2013-10-23, Committee on People With Disabilities, Minutes

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responsible to ensure that their vehicles are in safe operational condition. Alan stated they are governed by PUC. Tiffany said there is also a different type of inspection with that. It’s more specific and more detailed or extensive as far as the safety of the vehicles. A. Mitchener thanked Tiffany for providing transportation coupons for the volunteers for the Mobi Mat Beach project so they could come and help lay the mats out. She inquired if the buses go through all the community park centers as part of their route. Tiffany stated that they don’t go by all of the community parks but they do go by a number them. Alisa mentioned that in Pahoa, at the Makuu Farmer’s Market there is the Park and Ride kind of thing going on where people come and park their cars and catch the bus to go into town which saves them a lot on transportation costs. So that becomes kind of a community hub for catching the bus. So those things are happening out in the rural communities. I wanted to know if you would like help or if you have some kind of an orientation for the public on transportation training for people with disabilities. Tiffany said there wasn’t anything like that. K. Riedel would appreciate more advertisement regarding things like Park and Ride which encourages the public. Tiffany agreed and responded that actually in Pahoa at the Makuu Park and Ride facility, there were two dedications to that facility. So whenever we do have a new Park and Ride available we do put it out there for the community and the public. S. Nagasawa had a concern about taxi drivers charging disabled, elderly folks that use the shared ride taxi coupons a dollar for each shopping bag. Tiffany said they do charge a dollar for carry-on items and that there is also a charge for bags and groceries on the transit system. W. Brilhante wanted to clarify that, they may charge a fee but if the person has a disability and there is a necessity for maybe a cart or less bags, then the fee is supposed to be waived by the operator. T. Kai thanked everyone for having her at the meeting and providing her with their concerns and suggestions. T. Spinola-Campbell stated that Easter Seals project action specializes in transportation services for people with disabilities. And I’ve noticed that twice a year they offer special resources for people interested in rural transportation and how to get better transportation services for people with disabilities for rural providers. If there is anyone interested in working on that in particular for this island, it might be worthwhile. J. Souza praised his interpreter saying she is doing a really good job and he wanted to point out that she is very talented. BREAK – 11:10 – 11:25 6