[NFBO-Linn-benton] Improving Paratransit in Benton County

[kjocums at icloud.com]

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Kristen Jocums
(706) 718-8055

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBO-Linn-benton <nfbo-linn-benton-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of
John Gardner via NFBO-Linn-benton
Sent: Thursday, January 18, 2024 11:52 AM
To: John Gardner <john.gardner at viewplus.com>
Cc: John Gardner <john.gardner at viewplus.com>
Subject: [NFBO-Linn-benton] Improving Paratransit in Benton County

	Hello All, this note is going to as many local paratransit
stakeholders as I have in my data base. Anyone receiving this note is
welcome to forward it to others. The purpose is to establish a
communications network that allows us all to work together to solve the
present serious problems with local paratransit. 
	Tom Hendrix, who has recently retired as safety director of
Dial-A-Bus (DAB) and will now join the DAB Board, has been meeting with
county personnel and representatives of the new VIA dispatch software
currently in use in Benton County. Tom understands the current problems as
well as anybody in the county and has challenged both groups to find
solutions. Tom is presently convinced that these problems can be solved and
there is a willingness by all to do so. I admire Tom for his effort and
certainly hope he is proven right. I personally am happy to contribute as
much as I can to this process and to adopt a "wait and see" attitude. I hope
we can all do that.
	During the DAB Board meeting on Tuesday, the board  realized that
user participation in defining success is essential. We know that perfection
is not achievable. But what is 'good enough'? Even in the "good old days" of
a few years ago, DAB was not perfect. It was often hard to impossible to
schedule last-minute rides, and even if made well in advance, users were not
always able to schedule rides at exactly the time desired. But still, most
of the time if you scheduled several days in advance, you could usually get
a ride with a wait window of only a few minutes. 
	Tom has the following goals:
1. Identify specific unacceptable scheduling clients needs. 
2. Talk to office personnel to confirm if DABs pickup and drop-off have not
improved.
3. Specifically, focus on a goal of  pickup drop-off times no later, or
earlier, than 15 minutes of requested times.
I will be pleased to have feedback with comments on those goals and
suggestions for others.
	Finally, the Board and Tom also believe that good communications is
essential. So Tom has committed to making sure that anyone who wishes
receives notes from negotiating meetings. If you wish to continue
participating in this discussion and receive these notes, please let me
know, and I will pass the list to Tom. The law requires that your name goes
on that list only if you request it.
	Thanks 

John Gardner


John Gardner
President
541.754.4002 x 200
www.viewplus.com


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