RFP – Harbor Ferry Services for CCRTA

Request for Proposals for Harbor Ferry Services

RFP 2010-PT-19

The Regional Transportation Authority of Corpus Christi, Texas is soliciting proposals for its Harbor Ferry Services, (RFP 2010-PT-19).  Sealed proposal must be hand delivered or mailed to the RTA offices Attn:  Contracts & Grants Dept. at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas 78405 prior to the deadline:  Monday, October 18, 2010 at 3:00PM.  Specifications for this proposal and information may be obtained from the RTA’s Contracts Department located at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi, TX  78405.  A Pre-Proposal meeting and phone conference have been scheduled for Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 2:00PM.  Further information may be obtained from Martha King, Buyer, or Twila Mouttet, Contracts and Grants Manager at (361) 289-2712 or from the RTA website http://ccrta.org/rta-business/.

                                                                        /s/ Michael H. Setzer

                                                                        Interim Chief Executive Officer

Updated Agenda for Upcoming Transit Marketing Workshop Posted

The agenda for the Transit Marketing Workshop has been updated. That good news and registration forms can be found by CLICKING HERE!

DOJ Releases New Clarification Regarding Service Animals – Date Correction

CORRECTION to DATE:

The following is a NEW clarification of the definition of SERVICE ANIMAL from the Department of Justice. This new definition takes effect 6 months from now OR January 26, 2011. This means you are still under the old definition until that time. Additionally, the Department of Transportation (DOT) has not officially modified 49 CFR Part 37, yet. SWTA is not certain how the two Departments will differ on the subject. I would like to schedule a conference call with anyone who is interested in discussing the new changes and will work to have that coordinated in the coming week with DOT/FTA officials and a couple of lawyers who work with this issue on a daily basis. If you want to be a part of that discussion, please CLICK HERE and put in the subject line SERVICE ANIMAL DISCUSSION.

Subject: Upcoming Changes to Service Animal Definition under ADA

You can find the changes to the Department of Justice regulations on the website www.ada.gov

Attorney General Eric Holder recently signed amendments to Title II, 28 CFR Part 35 (Non-discrimination in State and Local Government Services) and Title III, 28 CFR Part 36 (Non-discrimination in Public Accommodations).  Although there are many aspects of these amendments, one aspect of interest is that the amendments change and clarify the definition of “service animal”.  The changes go a long way towards resolving the confusion that has existed in recnt years regarding service animals.

 The Title II and Title III statute amendments will be published in the Federal Register soon, and the amendments will take effect 6 months from the date of publication.  The Department of Transportation will probably also modify its ADA-implementing regulation 49 CFR Part 37, although little change will be required.  Other federal departments, or State or local governments, may establish more detailed regulations so long as they are not inconsistent with this regulation.

 The following are excerpts from the provisions of Title II.

 In Definitions:

“Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler´s disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal´s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.”

Amended law:

Ҥ 35.136 Service animals

(a) General. Generally, a public entity shall modify its policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a service animal by an individual with a disability.

(b) Exceptions. A public entity may ask an individual with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if–

(1) The animal is out of control and the animal´s handler does not take effective action to control it; or

(2) The animal is not housebroken.

(c) If an animal is properly excluded. If a public entity properly excludes a service animal under § 35.136(b), it shall give the individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the service, program, or activity without having the service animal on the premises.

(d) Animal under handler´s control. A service animal shall be under the control of its handler. A service animal shall have a harness, leash, or other tether, unless either the handler is unable because of a disability to use a harness, leash, or other tether, or the use of a harness, leash, or other tether would interfere with the service animal´s safe, effective performance of work or tasks, in which case the service animal must be otherwise under the handler´s control (e.g., voice control, signals, or other effective means).

(e) Care or supervision. A public entity is not responsible for the care or supervision of a service animal.

(f) Inquiries. A public entity shall not ask about the nature or extent of a person´s disability, but may make two inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal. A public entity may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. A public entity shall not require documentation, such as proof that the animal has been certified, trained, or licensed as a service animal. Generally, a public entity may not make these inquiries about a service animal when it is readily apparent that an animal is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability (e.g., the dog is observed guiding an individual who is blind or has low vision, pulling a person´s wheelchair, or providing assistance with stability or balance to an individual with an observable mobility disability).

(g) Access to areas of a public entity. Individuals with disabilities shall be permitted to be accompanied by their service animals in all areas of a public entity´s facilities where members of the public, participants in services, programs or activities, or invitees, as relevant, are allowed to go.

(h) Surcharges. A public entity shall not ask or require an individual with a disability to pay a surcharge, even if people accompanied by pets are required to pay fees, or to comply with other requirements generally not applicable to people without pets. If a public entity normally charges individuals for the damage they cause, an individual with a disability may be charged for damage caused by his or her service animal.

(i) Miniature horses. (A) A public entity shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to permit the use of a miniature horse by an individual with a disability if the miniature horse has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of the individual with a disability.

(B) Assessment factors. In determining whether reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures can be made to allow a miniature horse into a specific facility, a public entity shall consider–

(1) The type, size, and weight of the miniature horse and whether the facility can accommodate these features;

(2) Whether the handler has sufficient control of the miniature horse;

(3) Whether the miniature horse is housebroken; and

(4) Whether the miniature horse´s presence in a specific facility compromises legitimate safety requirements that are necessary for safe operation.

(C) Other requirements. Paragraphs 35.136 (c) through (h) of this section, which apply to service animals, shall also apply to miniature horses.”

You can find the changes to the Department of Justice regulations on the website www.ada.gov.  The discussion or rule-making that follows the publication of Title II may be helpful to those who want to further  understand these upcoming changes

CO Study to Determine Future Needs of Regional Public Transit Services

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Aug. 5, 2010) – The City of Colorado Springs has embarked on a study to determine the future of regional public transit. The study will examine regional transit, which is funded regionally, but governed by one entity – the City of Colorado Springs.

 “The focus of the study is for the Pikes Peak region to thoroughly evaluate the desired level of public transit services as well as how public transit should be governed and funded for ongoing sustainability,” said Craig Blewitt, Mountain Metropolitan Transit (MMT) manager.

 The goals of the nine-month study are to:

MMT is currently the only provider of fixed-route bus service in the Pikes Peak region.  It has jurisdiction to serve a growing regional population of more than 600,000 residents. “It is actually only serving approximately three fourths of the urbanized area due to funding constraints and cuts,” Blewitt said

Over the past two years, City funding for transit operations has been reduced from $11.9 million in 2008 to $2.6 million in 2010. As a result, transit service has been cut approximately in half, significantly affecting those who rely on the service for work, school, and medical appointments. The balance of local funding is provided by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation

 -more-

Future of Regional Transit

Page 2 of 2

Authority (PPRTA), which includes Colorado Springs residents as well as residents from unincorporated El Paso County, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, and Ramah.  Those non-Colorado Springs residents contribute funding for transit service without being represented in the transit system governance and decision-making process.

To help formulate a recommendation to Colorado Springs City Council, a steering committee has been established, which includes representatives from each of the municipalities and jurisdictions within the study area, other government agencies, community organizations and citizen groups. The committee will meet monthly and provide input and guidance to the study.

The committee meets for the first time from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Aug. 6, at the Pikes Peak Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, second floor Hearing Rooms A/B. All steering committee meetings are open to the public.

Steering committee members will:

“To ensure opportunities for public involvement in the process, a program for public participation, community education and receiving public input will take place throughout the study,” Blewitt said.

The steering committee will provide its recommendation, which will include a plan to implement the recommendation, to the City of Colorado Springs City Council in February 2011.

For more information about the Future of Regional Transit Study, visit the study Web site: www.FutureofRegionalTransit.com.

The Future of Regional Transit is a nine-month study to determine:

including desired service levels

 

Contact:

Lisa Bachman PR Group

719-488-5908

PO Box 1575, Mail Code 1449                                                   www.FutureOfRegionalTransit.com

Colorado Springs, CO 80901

Protected: Follow up from ADA Accessible Transit Workshop in Little Rock

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Webinar: Integrating Bike and Pedestrian Facilities with Transit

Integrating Bike and Pedestrian Facilities with Transit Webinar: SWTA has met an interesting group from the pedestrian and bike community. The following link is to a webinar being produced by The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals and should give some great insight about integration and accessibility of several forms of transportation. The webinar is set for September 10.

http://www.apbp.org/event/sep-10_webinar

SWTA’s Comment on Senate Bill 3638 – To Establish a National Safety Plan for Public Transportation

Bill Cartwright, Tulsa Transit, was asked by one of his Senators to comment on Senate Bill 3638. Mr. Cartwright contacted SWTA for more information. Our newly formed Legislative Committee reported the following opinion,

“While development of this national safety plan has had a great deal of transit industry input, including that of APTA, and promises to improve safety for agencies, employees and riders, it is not likely to come without added cost and personnel/management requirements to transit agencies. The added costs need to be considered to help transit agencies implement the requirements this important legislation may require. It is unclear whether the possible additional cost has been adequately addressed.”

See the full Bill’s language here. Senate Bill 3638     and   Senate Safety Committee Final Report

Please leave comments below.

Protected: Transit Law Seminar Follow up Information

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General Manager Gets Wet to Support Public Transportation Scholarships

John Hendrickson, General Manager with Waco Transit, is getting all wet to raise funds for the Texas Transit Foundation. The Foundation provides scholarships for continuing education for public transportation professionals in Texas. John is kayaking 260 miles for the cause and is calling on his public transportation family to support his efforts. See his open letter, support form and follow his kayaking blog below.  

Hello Everyone,

I am writing each of you today, because I need your assistance in raising money for a scholarship fund for public transportation in Texas.  Our industry’s success is dependent on the people we grow and/or bring into our industry.  I am not just asking you for a donation, I am willing to work for it.  I will be paddling solo in a kayak for approximately 260 miles for up to 100 of non-stop hours (hopefully less) and in some cases walking and carrying the kayak around log jams, low water dams, or other obstacles.  I will have to avoid fire ants, snakes, alligators, sharks, and who knows what else. This will be no easy journey, but I believe this journey will be worth every bit of sweat, tears, blood loss, and pain that I will endure to establish a well funded scholarship program in the state of Texas for Public Transportation.  I truly believe we can make a difference, but I cannot accomplish this alone, so I need your help.  Please let me know if I can count on you prior to June 11, 2010.  If I have not heard from you, I will be calling.       

Basically, the Texas Transit Foundation would have the ability to give scholarships to people in transit who may need a boost getting started on their degree or finishing their degree.  We have a number of very talented people in this industry throughout Texas, but many of them lack the educational requirements they may need to take the next step in their careers.

The way we are raising funds for this endeavor is by requesting sponsorships at various levels and/or by pledges per mile (see the attached form).

Every little bit counts, no amount is to large or to small.  You may sponsor a one-time amount or an amount that you are willing to contribute per mile. After the event in June you will be informed of how many miles were paddled and you can send in your contribution. Please make all checks payable to the Texas Transit Foundation.  It is tax deductible. 

For more information on how you can support this great cause please call 750-1900. 

Also, you can track our progress online with facebook using the following link.  Help me get the word out.  The race starts June 12, 2010 at 9 AM.  Updates of our progress will be posted as we paddle our way from San Marcos toward the Gulf of Mexico (actually Seadrift, Texas).  We have already completed the qualifying race of approximately 42 miles on May 1st, 2010.  I have attached a picture from the Texas River Marathon of me at mile marker 18 with a little “GUNS UP!”.  Please keep in mind, I never paddled anything until I agreed to do this race for our industry.  You can see some of our training paddles and pictures at the link below.  

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Waco-TX/3-Yahoos-and-a-Dream/336407114648?ref=ts

Here is a link to the information on the race.  http://www.texaswatersafari.org/

I am very hopeful that I can count on each of you.

Sincerely,

John L. Hendrickson
General Manager
Waco Transit System

Transit Law Seminar Information and Registration

SWTA’s Transit Law Seminar will be held in San Antonio, June 13-15, 2010. Please see the following links for information and registration.

Registration

2010 Legal Schedule at a Glance 5.17.10

Hotel

If you have questions, please call the SWTA office at 512.237.9733 or email Kristen.

 

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