Access Services…Behind the Scenes Volume 6, Issue 4: September 14, 2012

Executive Report September not only brought the start of school but also record ridership on Access. Before September Access was averaging 8,500 trips per day. For the first two weeks in September the average weekday ridership is 9,257. This is a 9% increase in the average weekday trips! Access reached a new record on September 5th by transporting 9,608 trips. The Operations and Contractor staff are working hard to meet the increased demand while maintaining service quality. I want to thank everyone who has worked so hard to meet the increased demand. Good job!

Shelly Verrinder, Executive Director

Diversified Transit Open House Diversified Transit (DT) is Access Services newest service contractor for the Antelope Valley region. DT initiated service operations on May 1, 2012 and with nearly four months into service they are now established into their new roles. To highlight their achievements, they hosted an Open House event for Access staff on September 12th. Access Executive Team, Shelly Verrinder, Mark Maloney and Steve Chang accompanied me to the Open House event along with several other staff members. Diversified’s/Keolis corporate team; John Busskohl, Barbara Perry, Drew Jones and Reggie Bush were present at this event. DT’s Project Manager, Laura Moreno showcased their newly renovated facility which has organized structures for each function; dispatch, training, road supervision, operations, safety and risk management. The maintenance department was neatly equipped with state of the art equipment and tools. Stratagen software and its robust capabilities to improve dispatch function were also reviewed during the visit. The Antelope Valley contractor has utilized Stratagen in every phase of the operation from reservations to dispatch. Access looks forward to Diversified Transit’s continued contribution to the mission of Access to provide safe and reliable transportation.

Geetu Banerjee, Project Administrator Driver Incentive Program Update On August 17th we had another very special presentation at GPI. 11 drivers received a 37 inch FULL HD VIZIO TV for reaching 90,000 safe miles. We were joined by Access management to congratulate all of the recipients for a job well done and to encourage them to continue their quest for the grand prize-100,000 safe miles. GPI were great hosts and their management staff also joined the festivities. The next presentation will take place at MV, please stay tuned for more exciting news!

Luis Pacheco, Safety Analyst

ASI…Behind the Scenes Page 1 Autism Training at C.A.R.E. Once considered a rare disorder, today Autism affects as many as 1 in every 88 children. C.A.R.E. Evaluators invited the Access Eligibility TEAM to attend a presentation at the Eligibility office to provide a learning platform in understanding the diagnosis of Autism. An Autism Community Liaison from South L.A.’s Regional Center conducted a training session and presented such an informative session, she was superb! C.A.R.E. Evaluators has in the past also conducted other training sessions just as interesting and informative as the Autism session. The Access Eligibility TEAM was provided informative reading material, which the TEAM will donate to Access’ Library of books to be checked out by any staff member for their reading pleasure or enhancing their knowledge scope on any particular subject.

Norma DeAlba, Eligibility Coordinator

Helping Hand On August 9th, Access Operations Supervisors, Christina Blanco, Gina Breceda, Hamilton Franco and I along with MV’s Community Relations Manager, Fany Vallejo and Operations Supervisor, Elmer Contreras presented the June “Helping Hand Award” to Access customer Mr. Kevin Feldsher. Mr. Feldsher lives in Pacoima and frequently travels within the San Fernando Valley service area. As of February, 2012 he has traveled 146 times and has an impressive record of zero no-shows and late standing orders. Mr. Feldsher was grateful to receive the Helping Hand award pin and balloons. He enjoys riding Access and appreciates the CSR’s and Drivers that assist him daily. We also had the pleasure of meeting his wife who equally appreciates Access. The Helping Hand presentation was a memorable day for Mr. and Ms. Feldsher.

Faustino Salvador & the Operations Supervisor Team

Meeting with Supervisor Knabe Steve Chang, Alfredo Torales and I recently met with Aaron Nevarez, who is a Deputy for Fourth District Supervisor Don Knabe. Mr. Nevarez came to El Monte to see our headquarters and also discuss some issues regarding constituents in the Supervisor’s district. We gave him a brief tour of our facility, which included showing him our SmartDrive system and our Customer Support Center. We also demonstrated our Rider360 database and showed how GPS-verified, on-time performance data is easily accessible for each customer.

Andre Colaiace, Deputy Executive Director, Planning & Governmental Affairs

Rider Comments “Access has given me the freedom to do my daily chores. It is a wonderful service that I am deeply grateful for. It is doing a fine public service that benefits so many that are truly unable to get around. ASI…Behind the Scenes Page 2 Keep up the good work and count on my enthusiastic and continuing support.” Keith, Los AngelesRider since 2004

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