STAC Report for April
During the April meeting of the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) several goals were discussed that will directly affect MATAplus riders, by engaging members of the community to take a vested interest in a functioning paratransit system. Attendees of the meeting were Allison Donald (Chair), Rexcey Bowers (Co-Chair) Christina Clift (MACCD representative), Anthony Amos (MATA Disability Coordinator), STAC members Bobbie Fields, Russell Jones, Curtis Tillman, as well as guests Latasha Shelton, Lonnie Collins, Yalonda Bradley-Bowers and Tierney Lee.
Each person at the meeting felt that it was important to have accurate information about MATAplus. Currently MATAplus provides erratic and inconsistent service and riders are not clear on how the system works. Rider's and MATAplus operators often spread erroneous information word-of-mouth to other patrons creating a gap in understanding the paratransit system.
The STAC committee will be reaching out to disability related organizations such as the Arc of the Mid-South, the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Memphis Council for Citizens with Disabilities to get there feedback on the new rider’s guide and the new MATAplus application. STAC is also asking about the new re-certification form MATA has created to simplify the process of recertifying MATAplus users.
“I have no problems with any of the suggestions that might be made during this process,” said Anthony Amos of MATA.
The application process is just one obstacle MATAplus riders have to face. The phone system also contributes to the ongoing problems as well. According to Mr. Amos the phone system was updated. However, there were still some questions raised by STAC members regarding checking the voicemail and the new procedure in which reservations are being taken.
Both Anthony Amos and members of STAC acknowledged that some work still needs to be done on both sides to understand how this process is going to work going forward.
STAC believes the lack of transparency at MATAplus is an issue for customers. MATAplus is a complimentary paratransit service with only one real way to complain. Rider's must complain through the customer service line. As a committee we would like to see email used as a way of tracking complaints. Email will provide a paper trail to protect MATAplus and the person who is making the complaint. As a community we are looking for a resolution to the problems we encounter with MATAplus. Riders wish to avoid being subjected to retaliation, because we chose to raise our voices against the discriminatory practices of MATAplus.
Anthony Amos suggested a series of workshops and videos put together to demonstrate how to properly use MATAplus. These workshops will be designed to educate the public about the service. There will also be a community conversation held at the Memphis Center for Independent Living on May 21, 2018 from 10:30am-12:00pm to talk about solutions and how we can bridge the gap between MATAplus and the community that of people with disabilities that it serves.
If you would like to attend please contact the Memphis Center for Independent Living located at 1633 Madison Avenue at 901-726-6404. You can also follow us on Twitter @MemphisCIL #MCILToday, www.mcil.org, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mcilACTION to keep up with the latest news on MATAplus.
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