Board of Directors Meeting Minutes May 28, 2014

Access Advisory Committee to the Massachusetts

Bay Transportation Authority

10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA. 02116-3968

Voice: 617-973-7100, Fax: 617-973-8855, TDD: 617-

973-7089, E-mail: AACT@ctps.org

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Board of Directors:

Chairman - James F. White

Vice Chairman - Rick E. Morin

Executive Board

Mary Ann Murray

Ian Perrault

Beverly Ann Rock

Lisa Weber

Notables

The AACT Executive Board will meet from 10:00 AM to noon and the Membership meeting will be conducted from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except when noted.

AACT has a page on the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) website at www.bostonmpo.org; click on “Get Involved” then scroll down to “Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA.” Links can be found there for the following items: agendas, upcoming meetings, past meeting minutes, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBTA and AACT, and the AACT bylaws, and ADA regulations. There are also links to the MPO’s newsletter, TRANSREPORT, and information on accessibility at the MBTA. This page includes the contact information for the AACT Coordinator.

Comments and questions concerning AACT should be directed to Chairman James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator, Ms. Janie Guion, at 617-973-7507 (voice); 617-973-7089 (TTY); 617-973-8855 (fax); AACT@ctps.org (email); or at c/o CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116 (mail).

The AACT meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities and is near public transportation. Upon request (preferably two weeks in advance of the meeting), every effort will be made to provide accommodations such as assistive listening devices, materials in accessible formats and in languages other than English, and interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Please contact the MPO staff at 617.973.7100 (voice), 617.973.7089 (TTY), 617.973.8855 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org.

The MPO complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state non-discrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or military service. Any person who believes herself/himself or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or other non-discrimination statute or regulation may, herself/himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see above) or at www.bostonmpo.org.

Members needing service information or wanting to inquire about MBTA services should do so through the MBTA Marketing and Communications Department at 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100, TTY 617-222-5146, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday/Sunday from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, or the MBTA website at www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/.

Please sign in at all meetings.

Announcements are always welcome. Please be prepared to give as many details as possible: date, time, location, contact person, and phone number. A written notice is always appreciated.

Meeting opened at 10:01 AM

Reading of the Agenda

Introductions

AACT Attendees

Lisa Weber, James F. White, Rick E. Morin, Ian Perrault, Mary Ann Murray, Beverly Ann Rock, Angela Manerson, Tyler Tersai, and Sam Edelson

MPO Staff:

Pam Wolfe and Matt Archer

Approval of Minutes

The meeting minutes for April and March were motioned by L. Weber and seconded by R. Morin. The meeting minutes were approved with one abstention by M.A. Murray.

Chairman’s Report

The Chair stated the following:

A motion was passed to schedule a meeting with Keolis Commuter Services to discuss AACT’s role in developing a training program for the commuter rail operations personnel on how to provide transportation services to person with disabilities; AACT and Keolis will coordinate efforts to learn about any current Mass Bay Commuter Rail programs and activities.
A 2014 Fall Forum committee will meet in June.
He commented on Dr. Scott’s quarterly visit to the AACT Membership and a few of the issues she will be addressing: fare increases; federal funds; the Green Line Extension; and the CapeFlyer.
He commended Mike Hulak of the Office for Transportation (OTA) for being involved in restoring THE RIDE vehicles path-of-travel in the Downtown Crossing area.

Open Discussion

Chairman White began the meeting by expressing his concerns regarding OTA’s response to complaints from THE RIDE customer Stan Edelson. Mr. Edelson was informed that his concerns were being addressed by OTA and that due to staffing resource limitations the response was delayed. He was also told that many of his concerns were ADA related and that he may not like the results. S. Edelson spoke passionately about THE RIDE service. He wants to do more to help others who are customers of THE RIDE. Chairman White informed him of the make-up of the Board and how members are elected. Chairman White acknowledged Mr. Edelson for sharing his concerns and said that customers who share their concerns help improve THE RIDE for all.

The AACT Board discussed several issues:

Consumers’ opinions are split concerning the usefulness of the shoulder harness; some customers feel the need for more safety precautions.
There are other customers who feel that drivers invade their personal space.
The body belts transport formerly required by the MBTA for passengers of THE RIDE are now voluntary.
The enforcement policy for non-service animals on MBTA fixed route vehicles was discussed.
Project Managers of the Boston Region Metropolitan Organization’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) will address members at the June 18 meeting.

Announcements:

Pam Wolfe announced that the TIP and the UPWP will be holding workshops in the Boston Region.

Meeting adjourned at noon.