Be Involved: Correcting Issues & Advocating for Improvements Michael J. Walk Director of Service Development Maryland Transit Administration 2015 Mobility Matters Conference | May 7, 2015 Disclaimer: Author is solely responsible for all content. Content does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the MTA or its management.

Who am I? …some days I’m not so sure… Director of Service Development at MTA (Planning & Scheduling Core Bus, Light Rail, Metro) 6 Years at MTA – Operations / Transit Analyst – Special Assistant to the Administrator – Chief Performance Officer – 2 years as Director of Service Development Father of 5 (soon to be 6!)

What am I Talking About? What are the procedures to – Report and resolve issues related to Title VI and ADA – Suggest service changes and improvements – Be involved in the transportation decision-making process

Getting Resolution to Issues Can be confusing, because multiple jurisdictions often involved Contact Transit Operator for – Information Displays – Vehicles – Platforms / stations – Fare payment Contact Local Jurisdiction for – Bus stop / sidewalks (sometimes) Depends – Bus shelters & amenities (benches, trash receptacles) Agencies should be willing to connect you with the right party to resolve your issue

Who to Call? Main call center line (e.g., MTA: ) Special offices dedicated to specific issues – ADA Federal Transit Administration ADA MTA online complaint form or phone Local Jurisdictions have Accessibility or ADA Offices – Title VI Federal Transit Administration Title VI (same number) MTA Office of Fair Practices Local Jurisdictions / Transit Providers have special offices dedicated to managing Title VI issues

RECOMMENDING CHANGES & IMPROVEMENTS How do you get a say?

Tip 1: Be Plugged In Find out how to get notified of meetings, changes, comment periods, etc. Subscribe to alerts, newsletters, or other outgoing communication from the agency (e.g., “NotifyMeHoward” and MTA eNotifications) If you’re not eSavvy, find out what periodicals the agency places announcements in (MTA always uses at least the Baltimore Sun)

Tip 2: Attend Meetings / Forums Every transit provider has public / citizen advisory committees – e.g., MTA Citizen Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation ( – WMATA Rider Advisory Council ( Many have online forums where ongoing discussions can take place – MTA MindMixer Platform ( – WMATA MindMixer Platform ( – Follow their social media accounts and pages

Tip 3: Speak their Language Transit providers MUST maximize service effectiveness and efficiency Transit providers get barraged with recommendations for new routes, service changes, stop location changes, etc. Recommendations are more likely to be implemented if they are: – Based on a solid case – Benefiting to many– not just a personal desire – Supported by many (multiple letters of support or similar suggestions)

THE BIG DECISIONS Influencing the Capital Program

Long-Range Planning Advocacy Long Range Planning & Capital Funding Decisions are made at the MPO & MDOT level (if Federal & State dollars are used) Baltimore Regional Transportation Board / Baltimore Metropolitan Council – Public Participation Plan ( involved/participate/public-participation-plan) involved/participate/public-participation-plan – Public Advisory Committee ( brtb/brtb-committees/public-advisory-committee) brtb/brtb-committees/public-advisory-committee Significant involvement / input by – MDOT – Counties & Baltimore City

Questions? Contact – Michael J. Walk –