[tabi] Re: NOVA experiences
- From: "Allison and Chip Orange" <acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 22 Jul 2011 19:42:14 -0400
Hi Adam,
I don't know if you own one of the GPS nav devices, but I've been asking
StarMetro first, to put their data on Google Transit (which would allow
Sendero to get at the bus stop locations and make them into points of
interest), and so help you find the stops if so. They claimed they were
unable to do so, while literally hundreds of other cities are currently
doing so.
Next, I've asked them to just furnish us with a list of stops and GPS
coordinants, which I thought we could send to Sendero to see if they could
add them as POIs from such a text file.
With so many transfer points I could see a system like this would need some
sort of aid for blind travelers to help them find bus stops, but really have
had little support for this from either the blind community or Star Metro.
thanks for posting your story, as it really helps demonstrate the need for
some sort of solution for helping with transfers and finding stops.
Chip
_____
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Adam Gaffney
Sent: Friday, July 22, 2011 12:32 PM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
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 <mailto:ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
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!
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