I'm pretty sure it doesn't, and quite agree with you, but I thought rather
than argue about how much it does cost, an argument we couldn't really
win,
and which won't effect anything, I think it's better to point out that
StarMetro chose this cut, and not some other route, and they can restore
it
if they want to. So, we need to ask them why are they choosing to spend
the
money, however much, else-where? I think the answer to why they are
claiming so much, and why they are choosing to cut here, is as I said,
that
the mall might pay-up.
Chip
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf
Of blindwilly
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 2:47 PM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: from today's Democrat: Lack of quorum stalls vote on
bus
changes
Chip Kevin and others,
I can't believe that it cost another $46,000 to go threw the mall parking
lot. If it does, please let me know now where it is on the books. And
further, show me where $46,000 comes back into the system by putting the
disabled out on the street.
William
----- Original Message -----
From: "Allison and Chip Orange" <acorange@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 2:05 PM
Subject: [tabi] Re: from today's Democrat: Lack of quorum stalls vote on
bus
changes
You bring up a very important point Robert: it's not anything
particular about nova 2010; it's that this has been the most concerted
effort, the most cooperative effort from the different groups, of the
local blind community that I've ever seen anyway.
It's the primary reason I first put TABI together, to try and provide
a talking place for the different groups, and no matter how the bus
system turns out, we've proven to ourselves that we can do things like
this together. It's a good start, and I hope too many people don't
end up leaving it, when it's all over, with any hurt feelings.
Instead, they ought to be proud of what they were able to contribute,
despite their hurt feelings (because we all get them at times). being
able to keep going after our feelings get hurt, or after we lose a
battle, shows us what kind of people we really are.
As for the particulars of Robert's response, and the article, Kevin
would you please take note of this question: starMetro has indicated
that they won't go into the mall unless someone pays the $46000 cost;
why can't they just as easily drop one route, and put it's $46000
towards the mall, and make the same statement about some other section
of town that's a destination a lot less of the time? This mall choice
is entirely their own, and in my opinion was designed from the very
start to try and extort money out of Governor's Square, who perhaps
stand to lose enough business to make them consider paying it. At no
time do I think StarMetro has taken the consideration of the ridership
into their decisions.
Please everyone, don't forget to write members of the TAC (such as
Kevin) to let them know your views; and if the TAC recommends the
plan, please don't forget to start writing the city commission. I
suspect, being ultimately responsible for losses the city may incur
due to lawsuits (from injuries), they will be the most sensitive to
the idea of putting so many people in danger by making them walk
through so many intersections to get to their destinations.
thanks.
Chip
-----Original Message-----
From: tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:tabi-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Easy Talk
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 12:26 PM
To: tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [tabi] Re: from today's Democrat: Lack of quorum stalls vote
on bus changes
This is pretty interesting and I would like to thank Kevin and Owen
for there efforts. in fact I would like to thank all who have been
involved with this issue. During the 20 years I have lived in
Tallahassee I think this has been the most involvement I have seen from
the blind community.
With all that said, I think we need to put our concerns aside and take
a look at the bill of goods the city is trying to push on us and
personally I don't think safety and our concerns as disabled citizens
is going to be enough to stop the change.
Now that we have put our concerns aside, let's look at what we are
getting.
Do you remember the 50 pounds of dog food that are now 44 pounds and
the 5 pound bags of sugar that are now 4 pound bags? but the price is
the same or more. Well that is the way I see this bill of goods.
Less coverage but more frequent service, no safe or weather proof
transfer points just to mention a few are what you will get for the
same price of the current service. How many of you will ride the new
bus system in weather like we had last Thursday or walk a mile in 100
degree weather?
Star Metro is selling the plan based on more frequent buses and longer
hours of service and they admit the coverage area is less. More
frequent bus service isn't going to benefit people who can't get to
the bus in the first place. Star Metro might be able to show where
extended hours benefit some people but just to give an example of how
this is a bunch of bunk, let me tell you how it works on my route.
During the week days I could catch a buss about every 15 or 20 minutes
to Wal-Mart or target but not at all during evenings or weekends.
Most people work during the week and most likely won't be going to
Wal-Mart or target unless they are state workers!!smile. So my
question is are we getting any benefit from this proposed bill of
goods and have we let our concerns become our main objection to the
plan.
If you notice in the article, Sam Scheib says As for a route into
Governor's Square mall, Scheib said it would cost
$46,000 per
year. He said the plan must remain "cost neutral."
"If we can get Governor's Square mall to pay for it, then we can do it,"
this basically tells me the city had said we could do this as long as
It doesn't cost more than the current budget. We all know government
doesn't provide increased service with out it costing more.
I think the advisory board should ask Star Metro If the plan is
implemented and is a failure, how long do we have to put up with it
and is there a plan in place to go back to the old system.
I also think the plan is not ready to be implemented based on the
current proposals. I am not saying it is impossible but needs more
work and commitment from the city and taltran and should be delayed
until all problems are addressed and ready to implement with the roll
out as apposed to making promises that may never come to light.
Kevin, please feel free to bring my concerns to the TAC board.
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chip Orange" <Corange@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, January 22, 2010 1:53 PM
Subject: [tabi] from today's Democrat: Lack of quorum stalls vote on
bus changes
January 22, 2010
Lack of quorum stalls vote on bus changes By TaMaryn Waters DEMOCRAT
STAFF WRITER
The city of Tallahassee's Transit Advisory Committee, a
citizen-advisory board, couldn't vote on StarMetro's proposed Nova
2010 plan Thursday night since it didn't have a quorum.
A special meeting is now set for Thursday so the committee can vote
on whether to support the plan, which includes changes in how the
city's bus system operates. StarMetro planners will use the vote as a
guide for finishing a draft report and map, which has had eight
revisions since August. It's slated to go before the City Commission in
March.
During Thursday's meeting, several concerns were brought up by
committee members and riders. Those include safety, particularly when
crossing busy intersections, the elimination of a route into
Governor's Square mall and a need for more audible signals.
"The safety concerns are riding over everything," Kevin Davis, a
committee member and StarMetro rider, said.
Davis said he supports some of the proposals, but he said the safety
concerns are "overwhelming" compared to the plan's benefits.
Owen McCaul, a bus rider, agreed, especially since the new plan has
39 transfer points but only two audible signals, which he says are
helpful for people with disabilities.
"I really feel like they are not giving adequate attention to the
safety concerns,"
McCaul said.
Sam Scheib, a senior StarMetro planner, said the plan, which is
designed to decentralize the bus system, would create bus-transfer
spots across town rather than run all routes through the C.K. Steele
Plaza. It would increase the number of buses coming to a bus stop
during peak hours, and it would reduce routes in some areas.
He said planners are looking into safety and logistical issues. The
draft has been changed several times as a result of input from riders.
For example, service to Trojan Trail was added instead of
backtracking on Conner Boulevard, and a "loop route" was divided into
two different routes in an effort to increase connectivity between
the south side and Lake Jackson areas.
Some riders were worried about the lack of sidewalks at some of
transfer points.
Scheib said the city is working on that, although he couldn't
guarantee they'd be complete by nova2010's target launch in December.
As for a route into Governor's Square mall, Scheib said it would cost
$46,000 per year. He said the plan must remain "cost neutral."
"If we can get Governor's Square mall to pay for it, then we can do it,"
he said.
Or, Scheib said, some other service will be affected.
Check out the TABI resource web page at
http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.
if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org
web interface, or by sending an email to the address
tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at
http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.
if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org
web interface, or by sending an email to the address
tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at
http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.
if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org
web interface, or by sending an email to the address
tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at
http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.
if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web
interface, or by sending an email to the address
tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
Check out the TABI resource web page at
http://acorange.home.comcast.net/TABI
and please make suggestions for new material.
if you'd like to unsubscribe you can do so through the freelists.org web
interface, or by sending an email to the address
tabi-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject.
