GREATER HARTFORD TRANSIT DISTRICT
ADA PARTICIPATION GROUP FORUM
Thursday November 12, 2009

Attendees:  Michelle Johnson, Peggy Johnson, Laura Monty, Angela Lewis, Lydia Mele, Peter Karanja, Vicki Shotland-GHTD, Manny Gonzalez-FT, Linda DeLallo-FT, Pat Williams-GHTD, DJ Gonzalez-GHTD, Valerie Ellis-GHTD, Mike Sessamen-FT

The forum began at 5:06pm.

Noted below are the statistics for September and October

Operations:
Total passenger trips for the month of September were 23,412, No Shows 871 (4%), cancellations 6,991 (30%).  October passengers trips were 25,268 No shows 712 (3%), cancellations 6,672 (26%) 

Assessments:
In September 128 ADA applications were received; 109 were new, 19 recertified and 123 ADA eligibilities were completed. Out of the 123 completed ADA eligibilities, 84 received a specific approval condition, 4 denied, and 35 were withdrawn. In October 139 ADA applications were received; 91 were new, 48 recertified and 146 ADA eligibilities were completed.   Out of the 146 completed ADA eligibilities, 104 received a specific approval condition, 9 denied, and 33 were withdrawn. 

Customers Service:
In September 54 comments were received from passengers; 30% were compliments, 61% were driver, dispatch, reservationists and/or scheduling complaints, 0% was mechanical and/or related to safety, 9% other. In October 67, comments were received from passengers; 36% were compliments, 60% were driver, dispatch, reservationists and/or scheduling complaints, 0% was mechanical and/or related to safety, 4% other. 

Listed below are the FY2010 GHTD ADA forum dates:

• Wednesday, January 20th
• Thursday, March 18th
• Wednesday, May 19th
• Thursday, July 15th
• Wednesday, September 15th
• Tuesday, November 16th

The winter 2009 newsletter will be distributed to all riders before the end of the year.  All riders will be able to obtain a copy from a driver, reservationists or on-line at www.hartfordtransit.org.  If a rider would like a copy in Braille or Spanish, contact the reservation office.

Effective November 14th, all riders will have to use the area code when dialing the reservation/dispatch number.

Ms. Williams was informed by forum participants about their monthly Wednesday meeting on November 18th.  She will work with the scheduling/reservation department to ensure timely pickup and drop-offs for this trip.

At the September forum, Ms. Johnson shared her daughter’s experience being picked up at 35 Jolley Drive in Bloomfield.  Ms. Johnson has since been picked up at this location with no problems.

DJ Gonzalez informed the group that we are on schedule with the implementation of the AVL/GPS software.  A pilot program will begin on December 15th, with an initial installation of five units on ADA Paratransit vehicles.  There is an anticipated completion date for all vehicles to be outfitted with the units by the end of February 2010.  He also mentioned that by the end of March 2010, forty-five (45) new ADA Paratransit vehicles will be added to the fleet.  The District is also investigating use and future procurement of Hybrid Paratransit vehicles.  

Participant Comments:

The Greater Hartford Transit District and First Transit would like to wish everyone a safe holiday and a Happy New Year.

The next ADA forum is scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:00 pm at Union Station.  You must make a reservation for transportation to and from the meeting by calling 724-5340 and select #1.  All riders are required to pay the standard ADA Paratransit rate of $2.50 each way.

As time is limited; all attendees are required to sign up to discuss issues at the forum with Pat Williams, and provide the topic for discussion at least 48-hours in advance with the last opportunity to register fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the forum.

Please remember that in order for everyone to have a chance to participate you need to keep your initial questions and discussions to five (5) minutes a piece so that we can accommodate all other participants. Follow-up comments should also be kept to five (5) minutes also.