DC ParaTransit Info

The Washington Post’s “Regional Briefing” page today notes that:

The Metro transit authority plans to hold an information session on its proposed budget from 7 to 9 p.m. today at its headquarters in downtown Washington.

Metro board members and senior managers will answer questions and listen to concerns. The information session, at the Metro Board Room, 600 Fifth St. NW, will be preceded by an open house at 6:30 p.m.

Metro asks that people who want to speak at the session sign up by e-mail at public-hearing-testimony@wmata.com or by sending a fax to 202-962-1133 by 2 p.m. today. Speakers should submit a written copy of their comments at the session.

Posted: 2 years, 4 months ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

The MetroAccess Clients Care Group of the Washington Metropolitan Area has scheduled a public meeting to address the various transportation problems that we encounter every day in the hands of the new MetroAccess System management Company, The MV Transportation, Inc.

The meeting will commence at 11:00AM with the introduction of our government officials and expected guest speakers such as: Congressman Chris Van Hollen or, his representative — Ms Karen McManus; Metro General Manager — Mr. Dan Tangherlini; Director of MetroAcces Mr. Christian Kent and; MV Transportation CEO — Mr. John Munson.
Among the topics of discussion are:

Posted: 2 years, 4 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Public Forums on MetroAccess Service Set for March 13th
Let the MetroAccess Riders Speak

The Metro Riders’ Advisory Council and the Elderly and Disabled Committee are sponsoring two forums for MetroAccess riders on Monday, March 13th. The forums are being held to let customers voice their concerns about MetroAccess service. MetroAccess is provided to people with disabilities for whom Metrobus and Metrorail are not accessible. MetroAccess riders deserve the opportunity to make their voice heard and they also deserve significant, sustainable improvements in service.

Posted: 2 years, 4 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Dear Fellow MetroAccess Rider,

I have depended on MetroAccess for 11 years. I live in the District of Columbia and I know firsthand what you face to get from home to work, the doctor or grocery store.

Please join your fellow riders and me at a special Public Forum for MetroAccess Riders to focus on finding solutions for MetroAccess customers’ needs.

Monday, March 13, 2006 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.*
Metro Headquarters Lobby Level
600 Fifth Street NW, Washington DC

By Metrorail: Judiciary Sq or Gallery Pl-Chinatown station
By Metrobus: D1, D3, D6, P6, 70, 71, 80 or X2

Posted: 2 years, 4 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

WMATA released the news today that 1,154 MetroAccess riders so far have signed up for the Free Ride program that we wrote about recently.

The press release also notes that the number of people who have signed up for the Free Metro system orientations, run through WMATA’s Office of ADA Programs, has jumped to 23, and that both Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind and Services for the Visually Impaired are working in partnership with Metro in helping people learn how to use the system safely and effectively.

Whilst both of these things are good news, we have some issues with the press release.

Posted: 2 years, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

Metro announced today the remaining members of the new ad hoc committee created to review MetroAccess service.  Metro announced last week it was creating the Ad Hoc MetroAccess Advisory Committee as part of its efforts to improve the service.

The newly named committee members include: MetroAccess riders Penny Reeder of Maryland and Ann Pimley of Virginia; Harold Snider, chair of the Montgomery County Commission for People with Disabilities; John R. Hudson, Program Manager of the Disability Services Planning and Development Department for Fairfax County; and Takoma Park Mayor Kathy Porter, who also was the lead author of the Transportation Planning Board’s recent report on MetroAccess service.

Posted: 2 years, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , 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, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , 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, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , 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, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post

I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the recent news articles about the MetroAccess paratransit service and MV Transportation, Inc., specifically focusing on the story “Study Raps Metro on Service for the Disabled” that appeared in the February 15 edition of the Washington Post.

While the story mainly focuses on the way in which WMATA operates MetroAccess and the findings of a study by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, several points related to MV Transportation need to be clarified.

Posted: 2 years, 5 months ago | No Comments
Categories: Press Releases , WMATA | Tags: | By: miika.    Print This Post