Proposal for Public Bus forum
I am Chair of the Bus Subcommittee of the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee for the Washington Metro Area Transportation Authority (WMATA), also known as Metro. For the past month, I have been advocating for a Public Bus Forum where passengers with disabilities can address their concerns and issues to Metro staff and officials. To that end, I have written a proposal to the E&D Committee, which is to be voted on Monday.
Proposal for Public Bus Forum
Is there a need for a Public Bus Forum?
Yes! Although the Metro bus fleet is now 100% accessible, there are still ongoing issues that affect passengers with disabilities. The most common issues are broken lifts, nonworking annunciators, bus signage issues, and rude or insensitive operators. Since many passengers with disabilities are not sure how to report these issues, or worse yet, have given up on reporting them, a Public Bus Forum would afford them the opportunity to air their concerns directly to Metro staff and officials, who can then address them. The Forum would also be an opportunity for Metro to announce new and upcoming programs to the community.
Is there support for a Public Bus Forum?
Yes! I have spoken with several Metro staff, and have spoken before the Metro Board of Directors. I have also discussed this with the Chair of the Riders Advisory Committee, as well as a couple of the members of the E&D Committee. I have received nothing but positive feedback from those with whom I have spoken. I have told Metro Staff that I do not want, nor intend, to use the Forum to beat up on Metro, because Metro has made many strides in its service to passengers with disabilities. I believe that Metro, the E&D Committee, and the disability community can work together to make Metro the best system in the nation. As recorded in the Minutes, I spoke of the idea of a Public Bus Forum before the Committee last month, but since some of our members were not present, I wanted to put this before the full Committee, and obtain official support and authority to proceed.
When would the Forum take place? What would be its format?
It is hoped that the Forum will be in the first or second week of October at the Jackson Graham Building in the large meeting room. The format would be similar to some of the Metro Access meetings, i.e., a two-hour session in the late afternoon/early evening, a one-hour session where passengers with particular concerns and problems can meet personally with Metro staff, and another two-hour session for those who could not attend the earlier session. The sessions would involve a question/comment and answer period, and a short “training” period where I would teach community members the importance of consistent documentation of incidents and problems, and give examples of how to do this. Metro staff will also be on hand to give out phone numbers for customers to call. Metro staff would then discuss new and upcoming programs and take questions and comments on these.
Who is expected to attend the Forum?
On the Community side, it is hoped that individuals with disabilities who use (or would like to use) the fixed route buses, representatives from disability organizations, advocacy groups, and Independent Living Centers will attend the forum. On the Metro side, I hope to have Metro staff, supervisors, and directors who deal with bus issues, as well as representatives from the Office of ADA Programs, the Metro Is Accessible program, members of the E&D Committee, Customer Service, the Interim General Manager, and members of the Board of Directors on hand. I would also like to see District officials, staff, and jurisdictional officials who would address the environmental issues related to bus usage, such as access (or lack thereof) to bus stops, and the practice of dumping snow at or near bus stops, and on curb cuts.
Who will sponsor the Forum?
The E&D Committee would sponsor the Forum. I would like to partner with the Riders Advisory Committee, and have participation from them, and their Bus Subcommittee Chair. However, the E&D Committee would take the lead on the sponsorship, preparation, implementation, and facilitation of the Forum.
What will happen next?
After approval by the Committee, I will then sit down with the E&D Committee Chair, the RAC Chair, as well as the Chair of their Bus Subcommittee, and at least two other Metro staff, and draw up an agenda. The office of Public Affairs will be contacted for their assistance as well. I will provide regular reports to the Committee, and will be available via e-mail for comments and ideas.
August 5th, 2006 at 10:54 am
Good luck! Having once served as chair of the CAT (the citizens advisory board) for UTA (Utah Transit Authority), I can attest to the good that these forums can do for the community. UTA was very good at providing these forums as well as the monthly meeting of the CAT that was open to the public for the first part where people could come and express what they felt or were experiencing with the UTA.
This I feel is yet another good move on the part of WMATA if they go for the proposal.
Good Luck!