Quick question. Whenever I try to schedule my rides on the weekend through Dial-a-Ride I always get rejected because they tell me there's no money for Big Bend to take me anywhere on the weekend that's not employment or medical. Are you saying that if I call Big Bend directly I'll be able to once again get transportation on the weekends for $5? Thanks for the clarification.
ScottPs. Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions on how to avoid the corners in my house; I finally decided to get a house plant which I can position appropriately to help me intercept those pesky and painful corners before my face does. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Easy Talk" <easytalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 2:32 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you
Most certainly, Looks like Big bend is the way to go. Thumbs up Ted Waters. I remember way back when money was tight and Big Bend was the main provider and they did not deign trips when the money ran out.Robert----- Original Message ----- From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 1:28 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to youthanks William; that info will make a big difference to many people. ------------------------------ Chip Orange Database Administrator Florida Public Service Commission Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (850) 413-6314 (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.)Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI-----Original Message----- From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of blindwilly Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 1:22 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you Chip, It used to be that Big Bend charged extra if they left the city limits, however they have changed that program and now they do not charge extra. It is $5 to use big bend, during there normal working hours for $5 each way even if they have to go into the county. William----- Original Message ----- From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 12:14 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you > Hi Blackjack, > > no, I feel certain that transportation in general cannot be taken off on > your taxes. > > as you said, if you planned ahead for it, and had an employer who > offered the medical reimbursement accounts, then just maybe they'd > accept transportation expenses for medical reasons, although getting it > properly documented would be a bear. and then, it might not be covered > anyway. it may be only medical devices and medical services are > covered; that's my memory of how it's written. > > it's a commonly held myth you can deduct any medical expenses on your > regular income taxes. in fact, you cannot unless they're a tremendously > high percentage of your income. > > finally, you asked if the TDC Robert mentioned was an alternative. > > I think so; right now anyway, they are voluntarily offering rides within > the city for $5 a ride. nothing requires them to offer rides at this > price, and it goes up if you're leaving the city limits (I think it was > $12 in the county?). and then, you have to schedule within their hours > of operation, and if they have a bus available for you. > > > Chip > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Chip Orange > Database Administrator > Florida Public Service Commission > > Chip.Orange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx > (850) 413-6314 > > (Any opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not > necessarily reflect those of the Florida Public Service Commission.) > > >> -----Original Message----- >> From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Blackjack >> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 12:06 PM >> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: [tabi] Re: Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you >> >> Hi, where does Big bend come in at and just what kind of >> service do they >> offer and what kind of paid service do they offer? I just >> wonder if they >> could be used as a alternative? Also how about taxies? I know >> their might >> not be any free stuff or low amount of payments but how about >> a write off on >> your taxes if for medical I know it could be claimed under >> that. But how >> about work and grocery stores and such? Could this be taken >> off your taxes? >> >> >> >> >> Thanks, >> Blackjack >> misterblackjack2@xxxxxxxxx >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf >> Of Easy Talk >> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 11:54 AM >> To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> Subject: [tabi] Fw: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: <ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >> To: <easytalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> Sent: Wednesday, October 07, 2009 11:28 AM >> Subject: Re: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you >> >> >> > Robert, >> > Would you mind posting to TABI, or mind if I do? >> > I had absolutely no idea how the 3 systems were connected, >> > interdependent, and funded. Thanks for spelling this out for me. >> > Although I think lots of folks "know" this, I'm not sure they've >> > connected the dots so clearly. >> > Thank you so much! >> > Erica >> > >> > -----Original Message----- >> > From: Easy Talk <easytalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> > To: ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx >> > Sent: Tue, Oct 6, 2009 4:07 pm >> > Subject: Re: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you >> > >> > Hi Erica, >> > >> > You go girl! >> > I would like to point out the reality of some of the things >> you spoke >> > about >> > and maybe help people really understand the reality of what >> will most >> > likely >> > happen. >> > >> > In Leon county and Tallahassee there are 3 forms of public >> > transportation. >> > Two of them are the fixed bus system and Dial A ride. Think of the >> > fixed >> > bus system as the center circle and the smallest. Think of >> Dial A Ride >> > as a >> > system that operates 3 quarters of a mile out side of the >> center which >> > is >> > covered by the fixed route/bus system. Both of these services are >> > dependent >> > on each other and funded by federal dollars and the city. >> Dial A ride >> > is >> > given federal dollars based on compliance of federal >> guidelines that >> > only >> > require them to provide service to the Disabled, elderly and >> > economically >> > disadvantaged. Dial A Ride doesn't get paid for each trip >> they make. >> > They >> > are paid quarterly based on the service provided by the fixed route >> > system >> > and the coverage of the fixed route system. The third system is the >> > state/county service of the TDC which does get paid by the trip and >> > operates >> > any where the other two systems do not cover. For instance >> if you live >> > at >> > the governors mansion and want to go to the Bradford Ville >> Blues club, >> > you >> > would have to use the third option. The third option also covers >> > medicade >> > trips that aren't covered by the first two options. This >> service is >> > the one >> > that is in most cases not available since they currently >> only provide >> > rides >> > for medical and work. >> > >> > So what we are dealing with regarding the decentralization >> of Starmetro >> > is, >> > If you make the center circle/fixed system smaller then you >> also reduce >> > the >> > Dial A ride service since federal guidelines control the >> coverage out >> > side >> > the fixed route. I know some people have posted here that >> Dial A ride >> > provided more coverage than the federal law requires but in >> 20 years >> > here in >> > Tallahassee, it hasn't happened to me or anyone else I >> know. Even if >> > they >> > did, unless it was in writing as a city disability policy, >> I wouldn't >> > bank >> > on it based on my experience. Believe me if they did, it >> would be the >> > first >> > thing to go. Hell, FCB can't even meet in city hall which as a tax >> > payer, I >> > helped pay for. >> > >> > >> > It doesn't surprise me that Tallahassee would push for this >> since as we >> > all >> > know most of the bus stops in neighborhoods aren't >> accessible and also >> > most >> > of the current stops aren't either. By shrinking the >> coverage area, >> > just >> > think of the money the city will save. >> > >> > Robert >> > >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: <ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx> >> > To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >> > Sent: Tuesday, October 06, 2009 2:48 PM >> > Subject: Nova2010: If you think it won't matter to you >> > >> > >> >> I'm going to put this out here for all ears to hear once, and only >> > once. >> >> If you ride the bus, change-- not necessarily good-- is comin' You >> > have >> >> opportunities to possibly stop this change, or at least >> make it less >> >> inconvenient and dangerous for you or other riders. See below for >> > details >> >> on how you can get your questions answered and make your >> voice heard. >> >> >> >> If you DON'T ride the bus, you may think, "So what?" >> >> Here's what: With the current centralized system, virtually all >> > transfers >> >> are made downtown IN A SINGLE SAFE, CONTROLLED, >> PREDICTABLE, COVERED, >> >> ACCESSIBLE location. With the newly proposed decentralized system, >> > 90+% of >> >> transfers will be made on NUMBEROUS STREET CORNERS WITH OR WITHOUT >> > THE >> >> BENEFIT OF SIDEWALKS, FLAT TERRAIN, SHELTER, or any form of >> > ASSISTANCE; >> >> with (but probably without) the aid of audible crosswalk >> > signals,visible >> >> crosswalks, protective medians, and accessible signage. CERTAINLY >> > there >> >> will be no "ticket person" or supervisor on hand to aid >> you, nor will >> >> there be law enforcement nearby, should someone other than the bus >> >> approach you on the side of the road. >> >> You can imagine that it is possible that some folks who feel >> > comfortable >> >> riding the bus now will no long feel this way. When these >> folks stop >> >> riding the fixed bus system, where do you think they will turn for >> >> transportation?? Dial-a-Ride. >> >> So how well is Dial-a-Ride able to meet everyone's needs now? Are >> > there >> >> scheduling difficulties? Is there enough money to keep the system >> > going? >> >> Can anyone who's accepted ride for any purpose, or is >> prioritization >> >> occurring already? If you think Dial-a-Ride is crowded, >> stretched, or >> >> stressed NOW, imagine how it will fare when even more people come >> > looking >> >> for a seat. >> >> And, to the best I've been able to discern from the >> non-answers I've >> >> gotten from StarMetro personnel at the listening sessions I've >> > attended, >> >> NO, THERE IS NO MONEY SET ASIDE FROM STARMETRO TO BOLSTER >> > Dial-a-Ride. >> >> Neither have I been assured that there is money from >> StarMetro or any >> >> other department specifically set aside for the >> improvements needed >> > to >> >> make this a safe system, such as: >> >> 1. traffic controlling devices (protective medians, repainted >> > crosswalks, >> >> cameras to record or extra law enforcement to ticket red light >> > runners, >> >> reworked light signals to include arrows for turners and >> ample time >> > for >> >> pedestrian crossings, etc.) >> >> 2. amenities to make the stops and transfer points safe and >> > accessible >> >> (culverts over ditches, wide and flat sidewalks with curb cuts, >> >> removal/relocation of poles, low branches, etc., adequate lighting >> > and >> >> signage-- remember, from November thru March it gets dark >> well before >> >> 6:00pm). Also, any stop that does NOT include a shelter >> NEED NOT BE >> > A.D.A. >> >> accessible; StarMetro has only 30 shelters for this >> project (and may >> > use >> >> some existing ones), but there are AT LEAST 20 >> intersections one must >> >> navigate in order to fully use this network, and, ideally, each >> >> intersection would have at least 2 sheltered stops!!! >> >> StarMetro has not even hired an A.D.A. consultant yet. That is how >> >> concerned they are. >> >> >> >> And still, if you are not concerned, think about the proverbial >> > little old >> >> ladies coming back from the pharmacy on the bus. Surely >> you've seen >> > (or at >> >> least heard of) them. How will they manage??? >> >> >> >> HOW TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD: >> >> You can attend a listening session: >> >> * Tue 10/6 / City Hall in the Tallahassee Room, 300 South Adams >> > Street, 12 >> >> noon - 1 pm & 5:30 - 7:00 pm >> >> * Wed 10/7 / Leroy Collins Public Library, 200 West Park >> Avenue, 12 > >> >> noon - 1:00 pm >> >> * Thur 10/8 / Atkins Building in Koger Office Center, 1320 >> Executive >> >> Center Drive, 7:00 - 8:00 pm >> >> * Wed. 10/14 2:00 PM Meeting room, Miccosukee Hills Apartments, >> > 3201 >> >> Miccosukee Road, Route 4- first bus stop after interning complex. >> >> * Wed. 10/14 / Leroy Collins Public Library, 200 West Park Avenue, >> > 5:30 - >> >> 7:00 pm >> >> * Thur 10/22 / Northeast Branch Library, 5513 Thomasville >> Road, 5:30 - >> >>> 7:00 pm >> >> * Tue 10/27 / B.L. Perry Jr. Branch Library, 2817 South >> Adams Street, >> >> 11:30 am - 1 pm & 5:30 - 7:00 pm >> >> >> >> or call starmetro at 891-5283 >> >> or email them at nova2010project@xxxxxxxxxx >> >> >> >> Thank you for your consideration on this matter. >> >> Erica McCaul >> >> >> > >> > >> > >> Check out the TABI resource web page at >> http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI >> and please make suggestions for new material. >> >> >> >> if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the >> freelists.org web >> interface, or by sending an email to the address >> tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx >> with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject. >> >> Check out the TABI resource web page at >> http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI >> and please make suggestions for new material. >> >> >> >> if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the >> freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the >> address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word >> "unsubscribe" in the subject. >> > Check out the TABI resource web page at > http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI > and please make suggestions for new material. > > > > if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web > interface, or by sending an email to the address > tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject. Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.and please make suggestions for new material.if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABIand please make suggestions for new material.if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI and please make suggestions for new material. if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web interface, or by sending an email to the address tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
