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The Agency Council on Coordinated Transportation (ACCT) is a partnership of members from the legislature, state agencies, transportation providers and consumer advocates whose mission is to direct and promote activities that efficiently use all available state and community resources for special needs transportation across the state. The legislature created ACCT in 1998 to facilitate coordination and eliminate cross-jurisdictional and government program barriers to transportation. The ACCT Council concentrates on three critical areas: Identify and Address Barriers, Focus on Results, and Increase Advocacy.
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IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS
UTC Declines to Support Cabulance Legislation
In lieu of introducing legislation this session the Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has asked ACCT for more information on the problem that we are trying to prevent with regulation. Although some local jurisdictions are threatening to impose their own duplicative fees and requirements, it is not clear to the UTC what the impact will be.
ACCT will now provide the UTC with specific information collected from all of the agencies, transportation providers and advocates with an interest in cabulance regulation. The information will describe both safety and coordination issues that are impacted by no action. To give input or get more information, contact Don Chartock at ACCT.
ACCT Hires New Analyst
Rebeca Potasnik is ACCT's new Program Analyst. She is focused on the performance measures report and the Statewide Travel Options Web site.
Rebeca recently received a Masters degree from the University of Oregon. While a student, she worked on Oregon's Transportation and Growth Management Program examining issues related to transportation, land use planning, and school siting.
INCREASE ADVOCACY
ACCT Members Attend Governor's Event
On December 15, the Governor sponsored a boards and commissions training for appointees. Five ACCT Council positions are appointed by the Governor: Marilyn Mason Plunkett, Community Transportation Association NW; Mike Harbour, Washington State Transit Association; Theresa Hekel, the Washington Pupil Transportation Association; and two consumer representatives including one vacant position and one filled by Bernice Robinson.
At the training, the Governor's Office stressed the importance of holding open meetings and using operating principles. After the training the Council members were invited to the Governor's mansion to meet the Governor and the First Gentleman.
FOCUS ON RESULTS
Travel Options Available
The first wireframe model of the Statewide Travel Options Web site, formerly known as Trip Planner, is now available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/acct
A "wireframe" is a test web site showing sample screens to simulate the function of the website.
ACCT gathered input on the Travel Options Web site through meetings around the state and via an online survey. A link to the wireframe Web site and survey results are published on the ACCT Web site. Based on the feedback received, ACCT is making revisions to the Web site and expects to publish another version in January.
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