Comments on: A Bumpy Ride http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/ Mass Transit's editor, Fred Jandt, speaks weekly on critical issues facing the public transportation industry. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:50:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Dale Madison http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1607 Dale Madison Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:24:38 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1607 Well, Ron Tober leaves Charlotte in disgrace just like he did in Cleveland in 1998. Ron spent too much in Cleveland and left the agency in poor financial health. The then Cleveland Mayor was ready to tell him move on, just like the power in Charlotte now have. Well, Ron Tober leaves Charlotte in disgrace just like he did in Cleveland in 1998. Ron spent too much in Cleveland and left the agency in poor financial health. The then Cleveland Mayor was ready to tell him move on, just like the power in Charlotte now have.

]]> By: Bill http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1592 Bill Fri, 12 Oct 2007 23:56:58 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1592 As a person who plans meetings as well as consulting on continuing education programs, etc. the answer is ADEQUATE INFORMATION to the attendee or traveler. The convention or event or host bringing the traveler to a city MUST portray Tublic Transit as attractive, useful, and WORTHY of riding. I've included detailed (VERY DETAILED) instructions and have had success (defined as 2/3 of people using Public Transit) with the promotion of Public Transit as a method of travel to/from airport. Also, a hotel has to be located near Public Transit. The Public Transit agency has to help as well-- there needs to be signs, maps, and working ticket machines, and a helpful staff. Many cities skip on the signage........ or they make an assumption on the traveler and have a minimum number of signs at an airport. Its true - -a major airport in a Southern City, has no signage at one concourse exit........ and as a result only locals know where to go for the train, an dyet -- upstairs there are numeorus signs -- I guess the sign installer never rides public transit either. As for the hotel bell hop situation.... I am quite sure that there are incentives for a staffer to call cab companies. Even if the incentive is a few pizzas or donuts for staff....... or magnet signs, or large maps of a city (with a cab company name) hanging in the bell cap area....... these work. Good Luck trying to change these habits. As a person who plans meetings as well as consulting on continuing education programs, etc. the answer is ADEQUATE INFORMATION to the attendee or traveler. The convention or event or host bringing the traveler to a city MUST portray Tublic Transit as attractive, useful, and WORTHY of riding. I’ve included detailed (VERY DETAILED) instructions and have had success (defined as 2/3 of people using Public Transit) with the promotion of Public Transit as a method of travel to/from airport. Also, a hotel has to be located near Public Transit. The Public Transit agency has to help as well– there needs to be signs, maps, and working ticket machines, and a helpful staff. Many cities skip on the signage…….. or they make an assumption on the traveler and have a minimum number of signs at an airport. Its true - -a major airport in a Southern City, has no signage at one concourse exit…….. and as a result only locals know where to go for the train, an dyet — upstairs there are numeorus signs — I guess the sign installer never rides public transit either.

As for the hotel bell hop situation…. I am quite sure that there are incentives for a staffer to call cab companies. Even if the incentive is a few pizzas or donuts for staff……. or magnet signs, or large maps of a city (with a cab company name) hanging in the bell cap area……. these work.

Good Luck trying to change these habits.

]]> By: William http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1587 William Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:06:32 +0000 http://www.masstransitmag.com/interactive/2007/10/12/a-bumpy-ride/#comment-1587 Same here... I flew into Charlotte asked at the information desk and was told there are no buses that come to the airport. I took a taxi to the hotel and while at APTA saw the number 5 drive past. I asked my bellhop where do I go to get on the bus... "don't know, but I'll call a taxi". So, afraid to miss my flight... I just took a taxi. What I think many public transportation companies could do to help is put up adverts in the airport, just like Hertz and Rent-a-Car advertising their service, the pickup location and times. It would have gotten me on the bus, I know. Same here… I flew into Charlotte asked at the information desk and was told there are no buses that come to the airport. I took a taxi to the hotel and while at APTA saw the number 5 drive past. I asked my bellhop where do I go to get on the bus… “don’t know, but I’ll call a taxi”. So, afraid to miss my flight… I just took a taxi.

What I think many public transportation companies could do to help is put up adverts in the airport, just like Hertz and Rent-a-Car advertising their service, the pickup location and times.

It would have gotten me on the bus, I know.

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