[Colorado-Talk] Peer Review RE: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Final Report

Thu Sep 12 03:33:11 UTC 2024

First and foremost, I see serious problems with this timeline. Maybe they need to do it this way for budgetary reasons, but on its face, it’s far too compressed.

Here’s what I wrote to them:

Hi Staff!

One thing stands out immediately:

November 2024

• Share all customer feedback received with the Board

• Take policy-related recommendations to the Board for consideration

December 2024 – May 2025

• Staff work to adopt recommendations and effectuate all Board-adopted modifications

• Implement major operational adjustments as part of the May 2025 Service Changes

This timeline is far too compressed. I'm not sure how you plan to review the feedback you receive through the various outreach mechanisms you plan to employ. However, this tells me that you do not plan to change your recommendations based on any input you receive from the Board following their dissemination of the feedback report, which you are scheduled to present to them at their November meeting alongside your recommendations. It's clear from this timeline that you expect them to adopt those recommendations at this same meeting.

This is unacceptable.

I would suggest either bringing feedback to the Board in smaller chunks in their October and November meetings, or, probably most sensibly, moving back the timeline such that the Board has from their November meeting until their December meeting to process the customer and stakeholder feedback contained in your staff report and suggest any alterations to your recommendations. You should not expect them to adopt these recommendations until their December meeting at the soonest. You should also plan for the significant possibility that the Board will want to make changes based on customer/stakeholder feedback such that they will not be ready to adopt these modified recommendations until January 2025. I realize that this will mean that new board members will need to evaluate these recommendations, which could push adoption back still further. However, I see this as a logical progression of this very compressed timeline that staff has put forward.

Thanks for all you do, and stay tuned for more feedback!

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Jenny Holcomb via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Wednesday, September 11, 2024 12:31 PM
To: 'NFB of Colorado Discussion List' <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Jenny Holcomb <jenny.callahan at gmail.com>
Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Peer Review RE: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Final Report

Hello, I want to address that the term Peer Review is a term of art . This means that “Peer” is meant to refer to other transit agencies. The NFB is a consumer agency that could have been included in the initial Peer Review research stage. However, the inclusion of consumer agencies is not the critical or main component of the Peer Review. The Peer Review is a starting point. Now that the Peer Review Report is available input from consumers and consumer agencies is a critical component of the process, which begins today.

Moving forward, we need to be aware of which transportation agencies represent “Peers”. As noted, the Peers are supposed to represent transportation needs similar to Denver. You will note that Boston, which does have Access on Demand with Uber, is not one of the Peers. https://www.uber.com/blog/mbta/

 Do Pinellas Suncoast, New York City, and Orange County have Access on Demand with Uber and/orr Lyft? Arre there other cities besides Denver and Boston that offer Access on Demand with Uber and/or Lyft?

Regarding your particular Paratransit concern, it is important to read the Peer Review Report by comparing Denver paratransit to its Peers including Pinellas Suncoast, NYC, and Orange County as well as other relevant American cities with paratransit. The Peer Review Report is a starting point for Denver to assess its paratransit services and costs. Now, in the next steps consumer and consumer agency input is critical. It is important for us to stay focused on the relevant concerns addressed in the Peer Review Report. This is not a tangential, amorphous process. Listen to the comments  and questions from RTD carefully and stay focused on those comments and questions.   

This is the link to the Peer Review Report. https://cdn.rtd-denver.com/image/upload/v1725904023/APTA_Paratransit_Peer_Review_Report_and_Next_Steps_-_8.21.2024_j00ndt.pdf 

Jenny Holcomb, J.D.

Vice President, Mountains & Plains NFBCO 

From: Debra A. Johnson <generalmanager at rtd-denver.com <mailto:generalmanager at rtd-denver.com> > 
Sent: Monday, September 9, 2024 4:24 PM
To: jenny.callahan at gmail.com <mailto:jenny.callahan at gmail.com> 
Subject: Access-on-Demand: Peer Review Final Report

In early March 2024, RTD announced that it had commissioned a peer review of the agency’s paratransit operations and service delivery... 

View as a webpage. <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JXydWJ5dA5WwK0FaY7C56pA4feXKxj7xLDbds2X0Wg6Aaxth_XrQIh4dnOczm9q54TIE2u1CTqsp1uPjiAsXeRojbPGV5gyifw==&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> 

 <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4Jflx3vRhuAjnlbHl5PIahDCZH0ZPTKXRJj4Fzer4DerkbVYuN5mkq5IK3ojjMS5kbYus-62-yLlnSSeaI-acX4pvt_QgNAy1YSdTEtk3wL0Z&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> 

Good afternoon, paratransit customer.

In early March 2024, RTD announced that it had commissioned a peer review of the agency’s paratransit operations and service delivery. The overarching goal of the months-long peer review was to help the agency better understand the strengths and opportunities of its complementary paratransit service, as well as its premium supplemental on-demand service. In the public transit industry, peer reviews are used to analyze a range of issues related to operations, organizational efficiencies, and program management.

RTD’s Paratransit Peer Review was convened by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and included subject-matter experts from across the country. The final report has now been issued to RTD and is available for your review. The report outlines several observations and recommendations for RTD’s assessment and consideration. All observations and recommendations must now be individually assessed to determine the viability within RTD’s operating environment. Any policy changes related to paratransit service delivery will be brought to the RTD Board of Directors for its consideration.

To learn more about the peer review and download a copy of the final report, please visit  <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JXydWJ5dA5WwqySlbZqHPmyWrPaweodR-7KP3dZuYJ-b05-UQcNirp2rxamKdqdC49uelc8tTYFMRq5HBX2doMhpmA4HAY7snaYSvVYkCsIFiuEojlB8Q1nSfbQ_RblOaiuGsdX7sWDB&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> rtd-denver.com/paratransit-peer-review.

During RTD’s Operations, Safety, and Security Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 11, at 5:30 p.m., staff will provide a high-level overview of the report and share near-term plans for soliciting feedback from paratransit customers. All Board meetings stream online, and the meeting agenda is available on  <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JYFGcV0Q1oQ7WiBprqRBylgCrelVNWzol9BjcjS8GH1oz5G5imO-1_6Z6I61Hd7mXfXuaHd6Z1Gk0ZSORwgah0IEKK7447b1Uzowx3QViiONZeMYyIsha41yPPHzAMnNVA==&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> RTD’s website. An additional presentation with more information will be provided during the full Board meeting on September 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Your patience has been greatly appreciated while RTD took the time necessary to complete this comprehensive and careful peer review. Also, thank you for your continued patronage and support as RTD strives to make lives better through connections.

 <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JXydWJ5dA5WwqySlbZqHPmyWrPaweodR-7KP3dZuYJ-b05-UQcNirp2rxamKdqdC49uelc8tTYFMRq5HBX2doMhpmA4HAY7snaYSvVYkCsIFiuEojlB8Q1nSfbQ_RblOaiuGsdX7sWDB&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> Paratransit Peer Review: Final Report 

Sincerely,

––Debra

Debra A. Johnson

General Manager and CEO

 <mailto:generalmanager at rtd-denver.com> generalmanager at rtd-denver.com

The  <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JVDTYGXjc03QYAeA85rY95bHeiugktQLr_aUuSC8GomEE9h0AMrax0jlML5MtBFnRghUmVzR49IJaCkstorSkbanyugcKpQkqUejhbwJvBXB&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==> Regional Transportation District (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate and maintain a mass transportation system that now benefits more than 3.1 million people in the Denver metro area. With a service area of 2,342 square miles, RTD provides transit services in all or part of eight counties and more than 40 municipalities. The transportation agency's services are delivered via 126 bus routes, six light rail lines, four commuter rail lines, and paratransit mobility options.

 <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JSGJA_YjTgiJ_QV1d-MA_W5NDSixvgSORTzLNabMR9tWVsGMvO8h88vScY1sqAGmuypPU35ApblUJOhX9LXifbn6ALZsw8AuD8jinddg5quY&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==>       <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JSGJA_YjTgiJISChwdnFcV8F7FUrIgQAKb0zlQAn-fD-bBRO7HVi3uzG00kekowCiO2thjpGYKXRQSc4UDX6xbR4rEVU1kbdLnxnlu4p5rHMZQEUlVcb7mA=&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==>        <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JVDTYGXjc03QJSesx0FDG2HBJmnLaCiCAagDG6nO138-rqQsaQ_GY2ZxrMnhKyydOXR7uAS4srC1iiIwFhj41-hwYK6C0TLjpgPPcQG5B5H28oGzjyFjDo8=&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==>        <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JVDTYGXjc03QC-RWOt1xT3CloJ5QKZvJ4I4pQNU0PdDTBOyrWFDX3M1ZSPxmGv14h8p3468rRS6FORks8YvcgX1iPxmkn85muAh6ZsJDYtXx&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==>        <https://xgt4dogbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001HZ6NeF1OKyRwKHfvpVR9uQAvIUNER3YKBgiwMHX1SJQ7G5Ggakp4JSGJA_YjTgiJWDPJm0gysUSZcnmK4DG_e2Bur16Cs7r2E4Z-qdu6HI2-c-tTsJjvQtrAbRByVeFG9c9Crlvz8o9Gv_LMD-M29g_S775_EiS3OSMcSgyxxMo=&c=9hCXn_f3YtgE7T6yKDP9ysKDc1OkIHYdo8rzlx2Ha-96Bb7ctkzBGw==&ch=ry5IaC1XSg5wWmW2xKVWrmCxpjY0eglzZhbI-UL8fbKBltMrsn9BBw==>  

Regional Transportation District | 1660 Blake Street | Denver, CO 80202 US

Unsubscribe <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001ldUiMEaL0wdIYz55q8shBA%3D&ch=a8b98f8c-dbe7-11ee-836f-fa163e0f14ae&ca=2d64afe0-dcf6-4841-a97d-f5e0455aa336>  | Update Profile <https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001ldUiMEaL0wdIYz55q8shBA%3D&ch=a8b98f8c-dbe7-11ee-836f-fa163e0f14ae&ca=2d64afe0-dcf6-4841-a97d-f5e0455aa336>  | Constant Contact Data Notice <http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/about-constant-contact>  

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240911/bf573cd7/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 823 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240911/bf573cd7/attachment.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image002.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 8918 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240911/bf573cd7/attachment-0001.jpg>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.jpg
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 350 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/colorado-talk_nfbnet.org/attachments/20240911/bf573cd7/attachment-0002.jpg>