TPB Access for All (AFA) Advisory Committee Presentation of the 2003 Report to the TPB

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TPB Access for All (AFA) Advisory
CommitteePresentation ofthe 2003 Report to the
TPB

• Kathy Porter, AFA Chair
• April 21, 2004

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AFA Overview

• Established in 2001 to advise the TPB on
  transportation issues, programs and services
  important to communities not typically part of
  the planning process
• Low-Income Communities
• Minority Communities and
• Persons with Disabilities
• Committee members consist of TPB- appointed
  community leaders and ex officio membership from
  regional implementing agencies

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The 2003 Report

• Many issues build upon and expand those presented
  in March 2002
• The AFA committee hopes that the TPB and
  implementing agencies consider the
  recommendations presented today
• Recent AFA reports and briefings to the TPB
• June 18, 2003
• October 15, 2003
• December 17, 2003
• January 21, 2004
• The report outlines four recommendations and five
  future focus areas

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Recommendations
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Recommendation 1 Develop More Effective
Communication of Regional Transit Information

• Clear and concise transit information
• The use of symbols, rather than words, to
  communicate rail and bus information was highly
  recommended
• Improve transit information for limited English
  speakers
• WMATA has implemented several AFA
  recommendations, including a video for LEP groups
  on how to use the bus and rail system, and plans
  to add a Spanish greeting and option on the
  general information line

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Recommendation 2Prioritize Regional and Local
Transportation Services for Low-Income
Populations

• In light of current budget concerns and planned
  rail projects, the AFA stresses that bus service
  levels should be maintained for current
  transit-dependent customers
• Reverse commute services need to be expanded to
  allow improved access to jobs
• Pedestrian and bicycle safety programs should
  continue to pay close attention to low-income
  populations

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Recommendation 3Improve Transit Services for
People with Disabilities

• Coordinate efforts to encourage more people with
  disabilities to use bus and rail with local
  transit systems throughout the region
• Improve the reliability of the bus and rail
  systems to attract and retain the riders with
  disabilities
• Conduct a comprehensive study of MetroAccess for
  the best and most cost-effective ways to serve
  the greatest number of people

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Recommendation 4Promote More Development around
Transit Stations, But Take Care of the Community
thats Already There

• The AFA committee would like to see more
  development around transit stations, especially
  on the eastern side of the region
• State and local policies should make provisions
  to mitigate potentially negative impacts from
  such development, such as the increased housing
  costs and displacement

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Future Focus Areas

• Follow-up on todays AFA recommendations
• Raise awareness on pedestrian and bicycle access
  and safety issues for transportation
  disadvantaged groups
• Explore implications of the Region Undivided
  scenario in the Regional Mobility and
  Accessibility Study
• Provide input on access to jobs and
  reverse-commute services
• Review impacts of the long-range transportation
  plan on low-income and minority communities