Another ongoing accessibility issue is the lack of access to the
geolocation map data. I have brought this up in several forums, but I
have the sense that others are not reporting it to Uber and Lyft.
When a sighted customer requests a ride, and the vehicle is en route,
the customer is able to see via a map the street and route of the
driver as the vehicle approaches the pickup location. This gives you
more information besides just knowing the ETA of the car.
For example, you may see the ETA stuck at 2 minutes for a very long
time, and the geolocation data would tell you where the vehicle is
currently or from what direction it may be approaching.
The public at large also finds this to be an informative if not
entertaining feature to be able to watch the route of the approaching
car.
I have most recently brought this issue up via live testimony at the
recent DLC MBTA Uber meeting, and someone from the Federal Transit
Administration FTA seemed to take note of my comment, and remarked
that the map feature needs to be mae accessible to blind users.
I have also heard other reports about MBTA Ride Pilot users who are
assigned to Uber where the cretis from the MBTA are not being applied
to the ride. I am in the process of submitting communication to Uber
about this issue.
I was personally assigned to Lyft which initially I was disappointed
because Lyft does not currently pick up at Logan Airport, but in
retrospect it may have been a blessing in disguise. :)
I am able to use Lyft on trips to the airport & get the $13 credit,
and on trips from the airport I use the Uber Capital One $15 discount.
Also you could contact the Office of Transportation access and ask to
be switched to Lyft if these issues are really inhibtting you from
using the service. The OTA has specific analysts who handle the
rideshare paratransit pilot.
Best, Mika @pyyhkala
On 11/3/16, Jeanette Kutash <kutash-jm@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I think I have figured out how to use it, but it is not intuitive, and less***
knowledgeable computer users will find this difficult.
Jeanette
From: vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Amy Ruell
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2016 1:52 PM
To: vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Re: Uber Pilot with the Ride
Hello,
Well, I took the plunge and updated before I knew all of this. I was at a
meeting at the Attorney General's office today and the whole issue around
Uber and lift excess ability came up. Apparently, they have been made aware
that the option to book with the righted through the pilot program is broken
at the moment. Hopefully they will fix it soon. I am still having other
issues, such as not having any money charged to the ride when I book trips
through the ride option.
Amy
Sent from my iPhone
On Nov 3, 2016, at 1:04 PM, David Kingsbury <davidkingsbury77@xxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi Jeanette,
Thanks for this. I finally figured it out with a little twist on what you
said. The screen has an upper part where you put in your pickup and
destination, and a lower part where you can navigate among 5 pages where the
various types of ride choices are divided up. Using VoiceOver, this means
doing a three finger swipe from left to right or right to left. When I first
went in, I landed on page 2 of 5 where my only choices were Uber Pool and
Uber Ex. I had to navigate to page 1 to get the choice of the Ride. So I
think it works (I’ll see this afternoon when I use it), but it is less than
intuitive.
David
From: vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Jeanette Kutash
Sent: Thursday, November 3, 2016 11:42 AM
To: vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Re: Uber Pilot with the Ride
David, there actually is. It is confusing, but my husband and I just figured
it out. It is not obvious, so let me explain. First of all, you have to do
the “where are you going. Also, instead of showing as “the ride:”, it shows
as “mbta uber ex”. If you see that, you will see the correct “ride fares”.
Also, you should know that you cannot edit your search option, as if you do
that, the App sees you as “changing your destination” and it will not honor
your “MBTA Ride option.” It will then charge you the full fare. It is
confusing, I admit, but we were able to see the “ride fares” and able to
book them, as far as we can tell. My next phone call will be to Mr. Nyem to
let him know that many people on the pilot program will be confused by this.
Jeanette Kutash
From: vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:vibug-support-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Kingsbury
Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2016 8:56 AM
To: vibug-support@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [vibug-support] Uber Pilot with the Ride
Hi folks,
Yesterday, Uber did a major update of their app. As best as I can determine,
if you are participating in the pilot program with the Ride, do not, I
repeat, do not do this update. There is no way to request the Ride. I double
checked this with a sighted user. It is not just a Voiceover issue. I sent a
message to Uber on this. I will also try to notify the MBTA later today.
David
David
