This is the archival website for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). It is not kept up to date. Please visit the SFMTA website for current information. Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) > Dec. 8, 2011, minutes |
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Minutes PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Stu Smith, PCC Chair; Olivia Santiago, PCC Vice Chair; Ameur Kallel; Byron Yan; Cheryl Damico; Gilda Chico; Claudia Grubler; Erma Brim; Genya Ehrlich; Byron Yan; Jane Redmond; Jeanne Lynch; John Lazar; Ruach Graffis; Russell Green; Ruth Lawner; Scott Blum; Joseph Flanagan; Melecio Torres; Roland Wong; Ursula McGuire; Kaye Griffin; Jacy Cohen; Fred Lein PCC Members and Guests: Jane Bolig; Neal Patel; Marty Smith PCC Executive Committee Member Excused: Griff Humphrey SF Paratransit: Marc Soto; Paul Okunewitch; Aaron Bonfilio; John Sanderson SFMTA: Kate Toran; Annette Williams; Christiane Hayashi Stu Smith, PCC Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:40 am. Read and Approve AgendaOlivia Santiago, PCC Vice Chair, read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed as presented. Approve Minutes of September 22, 2010 meeting The minutes were motioned/seconded/passed as presented. Comments from the ChairStu Smith welcomed the new PCC Executive Committee members. Discussion of Bike Lanes and Paratransit ServiceKate Toran stated that the SFMTA has been engaged in a series of meetings and discussions about the separated bike lanes and their impact on paratransit pick-ups and drop-offs. Kate introduced Neal Patel from the Bike Coalition, to continue the discussion with the PCC. Neal stated that the SF Bike Coalition wants to improve San Francisco streets, make the streets safer and work better for all users. On Market Street, from Octavia to 8th Street, there are a series of bike lanes, which are painted green and separated by safe-hit posts to create an exclusive right-of-way. This has led to a dramatic improvement for bikers, who now feel safer. The Bike Coalition is committed to coming up with a solution for the issues that the lanes have brought up for paratransit service, and is not in favor of reducing access for one group of users. Marty Smith stated that bikes are running amok in San Francisco and that they should have licenses. Neal explained that the Bike Coalition does provide free bike safety courses. Ruth Lawner stated that bikes on the sidewalk are a big problem and that they knock down people using walkers and wheelchairs. Jeanne Lynch stated that she was a victim of a bike accident coming out of her own building. Jane Bolig stated that there should be a series of meetings for taxi drivers and cyclists and PCC members to work out their deep, long-standing issues. John Lazar stated that it would be smart to charge a registration fee on bikes. Kaye Griffin stated that the bike lanes are badly engineered, and the bikes still ride on the sidewalk, even with the lanes. Aaron Bonfilio added that some bike lanes in Santa Cruz have a dotted line to denote a shared use area. Chris Hayashi, the Deputy Director of the SFMTA’s Taxi Services Division stated that taxis need to get in and out of the bike lanes, and that a fixed drop-off/pick-up point won’t work for door-to-door service. Taxis need to access the curb, and taxi drivers shouldn’t encounter hostility while doing their job. SFPD needs to enforce sidewalk restrictions. Annette stated that SFMTA is working towards a solution which would include paratransit vans and taxis going in the bike lane when there is no other option, and that the vehicles would have bumper stickers indicating that they’re allowed in the bike lanes. SFMTA staff will meet with the City Attorney tomorrow to discuss this legal issues further. Neal Patel added that cyclists don’t want to hurt others, or be hurt themselves; cyclists are trying to get around safely. SF Bike Coalition is working on educating cyclists. Stu Smith thanked Neal for attending the PCC meeting. Report from the PCC Annual MeetingKate welcomed new members: Ursula McGuire, Jane Redmond, Marty Smith and Fred Lein. Kate announced that there are still three vacancies on the PCC Executive Committee, one in Affiliated Elderly, one in Affiliated Disabled and one in the Non Profit Provider caucus. Jane Bolig was voted in by acclimation as the representative for Golden Gate Senior Services in the Affiliated Elderly caucus. There were no nominations from the floor for the Affiliated Disabled and Non Profit caucuses. Kate asked that PCC members help spread the word about these vacancies. Kate then distributed the PCC roster. She pointed out that it is a draft version and asked that members let her know if any corrections need to be made to their contact information. Kate asked PCC members not to distribute the roster or use for anything besides PCC related business. The 2011 meeting schedule was approved as presented. PC&O Group Van Report, October 6, 2010Jacy Cohen read the following report:
PCC Harassment-Free Policy: Action ItemThe PCC voted to approve the PCC Harassment-Free policy, with one amendment: All PCC members are encouraged to report to the Chairperson of the PCC Executive Committee (PCC Chair) harassing, discriminatory, or retaliatory behavior, whether directed at themselves, other PCC members, guests, or PCC staff during the course of PCC meetings or other business activities. Paratransit Broker ReportMarc Soto provided the following report: Debit Card: New debit card brochures are available, with clear, concise instructions about how to use the card. The SF Paratransit Riders’ Guide 3, Taxi and Ramp Taxi services has also been updated. 96% of paratransit taxi transactions are paid using the swipe, and less than 4% are done manually or through the IVR system. Provider RFP: Veolia issued the RFP for van services (both SF Access and Group Van). All materials pertaining to the competitive solicitation are available on the SF Paratransit website (www.sfparatransit.com). Mobile Data Computer Procurement: Veolia will procure MDCs for the paratransit van in 2011, through a competitive solicitation. Customer Satisfaction Survey: Veolia is working with Cory, Canapary and Galanis, the independent research firm, on the 2010 survey. The survey will cover all modes of paratransit and the Broker services. The survey has been completed, and the results are being tabulated. After Marc’s report, Robin Krop stated that many drivers at the small cab companies won’t accept the paratransit debit card for payment. This past week, Metro, Arrow, Bay, American and Royal have all refused to accept paratransit. Some drivers say that the cab companies charge them to process paratransit transactions. Marc stated that he is aware of these types of complaints and is working on an enforcement mechanism. The next PCC meeting will be held on |
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