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Minutes
PCC Executive Committee Meeting
February 28, 2007
711 Eddy Street, San Francisco
PCC Executive Committee Members Present: Stu Smith, Chair; Jeanne Lynch, Vice Chair; Laurie Graham, Secretary; Ruach Graffis; Genya Ehrlich; Cheryl Damico, PC&O Chair; Iona Lawhorn; Sandra Fancher; Gilda Chico; Melecio Torres; Ruth Lawner; Byron Yan; Griff Humphrey; Bruce Oka; John Lazar; Paul Gillespie; Patricia Lovelock; Jacy Cohen; Betsy Eddy; Tom Brush; Cynthia Petersen; Michael Kwok; Pam Martinez for Hal Mellegard
PCC Executive Committee Members Excused: Jewel McGinnis; Lisa Rosene
Guests: Jack Brodnax, SF Taxi Commission; Wannee Ratanasanguan; Adbel Almohtaseb, Royal Taxi driver; Kaye Griffin; Jane Bolig; Lucky Walker; Gloria Wadeleigh; Alex Lodde, MV Transportation
Paratransit Broker: Marc Soto; Kevin McNay
Muni: Annette Williams; Kate Toran
Read and Approve Agenda
Jeanne Lynch, PCC Executive Committee Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:40 a.m. Jeanne stated that she will chair the meeting for Stu, who is not able to attend. Laurie Graham read the agenda. The agenda was motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) as presented.
Approve minutes of January 17, 2007 meeting
The minutes were motioned/seconded/passed (M/S/P) with one correction – Ruth Lawner should be listed as present.
Report from the February 7, 2007 PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi meeting
John Lazar provided the following report:
• Election of the Subcommittee vice chair: Bruce Oka was elected by acclamation as the new PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi subcommittee Vice Chair.
• Special PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi subcommittee meeting: Kate Toran gave a report on the special PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi subcommittee meeting that was held on January 25, 2007, to discuss an incentive program for wheelchair pickups. Kate read the objectives, challenges and solutions for an incentive program.
• SF Taxi Commission Working Group: President Paul Gillespie explained that if the Taxi Commission forms a small working group that only works on paratransit issues, a lot more will be accomplished. He stated that he envisions forming a maximum seven member group that will work only on paratransit issues from beginning to middle and to end at the Taxi Commission level.
• Comments from taxi companies: Several Ramp taxi drivers and dispatchers attended the meeting. They all agreed that an incentive program for the wheelchair pickups will boost the ramp taxi program.
• Next PC&O Taxi/Ramp Taxi Meeting will be on May 2nd at the Paratransit Broker’s office, Conference Room A, which is located at 68-12th Street in San Francisco.
After the report was presented, Bruce Oka commented that there was overwhelming support demonstrated at the Taxi Commission for increasing the ramp taxi medallions. The Taxi Commission authorized 25 new sedan medallions and 25 new ramp medallions. The Taxi Commission stipulated that a PCC review committee is to be established as a condition on increasing the number of ramp medallions, prior to the issuance of the medallions. The final issuance of the ramp medallions will be made by the Taxi Commission, but the PCC review committee will have an advisory role.
The Taxi Commission recommendation regarding increasing the medallions is now at the Planning Department for an environmental analysis and declaration of negative impact, or not. If the declaration of negative impact is issued, Paul Gillespie stated that the medallions will most likely be issued by the summer.
Annette suggested that a special meeting be set up to discuss the ramp taxi incentives and the ramp medallion review committee.
Byron Yan asked if there is any way to control the ramp taxis from going to the airport. Marc Soto responded that the Broker gets a monthly report on the number of pick ups of wheelchair riders by each individual driver, but there is not much monitoring and enforcement from the SF Taxi Detail. Ruach Graffis stated that the Taxi Commission staff asked for 2 inspectors in their budget, but the Taxi Commission only voted for 1 to be hired. Ruach suggested that the PCC put pressure on the Taxi Commission to hire the second inspector. Kate suggested that this also be discussed at the special taxi meeting.
Paratransit Broker Report
- IT Manager: Marc Soto reported that Rich Conklin, the Broker’s IT Manager, is now working at Veolia in the East Bay. Marc is in the process of recruiting and hiring a new IT manager.
- Broker Newsletter: Marc reported that the newsletter is ready for publication, and that it hadn’t been sent out earlier because he wanted to include an article on the status of the ADA van service.
- Dialysis Service: Cheryl Damico reported that the third Dialysis Center meeting was held on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the San Francisco Paratransit Office. The main issues discussed were:
- Poor on-time service for Saturdays and multi-load rides that are requiring passengers to have exceptionally long rides.
- Some passengers are scheduled improperly with pick up and return times not in line with their machine times.
- Sometimes standing rides just disappear. The ride gets to the center in the morning but the return trip disappears from the driver’s manifest.
- Most centers run 3 to 4 shifts a day. Late arrivals can ruin machine time for all subsequent shifts. Will call trips for those not ready on time may take 2 to 3 hours for pick-up.
- Sometimes vans show up without tie downs for wheelchair passengers.
- Phone service is unacceptable. Centers frequently have trouble getting through to anyone at TME. Calls are not returned.
- TME reported that they are in the process of building routes for dialysis centers and that specific vans are being identified for dialysis routes. Also that dedicated drivers are being trained to operate these routes.
- TME also reported that the current phone system now being used will be replaced as soon as possible.
- o No one should have to wait 2 to 3 hours for a pick-up. Reservations are to be changed to a new pick-up time based on when the passenger will be off the machine when a ride is late and will calls will improve with the addition of more equipment that will be coming on line by next week.
- The centers requested that they be copied on dialysis complaint responses that are sent to the passenger.
- An emergency phone tree of who to call when dialysis staff need immediate assistance with a transportation issue will be sent out by close of business on 2/23/2007.
- The next meeting with dialysis center representatives is scheduled for April 12th.
• ADA Van Service: Marc stated that he has been in communication with MTA Executive Director/CEO Mr. Nathaniel Ford, and Marc assured him that the Broker is committed to improving the service. The challenges are being acknowledged and the goal is to look forward and provide good service. Mr. Ford requested a short time frame to turn around the service. He requested to see a reduction in complaints and an improvement in on time reliability within the first 30 days of the acquisition and contract compliance within 90 days. Marc also made commitments to the MTA regarding monitoring the service. The Broker’s staff will send a daily report to TechTrans’ CEO, Craig Smedman, so that he can monitor the progress. The Broker will meet with Techtrans weekly to discuss the service. The Broker will also provide weekly reports to the MTA staff. Techtrans has taken over financial and operating controls of TME, while the acquisition is in process. Techtrans will change the name TME to Mobility Plus Transportation.
Techtrans will replace the phone system, which has been the subject of many complaints. Techtrans now has a dedicated staff member devoted to complaint investigation, response and resolution. Marc introduced Brian Hunt, Techtrans’ Chief Operating Officer. Marc encouraged PCC members to let Brian know about their personal experiences with the ADA van service. Brian comes out of the taxi industry and will be on-site at TME three days a week to oversee the operations.
Tom Brush, the new general manager, added that the Broker’s staff has been working in partnership with Techtrans. Techtrans faces many challenges, but they are working on putting the needed systems in place. Service is improving day by day. Techtrans has added staff, including two road supervisors, cleaners, call center staff, and window dispatch. Tom acknowledged that there have been two particularly bad days in the past 14 days, mainly due to an equipment shortage.
Alex Lodde asked to see a report of the liquidated damages assessed and collected from TME. Marc responded that there is an on-going process in terms of monitoring TME. The two new road supervisors at Techtrans have been coordinating with the Broker’s field monitor. Marc will work with MTA as requested to provide information regarding liquidated damages.
Michael Kwok stated that reservations at TME have closed early on the weekend. He stated that they closed around 4:00 pm or 4:30 pm instead of 6:00 pm. He also stated that vehicle #318 picked him up and the driver was not in uniform and the vehicle only had a paper taped inside the window with the number. Michael asked how the community can be assured that Techtrans will provide better service than TME. Tom thanked Michael for his comments, and that weekend supervision has been added to actively deal with the problem. The vehicle situation was dire until Techtrans added vehicles to the fleet. Some vehicles were added temporarily to the fleet to allow Techtrans to provide service, but as other vehicles come into the fleet, the temporary vehicles will be removed. Marc added that early closure on the weekends is not acceptable, and that it is alarming and it will be addressed immediately. The Broker will send the field monitor to check on the weekend service.
Wannee Ratanasanguan stated that she talks to many drivers and they say they do not get a lunch break. Wannee stated that this is not safe because drivers may get too hungry or dizzy to drive well. Gloria Wadeleigh stated that there are federal laws governing workplace lunch breaks. Gloria added that some vehicles in the fleet are very old and they give a terrible ride. Iona Lawhorn stated that she took TME on Sunday and that the driver was very good.
Marc ended his report by apologizing for all the service disruptions that the community has experienced and he reiterated that the Broker will work very hard with Techtrans and Muni to turn the service around. Marc recognized the effort and support of the taxi industry for providing back up service when needed.
Report on Debit Card
Annette Williams stated that there is not a lot to report on at this point. Willie Brown wanted to attend the PCC meeting, but he was unable to make it. The MTA upper management is putting a lot of attention on this matter, and Annette will keep the PCC informed as the process moves along.
Public Comment
Paul Gillespie stated that the taxi industry dispatch survey that was conducted and recently reported on in the news was not representative of the industry and that certain companies were over-sampled.
Pat Lovelock added that she calls Luxor and gets good service 99.9% of the time.
Jacy stated that she doesn’t want to minimize the complaints, but that the community should give Techtrans a chance to succeed. This is a transition, and Techtrans purchased a real “fixer upper.”
Ruth Lawner stated that Citywide drivers don’t know their way around the City, and that a driver didn’t know how to get to the SF Paratransit office.
Jeanne Lynch stated that John Lazar helped her after her fall at the last PCC meeting. She has been using the advance reservation system and that has been working very well. Jeanne added that on February 29th there will be a rally at 6th and Howard to bring attention to the problem of people riding their bikes on the sidewalk.
Jane Bolig stated that she supports the “walk your bike on the sidewalk” rally because that has been a problem for the taxi industry. John Lazar agreed with Jane.
Bruce Oka stated that the SF Taxi Commission will calendar the issue of expanding sensitivity training for new taxi drivers from 2 to 4 hours.
The next PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2007
10:30 am – 12:30 pm at 711 Eddy Street.
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