[Ohio-talk] Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

Thu Nov 21 23:39:57 UTC 2013

Richard,
Thank you for correcting me. The word spoiled was a bad choice,
forgive me. Since we are in this season of Thanksgiving, I will use
the wordd grateful! I have my problems and situations with
paratransit, however 98% of the time the service works for my
purposes. The other 2% of the time may create a disaster. This is
still public transportation, when I used the main service the chances
of mishaps was probably 10%, so I am still grateful. Until about 5
years ago, we had a strong advocate for the blind paratransit users in
cleveland, he no longer does this job for us. as a result of his
departure and and increased ridership, problems have risen.
One of the main issues is that RTA has taken outside contracts with
other providers, these drivers are not well trained and some don't
care to have training. This is not a requirement for the companies
they work for. RTA has not provided complete information to the
providers, wheelchair, cane, guide dog  handler, walker, scooter and
other important information drivers should know if he/she is to
provide quality service to it's customers, something as simple as a
map would be useful. Quite a few of these issues can result in
confrontations, hurt feelings, missed appointments and injury. RTA has
been awarded several awards recently and values it's reputation, and
for that I grateful, and I also suspect this is why they requested
this meeting with Suzanne. because I am confident once the meeting is
over some suggestions for solutions will be exchanged and put into
place. There is very little they can do about contracts that are in
place, but when the next contract time comes about we should see the
result. RTA does not automatically renew provider contracts, there is
a process, and  they have discarded poor contractors in the past.
Changes and improvements for RTA drivers, schedulers, and dispatch
should show results quickly, this is my expectation.
If every driver adhered to the policies and practices of the
transportation board, and the company, many things would change and we
may really not like that. However this is only my opinion. In my
experience it is easier to live peaceably with others because no one
is always wrong and no one is always right, comprimise is what will
ultimately happen, it should be something reasonable, but always
moving toward excellence.
In the past our drivers had our telephone numbers, this was great.
However, again, this was abused at both ends and now the drivers must
call dispatch and dispatch will contact the customer at the number
listed with your account. If we are using cell phones, we should take
the time to update this information with the company. something this
simple could avoid mix ups.

Every NFB chapter should have representation on the citzens council of
their local paratransit board, and we should have a voice at the state
level, so on and so on, again just my opinion. Just like the
transportation issue with the airlines, we should work together,
strenth in numbers, the squeeky wheel gets the oil. This is another
way to identify our leaders, there some among us that feel
passionately about this subject and may work tirelessly on
transportation producing amazing results!
finally, all of you know I am long winded, LOL, I greatly appreciate
those that have gone before, put the work in, lead the charge for The
americans with disabilities Act, for that I am grateful! It is left to
us that remember when there was no paratransit to educate, lead, and
know when to hang back and be that support the next generation needs,
this is our responsibility as federationist. someone did it for us.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, don't eat too much!

blessings,

cheryl

On 11/20/13, richard payne <rchpay7 at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I must jump in here. Yes the services that we enjoy are great but spoiled
> may be reaching out just a little far. The service comes at a large price
> most rides cost around 30.00 dollars for the city/state and federal tax
> payers to provide. I am a person that enjoys  the project mobility in
> Dayton. You can rest assure that the staff is very aware  of  my name. You
> may remember that on this very list one of our members  spoke about the
> problems they had with vans showing up and leaving without trying to call.
> Dayton has just decided to request a cell phone number to call. We deal
> with
> things sometimes because in many cases we are bound by the very services
> that should allow us the chance to enjoy several things that many others
> have the advantage of. Some people say that the par transit makes you less
> independent but that may be just another view. We must remained educated
> about the transportation laws require those who provide services to be
> trained well. We can change things and will. Richard
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cheryl
> Fields
> Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 2:40 PM
> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA)
>
> While talking with one of the RTA drivers on yesterday, I discovered that
> the drivers are trained to use sighted guide, they are blind folded and led
> onto the bus and seated, placed into a wheelchair and placed onto the lift,
> and strapped in, for the experience. However, the contract drivers are not
> trained at all for this, and sometimes have no idea what's going on. While
> our service is good and we are spoiled this should be investigated some
> more.
> Cheryl
>
> On 11/18/13, Wanda Sloan <wsloan118 at roadrunner.com> wrote:
>> This is good.  Dayton has a good system but you have to work with them.
>> From the way some level of expectations are with some of our
>> Daytonians, perhaps they need to relocate to Cleveland so they can be
>> spoiled a bit more than they do in Dayton.  (Smile)
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>> Cheryl Fields
>> Sent: Saturday, November 16, 2013 7:47 PM
>> To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
>> (RTA)
>>
>> Suzanne,
>> I am sure your meeting will go smoothly. I have very few complaints,
>> no system is perfect, and we are blessed in Cleveland to have one of
>> the best paratransit systems in the country. However I do realize that
>> when it goes bad it is really bad for us, been there too. My best
>> friend lives in Columbia, south carolina and what they call
>> paratransit is a joke! I was told that Detroit and Washington DC have
>> corner to corner service. I have used Mainstream in columbus and there
>> is no comparison to our service. Once when using mainstream I was left
>> at my location, after I called and was told that they would try to
>> find me a ride, I called someone to pick me up and made it to my
>> Mother's house, 3 hours later Mainstream called to say they were
>> sending a bus to pick me up. Another time I was asked off of the bus
>> for not having the correct change, smiles, I am notorious for this
>> andthe drivers are used to me doing this, yes I need to stop, it is a
>> minor problem in Cleveland we always work it out, however in columbus
>> it was a unforgivable sin and the driver escorted me off of the
>> vehicle, walk of shame. Oh well, I will still use the service because
>> it is all they have and when I need it it is there, sooner or later.
>> smiles This is why I love our service and appreciate it, there's no
>> place like home. Our RTA drivers are like family to me and it is the
>> contract drivers I have the most issues with. The regular RTA drivers
>> go above and beyond the call of duty, carrying heavy packages,
>> allowing us to bring more than 3 shopping bags onto the bus, stopping
>> to allow folks to use the rest room, waiting more than 5 mins., when
>> we are fully aware of when the bus will arrive, waiting for those that
>> are on dialysis so they won't have to wait on another bus, making sure
>> I have on my boots after one of those freaky snow storms. Once a
>> driver smelled gas in my building and saved all of our lives, thank
>> god for her! Allowing some of us to travel with baby seats and another
>> person without notifying scheduleing, dropping folks off at other
>> destinations they did not schedule for, taking diabetics to the fast
>> food drive through line to get food so they won't go into a coma,
>> passengers knowingly riding on expired bus passes, hanging up on
>> certain schedulers because you would rather talk with someone else,
>> talking to drivers like they are your personal chauffaur, providing us
>> with those miracle rides when we call at 3 o'clock pm the day before
>> we need to be somewhere at 9 o'clock the next morning, the list goes
>> on and on. I have wittnessed enough abuse on our part, the blind, to
>> know how the majority of drivers, schedulers, and dispatch make
>> allowances for us going above and beyond the call of duty. While RTA
>> continues to provide quality service for us, we should work together with
> them toward improvements, making a good thing become even better!
>>  So, these are my concerns:
>>
>> 1. Training, the contract drivers should have training with sighted
>> guide, pushing and pulling will result in a accident one day and
>> creates a hostile atmosphere. I have tried to use humor to make them
>> listen, but it rarely works andwhen I become serious and firm they become
> offended.
>> Politeness will go a long way, some of the contract drivers ar rude.
>> My building can be difficult to locate, these drivers will not llisten
>> and want to tell me where I live. Just last night I gave the driver
>> instructions and he decided I did not know what I was talking about,
>> so he finally asked me and I told him again and he says, that does not
>> seem right, and I remained silent. He found it but was surprised that
>> it was where I said it was. Once I rode on the bus in circles because
>> the driver would not listen, he then accused me of causing him to be
>> late for his next pick up, well you know what I said to that! Some
>> vehicles are equiped with gps and others are not, maybe this could be
>> uniform, the contract drivers are often unable to take the proper
>> routes to destinations, spending long periods of time trying to figure
>> it out. Some of this may be personality, don't know.
>>
>> 2. Scheduling, this year the process is really bad. There has been a
>> increase in ridership, however some simple things can be emplemented
>> to accomadate this increase. Stop having 3 buses pick up 3 people
>> going to the same destination that live in the same neighborhood, this
>> is so wasteful and time consuming for others that are waiting for
>> rides. Having someone that lives west, board a bus full of east
>> siders, ride all over the east side before taking them home. This
>> seems to be the new normal, drivers are frustrated with this and we
>> are too.
>>
>> 3. Vehicles, it would be beneficial for RTA to become pro-active with
>> contract companies when choosing vehicles. Some of the vans are
>> dangerous and awkward to navagate. Knowing how to exit the van is
>> important to me and some drivers will not show you where the door
>> handleand locks are, they feel like you don't need to know, however
>> some of us have other issues they are not aware of. When it is time
>> for RTA to purchase new vehicles, maybe they can look at the ones with
>> the lower bottom step, curb height, it would be a lot easier to board
>> and exit the vehicle.
>>
>> 4. Is RTA considering a new fare system, cards similar to laundry
>> cards that are used in apartment buildings. This is expensive, but
>> would be really convenient, especially if it was part of our
>> identification card.The driver could verify id  and collect the fare
>> with one swipe.
>>
>> Finally, nfb should have representation on the Citizens Council, this
>> would provide us a constant voice, and maybe we could hold a town hall
>> meeting for paratransit riders. I have attended other RTA town hall
>> meetings and paratransit riders rarely show up in numbers, so we are
>> rarely heard.
>>
>> I know this is long, but you know me, smiles, that's all folks!
>> Make this a great day, be good to yourself and a blessing to others!
>> Cheryl Fields
>>
>> On 11/15/13, Suzanne Turner <sturner at clevelandsightcenter.org> wrote:
>>> Good Afternoon,
>>>
>>> I wanted to inform you all that I have a meeting scheduled with Joe
>>> Calabrese who is the CEO and General Manager of RTA and the Deputy
>>> General manager of Operations, Mike York along with  Oliver Draper
>>> who is the Manager of para-Transit in Cuyahoga County about the
>>> issues regarding services.
>>>
>>> I am requesting all to email me any issues that you would like for me
>>> to discuss. I have many concerns and I am sure you do as well.
>>>
>>> My meeting is December 2, 2013 at 8:30 AM.
>>>
>>> Although you may not reside locally, I am sure some issues are
>>> universal in your immediate area.  I will do my best to advocate in
>>> your
>> behalf as well.
>>> I will bring the issues to their attention and let them know that
>>> this is State wide.  Therefore, during the many State wide
>>> transportation meetings, they would have heard these issues along the
> way.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>> Suzanne Turner, BSW, MPA
>>> Employment Coordinator and Benefit Specialist
>>>
>>> Cleveland Sight Center
>>> 216-791-8118 (main)
>>> 216-658-7350 (direct)
>>> 216-791-1101 (fax)
>>> sturner at ClevelandSightCenter.org
>>> <mailto:sturner at ClevelandSightCenter.org>
>>>
>>> 1909 East 101st Street
>>> P.O. Box 1988
>>> Cleveland, Ohio  44106-0188
>>>
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>>>
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>>
>> --
>> Peace
>>
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>
> --
> Peace
>
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-- 
Peace