Thought you might be interested in this interesting response on facebook from Star Metro to the WFSU interview with Ron Garrison stating only 12 people are complaining about the issue: Lighthouse post: Concerns over bus route changes? Make your voice heard by calling 891-5283 or email nova2010project@xxxxxxxxxx Mon at 4:10pm This morning (10/26) several staff at the Lighthouse heard an interview on WFSU National Public Radio with Ron Garrison about the Star Metro bus route changes. Regarding the concerns with the bus changes, (loosely paraphrased) Mr. Garrison said, "There are about 500 people who are elderly or disabled who are regular riders. Of those 500, about 150 are being inconvenienced, and Star Metro is only hearing from 12 of those people, so the problem may be exaggerated." Because many people have been sharing their situation with Lighthouse staff members, we know that many more than 12 people are concerned about the changes. However, apparently only a dozen or so are actually going to the Star Metro 'Listening Sessions' or expressing their concerns in a way that Star Metro is documenting. As you know, Star Metro can't address a concern if people don't let them know about the concern. Therefore, if you have concerns please make your voice heard officially by calling their designated Nova2010 Hotline, (850) 891-5283 or via email to nova2010project@xxxxxxxxxx . Otherwise, Ron Garrision and the rest of Star Metro & the City of Tallahassee may go on thinking that only 12 people have enough of a concern with it to make their voices heard. Take care, Lighthouse of the Big Bend Guiding People Through Vision Loss 1286 Cedar Center Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 942-3658 ----------------- From Owen B. McCaul Since StarMetro is not really listening, it might be best to go ahead and contact the city commission directly. Yesterday at 8:27am · ----------------- From StarMetro Transit Lighthouse of the Big Bend and Mr. McCaul - We've obtained and listened to the short NPR interview with Ron Garrison, StarMetro Executive Director, and Tom Flanigan, WFSU. Mr. Garrison clearly stated, "Let us say that we have 500 people that are elderly and disabled that use the service regularly. Of these 500, there is probably 150, theoretically, that this [Nova2010 decentralization] impacts in some way. And, the people that are speaking out that have a major concern, it's about 12 people." Break. "So, we make some changes to deal with those [12 people that have a major concern with decentralization]. Then, you have another 500 who don't use the system now, because it's not a viable system. It doesn't connect correctly. And, those 500 people who will now be able to use the system that are elderly and disabled that couldn't before. Now, they'll have independence. Now, they'll be able to get around.' Between January 1 and December 31, 2008, StarMetro provided 4.2 million trips. Of those 4.2 million trips, disabled persons accounted for 52,949 trips and seniors accounted for 89,078 of those trips. Roughly, the disabled/senior community accounted for 3.4% of the total yearly trips in 2008. If the customer groups described only used StarMetro five days a week, the following would apply: There are approximately 251 or more service days a year, depending on the Holiday schedule. Dividing 142,027 by 251 yields 590 daily trips or boardings. Since going to a particular destination requires two boardings, goint to the destination and returning, dividing 590 trips by 2 yeilds the maximum daily count of 295 seniors and disabled persons. The actual number of regular riders from these two groups may be significantly lower, if the customer groups took any additional trips during the weekend or more than one round trip per weekday, which is typically the case. Therefore, the example of daily ridership of 500 regular senior/disabled persons is actually an over statement versus an intimated error. This shows the Nova2010 concept is actually better for a larger portion of these customer groups. Parenthetically, there are nine subsidized senior and disabled housing centers in Tallahassee. All nine are within 500 feet of the concept Nova2010 route structure with only one, Miccosukee Hills, having access problems due to the design of the development. StarMetro Planning Staff is working with Public Works to address these access concerns. In addition, all nine will receive better or more frequent service under Nova2010 with one, Gibb Mabry Village, looking to receive significantly better service, as route service would move from Mabry Street to directly in front of the establishment. Gibb Mabry Village would also go from one hour to 15 minute service during the peak periods. ---------------- From Owen B. McCaul So... what you're saying is... the numbers say it is okay to disenfranchise the poor, the elderly and the disabled? -- Lighthouse of the Big Bend Guiding People Through Vision Loss 1286 Cedar Center Drive Tallahassee, FL 32301 (850) 942-3658 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.