Travel

Posted on: Tue, Feb 19 2008 8:15 PM

Posted by: BeautifulDisaster Posts: 48

I moved to a bigger city thinking the transit system would be superior but it is horrible!  As part of my internship I'm researching the transit system and I began to wonder how many of you use mass transit as your main form of transportation? How effective is it it? and what city (if you feel comfortable sharing this)?

Posted on: Tue, Feb 19 2008 9:12 PM

Posted by: Jessie Posts: 127

Awesome!  Happy to hear that you are researching the Transit System for I have heard of many issues with it.  Personally, I live in a rural area now so my "issues" with mass transit are outdated and will not help the current conditions.  I hope that you obtain plenty of info. though and a viable solution can be found to fix what is in need of fixing.  Thank you for making the world a better place, BeautifulDisaster!

Bless you,

Ms. Jessie 

Posted on: Tue, Feb 19 2008 11:38 PM

Posted by: doublelibra Posts: 22

Do you include the paratransit system in this category?  Ours in Omaha, NE is pretty poor.

Posted on: Wed, Feb 20 2008 12:13 AM

Posted by: DSB Posts: 767

To answer your question I use mass transit in Seattle while there seems to be plenty pf stooping buses the train leaves much to be desired. For one only one car on the train is accessable andthen the rule is you must remain with your chair which in my case since I have limited mobility is a Segway means I get a tiny jump seat and no windows. The station and I go from mine to the main one in Seattle has two accessable routes per code I know I worked for the architecture firm that designed it. One however at ground level is always blocked by trains which then require a one block trip to an elevator up then across a sky bridge and back down to street level. All total I go one square block around the direction I need to go so friends go one direction and I have to circle around one full block and be on my way.

So really keep in mind accessability and conveience are not the same thing in most cases assessability is there but it is a matter of having to go out of your way to find it even if all of it meets code and all of these transit stations do I've one option in life their way or no way so really the quality is still not there/ As a matter of fact even now days one has to stair down a bicycle rider that will cut you off to an elevator, or a curb ramp they think since they bicycle all of it is there for them.

So I try and serve as a resource now to the architects that I work with every day but even then since I am not an architect  my suggestions for improving the quality of access may not always meed the design but the design does meet the code. 

Posted on: Wed, Feb 20 2008 11:23 PM

Posted by: Nightengale Posts: 687

I used public transit exclusviely when I lived in Philadelphia.

It works pretty well within city limits, sometimes harder to get to outskirts, could get to suburbs but sometimes buses/trains were infrequent or didn't run late on weekends.  In center city many buses stop every block, very convenient.

I took regular buses/trains and made note of accessible features but didn't use them myself.  The buses are all accessible, some of the subway stops are and some are not.  One of the commuter trains is accessible in one direction but not the other!  They are actively working on this though.

I miss Philly. . . I miss many things about it but the not driving most of all!

Posted on: Tue, Feb 26 2008 6:48 PM

Posted by: BeautifulDisaster Posts: 48

Today while researching the transit system I ran across the holy grail of my project

TRANSPORTATION RIGHTS!

For those of your who use paratransit in your city it would be VERY VERY beneficial for you to check out this link.

http://66.113.175.97/programs/transportationrights/info_paratransit.php

For those of your who want to know more about your rights concerning different forms of transportation  click below.

http://66.113.175.97/programs/transportationrights/

As a result of the information I found on this site I realized the local paratransit is in violation  of the standards of service set down by the ADA and therefore breaking the law. Me and the advoccacy organization I work for are now working on gathering evidence of their violation and organizing the disabled and elderly community to make it's stand. 

Inform your selves thoroughly on the services you use and your rights as a consumer.  Many larg entities (ie. tansit system) are never challeged because consumers don't know their rights. They count on the consumer to be ignorant, surprise them! Knowledge is power!

Posted on: Tue, Feb 26 2008 7:51 PM

Posted by: Blue Eyes Posts: 68

 hi, my name is Ribyn I'm a rbk amputee of almost 7 years,..I get along PRETTY DARN GOOD but as all other Amputee know, this snow and cold can really do a number on how well we get around with our prosthesises (sp). I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and I swear we have the rudest bus drivers!!!!I will be getting on a bus and be wearing something that shows my disability and the bus will take off before I am seated, i just grab the closest handle bar and stand there...last week we were having a near blizzard (white out conditions and I had to take the bus to an appt.. I got off the bus and as I stepped off the last step, I slipped and feel to my hands and knees on some icey snow, I had a difficult time getting up and the bus JUST DROVE AWAY...even though one of the passenger on that very same bus was a friend and I could hear him yell at the driver to stop...it continued to leave...I called our transit system and reported the driver and all I was told was that they "have schedules to keep"....

Posted on: Tue, Feb 26 2008 7:55 PM

Posted by: Blue Eyes Posts: 68

hi doublelibra..you think your transit system sucks!!!? Mine does too, BIG TIME...we, here in Grand Rapids, MIchigan have the rudest transit drivers...ever! would you take a minute and read about what I posted about my most recent experience...I don't think I signed my name but my city and state is listed in the post...take care...xoxo -robyn kae