Thanks William, Well, to me something else is not nearly as good; there are just too many apps which now rely on Google Transit; in fact, Brian told me that when they produce files to convey information to other services such as Bing, they are produced in the Google Transit format because it just has become the absolute industry standard. I urged him, and now you, to work with Trapese (or some outside consultant) to get the Google transit files to work with Google now, as it will close the gap for accessibility in a far better way than “something else”. Thanks, Chip From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of William Benjamin Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2015 7:38 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: StarMetro Update Chip, I can’t promice that we will get Googal, but if we don’t then we will get something else. The money is designated for it and everyone at Star Metro wants it to work. I have been going to the meetings for years and now there will be a second blind person on the board to help sway thingsd in our faver. Hope you boath are doing well and take care. William From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chip Orange Sent: Friday, January 9, 2015 3:02 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: StarMetro Update Thanks William. Yes, nothing ever happens fast enough, and there’s never enough money, and it’s always harder than we all thought. However, as you say, things are much better than they used to be, and StarMetro really impresses me with their dedication in trying to make things better now. There are so many reasons to credit: all the volunteers here who have all continued to work for progress, a dramatic change in staff at StarMetro which has allowed change to happen, and our city and county commissions who have provided the funding (and the federal grants as well). I do hope we can get Google Transit, as I think it will solve a lot of access issues; but even if not, it’s just nice to be involved with people who genuinely seem to care about making things better. Chip Chip Orange Florida Public Service Commission Computer Systems Analyst 850-413-6314 From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of William Benjamin Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 12:13 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: StarMetro Update Chip, I am so happy with your last post about your talking to Brian Waterman. Some times it can be forgot that we have come a long way even tho we have a long way to go. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that it can leave our heads swimming grying to take it all in. I do want to make it clear that I appreciate your positive remarks as well as Brian’s and Andrea’s effort. From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Chip Orange Sent: Wednesday, January 7, 2015 11:34 AM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: StarMetro Update Hi Robert and all, I am sorry I couldn’t try to get to this before the holidays, but family problems just made that impossible. I had a phone call with Brian Waterman, to discuss your issues, and all of his current status reports, efforts, information, etc. which he would like to communicate with TABI. Let me see if I can put down a good summary of what was said: · StarMetro is becoming recognized nation-wide for the efforts to better serve the visually impaired community. It’s now to the point where they are being contacted by other transit providers, to discuss all the various needs and problems of visually impaired ridership. Brian was very pleased about this, he wants our local visually impaired community to know that they have his sincere thanks for constantly pushing him to learn more, and to do better. He is again asking for any input at all, up through March 31st, regarding route changes or any other changes StarMetro can make. He and his staff will begin at that time to analyze these suggestions for their next round of upgrades to the system. · * Robert, he agrees with you (and who doesn’t), about making every route have a 20 minute head way (why not a 10 minute head way), and service every day until midnight! The point here is that he can only provide using the money that he has. If we want better bus service, we need to convince others (not just ourselves), and then everyone needs to convince the city and county commissions to put in more money for public transit. · * He has tried several different approaches to get someone to create all the electronic data Google needs to add us to Google Transit. He doesn’t disagree with how important it is, but so far their contractors have given them systems they can use, and the public can use via the web and via phone apps, but no one has given them a system which produces data which is acceptible to Google, so Tallahassee cannot yet be added to the Google system. He did try to explain to me all of the various options he has pirsued, and is pirsuing, to try and get these data files to be generated reliably, but I admit to having my head spin from all the options he’s trying to deal with, while still having to satisfy the needs of the public, FSU (and other special riderships). The short answer is that in the next quarter he expects to have something working which will produce Google Transit data files acceptible to Google (they can already produce them acceptible to Microsoft/Bing, so part of the confusion is then over why aren’t they acceptible to Google)? · * We didn’t discuss the seats attached to bus signs, but I will point out that I am one person, married to another, who cannot stand for long times while waiting on a bus; therefore, I think the need for seats at bus stops is another disabled group’s needs, which we will have to accommodate. I don’t immediately see why you won’t be able to approach the sign from two sides if you need to read it, even if it has seats, but if you can’t, you could try to ask the people sitting there which stop it is. I’m going to guess a lot of the time, you’ll know which stop it is, because that’s why you will be there. I think that’s it. Brian seems very interested in public input, so write to him, or even ask him to meet with your group if you feel that’s necessary, but I got the feeling he’s willing to do whatever he can for us, given the money he has to work with. This last phrase is the key here, we have to get more money if we want more service, talking buses, or whatever. The same is true for dial-a-ride issues. StarMetro did install the call recording system. They deserve a thanks for achieving an important request. I’m sure it cost quite a bit of money, so next time, if StarMetro isn’t able to give us something we ask for, it may be more helpful if we go to the city commission to explain what it is, and ask them to allocate money for it. In the mean time, we are getting regular progress reports from StarMetro, getting many things done which we ask for, and we’ve got a willing ear for any of our requests. This is much more than we’ve had in the past, and I’m appreciative of it. Hth, Chip Chip Orange Florida Public Service Commission Computer Systems Analyst 850-413-6314 From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Robert Miller Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2014 7:56 AM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] Re: StarMetro Update Hi Brian, I have responded to each of your points directly below each. Happy Holidays to everyone at TABI. Before the year ended, I wanted to provide an update on what we are doing at StarMetro. If you have any questions on any of these items or have other questions, feel free to let me know. 1. Technology – StarMetro currently has an IPhone App on the App Store. We are waiting to market it until the Android App is completed and to have more time to test it. If you have an IOS device, go ahead and download it. We would appreciate your feedback. We are also working with our vendor on providing our transit data to third party vendors, such as Google Transit. The data feeds and Android App should be in completed in the 1 st Quarter of 2015. What is the point of waiting man power and money developing separate apps for the I-phone and android since Google has already done the work for you with the transit option in Google maps. If you want people with I-phones to test your app, it would be nice to know the name of the app. 2. Amenities – It is our goal that every bus stop have an amenity (two seat bus pole, bench, shelter, etc.). To accomplish this, we have updated our Bus Stop Policy, included funding in the recent Sales Tax Referenda, and selected vendors for a shelter and bench program. The contracts with the vendors should be completed by March with installation starting shortly thereafter. Over 300 shelters, benches, or 2 seat bus poles should be installed in 2015. I have some real concerns with placing 2 seaters on bus sign poles. First of all will they stick out in the path of the side walk. If someone is sitting on one of the seats, blind people may not know they are there and may get struck by a cane or a nice wet lick by a guide dog since they would be at the right level for a big smack. How will we be able to get to the pole to read the Braille sign to read it if some one is sitting in front of the pole. What does it take to get planners at Star Metro to start thinking blind? As much cane as we have raised apparently no one there has caught on yet. 3. Bus Stop Sign Redesign/Braille Plates – We are redesigning our Bus stops signs to be more visible and contain more information. Staff will start installing these signs next year. Since we have over 800 bus stops, it may take over a year before this project is completed. Braille plates will be updated as new signs are added. Brian, If you will look back to your prior post and updates, the Braille signs should have been completely installed at the end of the summer and the last time I checked there is still no Braille sign on the post at my stop hence my remark about the constant lies that keep coming from Star Metro. 4. Service Changes – StarMetro is implementing an annual route change process to allow for more public comment, more analysis, and more outreach on changes. Route changes should only take place in December. From January 1 to March 31, we are taking public comment on possible changes the public would like to see. Please email brian.waterman@xxxxxxxxxx or Charles.main@xxxxxxxxxx with suggested changes or questions. What is the point, you get plenty of public input but we don't get any out put. All we get is lies and promises that don't do anything to improve the quality and frequency of bus service, in fact most of the changes are designed to reduce service such as the Southwood and Red Hills changes which pushes more and more disabled people to Dial A Ride. But since you are asking for public input, give us 20 minute head ways and more evening and weekend service so we don't have to be prisoners in our homes after 7 PM unless we live on the south side. 40. 60 and 120 minute head ways are unacceptable since bus drivers aren't allowed to coordinate over the radio if they are running 2-5 minutes behind. I would much rather be 2-5 minutes late than have to wait in the heat or rain up to another hour and 20 minutes for the next bus I thought that was what radios were for. Why was this allowed when the hub system was in use? but not now. Unfortunately this practice shows that Star Metro has no concern for the riders convenience. 5. Dial-A Ride Update a. Call Center Recording - The call recording system is fully operational. This technology is helping us to ensure customer service is maintained through analysis of randomly selected phone recordings and follow-up on recordings where a customer/staff member has raised an issue. Recordings are being used as a training tool as well. Congratulations, this only took about 8 years to implement. This request was made at one of the TD meetings several years before Donna Peacock retired. b. Online Scheduling - Online scheduling is a web based application enabling customers to confirm, cancel or book trips online without the need to speak with a reservationist. This system is currently being tested and we anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. Can you give a update on what is going on with the developer of this application. I sent Andrea a list of problems with the app for people using speech and the only response I got was that she sent my concerns to the developer and that was about 6 weeks ago. c. Interactive Voice Response (IVR ) - The IVR system will send customers automated notices via voice mail, e-mail or text message (customer can choose how they want to receive this information) reminding them of upcoming trips, trip booking confirmation, trip cancellation confirmation, as well as imminent arrival confirmations (Vehicle is 20 minutes away). This system is currently being tested and we anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. This is nice but I think most people would much rather be able to get to work, doctor's appointments and the grocery store on time. The money would be better spent hiring more drivers and putting more vans on the road . d. Electronic Fare cards - The electronic fare cards provide an additional option to exact change and paper tokens when using DAR. We have started testing this system and are working with our Contractor to fix glitches in the system. We anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. We want to thank those who have helped us test the online scheduling, the IVR system and the new fare cards. Your input helped us fix many issues which internal testing alone would not have found. We look forward to continue working with you in 2015. Here again Star Metro can't think blind. There is no way for a blind person to tactually determine which way to slide the card in the reader and there is no audibal out put to let you know how many trips are left on your not so smart card. So far neither Sila, my self or the driver have been able to get the reader to even read the card. Personally I didn't see anything wrong with the tokens and again this is just another waist of money. If the smart card system was purchased with federal grant money then the facts I listed above should most definitely put this system in violation of the 21st century communications act that should be in effect before this system is working. Please get the message, give us more drivers and vans and quit wasting man power and money that doesn't do anything to provide good dependable quality transportation. Depending on the driver to tell us how many trips are left on the card is not acceptable. It hasn't worked on the fixed routes for stop announcements and won't work here. . Brian S. Waterman, AICP Transit Planning Manager StarMetro Office: (850) 891-5564 Cell: (850) 339-996 From: Waterman, Brian <mailto:Brian.Waterman@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Friday, December 19, 2014 3:28 PM To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [tabi] StarMetro Update Happy Holidays to everyone at TABI. Before the year ended, I wanted to provide an update on what we are doing at StarMetro. If you have any questions on any of these items or have other questions, feel free to let me know. 1. Technology – StarMetro currently has an IPhone App on the App Store. We are waiting to market it until the Android App is completed and to have more time to test it. If you have an IOS device, go ahead and download it. We would appreciate your feedback. We are also working with our vendor on providing our transit data to third party vendors, such as GoogleTransit. The data feeds and Android App should be in completed in the 1st Quarter of 2015. 2. Amenities – It is our goal that every bus stop have an amenity (two seat bus pole, bench, shelter, etc.). To accomplish this, we have updated our Bus Stop Policy, included funding in the recent Sales Tax Referenda, and selected vendors for a shelter and bench program. The contracts with the vendors should be completed by March with installation starting shortly thereafter. Over 300 shelters, benches, or 2 seat bus poles should be installed in 2015. 3. Bus Stop Sign Redesign/Braille Plates – We are redesigning our Bus stops signs to be more visible and contain more information. Staff will start installing these signs next year. Since we have over 800 bus stops, it may take over a year before this project is completed. Braille plates will be updated as new signs are added. 4. Service Changes – StarMetro is implementing an annual route change process to allow for more public comment, more analysis, and more outreach on changes. Route changes should only take place in December. From January 1 to March 31, we are taking public comment on possible changes the public would like to see. Please email brian.waterman@xxxxxxxxxx or Charles.main@xxxxxxxxxx with suggested changes or questions. 5. Dial-A Ride Update a. Call Center Recording - The call recording system is fully operational. This technology is helping us to ensure customer service is maintained through analysis of randomly selected phone recordings and follow-up on recordings where a customer/staff member has raised an issue. Recordings are being used as a training tool as well. b. Online Scheduling - Online scheduling is a web based application enabling customers to confirm, cancel or book trips online without the need to speak with a reservationist. This system is currently being tested and we anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. c. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) - The IVR system will send customers automated notices via voice mail, e-mail or text message (customer can choose how they want to receive this information) reminding them of upcoming trips, trip booking confirmation, trip cancellation confirmation, as well as imminent arrival confirmations (Vehicle is 20 minutes away). This system is currently being tested and we anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. d. Electronic Fare cards - The electronic fare cards provide an additional option to exact change and paper tokens when using DAR. We have started testing this system and are working with our Contractor to fix glitches in the system. We anticipate rolling this out to the public in the first quarter of 2015. We want to thank those who have helped us test the online scheduling, the IVR system and the new fare cards. Your input helped us fix many issues which internal testing alone would not have found. We look forward to continue working with you in 2015. Brian S. Waterman, AICP Transit Planning Manager StarMetro Office: <tel:%28850%29%20891-5564> (850) 891-5564 Cell: <tel:%28850%29%20339-9969> (850) 339-9969