[Blindtlk] Para transit Vs. fixed Routes

Fri May 13 00:29:09 UTC 2011

I find that Boston public transportation otherwise known as the "T" is very 
good, and, when it doesn't get to ware I want to go, taxi cabs are a good 
option.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Mc Gee" <mmcatitude at gmail.com>
To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 3:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Para transit Vs. fixed Routes

> Dear Jessica and All;
> I understand you frustration perfectly!  I live in downtown Des
> Moines because here I'm two blocks from stops where I can busses going 
> each
> direction in the city.  Our bus service is very limited, but I can get 
> some
> places where I need to go on the fixed route bus.  Another reason I live
> downtown is because we have a free shuttle that I can ride to the State
> Capitol Complex when I have to do work there.  I'm five blocks from the
> Courthouses, both County and Federal, so I walk there.  Believe me, if I
> could drive, I'd be living further out, maybe even in the burbs, where I'd
> be closer to things like grocery stores.  But I stay downtown because it's
> more convenient for me to work and pay drivers for shopping, which I plan
> for once a week.
> I guess I also want to know where all of you live who can go exactly
> where you want to go whenever you want without any advanced planning--the
> same way people do when they drive.
> The car used in the Blind Driver Challenge will be available
> someday.  But, for now, the fact is, we don't have the convenience of
> driving ourselves.  This, of course isn't the end of the world, but it's a
> fact: we must consider transportation when we decide where to live, work,
> shop, etc.
> Right now I know I'm being unrealistic because my definition of
> "acceptable transportation" is transportation that I totally control and I
> can't neither control the busses, the cabs, or my drivers, although I have
> more control over them than I do over the public transit companies.  When
> I'm dead and gone, my ghost will return and drive that car that a blind
> person can drive, no doubt.
> I don't mind at all reading your rants.  That's the First Amendment
> at work!
> Sincerely,
> Mary
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jessica Kostiw
> Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 1:09 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Para transit Vs. fixed Routes
>
> Hello all,
> Must chime in here.  I live in Fairfax county Virginia.  I had to laugh
> while reading one of the other messages that listed D.C as one of the 
> great
> transportation places.  I believe the person was saying that someone who
> lived in D.C for example wouldn't be as interested in driving because the
> transportation is so good.  I live about 20 minutes from the city, do not
> live on the metro line, and the nearest bus stop is at least 3 miles away.
> I completely depend on family and friends.  As far as Para transportation,
> Metro Access requires a week in advance notice.  I have heard they require
> an hour window.  I have never used them because I have heard too many 
> horror
> stories, and now do to budget cuts I am now out of their area.  This 
> message
> is not to sit and complain, which admittedly so far that is what it sounds
> like.  Instead, I am trying to illustrate how narrow of a window D.C
> actually is.  I am currently in a serious relationship with a guy who owns
> his own home in Fredericksburg, which is a little over an hour south of 
> D.C.
> We are seriously discussing marriage and our future.  If I could see we
> would just keep the house, but since I cannot drive and there are no
> transportation options what so ever in Spotsylvania county, we are forced 
> to
> sell the house and move into something smaller with no yard in the city of
> Fredericksburg.  I apologize for the extreme negativity of this message,
> this has just been a very hot issue.  I think it is naive to recognize how
> limiting not having a car is.  To be fully mobile, it really seems like 
> you
> have to live in a city... not even in suburbs of a city.
>
> I would love to know, where those of you who do not seem to find this a 
> bone
> of contention live.  I don't mean that question to sound rude, again I am
> just frustrated.  Jon and I are willing to move, but I am just wondering.
>
> Thanks for reading my rants.
> Jessica
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of nikki Wunderlich
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 1:37 PM
> To: davidb521 at gmail.com; 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
> Hello David,
>
> I think if you don't have to use parra transit because you can use fixed
> routes with confidence, then I would use the fixed routes. But as I said 
> in
> my last email to the list I do not live with in walking distance of a bus
> stop, and have no way to get to it. Also even if I did live with in 
> walking
> distance of the bus stop there's a busy high way between where I live and
> the bus stop. I believe it's 4 laines either direction. SSo in total I'd
> have to cross 8 lanes of traffic, some of which are turning lanes. 
> Crossing
> 2 or four lanes of traffic doesn't bother me, but any more than that is
> really daunting to me. I mean I could probably do it if I had to, but if I
> don't have to I'm not going to. I used to live with my sister in the same
> apartment complex that I'm living in now, and back then I qualified for
> Metro Mobility, so I don't see why I wouldn't qualify for it now, but 
> we'll
> have to see. Personally if I could use fixed routes I would, because it's
> less expencive, but I can't. It's not because of my travel skills either.
> They're pretty good. My vision is my only disability too. Well I think 
> this
> email is long enough, so I will end it and say to all I hope you have a
> great day!
>
> Nikki
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of David
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 12:17 PM
> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
> Subject: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
> Hello. I was reading the thread discussing the pros and cons of blind
> driving, and noticed some discussion regarding paratransit versus fixed
> routes. What I am wondering is this. Does paratransit in most cities 
> closely
> follow fixed routes within a certain radius as I assume it does in Palm
> Beach County? From what I read from the list, paratransit is neither
> superior or inferior to fixed routes, hence it's name. Therefore, if
> blindness is your only disability, and your travel skills enable you to
> travel anywhere you please with confidence, as is the case with me, what 
> are
> the advantages of paratransit, if any? I am interested in hearing your
> thoughts on this.
>
> David
>
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