ACAT Meeting - September 29, 2011

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Agenda is not available for this meeting.
Please check the meeting minutes for meeting details.

Nil.

a) Station Layouts

Craig Nicol informed the members that what he is recommending was to create a Station Template to determine what would be on the Station Page on the website to ensure that the appropriate items are included in each station. 

b) Bus Stops Inaccessible due to Street Furniture

The issue of snow removal at bus stops was raised but dismissed because the concern has already been forwarded to the City of Toronto for their action.

Nil.

Chris Upfold, newly appointed Chief Customer Service Officer, gave the members a brief overview of his experience in customer service as it relates to transit and people with disabilities. He also outlined plans for a Customer Liaison Panel to address issues raised by the Report on Customer Service.  He would like the participation of one of the members of ACAT and considers the Committee’s input invaluable.

It is anticipated the Customer Liaison Panel will meet 6 to 8 times per year for an extended period of say 5 to 7 years. In order to have continuity, members will be asked to commit for 1 to 2 year terms.

Subject to ACAT’s agreement, the draft terms of reference for the Customer Liaison Panel makes allowance for an ACAT member.

Glenn Johnston will obtain and circulate copies of the draft terms of reference for the Customer Liaison Panel to ACAT members for consideration during their deliberations on how ACAT would select someone to convey ACAT advice to the panel.

It was pointed out that the ACAT Service Planning Subcommittee had already provided a draft working paper on customer service to Mr. Upfold and had indicated a willingness to work with the ACAT representative on the proposed Customer Liaison Panel.

Members decided that a representative to the Customer Liaison Committee be elected by the members of ACAT and the process of electing this member be added to the ACAT Guidelines.

Communications Subcommittee

Angela Rebeiro informed the members that the Subcommittee is meeting on Friday, September 30, 2011.

Service Planning Subcommittee

Anna Noviss presented the report from the Service Planning Subcommittee.

The Service Planning Subcommittee had 2 meetings in September with emphasis on providing advice on the comments received from the public as a result of the 2011 Public Forum. 

• Due to the diversity of issues raised at the Public Forum, lists summarizing comments from the public will be conveyed to other ACAT Subcommittees in early October for their review and handling.
• The public’s concerns regarding impediments on the sidewalks of Toronto - Members of the Service Planning Subcommittee are providing photos of snow drifts on sidewalks near bus stops, media boxes on sidewalks, etc. for the consideration of appropriate City of Toronto departments to highlight the types of obstacles that are causing concerns for people with disabilities using TTC.
• The Service Planning Subcommittee shared observations on the public’s concerns about poor customer service on conventional and specialized services. The rough draft of their report was shared with Mr. Chris Upfold.
• The Service Planning Subcommittee would assist the ACAT representative appointed to the Customer Liaison Panel as required.

Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee

Dorothy Creaser informed the members that there is no meeting scheduled at this time, but that a number of items require attention. Bill Frost responded that a meeting will be scheduled within the next month or two, and explained that staff have been very busy addressing issues related to the new scheduling system update.

Design Review Subcommittee

Craig Nicol presented the report from the Design Review Subcommittee including the following:

• Presto Cards – The focus is to assist TTC staff to be certain what is included in the cards.
• Realignment of the Queens Quay Streetcar - The need to further examine the intersection and review signage was discussed and another meeting will be held when the safety consultant’s report is available.
• Bus Bay Identification - Standards materials on tactile signage was furnished to staff.  However, no transit application was found to assist with the design.
• Bus Stop Request button - Inadvertent activation of the button on buses has been discussed and, in absence of operational problems, no further action is contemplated.
• New subway train door chimes and signage – Vehicle Engineering will be requested to review a request to add a door chime when a subway train is in the station with its doors open with DRS.
• Stop Announcements on Express Buses - Discussions on modifying the method of pre warning customers of the upcoming stop.

On motion by Dorothy Creaser, the meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Janet O’Sullivan
Recording Secretary