SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

                        DRAFT MINUTES                  April 6, 2022

Present              Voting Attendees:

Ted Ceasar                                Consumer

Sarah Enz                                 Area Agency on Aging (AAA)

Kathleen Lang                          California Health & Wellness (CH&W)

Mitzi Perez                               ARC-IV

Raul Cordova                            Work Training Center (WTC)

Karrah Cardone                         Public Health Department-EMS

Karen Teran                              Access to Independence

James Dalske                            Imperial Valley College (IVC)

David Aguirre                           CTSA–ICTC

Maricela Galarza                       CTSA–ICTC

Gustavo Gomez                        CTSA–ICTC

Non-Voting Attendees:            

Cesar Sanchez                          IVT/IVTAccess/IVTRide/IVTMedtrans

Helio Sanchez                           IVT

                        Jose Guillen                              IVT MedTrans

                        Karla Pacheco                           IVT Access

                        Liz Santucci                             Caltrans

1.      Dr. Lang called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. A quorum was present. Introductions were made.

-        Hybrid meeting.

2.      SSTAC Remote Resolution.

-        Ms. Galarza explained the purpose of the implementation of the resolution. The resolution will be required for this meeting and future meetings until further notice.

-        SSTAC members reviewed the resolution and motioned to approve it as is. (Ceasar, Perez), Motion Carried.

-        Required signatures will be collected after the meeting.

3.      Minutes were adopted for March 2, 2022. (Ceasar, Perez), Motion Carried.

4.      CTSA Reports:

Mr. Aguirre had the following updates:

-        The free fares program ended on March 31, 2022. ICTC is pursuing an additional grant to possibly re-implement the free fare program. Looking to possibly get awarded around the Fall. Senior free rides are still sponsored by the Area on Aging Agency and are being coordinated at the dispatch level to see who receives those rides. ICTC shared gratitude to AAA for sponsoring those free rides.

-        The Unmet Transit Needs Hearing is scheduled to be on April 12, 2022, and will be conducted virtually. The staff received a good amount of comments and Ms. Galarza can provide more information on that.

Mr. Gomez had the following updates:

-        There were about 32 certifications for IVT Access.

-        IVT Access and IVT Ride continue to be remotely conducted, but the public does have the option to come to the office to sign up for IVT Ride or pick up an application for IVT Access. There have been more walk-ins in our office.

-        Staff is available to provide presentations, training, or provide any information to agencies.

Ms. Galarza had the following updates:

-        The UTN is scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2022, at 3 pm. A calendar invite will be sent to all SSTAC members who wish to attend. Ms. Galarza will email the developed SSTAC Hearing letter to Dr. Lang to read during the hearing for the record. There were 67 surveys received, with 30 viable comments.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre clarified that the 30 surveys were good comments related to transit services whereas the others were random, blank, about railroads, roadway, etc. Other related services comments are forwarded to the proper agencies. This is what usually occurs with surveys as you may not know what type of feedback will be received. The number of comments received is higher than other times when we conduct the hearing solely in person. ICTC is planning to conduct a hybrid version of the meeting next year.

Ø  Dr.Lang stated that possibly in the upcoming year would be good to review some of the comments while developing the SSTAC hearing letter to strategize in a way that is responsive to the community.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre agreed and stated that it can be provided.

5.      Transit Operator Updates:

           Imperial Valley Transit

           Mr. H. Sanchez had the following updates;

-        Free fares did end and were posted on all services for a couple of months.

-        Staff also took the time to go to bus terminals to inform all passengers about the free fares ending both in English and Spanish. Some passengers don’t see the posting so took initiative to verbally inform them.

-        There have only been only a few issues with passengers regarding paying fares, but overall it's been a good transition after two years of no fare collection.

-        Brawley constructions on 86 did affect the route, drivers attempted to not miss any bus stops. The road supervisors would be sent to pick up passengers and relocate them to another bus stop if need be.

IVT Access

Ms. Pacheco had the following updates;

-        No changes since last month.

-        There is a couple of passengers that are adjusting the fare change, but nothing major.

IVT Ride

Ms. Aguilar had the following updates;

-        The service has had about 25 registrations last month.

-        The service is still receiving funds from AAA to provide free rides to seniors.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre added that for sign-ups the services started to be conducted remotely post-pandemic and seem to be a better option for passengers who wish to sign up. The uptake of the sign-ups may be due to not having to come into the office so ICTC is planning to keep the sign-ups remotely for the accessibility of the individuals who want to register for the service. The Westshore service is still available 2 days a week, Tuesdays alternates to Brawley or Coachella,  and Thursdays locally. The services see ridership for both.

IVT MedTrans

Mr. Guillen had the following updates;

-        There has been a little increase in the service.

-        Looking forward to going to San Diego with Mr. Gomez and seeing how things are going concerning medical facilities protocols. If waiting areas open up then it might help ridership.

-        The service has one bus going out to San Diego due to demand.

Ø  Mr. Aguirre added that the service is still fully operational with two buses but adjustments to resources are done due to low demand. When the demand hits a certain threshold then both would be sent up to San Diego. Buses are ready to respond to pick up in demand.

6.      General Discussion

-        None.

7.      Adjournment

-        The meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m. (Lang), Motion Carried.

-        The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, at the Imperial County Transportation Commission Office, 1503 N. Imperial Ave., Suite 104, El Centro, CA 9224