[Md-sligo] Transportation

Mon Sep 12 18:02:20 UTC 2016

Hello Terry and List,

These are all great points. Yes, discrimination against those with guide
dogs happens. Has happened to me with both cabs and Ubers unfortunately.
Again, nothing is ever perfect, which is the most frustrating part of any
system!

Some Uber cars now do have stickers on them identifying them as Ubers. I
would hope more cars will get these markings, because it certainly does make
things easier. I definitely get your point about not being able to text and
request your own ride. This seems to be the worst part of this system; those
who have smart phones and are comfortable will be able to use it, and those
who can't won't be able to. 

Drivers usually do not get out of the car and come to my door with Ubers,
but drivers can and do either text or call me when they have arrived if I am
not outside. Also, I am able to tell how far away my driver is, which really
helps in a variety of ways. I would assume that, even if someone is a "no
show" for a trip on a standard Metro Access vehicle, the driver still gets
paid for making that trip. It seems to me as if they were paid by the number
of passengers they pick up and transport, they might be more willing to
truly do more looking around for someone and not so quick to just say they
are a no show and drive away. I assume this mind set is similar for a taxi
driver as well. They don't get paid if they don't transport a person, but
they could think "well, there are tons of other fares out there just waiting
to be picked up, so I'm not going to hang around here. I'll just say this
person is a no show and go on my way." Uber drivers could certainly say the
same thing. The difference is, the person requesting the trip can
immediately report a driver who does not show up and get refunded any money
which is charged. This is still a huge inconvenience, but but I think it
does cut down on the number of drivers who are willing to just drive away
without trying to contact the passenger-especially since contacting the
passenger is easy for them to do.

Just FYI, there are a couple of ways I can make sure I get in the correct
car. First, if there is someone who can read license plate numbers and/or
recognize the make of a car with me, I can let them know what I am looking
for as the make and model of the car and the license number are both given
when the driver takes your trip. Also, you get the driver's name. So, if I
am concerned for some reason that it might not be the correct car, I can
ask, "what's your name?" instead of "are you an Uber?" If the person says
the correct name, then I have another level of assurance that I am at the
correct vehicle. Also, the driver has my name, so I can also ask, "Are you
looking for someone?" or even "Who are you here for?" If they say my name,
then I can be much more confident they are the correct car. Finally, if I am
somewhere very busy and I am worried about finding my driver, I can call him
or her and ask he or she to stay on the phone with me until we find each
other. There are other things as well, such as asking the driver to repeat
the destination address I entered, and also checking my phone to make sure
it shows that I am on my trip when the car starts moving. I am not saying
Uber would work for you, or for everyone. I am just letting list members
know the things I do to stay safe while traveling, and I hope others might
find these suggestions helpful if they ever decide to try Uber, or some
other system of travel with which they are not familiar. I think it can be
very overwhelming to consider trying something new if you are not sure what
it will be like. I also agree that a system should work for as many people
as possible for it to be effective. I also feel the need to remind people to
be as open as possible to new ideas and ways of doing things. They may not
be better than the old ways, but we will never really know unless something
new is tried, and I think we can all agree that, at least in this case, our
way of transporting people using Metro Access is not working particularly
well much of the time.

Just some things to consider. I wish I had the answer for a better and more
perfect transportation system for everyone!

Melissa

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Powers,
Terry (NIH/NCI) [E] via MD-Sligo
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 7:27 AM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland'
Cc: Powers, Terry (NIH/NCI) [E]
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Transportation

Melissa;

There is no writing on the car and they will not get out and greet you, so
how do you know if you are getting in the right car? If I ask a driver, are
you from Uber, anyone could say yess and I could be getting in with a
stranger.

I also do not know how to text and how could I put in my requests?  I would
go for a system where I could communicate with a driver and tell them where
I am or what I am whereing, so he could find me.

I know someone who was discriminated againsted, right in frunt of my house,
because she had a guide dog.  As you most likely saw, I have already had
trouble with metro access using cabs and some of them not coming to the door
or even coming to the office, at all and putting me down as a no show.

Also, metro will not tell you if it is a van or cab that is picking you up.
This is very hard to deal with in a office situation.     

Terry Powers

From: Melissa Ann Riccobono via MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org] 
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2016 8:22 PM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland' <md-sligo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Melissa Ann Riccobono <melissa at riccobono.us>
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Transportation

Sorry-I am a bit late to this party, but I wanted to put in a few comments.

Knowing how Uber works, since I take it often in Baltimore, I'm guessing
that this program would work more like the Taxi Access program in Baltimore.
This means a few things. First, you would HAVE to call an Uber if you wanted
to use this service. Metro would not be able to send you an Uber because you
have to order the Uber through an app on a smart phone. So, if you would
want to use Metro Access like usual, you would order your rides just as you
do now. But, if you had a smart phone and wanted the convenience of same day
service, then you could use Uber. I would assume that there would be a card
number you would enter in the Uber app. This would allow Metro to be charged
for your Uber ride, as it said Metro would pay up to $15 per trip. This is
very similar to the Taxi Access program in Baltimore, but people call into
the cab company, give their Taxi Access number, and then get their ride.

One would hope that if this system works, those who can and like to use Uber
will do so. This will lessen Metro Access trips so one would hope Metro
Access would have a better on time performance and serve the customers who
use it better. Now I realize this might not be the case, as any paratransit
has a long way to go to be perfect! And, I could certainly be wrong about
how the system would work, but I hope I am correct.

Uber is a fantastic service. You can contact your driver directly, see how
far away your driver is, know the type of car they are driving, and the
rates are cheaper than a cab. If you have problems with a driver, you can
give feedback right away, and I have literally had money refunded for one
reason or another minutes after I submitted a complaint. You rate each
driver, and each driver rates you as a customer. This leads, most of the
time, to polite drivers and polite passengers. It is not perfect. Sometimes
the GPS tries to navigate the driver on a route that makes no sense, and
some drivers are bad drivers, rude, or just not very smart. Some don't speak
English very well. But, on the whole, I think Uber is far better than any
cab service, and I think it would be wonderful to subsidize rides for those
who need that help.

Just some thoughts to consider.

Melissa

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michelle
Clark via MD-Sligo
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2016 7:28 PM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland'
Cc: Michelle Clark
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Transportation

Debbie,

National Harbor will go in with Sligo for the resolution. I was shocked
whenI read the article.

Michelle

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Reyazuddin,
Yasmin via MD-Sligo
Sent: Thursday, September 8, 2016 9:16 AM
To: Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland <md-sligo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov>
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Transportation

Debbie, 

Based upon the article in the post, the RFP will be out end of this month.
They will  be considering the RFP during the month of December and award the
contract in January. 

May be we need to have a resolution at the state convention to enforce our
policy. Another way to ensure that there are no problems later. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other information
that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this
material. 

Thank you.

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brown,
Debbie via MD-Sligo
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2016 9:01 AM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland' <md-sligo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Brown, Debbie <dabro at loc.gov>
Subject: [Md-sligo] Transportation

Terry, that is a question we all have been asking.

They have to give to the AAC (which Queen is on) a report about missed trips
and no-shows.  I don't think it was generally broken down by cabs or regular
contractors.  That is a statistic we need to have.  It sounds as if this
same-day service is different from the normal MetroAccess, and you would
know that's what you were doing when you ordered it, and you would hopefully
understand that's what you were doing.  I know when I call a cab that my
body had better be outside or it might leave me-although cabs are routinely
calling before they come these days.  Nothing I have read says that Uber
will be doing regular MetroAccess trips.  Nevertheless, if MetroAccess is
managing it, it is in violation of the NFB of Maryland resolution.

Debbie Brown

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Powers,
Terry (NIH/NCI) [E] via MD-Sligo
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 4:16 PM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland'
Cc: Powers, Terry (NIH/NCI) [E]
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Chapter meeting and upcoming events

How can we trust this to go into effect, when some of the cab drivers, now,
will not go to the door and let a blind person know they are there.  They
either do not go at all or do not go to the door and put you down as a no
show, in both cases.

They were supposed to put on my record, no cabs, but when I change my pick
up, related to work, then they think they can use a cab.  Once in a while,
they do use a cab anyway.

Action is the most reliable for coming to find the client.

After how Henry's DOORs counceler has been treated by this company, I do not
trust them.

How can I communicate if I do not have a smart phone?

What a mess!!!

Terry P.

From: Reyazuddin, Yasmin via MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 4:06 PM
To: Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland <md-sligo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov>
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Chapter meeting and upcoming events

Debbie, 

At the chapter meeting we would like to get an update about metro access and
their ability ride program. 

Also we will have the Board of Elections who can register people and quietly
show the features of the machine. 

Last month meeting you gave out the raffle tickets. I did not get what I
asked. If I come to the meeting, I will get them. Otherwise, we will wait
for a better date. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other information
that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this
material. 

Thank you.

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Brown,
Debbie via MD-Sligo
Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 11:57 AM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland' <md-sligo at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Brown, Debbie <dabro at loc.gov>
Subject: [Md-sligo] Chapter meeting and upcoming events

The chapter meeting will be at the Long Branch Library, 8800 Garland Avenue,
at 1:30.  

We have many events coming up in September and October.

Saturday, September 17:  Bake sale at the Greenbelt Giant, 6000 Greenbelt
Road.  We really need bakers.  Janice steps up to the plate for every baking
event, but she can only do so much.  Please bake something or ask your
friends to bake something.  If you are not a baker, give your friends some
money to bake something.  

Saturday, October 1:  Scholarship dinner and auction, Bidding for
Opportunity.  Tickets are $40.  If you bring yourself and a friend, we will
get very close to filling the room.  Bring your money on Saturday if you
can.  Also, bring a description of your auction item, or bring the item
itself.  

Saturday, October 8:  Chapter meeting at which we will have Leslie Bowman
from LBPH.  

Sunday, October 16:  World of Montgomery, Montgomery College.

Saturday, October 22:  Friends meeting at LBPH in Baltimore, at which the
author Phyllis Reynolds Naylor will appear.

Friday-Sunday, October 28-30:  NFB of Maryland state convention.  I will
send you more information in a separate email.  We will have the usual
banquet and luncheons, but on Friday evening we will have pizza and a
performance.  The Braille is Beautiful Players will perform "Sorry, Wrong
Number."  I am still looking for people to participate in the Braille is
Beautiful Players.  Please let me know if you are interested in being a
star.  You must be a fairly good braille reader.

If you have raffle tickets filled out, and if you have money, please bring
it on Saturday.

Debbie Brown

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