pages: CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities/2016-12-14.pdf, 19
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CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities | 2016-12-14 | 19 | book a trip a day ahead of time, that they more easily would be able to call and get a ride in 10 minutes or something. I think that's maybe where we're headed but we're just not there yet. One of the reasons why we're not there yet is they're working on, especially Lyft, on how to have wheelchair accessible vehicles and they do have some partnerships that they're experimenting with, yet it's not totally resolved at this point. We're just waiting and listening and monitoring. Doyle Saylor: I had a question about the AC Transit buses and their accessibility. I haven't gone out on a bus in a long time, but I know in the past, a lot of people have complained that the AC Transit buses that have the lifts on the buses break down and then the bus cannot take wheelchairs. So I'm just wondering if that is still the case and is this something that we need to work with AC Transit on? Gail Payne: I really don't know about that, but I have not heard that complaint a lot. Doyle Saylor: Oh, okay. Gail Payne: But that might not be because Elizabeth Kenny: Okay. I'm sorry, can we just Let one person talk at a time and Ms. Payne has the floor right now. Gail Payne: Thank you. It might be because those complaints go directly to AC Transit, and so that's why it's really great for me to come here, because then I can better understand from a community member perspective. I can just ask them about the wheelchair lifts and complaints received and see if we need to resolve something. I know they're actively working on purchasing some newer buses, and so hopefully that will resolve as they do a better job of replacing their buses. Arnold Brillinger: Could I talk about AC Transit for just a moment? I just recently, in the last four to six months, started using AC Transit here from Alameda to the other side of Richmond to downtown Fremont and all kinds of places. First of all, they have got ramps now that flap out, and then you drive your wheelchair up. Second, I want to give kudos to AC Transit because of what I call "AC Transit culture". You could be in Oakland or somewhere around the street and there's people yelling profanities and wanting to fight and all that kind of stuff. You get on the bus, it's a totally different atmosphere. It's, "Thank you, driver." it's, "You're welcome." I've got a big wheelchair and for a long time I didn't even go because I had some problems with it originally. But now the buses, the drivers and everybody, they say, "We hope to see you again." What kind of thing is that? To say, "Hey, come back again." Part of it is that I'm a better driver now, but it's also the culture on the bus that is better. Go ahead and use it again, is what I'm saying. Gail Payne: That's good to hear. I just want to follow up on AC Transit, because I do feel like the drivers are the unsung heroes of humanity. Bus drivers in general have got a tough job. Arnold Brillinger: Yes. They do a very good job, and the atmosphere on there is very good, it makes you want to come back and use it again. Gail Payne: That's great. Elizabeth Kenny: Thank you. We have one more public comment, Carol Gottstein. Carol Gottstein: Hi. I just wanted to speak up after I heard this gentleman from Renewed Hope talking about Paratransit. I stopped using Paratransit around 2006, because it was so bad. The waits are hours long, you never get picked up from your doctor's appointment. If you have to go San Francisco or Stanford, just forget it. To hear that it still sounds like it's about as bad as it was when I | CommissiononPersonswithDisabilities/2016-12-14.pdf |