[tabi] StarMetro in Nov 22 Democrat
- From: Erica <ericamccaul@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: mccaulo@xxxxxxx, jplescow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, LPulliam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, richardpolangin@xxxxxxxxxxx, sue_ellensmith@xxxxxxxxx, austin.evans60@xxxxxxxxx, tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 22 Nov 2011 07:55:57 -0500 (EST)
Below is the plain text of a letter in the Democrat today, by their Editorial
Board:
If the staff of StarMetro has learned anything since introducing a new bus
routing system in July, it's been the value of listening.
The city of Tallahassee has done well in not only listening to its transit
patrons, but also in taking steps to improve the system based on responses.
In January, several changes will be made in StarMetro routes to address the
timing of pickups, reduce overcrowding and make some routes more accessible to
neighborhoods.
Last Wednesday night, at the Smith-Williams Center, StarMetro Executive
Director Ron Garrison and Assistant City Manager Jay Townsend attended a
meeting of graduate social work students from Florida A&M University and nearby
residents. The meeting was a result of a class project in which students sought
input from residents on pressing community issues. Improving bus transportation
was the top issue, even more than gang issues and domestic violence.
The main concern was that buses no longer come through the Bond neighborhood,
so residents have to walk to Pasco Street and Orange Avenue to meet the bus.
Other concerns included the timeliness of pickups, with some people saying late
buses made them late for work, and having to cross multiple lanes of traffic to
make bus connections. Others brought up the reduction in late-night routes and
driver courtesy.
Since implementing its Nova2010 system in July, StarMetro officials have been
met with both compliments and concerns, through direct responses from riders
and even letters to the editor.
To the city's credit, the department has held nine public meetings since the
new system went into place and has talked to hundreds of customers, Mr.
Garrison said. As a result of those meetings, at least 19 changes in routes
will become effective in January. (For more information, go the StarMetro tab
on the city's website at www.talgov.com.)
For future meetings, more convenient times should be addressed, considering
that last month's meetings were held when most people who likely depend on the
bus for transportation were working.
(Page 2 of 2)
Mr. Garrison said some of the changes will address the concerns heard Wednesday
night. They primarily include:
• Improving on-time performances and on-time transfers.
• Increasing connectivity and decreasing transfers.
• Expanding service in needed areas.
• Improving recovery time (this allows time for drivers to assist patrons using
wheelchairs, for time stalled in traffic and for breaks).
In addition, Mr. Garrison said, his department plans to meet again with Merlin
Langley, chairman of FAMU's Department of Social Work, and students to walk
through the current routing system and incorporate additional suggestions into
the system.
While that may not appease everyone — costs are certainly going to be a factor
— it shows that the city remains committed to addressing riders' concerns. At
the same time, it's critical that students such as those in the social work
class target issues in local neighborhoods as extensions of their classrooms.
"Civic conversation is always good, and that's exactly what we're doing,"
Assistant City Manager Townsend said.
If it's successful, it can lead to citizens' making a difference in their
quality of lives.
Mr. Garrison said some of the changes will address the concerns heard Wednesday
night. They primarily include:
• Improving on-time performances and on-time transfers.
• Increasing connectivity and decreasing transfers.
• Expanding service in needed areas.
• Improving recovery time (this allows time for drivers to assist patrons using
wheelchairs, for time stalled in traffic and for breaks).
In addition, Mr. Garrison said, his department plans to meet again with Merlin
Langley, chairman of FAMU's Department of Social Work, and students to walk
through the current routing system and incorporate additional suggestions into
the system.
While that may not appease everyone — costs are certainly going to be a factor
— it shows that the city remains committed to addressing riders' concerns. At
the same time, it's critical that students such as those in the social work
class target issues in local neighborhoods as extensions of their classrooms.
"Civic conversation is always good, and that's exactly what we're doing,"
Assistant City Manager Townsend said.
If it's successful, it can lead to citizens' making a difference in their
quality of lives.
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