WSTA OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING
Tacoma Washington
March 8, 2006 through March 10, 2006
Welcome to Pierce Transit- Don Monroe (CEO)
Agenda looks interesting.
Bay Area Muni is struggling with fare evasion
Legislative update
Next GM WSTA manager meeting will be his last.
Fred Nelson Safety and Training
Housekeeping
Jeff Wamsley, (Committee Chair) Welcome continued: Intros and thanks to
Michelle Parvin
Sam Desrie, (Host: Vice Chairman) Thanks to Pierce staff
• 37 registrants
• Need host property
• Need discussion topics
• Attendee’s introductions
FARE EVASION Julie Greenlee, Pat Fullmer and Mark Auerbach
Study began in Jan 05 will launch pilot after install of smart cards
Julia Greenlee
Her GM Kevin Desmond, Metro GM has seeing an increase in fare evasion problems linked to
it, he gave staff a charter to study F.E. Operations fare evasion, look at best practices.
See Handout
• Work on developing a better more cooperative relationship with
police jurisdictions
• Elements of success
• TCRP transit C research project, check APTA information
How much evasion is there? No one knows.
Better ways to communicate: Security Blotter Record, Newsletter
listings Actions taken.
Better job of pass on security meetings info to operators
Mark Auerbach Union President –Driver Compartment Modifications
Research:
Discussion on drivers shield.
Operator assaults: Most from the right side,
Shields have helped and
FTA Securtiy reports
the shield a “useful tool.”
No clear studies/data
on impact of shields.
Factors Leading to Fare Evasion
Fare Policy
Pay as you leave, Ride
free area, Complex Fare Strutures, Enforcement, Inconsistency, Permissive Culture (OK not
to pay), low income of many passengers
PROPERTY UPDATES
1. Kitsap Transit's: Roy Harrington (report emailed)
Much labor unrest with ATU Local 1384 continues. Binding arbitration is pending on the
resolution of the Routed contract which expired on 2/15/05.
The ATU has filed multiple grievances in the past 8 months--several are scheduled for
arbitration or mediation. The union is also filing simultaneous ULPs against the company.
(Got word Friday that we won the first arbitration involving a paratransit contract
interpretation issue!)
Effective 1 Feb 06, the base fare increased to 1.25 for routed and 1.50 for ACCESS. Could
increase .25 more if a fuel surcharge is enacted. Also severely restricted transfers to
one trip, one direction.
Ridership in January is up about 4% in spite of a 4% drop in ACCESS ridership. Vanpool,
worker driver and passenger only ferry ridership are all well up. Fare increase impacts on
ridership in February are unknown yet.
KT has made good progress in the state legislature gaining the right and the funding to
continue to pursue high speed, low wake passenger only ferries from Bremerton, Kingston
and Southworth.
I think that's all for now, folks. See you all in August and October. Did anyone sign up
for hosting the fall meeting? I vote for Pullman!! I love the Palouse in the fall!
2. Pierce: (report from notes)
Lennie Laramore Paratransit
Stragteze
Adapt Software
Radio
Replacement with Motarola will be a 2 year project
Laid
Law contract working a few union issues
Sam Desue Orbital AVL program
Leesa Monroe Communications. Hired an acoustical engineer, hired 15 call takers. U
Upgrade to Symposium
Phote System, great reporting system.
Otto Reed Assistant Manager Contracted Service
Jerry Heath Assistaant Transit Services
Manager- Good negotiations with ATU,
moved
part time workers from 20 to 25 hours.
Got
some new equipment, gel cushion seats and smartcards.
3. C-Tran: Bob Medcraft (report emailed)
1) ADA call outs, lapel mic's, multiple stop
locations in downtown Portland.
2) Initiative 901, interpretation of the Act, implementation and enforcement.
3) Successful tax initiative, .02, service preservation.
4) Hiring supervisors, managers and operators to replace positions that we left unfilled
due to attrition.
5) The new modular building (September 15th, 2006 projected move in date). Moving
preparations, M O V E (moaning - obstinance - violation -
enormous) Walt - What was the correct acronym?
6) Moving Paratransit and Fixed Route operations into the new building.
7) Connector service - Battle Ground, Ridgefield, LaCenter.
8) Labor negotiations (contract expires 8/31/06)
9) Implementing CAD/AVL (on going process)
Tour of Pierce
Thursday Morning: Property Updates cont…
4. Spokane-Denise Marchioro
Fixed route- 11% increase in service that was effective Oct 2005
FR ridership increased 6.6% in Jan.
Three successful pass programs EWU, Spokane County and student/college pass program
25 buses on order for delivery in 2006
Implementation of Trapeze in FR FX, Blockbuster, Ops, Bid/Dispatch, Plan, IVR and Info
Agent
Purchasing new fare boxes in 2006 with smart card functionality. Recently visited Duluth
and Las Vegas to view their fare box project.
FR recently experienced a bus high jacking incident. No one was injured.
Paratransit’ experienced a ridership increased of 1.3% in 2005 over 2004
Para added three additional special use vanpool vans into the community-total of six now
Received 24 Startran vans on a piggyback contract from King Co. We are pleased with them.
We are experiencing some complaints from drivers about the diesel fumes. We are trying
ionizers on a couple of vans to see if it helps. So far we have had positive results with
the ionizers.
New 5 year purchased transportation contract started Jan 06. Laidlaw was selected as
continued contractor
We have had a high rate of industrial injuries in Para.
2006 will commence a travel training program. We are in the RFP process right now.
Hired a Dispatch Specialist in Feb 2006
We are interested in the subject of protocol for dealing with allegations of operator
misconduct.
We have hired a call center consultant to do work in our call centers.
Para will implement new graphic display Mobil Data Computers in 2006. We are currently in
RFP phase.
We have a backlog of capital projects due to freeze of hiring and purchases.
2005-2006 Advanced Training concentrated on the soft skills. I.e.: core values, managing
change, customer service and personal protection.
In Para we have implemented the following Trapeze modules, CERTS and Plan, We plan to
install the following modules. The Supervisor’s module, OPS, and the Comments module.
Lots of work and lots of projects to complete!
5. Mason Transit Transportation Authority: Sandy Stutey
Hit 1,000,000 miles all modes with one reportable accident.
Delivery of 5 vanpool vehicles – total 20 new.
Developing marketing and management tools.
Added four more part-time operators – retirees
Hiring three more – limited hours
Approved to purchase Shelton Armory for downtown transit center.
Shelter monitor concept
Community van program
6. Skagit Transit: Wade Mahala
7. Intercity Transit: Phil Early/ Kitty Hutchins (report emailed)
• Dash
4 new buses
Ridership – Daily average after 8 weeks = 609
• New Hires
26 new drivers since December
10 van to coach
Screening for new drivers to start April 3.
• ATU
Contract failed 136 to 6
Union requests mediation
• New property
4.7 acres on Martin Way for future development.
• Security
Increased security hours
• 113 vanpool groups
• New Vehicles
2 new DAL vans
5 new 35’ coaches
• Sales tax
8% increase in actual sales tax over predicted.
• Service Expansion
Hours
Fixed Route – 23,500 hours/yr
Dial-A-Lift – 2,000/yr
DASH – 10,000/yr
Holiday service
Will now operate Sunday level service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day
• CAD/AVL Update
Final design complete
Factory Acceptance Test 4/10/06
8. Jefferson Transit Authority: John Kosehnick
9. Watcom: Paul Schramer/Donna Hall
10.Community Transit: Colleen Baumann
11. Yakima: Rich Lyons
12. Ben Franklin Transit: Barbara Hays
Break till 1:00
Roundtable Discussion: Barbara Hays
Boosting Employee Morale, “The beating will continue until morale
improves.”
Intangibles
OPTIMISTIC/PESSIMIST
Lisa Monroe Pierce, The Newsletter, “The Buss Stops Here” i.e., Perfect
Attendance, Employee Community
• Quarterly Attendance & Safety Awards
• Give out bucks as awards good for gift cards
• Customer Service Awards
• Employee nominate others
• Since 2002 – Way to Go “Shuttle Bucks”
• Otis Reed also Pierce
• Service Excellence Award $ (life threatening/lifesaving) works
with contractors invites them to Roadeo and send small favor
• Jerry Heath Pierce Transit Service
• Honor Roll –
o VP & Manager take group to lunch and lapel pin
o Day off with pay
o In place for 10 – 12 years
• Operator of quarter
• Maintenance of quarter
Critic
• Absent, discipline, accident
• Appearance
• Judge by a panel, Union Pres & Reps, 2 supers & Manager
• Day Off/Parking place
• Presented at Board Meeting
• ? Use of public funds
Negotiated
Safety incentive program
$100 per quarter is ruled if unpreventable
Susan Allison – field supervisors program, token gift cards for attendance and # of
reports done.
Douglas Johnson – King County Metro
Operator of the Month @ each 7 bases
The current recipient chose the next one (out of operators, luncheon, plaque, $ comes from
the county
Picture at base and parking place
Then OP of the year
Picks coach for the next year and represent
Turner Award – Exempt Operator takes recognize
Choose from outside reports by committee
Outside person makes presentations
Wall of Fame / King County Award a team award with special recognition
Newsletter – In Transit
Puts in human interest story about employees
Bases have different recognition bulletin board with pictures
Boosting morale, morale is great at those luncheons, but there is always a group
“click” of lower morale level employees
Jeff Wamsley (Jewelry watches), King County
Base that reduces their accident percentage gets a breakfast
With 2, 7800 operators it is a huge process to get a read on on individual morale on what
incentives different people move to.
Michael Lemensko – KC Metro
Program that did not work should have reduced
Doing Well Bunch
Hale & Hardy Club (Chub?)
Over 1,000 hours
1250 – 1600 Super Supervisor
Ray Harrington, Kitsap
Labor receives General Leave only and have to use it for SKO, $ for attendance and last 5%
of pay scale is earned on merit, takes several years to top out, violation drops it.
Dave Cole – Kitsap
Incentive pay for health incentive program $20 for walking a also
looking at incentives for monitoring other health risks
Way to Go, cards on anniversary
Significant Safety Award - $25 with great recognition peer nomination for above and beyond
putting out fire with extinguisher
Paul Schramer – WTA
Real Heroes – Red Cross
Turkey Award – for Ops
Push the Roadeo
Twice a year they have Employee Breakfast
Donna Hall – WTA
Attendees
Hours worked 480 hours they would get ½ day
Incentive for Para transit team could work together to earn $ for trips
Colleen
Had to make a commitment to improving moral and written card given to
boss. “Every Little Thing Counts” asking about family, focusing on the
individual.
Roadeo – 2nd place goes to State 1st place to APTA
Roy Harrington
Catch people doing things right!! And recognizing that behavior
Colleen – acknowledge good attendance
8 hours or less of absences small pin
MORALE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Phil Early – Intercity Transit (Kitty Hutchins)
Has an employee who
Employee recognition, give “Bonus Bucks” and the employee can
buy gift cards. Employees can pool Bonus Bucks for other employees, employees get to
choose where gift cards come from
Leather Jackets for 25 years of service
Denise Marchioro – Spokane
Employee Morale Survey – retreat and set goals to turn it around.
Survey based on a book “First Break all the Rules” they are
using the survey from the book, surveyed committee and will match with employee perception
of how they serve the community.
Safety banquet – spontaneous ideas – valentine cup cakes, hot
chocolate team.
Barb Hays – BFT
Hershey Bars, relabeled.
Holding Signs at TC
Jim Coffman & Dawn Budd (Supervisors) - Lane Transit
National Program – scratch off program to improve morale after
last year first strike and GM resignation with fleet manager
They are in a tough position now with a lack of trust from employees
and loss of leadership.
They are working hard not to lose the community.
Wade Mahala – Skagit Transit (Moral building and team building efforts)
Several of same incentives
Suggest program
Employee of quarter, peer vote, the boss works their job one day
Employee of year $250 state conference
Voted on by employee of last year
Newsletters (monthly) birthdays with cake
Walking program
Community involvement
Employees – Christmas tree, black tie affair
Hospital fundraiser
Highway pick-up sign on road
Transit Night at Games
Food baskets for Elderly
Fun Feasting Fridays – potluck (every other month)
Early breakfast, managers cook
Payday candy bar, “You deserve an extra payday”
Extras
• Casual dress day, casual professional
• Chili cook off, tied with united way
• Transit Appreciates catered Day
• Pie eating contest
• Dunk tank
Notes off Board
Fall 2006
Training / Speakers
• Advanced Communication / Transit Technologies – IBI
• Richard Wong – FTA attorney, ADA issues
• Making the most of the hiring process
• Investigating Employee Injury accidents
• Managing Employee performance
• Fuel allocation priorities
• CISM
• Emergency preparedness
• Pandemic flue prep
Roundtable
• Labor contract review / comparison
• Uniform policies appearance standards
• Pandemic flu prep
• State bus lease borrow program like VP
• Contract provider review
• Serial abuse passenger allegation policies
Thursday 3:30 p.m.
Rod Baker, Pierce Transit – Transit Security Council Report
Check Website
After 9/11, it becomes apparent that emergency communication was lacking in Puget Sound
Area and less formed sec council sponsored by WSTA
Assess transit Agency
Developed & Emergency plan SSCPP / FTA
Threat & Vulnerability Assessment, they can help.
Emergency Management, Homeland Security grant required minimum require
Is 100, 200 & 800 required for employees in Emergency Ops Center
WSTA Sec Council Group, Web Page
Holds meetings quarterly
King County Metro and KC police
Tacoma police (Pierce
IC Transit
Homeland Security money goes from fed to state to grant FE
*NIMS – National Incident management Systems
NIMS – program has helped them with foundation and focus for
emergencies
Speaker Rod Baker, it is a national accepted method for handling emergencies, it focus on
information sharing and communications
NIMS – Homeland security policing day-to-day activities
Security
These are all concerns
Aggressive towards transit security
Changed name of transit security (rent a cop) to public safety division to help with image
Sta 3657A title 10
70% reduction in Incidents
Exclusion Program – suspension of passenger’s 90 day or 1-year exclusion
Can’t Post Juveniles of a board
Some properties, have computerized list of suspended and trespassed persons others have
posted photos
Every year for 4th year
Tacoma, highest violent crimes in state
Pierce Co, also has highest meth crimes
This environment makes this areas crime units close knit. Cooperation goes deep.
Working with WSP & their bomb dogs using bus equipment for training
Future: Transit police task force for the region.
Quality of Life issues
Keep the image of cleanliness and safety
Limited commission structure – could issue citations but not arrest
April 3456, 06 Host NTI / TSI Course
Concludes with table top exercise
Bus Lease Program guest operator, bus support program
Thursday 4:15 p.m.
Metro Emergency Response Vehicle (Incident Command Center) Michael Lemensko (KC Metro
Transit)
Mobile Communication Center for Coordinators
To use if needed in case of Natural disaster or emergency to runt he transit
Drill, w / fire and police for last 2 years they are now recognized as a stakeholder.
Police – Fire – Transit, emergency coordination
Michelle Pariven WSTA, moving Roadeo to the sat and sun before the state conference
Tuesday evening would still awards be giving out competitors?
Steering committee will meet in April
Sam Desue
• Different Divisions
• Contract completed 4 meetings in June
• CEO search continued
• Ridership up 2.3% 2004 vs. 2005 15.5 million riders
• Jan up 9% o5 vs. 06
• 2005 turnover rate 59 employees 6% 14% national average
• 43 left voluntarily 16 were removed
• Simulated drill of CNG tank explosion, EOC, waiting for
evaluation
• In April will drill on Bird Flu
• Acc 2004 (695) – 2005 (666)
• Fare increase March 1 – no fed back
• Have hired a consultant to study digit camera systems
• Smartcard – regional card Everett always down to Pierce
• Includes KC Kitsap sound
• Full implementation in April 2008
Mobile Communication Project – Shuttle
Motorola & Orbital, trying to link
700 MHz digital
Voice and data 6 sites possibly 7th
GPS AVL voice announce
APS on 20% to start
2 days ago kicked off complete 2007-2008
Base use full capacity
Bus parking expansion
Large quelling buses for security
15,000 square foot administration expansion completed end of 2007
Partner with Pierce Credit Union and military for fill a bus for troop in Iraq
11:15
Effects of I901 Smoking Ban
DISCUSSION
Bob – C Trans public perception general complaints from public about non-compliance
At TC and Park and Rides designed smoking zones posted sign about not smoking except in
designated areas, gave security officers fliers to pass out
Asked for voluntary compliance perception has driven action.
Operators – lock up bus, walk to smoking area looking at whether agency becomes a
total non-smoking agency.
Bus shelters, they can apply for waiver by manager, have decided to post shelters as well
to the 25’ rule.
Buses are posted on outside no smoking 25’ from the bus front
door.
90% of public have accepted and are complying.
Colleen, Snohomish Counties has a different interpretation.
Properties are dealing with this in different ways from consideration of completely smoke
free, companies with 6-month period and assistance to employees for cessation to other
levels of limited smoking.
Pierce went to Health department to see what they wanted and they said shelter was not and
indoor shelter.
A hot topic that all over the board at this time –
11:25 Jeff – next official committee meeting at DOT conference August 7-9 for 1 1-1/2
in Bellevue looking next meeting.
Topics listed for agenda
Training/Round table discussion speakers
Tentative location Spokane, back-up Pullman, dates Oct 18-20 or 25-27 Adjourned
Presentation can come from individual property.
Thanks and recognition to Sylvia and Susan, Michelle’s help, also Barb notes, Sam as
Vice Chair and Pierce as a true class act.
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