[Md-sligo] Transportation

Mon Sep 12 18:11:55 UTC 2016

Some of Melissa's ideas for safety should be used for a cab or MetroAccess. Or even a private car.  Never jump into a car, even if you think it is your friend's, without talking to the driver.

Debbie

From: MD-Sligo [mailto:md-sligo-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Melissa Ann Riccobono via MD-Sligo
Sent: Monday, September 12, 2016 2:02 PM
To: 'Sligo Creek Chapter list, NFB of Maryland'
Cc: Melissa Ann Riccobono
Subject: Re: [Md-sligo] Transportation

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<mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Melissa Ann Riccobono <melissa at riccobono.us<mailto: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<mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov<mailto: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<mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Brown, Debbie <dabro at loc.gov<mailto: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<mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin <Yasmin.Reyazuddin at montgomerycountymd.gov<mailto: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<mailto:md-sligo at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Brown, Debbie <dabro at loc.gov<mailto: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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