Camden County Workforce Investment Board

Jerome Phillips, Project Manager, opened the meeting and asked for round table introductions.  Jerome thanked Aletha, Yehuda and Gwo-Wei for their continued support and direction, Jerome turned the meeting over to the Department of Transportation team.

Mr. Gross gave a general overview of the project’s progression and highlighted the uniqueness of The WIB; a non-transportation agency and the coordination with Faith Based agencies as the hallmarks of the project description.  Yehuda made it clear that he is under pressure to show an outcome and has aspirations of Camden becoming a national model of success.  Yehuda shared the success and experiences from the other two grant awardees, Paducah, Kentucky and Aiken, South Carolina.  He recommended reaching out and learning about their innovative solutions and three year sustainability plans.  Yehuda stated while the other two projects launched and concluded prior to ours; we still have a great opportunity to blaze a trail that will positively impact the county and give insight to other transportation and non-transportation agencies around the country.    He also added it is critical that the funds support the latest technology that encompasses transparency, provides efficiencies, grows to complete automation and moves quickly from a federated approach to consolidated; creating a pool of providers and over time will balance out.  He further explained the long term disadvantages of systems integration and cautioned the team to give strong consideration before outfitting the project with a substandard technology.   He clarified the need to utilize funds for a technical engineering consultant; stating, vendors have the ability to provide the specifications required to produce the desired outcome.   With stakeholder input and expertise with the identification of TMCC policies, the vendor can be a reliable source, eliminating the need for a technical consultant. Mr. Gross said, once the project starts, DOT will provide Technical Assistance.   Yehuda’s final advice is to move quickly in making decisions as the DOT expects significant progress; all eyes are on Camden County and the work at hand.

Aletha Goodine, DOT Project Manager expressed her happiness that all stakeholders have remained steadfast and still at the table supporting the project in spite of the extended delays.  Aletha stated she will continue to provide oversight and management, and will avail herself as needed particularly with the procurement process and utilize DOT resources to address project needs going forward.   She stressed the importance of considering the cost savings associated with long term contractual agreements and sighted the fact that one of the other grant recipients worked with Verizon and found it more cost efficient to contract beyond the grant period.  Aletha indicated she is anxious to see the project move forward and cautioned stakeholders that results are needed or the DOT may reassign the funds.

Gwo-Wei Torng advised the team to make sure the RFP for RSD accurately describes the project needs based on scope of services regardless of the decision to integrate systems or not.   He asked the team, in stating our new time line, instead of using specific dates, to state the due date in # of weeks, days, months, etc. from the project start date; this will eliminate the need to continually revise the time line.   

Jerome and Bob Schiavinato reviewed a powerpoint presentation that described the benefits of the Camden County TMCC implementation:

• Commitments to customers; providing technology compatible to population and generation, understanding that older  customers may need a live person ; as opposed to a younger individual that is technology savvy.  The Call Center will accommodate both populations.
• Commitment to providers; technology will provide cost-effective reservations, scheduling and dispatch solutions.
• Commitment to the future; using Faith Based transportation solutions to provide sustainable services to under-served populations.

Call Center Technology Implementation will:

• Provide customers information via IVR technologies
• Synchronize rides with and through providers and public through web-based interfaces in Real-Time
• Coordinate requests for rides with human service data through 211 I & R interface, thus providing access to more human service needs than just a transportation coordination center.
• Allow Providers access to data through the use of Mobil Data Terminals
• Providers will coordinate ride information with RSD database for reporting purposes
• Providers will share Demand Response duties between each other when cost effective
• The most exciting benefit is in the future and the realistic potential of the project including: a faith based transportation program mentored by established providers ensuring best-practices for overall customer service and safety.  Sustainability is improved by the projects faith based component making it possible to seek faith based grants; and expansion into county municipal transit systems augmenting deviated fixed-routes, improving demand response, and allowing for ride sharing.

Bob Koska, NJ Transit, Local Programs stated replicating the project nationally may be of interest to the  DOT but in his capacity; his focus would be replicating at the state level.  Bob noted, municipal, state and national transportation budgets are receiving funding cuts and now is the time to address doing more with less, while increasing efficiencies and improving and expanding service to customers.  

The DOT requested the WIB provide an official letter of commitment stating we are ready to start including a revised time line formatted as suggested by Gwo-Wei Torng.

Submitted,

Sherriea Gorden