Access Services In this issue: Volume 6, Issue 16 Spirit of Accessibility Award……… 2 SGVT Providers Meeting………… 2 April 12, 2013 Jerry Walker Award ……………… 3 Retiring the Keys…………………… 3 Helping Hand……………………… 4 Rider Comments…………………… 4

Behind the Scenes Executive Report Access’ 18th Annual Meeting During this time of state funded • Demand/Budget Forecasting: programs cutting transportation for Matthew Avancena, Manager of the disabled and local transit agencies cutting back on Dial-A-Ride programs Planning and Coordination, and I to meet dwindling budgets, then add made a presentation on how Access high gasoline prices to the mix and it forecasts ridership demand and equaled beyond expectation ridership then translates it into an annual gains at Access. budget. Matthew discussed how Due to the inability to cut back ADA we work with economics firm, HDR required paratransit service we have Decision Economics, every year to look elsewhere to cut corners to Over 100 people attended the 18th to try and project our ridership. meet the funding required for service HDR uses a complex model with a demand, unfortunately with little Annual Access Services Annual number of variables that has been options vehicle replacement has taken Meeting which was held on March the brunt of the funding short fall. 27th at the Endowment quite accurate. After Matthew’s Our vehicle replacement schedule is Center in Downtown Los Angeles. presentation, I spoke about how to replace vehicles at the end of their After the membership approved we take this ridership number and useful life which is 200,000 miles and the minutes from last year’s develop an internal budget which four years of service and as you can member meetings and approved includes both projected operating imagine for a minivan, maintenance the formation of nominating and capital expenses. We then work needs to be spot on to get these with Metro to determine the amount vehicles to last to 200,000 miles. The committees, Access staff made two presentations: and type of funding the agency will budget short falls have Access behind receive. Once this is complete, we in replacement; currently our fleet has • Technology at Every Turn: F Scott create a detailed line-item budget 212 vehicles over 200,000 miles. Jewell, Deputy Executive Director that is ultimately presented to our The road back to a healthy fleet will of Administration, discussed take time; Access has requested Board for approval. Access’ use of technology in its $2.8 million in funding for the next After these presentations, fiscal year to fund the deferred operations, specifically the recent implementation of the Stratagen we moved on to the Spirit of FY13 vehicles. The FY14 budget Accessibility and Jerry Walker request also includes $7.5 million for ADEPT reservation, scheduling and awards. Details on the awards replacements, if all goes well the fleet dispatching platform, the Transit could be in significantly better shape Access Pass (TAP) Rider ID and the and their deserving recipients are by the beginning of 2015. The next 511 Travelers Information Service. detailed elsewhere in this issue. two years will be a tough road in our F Scott also discussed future plans Overall, it was a great event. If you maintenance program to keep this for Stratagen that will include weren’t able to be there and would aging fleet in tip top shape to meet phone reservations and a “Manage like copies of the presentations, our service demands. My Trips” web-based application please e-mail me at colaiace@ Shelly Verrinder designed to let riders schedule, accessla.org. Executive Director view and cancel their own trips online. These enhancements will be Andre Colaiace implemented within the next year. Deputy Executive Director, Planning & Governmental Affairs 2

Community Connections - Spirit of Accessibility Award Winner

This year’s winner for the have been positively impacted Spirit of Accessibility since the program started in Award is a Volunteer Driver 2010. Funded with an FTA New Program called Community Freedom Grant through a joint Connections, a program of partnership program with Pomona Community Senior Services Valley Transportation Authority, in Claremont. Community and VTrans (the CTSA Connections empowers for San Bernardino County), older adults and persons Community Connections was with disabilities to remain instrumental in providing over 270 independent by providing a riders with some form of mileage Each year during the Annual mileage reimbursement for reimbursement assistance. Membership Meeting, Access their friends, neighbors and other honors an agency or individual Accepting the award on behalf community members who provide of the program was Ms. Floy A. for their significant contributions them with rides. that resulted in the improved Biggs, Chief Executive Officer of mobility for L.A. County residents. Prior to presenting the agency with Community Senior Services. Established in 2000, past the Spirit of Accessibility Award recipients of the award have been trophy, staff honored Community Matthew Avancena social service agencies, transit Connections by showing a video Manager, Planning & Coordination providers, and advocates for the presentation which featured disability community. agency staff, volunteer drivers and customers whose mobility

San Gabriel Valley Transit Providers Meeting

On March 28th, representatives service that Access provides to its Metro or Foothill TAP card users, from Metro, , customers. This aided many of the can now choose to take either , Pasadena ARTS and attendees in understanding how the Silver Line or Foothill Transit’s the El Sol County of Los Angeles Access provides ADA/ Paratransit between El Monte Shuttle attended the quarterly required service, so that they may and Downtown – depending upon meeting of the San Gabriel Valley concentrate on their fixed route whichever bus comes first. Transit Providers, this time hosted operations. The Gold Line Foothill Extension in El Monte at the offices of Access. Representatives from Metro construction company provided The San Gabriel Valley Transit provided additional presentations the final presentation on the Providers meeting is held quarterly on Metro’s successful efforts to current construction underway to and provides an opportunity meet Civil Rights obligations with extend the existing Metro Gold for different transit operators to the Federal Transit Administration Line from Pasadena to the city of discuss challenges, upcoming and also a presentation on Azusa with station stops in Arcadia, service changes and encourage the construction and current Monrovia, Duarte and Irwindale. coordination amongst the different operations of the recently opened The extension is planned to open providers. El Monte Station. A separate in 2017 with the intention of taking The meeting started with a discussion was had on the new a lot of traffic pressure off of the presentation on the transportation “Silver 2 Silver” program in which I-210 freeway. Continued on Pg. 4 3

Jerry Walker Award Winner

in 1994. Ali was drawn to the will hold the traveling award at field of paratransit because he their facility for the remainder of wanted to make a difference and the year. help members of the disabled The Jerry Walker Commitment to community. He believes that Quality Service Award is intended excellent customer service includes to honor outstanding individuals escorting customers safely armed with an intense sense during all parts of their trip. That of duty and responsibility to commitment to safety has lead to Access customers, dedicated to The purpose of the Jerry him being presented with every improving service by consistently Walker Commitment to Quality driver incentive prize and being the placing their needs above all other Service Award is to honor first Access driver to reach 100,000 considerations. Ali Ahmednor Jerry’s contributions to Access safe driving miles. exemplifies quality service and by recognizing an exceptional Mr. Ahmednor was surprised his tireless dedication and solid employee who displays the same on March 7, 2013 when he was commitment to the safety of Access commitment to providing high presented with the award, a Services is a testament to the quality service. Access is pleased monetary prize of $1,000, a balloon legacy of Jerry Walker. to honor Mr. Ali Ahmednor, the bouquet, a Clippers jersey and Congratulations Ali! 2012 Jerry Walker Commitment to tickets to a Clippers game. He Quality Service Award recipient. was honored again at the Access Born in Somalia, Africa, Ali began Annual Membership Meeting on Charace Thompson CTSA Analyst working for San Gabriel Transit March 27, 2013. San Gabriel Transit

Retiring the Keys The Veterans Memorial Complex is Services, California Highway Patrol, a Community and Recreation Center Metro, Culver City Bus, Dial-A-Ride in Culver City also known as ‘The and Age Well services. Heart of Screenland’ thanks to the For Access’ Mobility Management thriving Hamlet of film studios. The staff along with Travel Trainer Monica Center prides itself in government Marroquin of Mobility Management and community awareness not only Partners the morning conversations for their senior citizens but for the presented another opportunity community as a whole. When should to introduce our services to the I stop driving? When should mom or community and make a connection. dad stop driving? This difficult and For the older California adult, Access sensitive decision is one most of us Services can and does play a vital will face at some point in our life. It role for many seniors who are retiring is a delicate conversation with an their car keys. It is a continuation of aging parent(s); loved one and when their independence including saving the time comes, yourself. To make money and helping to ensure their the Culver City senior population safety on our streets. aware of the mounting problem, a ‘Community Conversations’ was held. Invited to participate in this Erik Washington important discussion were Access Mobility Management Counselor “I amthankfulfor Access daily. Thank Godforthem. Telling themthat Idon’tknow & driverswhotransport me Access, Ihaveagreater quality Access whoputtheirtimeand Rider Comments asila.org Email: Fax: Tel: El Monte, PO Services Agency Consolidated Transportation Access Services 4 ways. Access provides megreat what Iwoulddowithouttheir Knowing has improved in a number of has improved inanumberof but yourservice. effort intoproviding thisneeded life. of me iscomforting. made.” to getmewhere Ineedtogo. transportation service. Ittakes a to andfrom myappointment. I havenoticedyourservice within thestaff I thankallof I alwaysthankthereservationists sometimes there are mistakes thetime.service mostof Like life, service. lot of elderlywhohavenoone lot of peopletoworktogether lot of Rider since2004 Patricia, Long Beach Box 213 213 [email protected] . 5728 . 270 270 CA Access isthere for . . 6000

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Helping HandFebruary Winner SGVT Meeting(cont.) fiscal year. the service changesat the endof transit agenciesmayintroduce 2013whenanumberof June of was tentatively scheduled for Gabriel The next meetingof has: In thepastmonths, Ms. Mitsuuchi Provider teams. from Access andourService services and support she receives gratitude fortheprofessional expressed herappreciation and our servicessince1995andhas Ms. Mitsuuchihasbeenusing Patricia Mitsuuchiof February 2013award goesto Our HelpingHandProgram Valley Transit providers Rosemead. theSan A recent commendation at the the Operations Supervisor Team Hamilton Franco & pin andballoonson April 10th. Mitsuuchi withourHelpingHand this wonderfulcustomer, Ms. presenting had thehonorof kindness andappreciation, we support andservices. appreciative everyone’s of Overall, Ms. Mitsuuchiisvery states: Abilities Expofrom Ms. Mitsuuchi Strategic Planner Eric Haack Avancena ormyself. free toaskeitherMatthew Providers meeting, please feel the SanGabriel For further information on • • • recognize staff late Traveled 50timeswithno want tosaythankyou. Access weren’t around. Ijust how Iwouldgetaround if everybody anddonotknow all thecustomers. Ienjoy and what Access doesfor I ampleased bytheservice She goes out of herwayto She goesoutof cancellations Valley For her or Transit no-shows

10-2159 ©2010 Access Services