GREATER
HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
ADA PARTICIPATION GROUP FORUM
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Attendees: Marcia
Baran, Barbara Blejewski, Michael Carrier, Antonita Dunbar, Yvonne
Loteczka, Bill Soloman, Janet Wallans, Anne Walsh, Sara Rieolfi,
Gary Allen, Vicki Shotland-GHTD, DJ Gonzalez-GHTD, Pat Williams-GHTD,
Valerie Ellis-GHTD, Kathy Shea-GHTD, Lisa Barney-Kennedy Center,
Tony Grimaldi-LTS, Felicia Cruz-LTS, Jaime Nieves-LTS, Manuel Gonzalez-LTD,
Ulises Himely-LTS, Brian McLaughlin-CTTransit.
Vicki Shotland
introduced DJ Gonzalez, former Assistant General Manager of CTTransit.
Ms. Shotland explained that Mr. Gonzalez now works for GHTD as Operations
Administrator. Vicki Shotland also offered congratulations to Tony
Grimaldi on his promotion to General Manager of LTS.
Pat Williams
provided statistics for June and July 2006. The passenger count
for June was 21,451 and for July 19,185. The number of ADA clients
served in June was 1,106, and in July 1,028. The total number of
cancellations for June and July was 4,847 each. The total number
of “no-shows” for June was 795 and for July 764. Ms.
Williams indicated that with no-shows, many are due to late returns
from doctor appointments. These types of no-shows have been changed
to a “not-transported” (NT) status, since the clients
were picked up later. Ms. Williams explained that the trip address
often identifies a medical “NT” trip. GHTD is attempting
to target chronic “no-shows”.
Pat Williams
reported that average on-time performance is over 90%.
Attendee:
Michael Carrier
Comment: Wanted the window time be changed to 10
minutes from 30 minutes.
Response:
Both Pat Williams and Vicki Shotland replied that the window time
cannot be shortened to 10 minutes, and will remain at 30 minutes.
Attendee:
Sara Rieolfi
Comment: Ms. Rieolfi commented that she read the
forum notice on the ADA bus. She expressed appreciation for the
privilege of riding on ADA paratransit.
Ms. Rieolfi also complimented the driver’s kindness and helpfulness.
She revealed that she lives in elderly housing and that many people
feel the same about ADA but has never expressed their gratitude.
Response:
GHTD and LTS staff thanked Ms. Rieolfi for her comments.
Pat Williams noted that there was a concern about informing more
clients about the forum. Ms. Rieolfi’s attendance is an indication
that the bus notices are a good way to invite other people.
Attendee: Yvonne Loteczka
Comment: Ms. Loteczka explained a problem with
a pickup to a doctor appointment. She was never picked up, and missed
her appointment. Dispatch told Ms. Loteczka that the driver was
unfamiliar with her home address. Is this the first time this has
happened? Does LTS always put new drivers on such a long route?
Response:
Tony Grimaldi confirmed that Yvonne’s driver was new. Mr.
Grimaldi explained that new LTS drivers are watched closely. LTS
posts new drivers’ runs on their office board. New drivers
are contacted throughout the day to make sure they stay on schedule.
Mr. Grimaldi informed Ms. Loteczka that the driver was lost on the
trip prior to hers. LTS is working on providing new drivers with
more space between their trips. LTS.
Attendee: Antonita Dunbar
Comment: Has a problem with one particular dispatcher.
She believes that there are dispatchers that need to be retrained
in various areas.
Response:
Tony Grimaldi will meet with dispatchers and address issues immediately.
Attendee:
Yvonne Loteczka
Comment: Was surprised to hear that the previous
Project Manager for LTS was no longer with the company in Hartford.
Response:
Pat Williams responded that GHTD will still have a contract with
Laidlaw. Mr. Grimaldi stated that he took Jeannie Chrisman’s
position, and Jaime Neives took his position.
Attendee:
Michael Carrier
Comment: Made statement that he wanted the reservation
hours be extended to meet the demand? Why does the reservation phone
ring fifteen or twenty times before someone picks up? Can a rider
call on a Saturday for a Sunday ride?
Response:
Pat Williams replied that the reservation office is open
from Sunday-Saturday, 8am-4pm.
Pat Williams
stated that there have been some difficulties with the telephone
system. GHTD is in the process of rectifying these issues and looking
into the entire telephone system.
Attendee:
Anne Walsh
Comment: When someone calls at the regular telephone
number, how many extensions are there available? She also asked
if there are there devices to locate a driver?
Response:
Pat Williams replied that there are six reservationists available.
DJ Gonzalez replied that GHTD is in the process of obtaining quotes
on automatic vehicle locators. GHTD is trying to find a system that
will let LTS track the vehicles and hold the drivers accountable
for their time.
Attendee:
Yvonne Loteczka
Comment: Do you have a timeframe for when you can
get the automatic vehicle locators?
Response: DJ Gonzalez replied that GHTD is definitely
looking into getting automatic vehicle locators within the next
year or so, based on researching there effectiveness and funding
availability.
Brian McLaughlin
stated that Bridgeport has the State demonstration project for the
global positioning system. The results of that, in Bridgeport, will
be disseminated to all the transit districts and transit authorities
from ConnDOT, and then a decision will be made about other systems
doing that. There is experiment going on in Stanford.
Attendee:
Antonita Dunbar
Comment: Ms. Dunbar commented to Mr. Grimaldi that
on some trips there are too many people for one driver. Ms. Dunbar
cited specifics examples from her ride today.
Response:
Both Tony Grimaldi and Pat Williams said they would have to look
into the issue further.
Miscellaneous:
Brian McLaughlin
advised the forum that CTTransit approved some schedule changes
that will be taking effect the week of November 19. There will be
some minor adjustments to the night schedules in the Hartford area.
• The buses that leave downtown Hartford at 8:15 pm will
now leave at 8:20pm.
• The 9:15 pm buses will now leave at 9:25 pm.
• The Ashley Street route will be extended up to Copaco.
• The U8 route in Wethersfield or Rocky Hill down Maple
Road, Charter Road, and part of Parsonage Street will be discontinued.
In its place, the U7 buses will run. There will still be access
to the U2 bus, the T1 bus, or the U7 bus in those areas.
• The Day Hill Road buses on the N route during rush hour
will start using I-91 to get to Dayhill Road faster, but they
will still be considered local buses.
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION FROM THE GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
The next ADA
forum is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14th,
5:00 pm at Union Station. You must make a reservation by calling
724-5340 and select #1. All riders are required to pay the standard
ADA Paratransit rate of $2.50 each way.
All attendees
must sign up to discuss issues at this forum. You may call Pat Williams
ahead of time and let her know what issue(s) you would like on the
agenda or you may sign up fifteen (15) minutes before the forum
begins.
