TME recognizes that there have been issues. The experienced drivers will accompany the new drivers for a few more days to make sure that they are properly trained. It is TME’s intention to have drivers dedicated to specific routes, and each route will have a binder when drivers are out on vacation. Michael has been working with Cathy on issues related to Bayview Hunter’s Point ADHC, they had problems with a substitute driver. Michael will set up a meeting with Cathy to work further on these issues and make sure that service improves.
Update on Debit Card
Kate Toran stated that Nathaniel Ford, the Municipal Transportation Agency’s Executive Director, sent a letter to taxi company/dispatch service representatives requesting their participation in a formal mediation session regarding the debit card project. It was announced at an MTA board meeting that Willie Brown has agreed to be the mediator.
Ruach Graffis asked if long-term lease drivers would participate in the mediation session because some of these drivers use their Blackberries to accept credit cards. Annette stated that she would bring that request back to Muni management, but the mediation has been set up to include taxi companies, the vendor and Muni. Laurie Graham stated that the debit card implementation is the focus of the project and that it’s up to individual companies to add credit card capability or computerized dispatch.
PCC Appreciation Luncheon
Kate announced that the PCC Appreciation Luncheon will be held on June 21 at the de Young Museum. The lunch will be served first, and then there will be a docent-led tour. Kate stated that invitation will be sent out soon with lunch options.
Public Comment
Jeanne Lynch announced that at the last PCC meeting she spoke about the lack of accessibility to the Golden Gate Park. A group met with the Mayor on this issue and he vetoed the closure of Golden Gate Park on Saturdays. This issue is not over and the opposition is still working on this issue.
Cheryl Damico stated that she has concerns about the PC&O Systemwide meeting which is scheduled for June 2. There was a report from the PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi meeting at the PCC meeting today, and the PC&O Lift Van/ADA Access will meet next Wednesday. Cheryl has a concern that another meeting will not cover any new information.
Laurie Graham stated that on May 6, 2006, Jay Wolfman, one of Laurie’s ramp taxi drivers, passed away. His service will be held on Saturday, June 3 at the Temescal Beach House in Oakland.
Erma Brim stated that a couple of ARC clients who work at the Conservatory of Flowers, couldn’t get in to work on a Sunday. There were barriers up. The Executive Director of the ARC talked about these two men having transportation problems. It was noted that the barriers may have been up due to Bay-to-Breakers.
Ruach Graffis stated that it is technically illegal for taxis to be in the park and pick up on Sundays. Taxis need to be able to cruise the park and see who needs a ride. It’s important that this community contact the Taxi Commission and the Board of Supervisors and let them know that taxis need to have access to the full park.
The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm at 711 Eddy Street.
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