Dial-A-Ride Advisory Commission
Quarterly Meeting
March 1, 2004
Meeting was called to order
at
Members present: Morrison, Williams, Swain
Members absent: None
Staff present: Marty McGuire, Jan Yuergens
McGuire outlined the
McGuire explained the changes
in bus procurement at the state level and discussed the back log in getting new
busses. The system currently has three
busses which are past due for replacement and by the end of fiscal year 04-05
will have eleven busses which will qualify for replacement.
Yuergens updated the
Commission on the initiative of the Center for Independent Living to develop an
inter-county transportation plan.
Dial-A-Ride is cooperating to the point that current service is not
compromised.
Yuergens discussed issues
that have been raised by local nursing homes with regard to dialysis
patients. They have asked DART to enter
their facility to retrieve patients to take them into the dialysis center, then
repeat the process for the return trip.
Dial-A-Ride currently maintains only a curb to curb service. Yuergens explained that with over 17,000
annual wheelchair trips per year extended services would be impractical.
Yuergens discussed systems
for dealing with advanced technology in walkers and motorized wheelchairs. She further discussed new safety training
emphasizing evacuation of buses and an emergency shelter program which identifies
sites within the community for shelter in case of severe weather.
Charlotte Williams identified
as a consumer issue difficulty with the DART phone line. The clarity of the line has since been
repaired.
Meeting adjourned at
Respectfully,
Marty McGuire
Director of Public Services