Yes Adam you describe my experiences exactly. I had good experience with going to places using two buses and one transfer. The whole thing bogs down time wise when the third bus is added to the trip. I am still struggling to find the bus stop signs. (Pardon the lady's sensitivities on this list) I approach each an every pole and it reminds me of the little dog we take care of sometimes. ----- Original Message ----- From: Adam Gaffney To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 12:31 PM Subject: [tabi] Re: NOVA experiences So far I have taken the bus to and from work about 7 times and the duration for me is about an hour which is the same as the old system. However, my trip is much more uncomfortable. Instead of walking two blocks to the bus stop that was one of the 5 deciding factors in my house purchase 11 years ago, I now have to walk over a half mile and cross a very busy Park av. I then ride to the plaza and walk to the Turlington building and wonder what new construction obstacles I will run into along Gaines Street. Needless to say by the time I get to work I'm frustrated and covered in sweat. I might be able to ride more and walk less but would have to transfer 3 times and still walk a long distance from my house. Yesterday I wanted to go to Banyan Bay apartments off Miccosukee from work. I called star metro to ask for directions on this rout and spoke with a friendly person. I would have had to transfer 3 times to get there from work. I decided not to try it but changed my mind after walking from work to the plaza. I found out from the person working the ticket booth that I could take the Dogwood route out to Thomasville road and transfer to the San Louis. I figured one transfer was not too bad. I then enquired how I would find the bus stop at my transfer point and was told "the driver will help you". So, the driver did help by giving me some pretty simple directions and I followed them but did not find the familiar feeling busstop pole. Fortunately there were lots of people around and a nice guy who was jogging helped me find the stop. The driver must have forgot to tell me the stop was around another corner. I did get to my destination and it took an hour and 45 minutes. I think that us blind riders are going to find it a challenge figuring out all the details of finding their way at each transfer point. Hopefully I will be on dial-a-ride soon but will miss the old bus system that sort of made a little sense for Tallahassee that is shaped like a wheel with cap circle going around the town and the hub in the center of town. I think modifying the old design with a few more places to transfer and 2 or 3 routes running along the main roads in Tally would have made a bit more sense. I hope Nova 2010 will change and improve cause I don't find it very practical to use IMO. -- "The people may be made to follow a path of action, but they may not be made to understand it." - Confucius ca. 480 B.C. ----- Original Message ----- From: Erica To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Sent: Monday, July 18, 2011 12:08 AM Subject: [tabi] NOVA experiences Monday and Tuesday afternoons went great: 2 hours total from the time I left my house near Northwood Center, picked up my daughter at Mission San Luis, and got back home-- missed having the expected 30 minute layover out by DEP (Hartsfield Rd.) because the Tennessee Street bus was so late. Wednesday afternoon was a different story: waited on Hartsfield Rd for 70 minutes-- 40 more than expected-- got a nice sunburn, too. This system is surely no better for me. "Next to Text" feature worked some of the time. Of course, knowing when the next bus is SUPPOSED to be by doesn't change the reality... Perhaps the most frustrating thing was STANDING on west Tennessee St., at the edge of the Greyhound bus parking lot, waiting for a bus, looking over at that oasis of shade (also featuring water fountains, soda machines, benches and restrooms) known as C. K. Steel Plaza!! Fortunately, I missed being caught in the rain on Thursday and Friday afternoons-- because I called a friend to pick up my daughter!! I have heard several stories of buses not coming at all... I think this system only works best if your business is on the same route as your home!! How unrealistic!