DC ParaTransit Info

DC ParaTransit Info received this response from Candace Smith, WMATA’s Public Relations Officer, to our recent question to WMATA regarding their policies and statements over the “Door to Door” vs “Curb to Curb” debate in light of the FTA’s own ADA guidelines on ParaTransit.

According to Pamela Wilkins, assistant general manager of customer contract services, the curb-to-curb service meets ADA requirements.  We want drivers to stay within sight of the vehicles for safety and security reasons. For example, there are some MetroAccess passengers who have mental disabilities and could wander from the vehicles.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA announced today that they have expanded the use of the IVR notification system to call a day in advance of scheduled trips as a reminder.

This was mentioned not so long ago in a mailshot sent out by MetroAccess, which might be the mailshot that we received an empty envelope for recently.

The mailshot allows riders to “opt out” of the IVR calls system, or to route the calls to their cell phones first, and gives them the opportunity to make sure the information about the rider’s telephone numbers on file with MetroAccess is correct.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

In light of the apparent new openness of WMATA with regards to MetroAccess issues, DC ParaTransit Info has sent WMATA’s Media Relations one of the more pressing questions that has come up.

We’re trying to gather some more information for our testimony to the Budget meeting this evening, and were wondering if WMATA could clarify something for us.

The FTA ParaTransit Guidance, posted at http://www.fta.dot.gov/14531_17514_ENG_HTML.htm states

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: General , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

In an article today entitled “Deadline for MetroAccess Improvement“, the Washington Post has shed some more light on the reasons behind the creation of the Critical Trip Management Team. It seems that the pressure on WMATA to fix things coming from Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has finally started to register on WMATA.

It shouldn’t need pressure from a member of Congress, or a DC Councilmember, before WMATA sits up and pays attention that there are problems. The sheer number of complaints by the riders did not create this Team - pressure from lawmakers did.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA announced on their web site today the creation of a “Critical Trip Management Team”.  The purpose of this Team, according to the press release, is to “address the number of missed/extremely late trips, reduce complaints from these incidents, to ensure there are no repeat occurrences, and to reach out to riders who have concerns about MetroAccess.”

The press release states that “All riders experiencing missed or extremely late trips will be contacted directly”, but WMATA has still yet to define publically what constitutes an “extremely late” trip, by their standards at least.

The press release states:

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Hemal Jhaveri wrote an insightful commentary on MetroAccess today in the DCist Opinionist column. He raised a very good point:

In their euphoria about the “new kid on the block,” Metro made one glaring oversight: In a building with multiple entrances such as my office, how is a totally blind individual going to ask an auto-alert system about the location of his/her vehicle? By wading through 20 minutes of telephone hold time till an unsympathetic, live dispatcher appears? By that time, my ride may have already left, and I might have to opt to drive myself home.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: General | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The MetroAccess section of WMATA’s web site has changed, finally removing the references to the online information update page that they repeated in several press releases, but simply gave the MetroAccess phone number.

We would like to highlight one section of interest though.  Buried within the depths of WMATA’s web site is a page detailing WMATA’s Free Ride Program.  Those who qualify for MetroAccess can also ride MetroBus and MetroRail for no charge.  A companion can ride with them for free also.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The Washington Post reported on Friday Metro Board Chairman Gladys W. Mack’s public apology to MetroAccess Riders.  The Post noted that the apology came shortly after the Board heard from one MetroAccess rider, whose driver had gotten lost getting to the Board meeting to begin with.

The story highlights once more that the system seems to be too reliant on the technology, with no initiative allowed by the drivers (or the riders) when it comes to trip planning and implementation.  We do note however with anticipation the Post’s reporting of comments made by the new Interim General Manager, Mr Dan Tangherlini:

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA’s web site notes that “Metro’s Board has created a new ad hoc committee tasked with recommending improvements for MetroAccess service.” and that “Metro’s Elderly and disabled Committee and Riders Advisory Council will co-host a public forum to hear from riders on this issue sometime in March.”

We hope that this committee will not just be in the position of only being able to recommend improvements, but will also have the teeth to expect those recommendations to be implemented.  We are reminded of the formation of the Rider’s Advisory Council (RAC), which is in the position of not having a voting position on the board, or any real teeth other than to “advise” also.

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

DC ParaTransit Info took the opportunity of today’s Lunch Talk Online run by WMATA to ask a few questions of the incoming General Manager of WMATA, Mr Dan Tangherlini.

Greetings,

When the rider numbers of MetroBus and MetroRail increases, WMATA’s response is to add more buses, and 8-car trains.

So why is WMATA’s response to an increase in MetroAccess rider numbers to turn around and tighten the eligibility requirements in such a way as to reduce the number of riders eligible?

Posted: 2 years, 2 months ago | No Comments
Categories: WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post