Maryland Adds New Members to Citizens Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has welcomed new members to its Citizens Advisory Committee for Accessible Transportation (CACAT). The committee plays an important role for MTA as an advisory body to help ensure safe, efficient reliable transit with world-class customer service for all MTA patrons.
“My goal as a member of CACAT is to be a bridge between the citizens and the MTA overall,” said CACAT member Jonathan Moore. “I serve on CACAT because I want to better understand how we can make customer service easier for people to take the bus and spend more time with their family.”
Moore is one of several new members of CACAT. The group meets monthly, often in conjunction with MTA’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), to discuss issues that affect Mobility/paratransit customers on a short- and long-term basis. At one of the recent joint meetings of the two committees, MTA Administrator Paul Comfort welcomed all members with an emphasis on the important role each plays in the development of MTA services.
“CAC and CACAT play an essential role in making sure that we provide the most reliable and efficient service possible to our customers,” said Comfort. “The new members of the CACAT have strong paratransit backgrounds and will serve as strong representatives for our customers.”
New members of CACAT include:
Dr. Nollie Wood, Jr.: Wood is the executive director of the Mayor’s Office on Disabilities and Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities. He has served in the Public health field in several capacities, including assistant commissioner of the Baltimore Health Department.
Nicole D. Fincham: Fincham utilizes Mobility services 12-18 days monthly. She has served on the Mayor’s Commission for Baltimore City and is currently on the board with the Maryland Disability Law Center and the National Federation for the Blind of Maryland, Towson Chapter.
Michael E. Gerlach, III: Gerlach utilizes Mobility and MARC Train services. He is the Chair of Consumers for Accessible Ride Service, has a radio talk show and works at the Disability Law Center. Gerlach attended CACAT meetings frequently before joining the committee.
Jonathan Patrick Moore: Moore utilizes Local Bus and Light Rail services regularly and rides MARC Train Service twice monthly. His service on CACAT stems from his desire to help his father maintain his independence. He regularly assists his father on MTA’s modes of transportation.
Ella Scovens: A former member of CAC and CACAT, Scovens utilizes Mobility services often, and enjoys sharing information about MTA to other seniors and church members to help them with their transportation needs.
