Above & Beyond ADA Los Angeles Metro

Dan Levy

Chief, Office of Civil Rights levyd@metro.net

Metro 3rd Largest Transit Agency in USA

6 Existing rail lines

3 Rail projects under construction

170 Bus Routes

2 BRT Routes

453 Million annual passengers

2228 Buses

14 Bus Divisions; 6 Rail Divisions

15,967 Bus Stops

$5.6 Billion annual budget

Going Above & Beyond ADA

• In 2011 there was one ADA Coordinator

• Today Office of Civil Rights reports to CEO and has staff of 7 dedicated to improving accessibility

The Challenge

• Ridership among persons with disabilities has grown significantly – From 3,500 to 90,000 passengers in wheelchairs

per month in 12 years on bus alone

– Over same period paratransit wheelchair use has decline as percentage of trips

Our Commitment

• Build & operate most accessible system in World

• Taking many initiatives that go above and beyond ADA for bus and rail

• Adopting best practices from around the world

Priority Seating

• Signed as “Reserved”

• Different designations for Wheelchairs and Seniors/Persons with Disabilities

• Initiated State legislation to create fine for failure to move

Changes

• New decals/signage

• New dedicated seat fabric with pictograms

• New flooring with pictographs

• New space for walkers with pictograms

Wheelchair Securement

• Dual Q-Pods

• Dual rear facing positons with anti-tip belt

Walkers • Added a single

flip up seat to accommodate non-folding walkers and rollators

Overall 40’ Layout

Braille Fleet Numbers & Stops

Wheelchair Tether Straps

• Mobile team and downtown location for free install

Boarding & Alighting Policy

NextBus Audio

Directional Bars & Tactile Warnings

Enhanced & Sustainability Training

Mystery Rider

• 600 observations per quarter • Conducted by outside contractor • Statistically valid sample of compliance by bus

operators and equipment • Leads to counseling, discipline or commendations • In 2017 will add LEP observations

Employee Recognition

• To recognize operators with record of excellent service for passengers with disabilities

• Recognized at Board or Accessibility Committee

Improved Complaint Process

Accessibility Fairs • Held to promote need to

promote sensitivity, follow accessibility rules and reinforce securement procedures

Outreach Rancho Los Amigos

Regional Centers

Ability Expo

Braille Institute

Free Fare

• Certified Access registrants receive free fares on fixed route

• Registrants make about 4.3 million annual trips on Access, but 31 million trips on Metro!

What Others Say

• FTA conducted review of ADA compliance including 50 random and covert rides – No ADA violations were observed

– Reviewers stated that Metro was a national model for ADA compliance

• Annual Peer Review – no deficiencies

Above & Beyond

• Metro is going Above and Beyond to meet the needs of individual with disabilities

• Possible with strong support of CEO, Board and community

• Success measured by ridership and reviews