Staff Report #12
August 28, 2024
To All Commissioners
Re: 2024 Work Program – Corporate Communications/Information Technology – Second Quarter Update
Recommendation
The report be NOTED and FILED.
Background
The following report is provided as an update on major projects as set out in the 2024 Work Program that are ongoing in nature and were scheduled to commence and/or to be completed in the second quarter, with the lead on same being the primary responsibility of Corporate Communications and/or Information Technology.
4.3 Consider Additional Methods to Communicate Policies
An item in the Commission’s 2020-2025 Accessibility Plan is to ‘consider additional methods of communicating information with respect to policies and procedures to the public’. This initiative is intended to identify and gather feedback on additional methods that could be utilized to communicate various policies/procedures which impact London Transit customers. Through a review of common inquiries and customer contacts relating to specific policies as well as feedback from front-line personnel, administration has identified those policies/procedures that need to be better communicated and develop associated outreach campaigns.
The table below sets out the various policies/procedures affecting London Transit customers that are available on the corporate website and not well understood by the public and would therefore benefit from enhanced communications efforts. The list of topics is fluid with an item from the April Commission meeting having already been added – Transporting Parcels on Transit.
The list of programs and polices needing to be highlighted has been broken down into three larger campaigns; each of which will roll-out through our corporate socials as well as other modes as appropriate.
Reading the Fine Print
- Lost & Found Policy
- Pets on Transit Policy
- Service Animal Policy
- Support Person Policy
- Transporting Parcels on Transit
- Accessible Customer Service Policy
Expect Respect
- Priority/Courtesy Seating Policy
- Human Rights and Diversity Policy
- Mutual Respect Policy
Other
- Travel Safe Program
- Digital Recording Surveillance
As previously noted, currently these policies/procedures are available on the corporate website and the public is provided links to same should they request information. Additionally, should any of the information available on the website be required in an alternate format, administration will work with the individual requesting the information to arrange for the material to be provided in a suitable format.
The Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee will continue to be consulted on the most appropriate methods to enhance the public understanding of the policies and programs.
Added – Recorded Commission Meetings
At the March 27, 2024 meeting, the Commission directed administration to purchase a table-top video recording system for use at public Commission meetings, and to explore the cost associated with posting of the recordings on the corporate website.
In response to same, a table-top video recording system was purchased and has been tested at the April and May meetings. Administration has had the opportunity to review and assess the video recordings and has since made adjustments to the recording system that is anticipated to result in better quality recordings suitable for posting. Going forward, open session meeting recordings will be posted on the corporate YouTube page, with links provided from the Commission agenda page on the corporate website in the week following the meeting. This can be done at no additional cost other than the staff resource time associated with reviewing and posting the video subsequent to each meeting.
Recommended by:
Caroline Roy, Manager of Corporate Communications
Patrick Cormier, Manager of Information Services
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager