Ideas and suggestions flowed at the second “Coffee with the Community” event presented by VTA’s ACCESS Paratransit staff. The event was held at Avenidas Rose Kleiner Center on October 22, 2024, bringing together VTA ACCESS staff and local residents for a morning of productive dialogue, services updates, and community engagement.
During an interactive group activity lead by the Regional Transportation Services (RTS) team, participants shared valuable insights and suggestions for service enhancements, including reducing overall ride duration, especially for elderly passengers; optimizing routing efficiency; reducing wait times when booking by phone; and promoting the importance of keeping customer contact information up to date. These discussions highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration between VTA and the community it serves.
CTMA Chair Aaron Morrow and VTA Deputy Director of Transit Operations Development Lisa Vickery opened the event by highlighting VTA’s commitment to accessible transportation. The Regional Transportation Services (RTS) team presented updates on several key initiatives, including the launch of ACCESS Point, a program that allows partner organizations to track paratransit rides in real-time, view vehicle details, and see estimated arrival times on a map, giving them full visibility into client trips.
Additionally, VTA has rolled out an online data card to streamline paratransit applications and renewals, and through the Mobility Assistance Program, partnering with organizations like Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC) and Salvation Army to provide monthly transportation support for eligible community members.
Transportation Planning team members Mikaela Sword and Ian Lin showcased the innovative “Wheels on the Bus – Real Time Data” project, developed to improve the transit experience for fixed-route riders. This tech solution provides real-time data on available space for personal mobility devices on board VTA trains and buses.
The ACCESS team delivered a comprehensive presentation with Rhea Tabion and Rachel Gregory from ACCESS Eligibility providing an overview of paratransit services. Calvin Lun from ACCESS Operations followed with a focused presentation that addressed specific service concerns raised by Avenidas participants, such as prolonged boarding times, late trips, caregiver assistance and guardianship, exterior door-to-exterior door service, and subscription trips. This led to productive discussions focused on fixing those challenges.
RTS Manager Rachelle Tagud emphasized that VTA is committed to taking concrete action based on the community’s feedback. She assured attendees that their input would drive meaningful improvements to ACCESS Paratransit services, stressing that these community meetings are about creating real change, not just conversations.
VTA extends its appreciation to the Avenidas team for hosting the event and to all participants who contributed their time and insights. The feedback gathered will play a crucial role in shaping transportation services that better serve the community’s needs.