[Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions

Sat Oct 9 14:22:56 UTC 2010

I prefer a cab over parra transit.
Steve
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions


> The bus system is just a public bus which runs on a fixed route.  Anyone 
> can
> pay and use the bus.  Para Transit is a system where you call and schedule 
> a
> trip. They pick you up at your door and take you to your destination. 
> It's
> less expensive than a cab, because it's subsidized.  But, in most cases,
> it's a shared ride situation, where you are picked up and others may be,
> too, if they're headed in the same general area.  So, the ride could be
> longer than if you were to take a cab.
>
> Cindy
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "firoz" <firojjee at gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 10:39 PM
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>
>> what is the difference between bus and pera transit system
>>
>> i am new to america so out of curiosity i am asking
>>
>> still i have not gone out either by bus or by cab
>>
>> by the way is there any person who after blindness came here to america
>> and got settled?
>>
>> please write to me off the list to my e mail i.d. . i do have lot of
>> questions  in my mind
>>
>> firoz
>>
>> firojjee at gmail.com
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Anjelina" <anjelinac26 at gmail.com>
>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 6:49 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>
>>
>>>I wouldn't compare your situation to other blind people; you have to do
>>>what's best for *you*. Try the bus system, try the cabs to get to the
>>>store but $5 is not at all unreasonable for a cab. Most cabs charge you a
>>>$2 fee just to sit in the cab and than the additional fees for mileage 
>>>are
>>>added on. This is just my opinion, but whatever gets you out of the house
>>>and running your own errands is a step in the right direction whether if
>>>it's a cab the first few times while you traverse the bus/paratransit
>>>system. Wal-Mart, and Amazon can deliver nonperishable groceries and you
>>>can buy an insolated reusable bag for colds and frozen items when
>>>traveling to the store. These bags are environmentally friendly, more
>>>sturdy and you can pack a lot more in them than in the flimsy plastic 
>>>bags
>>> Just my thoughts
>>>
>>> Anjelina
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 8:33 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>
>>>
>>>> Hi All!
>>>>
>>>> I wanted to reply to answer a few questions.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for the suggestions...I'll have to look into either one of
>>>> those carts or a reusable bag.
>>>>
>>>> But, I just checked on both Peapod.com and Safeway.com and neither
>>>> delivers to my area. I will call Kroger and ask them but I kind of
>>>> doubt it as I didn't see anything on their website about it. We also
>>>> have Walmart and Giant Eagle but I don't think either of those
>>>> delivers either.
>>>>
>>>> I keep meaning to call the bus about paratransit or dial a ride
>>>> service but something tells me that if they had it I would've known
>>>> about it already as I've made contact with the bus before about other
>>>> matters and they never mentioned it.
>>>>
>>>> I understand cabs go by mile and time you are in the cab...I just
>>>> don't know whether I should just not be concerned and take cabs all
>>>> the time to get around or whether I need to be really concerned and
>>>> make an effort to take the bus. The cabs here don't have an exact
>>>> flat-rate but the town is small enough that $5-6 each way is what it
>>>> usually comes to. Of course if I make an extra stop or something it
>>>> goes up but that is usually for the most part what it is. I just don't
>>>> know whether I should be concerned or not that's all.
>>>>
>>>> I use an NFB fiberglass cane and was taught how t use it at
>>>> convention. I have also read tons of articles about structured
>>>> discovery so know how to ask assistance/directions when need be. I
>>>> also try not to use human/sighted guide much and it has improved my
>>>> walking speed and cane travel skills significantly. I just want to go
>>>> and do more but don't know whether I need to make a real effort to
>>>> learn the bus or whether to just take cabs all the time and not worry
>>>> about it. The sighted people tell me not to worry about it but I
>>>> notice many blind people don't like to take cabs.
>>>>
>>>> I've been told before that we don't have paratransit but I don't want
>>>> to say anything until I call. I wish Safeway or Peapod delivered here
>>>> but they don't...at least that's what the website said when I entered
>>>> my zipcode. There is a Kroger right across that 6 lane highway with no
>>>> pedestrian light so I could easily cab there but my problem is how
>>>> much to get in one trip and how to carry it all.
>>>>
>>>> Kerri
>>>>
>>>> On 10/8/10, Cindy Handel <cindy425 at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>>> Kerri,
>>>>>
>>>>> As far as the cost of cabs, in most places, cab companies charge a 
>>>>> fare
>>>>> based on the distance they take you, as well as the time.  So, if
>>>>> you're
>>>>> going five miles and it takes 20 minutes, you might pay, let's say 
>>>>> $10.
>>>>> But, another day, if you go five miles and run into traffic and it
>>>>> takes 30
>>>>> minutes, they might charge $15.  These are just examples.  So, if the
>>>>> cabs
>>>>> have a flat rate, it sounds pretty good.
>>>>>
>>>>> You could learn to take the busses.  But, it would probably be wise to
>>>>> get
>>>>> some instruction before you venture out there on your own.  Do you use
>>>>> a
>>>>> cane, and have you had cane travel instruction?
>>>>>
>>>>> Some towns/cities have paratransit.  Often the bus company is somehow
>>>>> involved in operating it.  You could ask about that.  It is more
>>>>> inconvenient, because you have to schedule rides ahead of time.  But,
>>>>> it
>>>>> might work to go shopping.
>>>>>
>>>>> When I go grocery shopping I buy what I'll need for the week.  If I
>>>>> need
>>>>> something else during the week, I have to walk to a shopping center,
>>>>> about
>>>>> 15 or 20 minutes away.  As far as carrying bags in, if there's a 
>>>>> secure
>>>>> place to put your bags, so no one takes them while you're going
>>>>> upstairs,
>>>>> that would be fine.  I wouldn't get any kind of a bag, though, that
>>>>> would be
>>>>> strong enough to load down with more than you can safely carry without
>>>>> hurting yourself.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cindy
>>>>>
>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 6:43 PM
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi All:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have some more questions about grocery shopping and transportation.
>>>>>> Instead of making two separate posts, I figured I'd just put all my
>>>>>> questions in one post...they are somewhat related to each other.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I'll start with the grocery shopping questions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> In the apartment building I live in, there is no elevator.
>>>>>> Unfortunately I live on the third floor, which is up four flights of
>>>>>> steps. What is the best way to carry lots of groceries up the steps?
>>>>>> Would it be okay, when having lots of groceries to set some of the
>>>>>> bags on the floor in the hallway by the door, go up with as much as I
>>>>>> can carry, then come back for the rest? Is there any better way to
>>>>>> carry groceries than in the plastic bags the grocery bagger puts them
>>>>>> in? I've been told about burlap sacks that you can carry on your
>>>>>> shoulder...does this reduce the load much? I want to make this as 
>>>>>> easy
>>>>>> as possible.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> How often do you usually go grocery shopping? When you go, do you 
>>>>>> just
>>>>>> get the things you absolutely need, and keep the load as little as
>>>>>> possible or do you usually take advantage of the fact you are at the
>>>>>> store and get lots of stuff?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> My next questions are about transportation. I live in a college town.
>>>>>> I guess it's your typical college town. It's big enough to be
>>>>>> considered a small city or large town...we have five Krogers, four or
>>>>>> more Walmarts...tons of restaurants and bars, two malls...two movie
>>>>>> theaters. It isn't a major city though.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We do have a bus system but I've never been encouraged to use it. 
>>>>>> I've
>>>>>> just been expected to take cabs everywhere.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> One of the problems though is that the town is not really a walking
>>>>>> town...there are parts of it you can walk in but not very many. When
>>>>>> things/places are built, often pedestrian accessibility is left out.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There doesn't seem to be any blind people; there is no NFB chapter.
>>>>>> So, naturally the majority of the people, including most of the
>>>>>> students drive. From what I've read on their website, the bus covers
>>>>>> many areas, but usually until only 6 o'clock, unless it's downtown
>>>>>> where the students are. I don't live downtown though. Because of 
>>>>>> this,
>>>>>> I find myself having to take cabs almost everywhere. Cabs here are
>>>>>> about $5-6 each way. Is this normal for a college town? Is this
>>>>>> expensive for a cab?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Are my only options to either take the bus when it is available or
>>>>>> take
>>>>>> cabs?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Should I just not worry about the expense and take cabs when and
>>>>>> wherever?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is learning to use the bus hard or is it as simple as calling and
>>>>>> asking the right questions?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>From what I can tell, from where I live, in order to take the bus
>>>>>> again since I'm not in the downtown student area I will have to take
>>>>>> two buses to get anywhere and it usually takes about two hours. Is
>>>>>> this normal for a large town/small city?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The closest major city to me is Pittsburgh. There is a bus that goes
>>>>>> there twice. In order to take a grayhound bus, or AM track train you
>>>>>> have to somehow get to Pittsburgh. Is the bus going twice daily
>>>>>> reasonable?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> For those of you who live in college towns similar to this how do you
>>>>>> find a balance between taking cabs, using family and friends, and
>>>>>> taking the bus?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What is the cost monthly of owning a vehicle compared to taking cabs
>>>>>> all the time? I'm sorry to ask this...I've never been told.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I guess I am just asking these questions because I want to make sure
>>>>>> I'm not getting screwed so to speak. I don't mind taking cabs, but
>>>>>> sometimes I feel like I'm just automatically expected to spend the
>>>>>> money just because...if you know what I mean by that! I've been told
>>>>>> owning a vehicle is several hundreds of dollars a month when the cost
>>>>>> of maintaenance, car payments, insurance, and gas is added up but
>>>>>> again these have just been from sighted people who don't take cabs. 
>>>>>> It
>>>>>> seems like most other blind people I know don't take cabs unless they
>>>>>> absolutely have to and I hate having to do it all the time. In one
>>>>>> sense I feel like I'm being told to go ahead, don't worry about it,
>>>>>> owning a vehicle is expensive too...but then on the other hand so 
>>>>>> many
>>>>>> blind people don't seem to like doing it. I know each town is
>>>>>> different...but if I want to go somewhere and it's after 6 and the 
>>>>>> bus
>>>>>> doesn't go are cabs or family/friends my only options? I've never 
>>>>>> gone
>>>>>> completely broke or run out of money by taking cabs but again...I 
>>>>>> feel
>>>>>> as if I'm getting mixed messages and I want to make sure I'm doing 
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> right/best thing. From where I live you can't walk anywhere as there
>>>>>> are several things across the street but it's not actually a street
>>>>>> but a major six-lane highway...so walking is out. I'm not married and
>>>>>> live alone. Do those of you who live in towns like this find
>>>>>> yourselves having to also take cabs more frequently than other blind
>>>>>> people? I know my questions seem a little crazy but I thought I'd ask
>>>>>> them all in one post.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks so much!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/cindy425%40verizon.net
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> blindtlk:
>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/kerrik2006%40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> blindtlk:
>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/anjelinac26%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> blindtlk:
>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/firojjee%40gmail.com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> blindtlk mailing list
>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> blindtlk:
>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/cindy425%40verizon.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/stevep.deeley%40insightbb.com


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.862 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3186 - Release Date: 10/09/10 
02:34:00
-------------- next part --------------

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 9.0.862 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3186 - Release Date: 10/09/10 02:34:00