Boulder LCC – July 13th, 2020

  • Location: Microsoft Teams Meeting (virtual)
  • Introductions – 59 in attendance
  • Meet every month 2:00pm-4:00pm
    • Even months – Longmont
    • Odd months – Boulder
  • Mission – Overcome transportation gaps in the community
    • Multi-modal education
  • 30th Anniversary of ADA Panel Discussion
    • Panelists: Judy (National Federation of the Blind), Jamie (CCDC), Eugenia (Association for Community Living), and Aaron (Center for People with Disabilities)
    • We have come a long way, but there is room for improvement. What and how?
      • Enforcement – smaller communities don’t always have someone knowledgeable in ADA compliance
      • Input from public – Guidelines are flexible and can be tailored to each community
      • Need to focus on rural access – access is important in order to interact with community and stay employed
      • Accessible parking in open areas that people don’t think of (i.e. hiking)
      • Continued education – let people know that these things play a critical role in inclusivity
      • Digital Accessibility – websites & maps to help people navigate transportation are not always accessible.
    • COVID-19 has forced us to focus on online engagement. What barriers has COVID posed to accessibility?
      • Isolation – this often leads to depression
      • Communication barriers (especially for people with low vision) – wearing masks makes it hard for people who read lips or rely on hearing more
      • Lack of transportation – Blind people touch everything, so traveling on public transit has become more scary and dangerous with the Corona virus
      • Virtual movement – more people are on every meeting (since there is no travel obligations) so people have to learn new virtual tools more quickly
      • Inconsistency in applying rules (wearing face mask) – people who are already at high risk are even more at risk.
    • What role do you see the ADA playing in the next 30 years?
      • A more inclusive society – everyone benefits from ADA
      • Sky is the limit – anticipation that growth will happen more quickly especially with growth of technology
      • Accessibility – would like to see 50% of all housing to be accessible, want a land use policy that all needed services could be found within 1/3 mile from accessible housing
      • Valued for skills – would like to see people with disabilities fully in the workforce and to be seen for their strong skillsets
  • LCC updates
    • Tech workshops
      • 7/16 – RTD apps
      • 7/22 – Lyft app
      • 7/29 – Uber apps
      • 8/13 – Google maps
      • Last 2 hours with a follow up Q&A session
      • Working on creating a video on how to download the apps before the training
        • Used to do this in person, but making a video now that they are virtual
  • Ride Free Lafayette
    • Launching later this month
    • 7am-8pm every day of the week
    •  Free
    • 3 ways to get a ride
  • Grant funding opportunities
    • DRCOG HST
      • Will be asking for year 2 funding for Ride Free Lafayette
    • Next 50 Initiative
      • Pairing with Via & Ego Car Share
  • Other updates
    • Via Mobility Services
      • As of 7/1 Seniors’ Resource Center (SRC) has transferred their transportation services to Via
      • Not accepting new riders yet
      • New boundaries to cover the Denver Metro Area
      • SRC clients will still be able to call the old number and get rides
        • The only difference in service for these riders will be new buses and drivers
      • Clear Creek County will be running their own service
  • Key Transit
    • Expanding their services into Boulder
    • Transporting one person at a time (can bring one care giver along)
    • Looking to expand into Colorado Springs in the future
    • Will be offering 50% off vouchers during COVID
    • Not transferring COVID positive patients
    • Base rate is $46 + $4.75 per mile
  • DRMAC App
    • Resource for transportation options in the Denver Metro Area
    • Took the Getting There Guide and made it digital
    • In the process of getting it ADA certified
  • RTD
    • COVID update
      • Cleaning all vehicles every night
      • Got an electrostatic cleaner
      • Back to collecting fares and using front boarding
        • Installing plexiglass barriers for drivers protection
      • Strongly encouraging people to wear masks while riding
      • Continued financial challenges
        • Cutting costs and streamlining projects
        • Furloughs in place (salaried employees)
    • Reimagine RTD
      • Objective – data-driven process to engage with users
      • How will RTD evolve both short and long term?
      • Will provide
        • System Optimization Plan (short term)
        • Mobility Plan (long term)
      • Key Elements
        • Evaluate current system & what RTD can afford
        • Seek input on priorities
        • Implement the System Optimization Plan in 2021
        • Mobility Plan implemented 2022
  • NEXT MEETING
    • Monday 8/10/2020
    • Location: virtual (Microsoft Teams)
    • Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm