ACAT Meeting - November 28, 2024

Minutes of Meeting:

ACAT General Meeting

Meeting Date:   

Thursday, November 28, 2024
1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Location:

Hybrid meeting via Teams

Present:

• Anita Dressler, ACAT Chair
• Betty Rivington-Law, ACAT Co-Vice Chair
• Erica Tanny, ACAT Co-Vice Chair
• Lori Bailey
• Mei Hung
• Debbie Gillespie
• Bobbi Moore
• Angela Marley
• Chau Sheung Wong
• Tammy Adams
• Lavarnan Mehavarnan
• Maria Marin
• Howard Wax
• Frank Lockhart
• Wangari Muriuki 

Pool Members

• Oda Al-Anizi
• Roberta Butler
• Michelle Pena Escobar
• Paul Manna

TTC Representatives:

• Betty Hasserjian, Chief Safety Officer
• Cameron Penman, Head, Wheel-Trans
• Dean Milton, Manager, Strategic Initiatives, Wheel-Trans
• Heather Brown, Director, Customer Experience, Marketing and Customer Experience
• Levenson Lincoln, Assistant Manager, Wheel-Trans
• Jeff Short, Senior Planner, Strategy & Foresight
• John Boucher, Manager, Vehicle Maintenance, Lakeshore Garage
• Natalie Francis, Manager, Planning and Policy, Wheel-Trans
• Michelle Edwards, Project Coordinator, Vehicle Programs
• Adrienne Isaac, Administrative Assistant, Wheel-Trans
• Alexandra Nicastro, Administrative Assistant, Wheel-Trans
• Ross Visconti, Project Manager, Wheel-Trans
• Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Consultant, Diversity
• Lodon Hassan, Divisional Manager, Customer Service, Wheel-Trans
• Mohammed Shaikh, Divisional Manager, Operations, Wheel-Trans
• Adrian Grundy, Senior Communications Advisor, Corporate Communications
• Hung Hong, Project Manager, Wheel-Trans Facilities
• Donald Rusk, Chief Instructor, Operations Training Centre
• Celeste Young, Investigator and Advisor, Human Rights and Investigations 
• Josh Colle, Chief Strategy and Customer Experience Officer 
• Michael Pimentel, Manager of Contracted Services, Wheel-Trans
• Stephan Boston, Chief Instructor, Operations Training Centre 

Items Discussed

1. Call to Order / Attendance
2. Land Acknowledgement
3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest
4. Approval of Agenda 
5. Review and Approval of October 30, 2024 Minutes 
6. Remarks from TTC Executive
7. Remarks from ACAT Chair 
8. Wheel-Trans Transformation Update from Cameron Penman
9. Outstanding Items 
   a. ACAT AODA Training
10. Deputation:  Nil  
11. Review of Correspondence:  Nil
12. Subcommittee Reports, Highlights and Updates
    - Communications 
    - Design Review 
    - Service Planning 
    - Wheel-Trans Operations 
13. Other/New Business
14. Next Meeting – Monday, December 16, 2024 
15. Adjournment

1. Call to Order/Attendance 

Anita Dressler, ACAT Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. Attendance was taken.  

2. Land Acknowledgement 

A member read the Land Acknowledgement. 

3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest 

Nil.

4. Approval of Agenda 

Motion to approve the agenda: Betty Rivington Law 
Seconded:  Debbie Gillespie
Carried:  Agenda approved.

5. Review and Approval of October 30, 2024 Minutes 

Motion to approve the Minutes of October 30, 2024: Bobbi Moore
Seconded:  Lori Bailey
Carried: Approved.

6. Remarks from TTC Executive 

Betty Hasserjian, Chief Safety Officer, gave an overview of what services the Safety and Environment Department provides. This includes development and implementation of programs to manage safety and environmental risks, as well as providing oversight to ensure the safety of employees, customers and the public. Betty also commented on the recent questions relating to bringing electric scooters and power wheelchairs on the TTC and whether they would be part of any future ban, given an upcoming e-bike seasonal restriction. She explained that electric scooters and electric wheelchairs are medical devices, are FDA approved and undergo rigorous testing. There are no concerns regarding these devices and any potential restrictions or bans would only be applicable to e-bikes and e-scooters.

Questions and Comments from the Committee

A member asked if the TTC monitors environments and occurrences such as the increase in respiratory illnesses and whether the TTC works closely with Toronto Public Health. Betty confirmed TTC works closely with Toronto Public Health and if any protocols changed, ACAT would be updated.

7. Remarks from ACAT Chair 

Anita Dressler, ACAT Chair, reported she was at an event recently that offered a program called iRide. This program takes seniors to medical appointments, personal care appointments and grocery shopping. The program has limitations, including being more than five times the amount of the TTC, only operates on weekdays and during business hours, and they cannot accommodate people who use wheelchairs or scooters. Wheel-Trans does not have the limitations and accessibility barriers that iRide presents. This served as a reminder of the help that ACAT has provided and how much the Committee has contributed to the progress of making TTC services more accessible. 

Questions and Comments from the Committee

Nil.

8. Wheel-Trans Transformation and Update from Cameron Penman 

Cameron Penman, Head, Wheel-Trans, provided an update on the Transformation Program. 

TTC staff continue to work towards the new Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems Request for Proposals (RFPs), which are expected to be posted in January 2025. The RFPs will be posted for six to eight weeks. He noted that Phases 5-8 of the reservations, scheduling, and dispatch software upgrades, should begin implementation in March 2025.

The re-registration campaign for Wheel-Trans legacy customers continues to progress successfully. Approximately 2,300 additional legacy customers have re-registered this year, reducing the number of legacy customers who still need to re-register to less than 3,000. 

Around 98% of Accessible Taxis will have Where Is My Ride capability by the end of 2024.  

Questions and Comments from the Committee 

Nil.

9. Outstanding Items 

a. Recommendation for Honorarium

The ACAT Chair confirmed that the TTC Board recently approved honorarium for ACAT members has been implemented. Starting from 2025, each ACAT member will receive $750 for the year. Cameron Penman confirmed an amount would be paid out monthly totalling $750 annually and this honorarium would be retroactive to October 2024. Pool members do not receive this honorarium. 

b. Scarborough Centre Station Motion

This item was deferred to January 2025.

c. Recommendation to honour Sam Savona

This item was deferred to the Easier Access Project completion at College Station, which is expected in 2025.

d. ACAT AODA Training:

The ACAT Chair discussed the motion brought in January 2024 for members to complete online AODA training similar to other Toronto committees, such as the City of   Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. The ACAT Chair confirmed that this motion would be implemented in the first quarter of 2025 when all members would have to complete the online AODA training at the beginning of their term and send a copy of the successful completion certificate to the Wheel-Trans Administrative Assistant by February 28, 2025. The online training provided is through the Access Forward website (developed by/on behalf of the provincial government) and includes six modules. Additional training will be provided, at the discretion of the ACAT Executive. If additional training is requested, Jeff Short, Senior Planner, Strategy and Foresight, will assist in arranging.

A motion to approve amending the original motion to include “at the beginning of their term” rather than “annually” in reference to the requirement to take the AODA training expected of ACAT members: Howard Wax

Seconded:  Bobbi Moore

Carried: Approved.

Questions and Comments from the Committee

A member asked if the online training platform is accessible for people using screen reader software, and would let members know if it was not.

10. Deputation 

Nil.

11. Review of Correspondence 

Nil.

12. Subcommittee Reports, Highlights and Updates: 

Communications Subcommittee 

Frank Lockhart, Chair, gave a summary of the meeting held November 7, 2024.

TTC Staff provided a completed video for the Taylor Swift concert for feedback from ACAT, primarily for the descriptive video component, as the video was already completed without ACAT feedback.

CS members provided their feedback and dissatisfaction and some of the lessons learned for the future that came out of the discussion which could guide similar projects in the future. The Subcommittee recommended visibility of people with disabilities, requesting either ACAT members or staff represent people who have a visible disability, as there was no participation requested for this video.

The Subcommittee continued to work with TTC staff to ensure messaging about escalators that are out of service is posted on the TTC website and communicated to MyTTC services app subscribers. This should be completed by the end of November 2024.   

The next meeting is scheduled for December 5, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Highlights:

• Taylor Swift concert video review
• Website and MyTTC Services communication about escalator outages  

Questions and Comments from the Committee 

Nil.

Design Review Subcommittee

There was no meeting in November 2024. The next meeting is scheduled for December 10, 2024 at 1:30 p.m.

Service Planning Subcommittee

Debbie Gillespie, Chair, gave the report for the meeting held November 15, 2024.

Jessica Deslippe, Project Manager, Bus Rapid Transit provided a presentation on the RapidTO: Jane Street Project. This included a description of the options to reduce the travel time for TTC customers along Jane between Steeles and Eglinton. The TTC and City of Toronto evaluated 5 options, with option 2 (priority bus lanes) being recommended as part of Step 2 consultation. A final recommendation to City Council is expected in early 2025, with possible implementation starting in summer 2025. Members commented that Wheel-Trans designated and accessible taxis should be able to access the designated bus lanes; that there should be a back-up plan in case of emergencies or construction; they asked why the project does not continue all the way to Bloor; and if stop announcements would be updated to reflect any stop location changes. 

Laura Lehming, Coordinator, Wayfinding and Signage, provided an updated presentation on the signage design being implemented throughout the TTC. She described the most important aspects of the signage, including clarity, consistency, accessibility and brand experience. The signage should be able to convey key information to customers. She noted that the two key advisory types are service advisories and station advisories. In response to a member suggestion, Laura will look into adding a distinct pictograph in the station advisories to differentiate from service advisories. 

Under New Business, members pointed out that the 97C Yonge bus does not operate during midday hours, which is a service gap for people looking to access surface transit south of St. Clair during the midday. Jeff Short noted that all-day service for route 97C will be added in January 2025 to provide better connectivity between non-accessible and accessible stations.

The next meeting will be December 9, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.

Meeting Highlights: 

• Jane Street Rapid TO project update 
• TTC signage design implementation 
• 97C Yonge bus route operating hours 

Questions and Comments from the Committee

Jeff Short confirmed that the ribbon cutting ceremony at Glencairn Station was moved to Monday, December 9, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The ACAT tour would be held after the ceremony concluded at 11:00 a.m.

Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee

Mei Hung, Chair, gave the report for the meeting held November 13, 2024.

A summary of the different methods to book an FOS trip were discussed. Questions included what customers do if they do not have access to the app or cell phone during their route and there is an issue. Staff stressed the priority line would provide a ride quickly, but ACAT members were quick to point out that is not always the case. Staff would be looking into this anomaly.

An audit was conducted by the Diversity Department, working with the TTC Travel Specialists, between September 5 and October 9, 2024 to determine bus driver compliance with TTC operator standards relating to 11 items identified by TTC staff. The findings would be reported by the Diversity Department, but the overall findings were low compliance. Recommendations for further training and providing cards to remind drivers would be provided. The WTOS Chair asked for Warren Rupnarain, Accessibility Consultant, Diversity, to attend a future ACAT General Meeting in November to provide the audit findings.

The next meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting Highlights: 

• FOS booking methods review 
• Bus operator customer accommodation compliance audit 

Questions and Comments from the Committee 

A member asked if the subcommittee had any discussions on the Line 5 and Finch West line Wheel-Trans stop at subway/LRT stations, as they are working to get the station descriptions completed. Natalie Francis, Manager, Planning and Policy, Wheel-Trans explained there were four to five stations being reviewed and TTC staff are doing divisional assessments as they were under construction. The TTC wanted to ensure they were meeting customer needs. 

13. Other/New Business 

a. Operator Recertification

The Chair invited Stephan Boston, Chief Instructor, Operator Training Centre, to raise his topic. Stephan explained that in the past ACAT members have been asked to participate in operator recertification sessions. This participation was placed on hold but will resume in 2025. Participating ACAT members will be asked to attend sessions and spend one hour addressing trainees and answering questions. There would be up to four sessions weekly. The ACAT Chair noted that an email would be sent to ACAT members in January asking members about interest in participating in the training sessions and once dates have been shared, to determine member availability.  
Questions and Comments from the Committee 

A member suggested that all training dates be scheduled well in advance with the interested ACAT members.

A member suggested TTC staff write up talking points to ensure that members have guidelines on what should be covered.

A member also suggested as they encourage questions during the sessions, that an outline from the bus training team would be helpful, perhaps including what they would like to see from ACAT.

A member suggested having an internal meeting with ACAT members and the ACAT Executive to ensure that the messaging from all participants is consistent.

b. TTC and CNIB Collaboration – Get OnBoard

A member commented on the recent collaborated event between CNIB and the TTC regarding riding transit and asked if notes about the information were shared with the TTC. Jeff Short confirmed that TTC has a copy of the notes taken and the survey results. This information would be sent to the appropriate subcommittees for action.

c. TTC Board Meeting

Jeff Short reminded ACAT members that the TTC Board meeting on December 3 would have the 5-year Accessibility Plan up for approval.

14. Next Meeting 

Next ACAT General Meeting: Monday, December 16, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.

15. Adjournment 

Meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. on a motion by: Debbie Gillespie.

Cindy Edwards
Recording Secretary