[nfbmi-talk] Followup on Michigan Flyer and MetroAirportFW: 7New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
Joe Sontag
suncat0 at gmail.com
Thu Nov 20 14:48:15 UTC 2014
Couldn't agree with you more, Fred. Very well done.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Fred Wurtzel via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "'joe harcz Comcast'" <joeharcz at comcast.net>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 9:14
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Followup on Michigan Flyer and MetroAirportFW: 7New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
: Hello,
:
: Well, I think that incrementalism is a valid point of view. Having a
: settlement which is better , but less than perfect presumably leaves us
: better off. Certainly, Karla took action and things are better than they
: would have been, otherwise. This seems like a case of perfection blocking
: progress. Of course, I, along with most everyone else on this side of the
: issue would have preferred a return to the status quo. Unless, the NFB of
: Michigan is willing to go back to court it is highly unlikely that such a
: return will happen. Wishing for another outcome will not accomplish
: anything. For my part, I am happy that there is a warm place to wait, a way
: to contact Prospect and a plan to make the process work reasonably well. I
: do not think this is a perfect solution, but I am happy that someone was
: willing to take action, instead of simply complaining, and that the
: situation is better than it would have been.
:
: So, what do you think we need to do to work to make the bus stop better?
: How much are we willing to spend from our treasury to fight this? For my
: part, if we decide to fight more, I will support the effort, but I am
: unwilling to criticize Karla for her good work and willingness to do
: something when none of us did a thing except vote on a resolution. We need
: to stop talking about problems and do something. Otherwise, we should be
: grateful to those who are willing to take action which is in our interest.
:
: Warmest Regards,
:
: Fred
:
: -----Original Message-----
: From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of joe
: harcz Comcast via nfbmi-talk
: Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2014 8:41 AM
: To: David Robinson; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
: Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Followup on Michigan Flyer and Metro AirportFW:
: 7New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
:
: Agreed. And for those who have not read the resolution here it is:
: RESOLUTION 2014-02 Michigan Flyer and SMART Bus Access to Airport
:
:
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the Michigan Flyer, Air Ride and Smart bus services offer a
: convenient and affordable means of traveling to the Detroit Metropolitan
: Airport (DTW); and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, many blind people use public transportation including the Michigan
: Flyer, Air Ride and SMART to travel to and from the McNamara Terminal of
: Detroit Metropolitan Airport; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, there is a 70% unemployment rate among blind people who wish to
: work, making affordable transportation an extremely important part of life
: activities; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the Airport Board has decided to move the Bus Stop for these
: services to another location , called the Ground Transportation Center,which
: is inadequate, dangerous and inconvenient to persons using public
: transportation to travel to the McNamara Terminal; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, until recently, the busses have dropped passengers at an accessible
: stop within 50 feet of the entrance to the terminal with no safety or other
: negative consequences for over 2 years; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) severely limits a disabled
: person's access to and communication with Prospect Airport Services, since
: Prospect is located inside the McNamara Terminal near the former bus stop,,
: a service used by disabled persons to assist them in getting around at the
: Airport, thus leaving persons needing this assistance without access
:
: to reasonable accommodations when getting off the bus; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the new location at the GTC is approximately 200 yards from the
: nearest
:
: indoor area of the airport, as opposed to 50 feet in the McNamara Terminal
: at
:
: the former location, thus forcing people to either wait outside for their
: bus or
:
: run quickly once it arrives. Disabled persons, especially those with
: mobility
:
: limitations, who cannot "run" quickly enough are thus forced to wait
: outside,
:
: even in harsh weather conditions; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, when all three unloading spots at the new stop are occupied,
: passengers loading and unloading from a bus in the middle lane are forced to
: exit between vehicles and cross over
:
: a lane of traffic, an action which could result in severe bodily harm and/or
:
: death; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the change in bus stops conflicts with the Americans With
: Disabilities law by limiting access to the terminal by persons with
: disabilities; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the Ground Transportation Center does not have a service dog relief
: area unlike the former stop which has dog relief facilities; and,
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, passengers traveling from the McNamara Terminal to the new transit
: pickup
:
: location outside of the GTC must either choose to travel directly out "side
:
: doors" that exit to active lanes of traffic, or go through a revolving door,
:
: which
:
: when often broken is inaccessible to those with mobility impairments. To
: wit,
:
: the Detroit Free Press in 2009 reported that the door had broken 33 times
: from
:
: April 1, 2008 to March 22, 2009; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder communicated his support in
: "maintaining the
:
: integrity of the previous stop locations" in a letter to Mr. Tom Naughton,
: CEO of the
:
: Wayne County Airport Authority and to Mr. Michael Ford, CEO of the Ann Arbor
:
: Area Transportation Authority dated June 11, 2014; and
:
:
:
: WHEREAS, the change of bus stop only effects those using public
: transportation and drastically reduces the convenience and accessibility for
:
: these passengers, this change unreasonably and discriminatorily targets
: persons who use public transportation to travel to and from the airport by
: making the environment hostile and unwelcoming to visitors to our state who
: use these services to reach the many attractions and services including
: colleges, industries, residences, tourist attractions and the vast natural
: and commercial resources of the state of Michigan: Now, therefore,
:
:
:
: BE IT RESOLVED in convention assembled this 12th day of October, 2014, in
: the city of Flint, Michigan that this organization condemns and deplores the
:
: action of the Wayne county Airport Authority in discriminating against users
:
: of public transportation, especially those with disabilities by relocating
: bus drop off points used by the Michigan Flyer, Air Ride and SMART; and
:
:
:
: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that this organization call upon the Airport
: Authority to immediately and permanently reverse its decision to move the
: Bus Stop for the Michigan Flyer, Air Ride and Smart busses to the Ground
: Transportation Center and return it to its former location at the entrance
: to the McNamara Terminal; and
:
:
:
: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that this organization empower our president and
: board to join in any legal actions to remediate this move by the Airport
: Authority, including filing of friendly briefs, or other actions; and
:
:
:
: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that, this organization empower our president and
: board to authorize any actions, including, but not limited to, press
: releases, testimony or demonstrations, which seem prudent, effective
: andare designed to , result in the restoration of convenient transportation
: to users of public transportation to the Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
:
:
:
: ----- Original Message -----
: From: "David Robinson via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
: To: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at att.net>; "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing
: List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
: Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 8:26 PM
: Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Followup on Michigan Flyer and Metro AirportFW:
: 7New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
:
:
: > Fred,
: >
: > Our resolution at this years convention calls for more then what is just
:
: > in the settlement. I don't see any specific progress in the releasethat
: > warrants any praise for anyone yet. Carla may have decided to settle, but
:
: > our resolution does not call for a compromise that results in unequal
: > treatment.
: >
: > Dave
: > ----- Original Message -----
: > From: "Fred Wurtzel via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
: > To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
: > Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 8:08 PM
: > Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Followup on Michigan Flyer and Metro AirportFW: 7
: > New,Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
: >
: >
: >> Hello,
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Here is a release from Michigan Flyer. There is a promising update on
: >> the
: >> progress toward fulfillment of the settlement.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> I really appreciate Karla Hudson for her proactive work on this and the
: >> support of the NFB of Michigan in advocating for a reasonable settlement.
: >> We will be vigilant until we are certain that blind travelers will be
: >> able
: >> to fully utilize this service without undue inconvenience from the
: >> airport
: >> authority. Together, our voices were heard.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Warmest Regards,
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Fred
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> From: Michigan Flyer [mailto:sales at michiganflyer.com]
: >> Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 6:45 PM
: >> To: f.wurtzel at att.net
: >> Subject: 7 New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Trouble viewing this email? Read it online
: >>
: <http://secure.campaigner.com/Campaigner/Public/t.show?7lzhp--3tlsa-ymsckn8&
: >> _v=2>
: >>
: >> ?
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender.
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. E-newsMasthead_November.jpg
: >>
: >>
: >> 7 New, Eco-Friendly Buses Give You an Even Sweeter Ride
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Just for you, we're putting a brand new fleet of seven luxury
: >> motorcoaches
: >> on the road this month, representing a $3.8 million investment by
: >> Michigan
: >> Flyer's parent company, Indian Trails, Inc.
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu79-ymsckn8&_v=2>
: >>
: >> "We invested in a new fleet with high-end safety, comfort, eco-friendly
: >> features because of our commitment to our customers and our communities,"
: >> said Indian Trails President Gordon Mackay. "Since 2012, the number of
: >> passengers who've rewarded Michigan Flyer-AirRide with their business has
: >> doubled from 90,000 a year to more than 180,000."
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> The new fleet-all state-of-the-art 2015 Prevost H3-45 coaches-is equipped
: >> with technology that reduces exhaust pollutants to near zero. In
: >> addition,
: >> each motorcoach achieves 206 passenger miles per gallon and has the
: >> potential to remove 50 automobiles from the highway, further reducing air
: >> pollution and traffic congestion.
: >>
: >> Safety features include an electronic stability system that enables
: >> drivers
: >> to avoid danger on slippery roads; an engine fire-detection and
: >> suppression
: >> system; two GPS systems; and a tire pressure monitoring system. All are
: >> equipped with three-point retractable seatbelts for passengers;
: >> ADA-compliant wheelchair lifts, and a large under-floor luggage
: >> compartment.
: >>
: >> As for comfort, the new coaches offer deluxe, ergonomic seating with
: >> leather
: >> headrests and ample leg room; individual climate controls, reading lamps
: >> and
: >> cup holders; tinted, panoramic side windows; 110-volt AC outlets at each
: >> seat for charging mobile devices; free WiFi; on-board lavatories; and
: >> enclosed, overhead parcel racks.
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. Katie Donovan and Odie Norkin
: >>
: >> So, relax and enjoy an even better ride than before!
: >>
: >>
: >> Detroit Metro Airport Update
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. MIFlyer_Bullet_16px.JPGNew Customer Service Desk
:
: >> at
: >> DTW's McNamara Terminal
: >>
: >> In December, we're opening a new public-transit customer service desk
: >> inside
: >> the McNamara Terminal's climate-controlled Ground Transportation Center
: >> (GTC), which has accessible restrooms, drinking fountains and phones
: >> nearby.
: >> A Michigan Flyer-AirRide staff member will be posted at the service desk
: >> to
: >> assist passengers on most of our scheduled runs. This lets you stay
: >> inside
: >> until just before your motorcoach arrives, limiting exposure to weather
: >> at
: >> our boarding location (in the parking ramp about 200 yards from the
: >> waiting
: >> area).
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. MIFlyer_Bullet_16px.JPGIf You Need Help, Just
: >> Ask
: >>
: >> If you need special assistance in accessing facilities at DTW, it's best
: >> to
: >> arrange for it with your airline at the time you make flight
: >> reservations.
: >> The airlines at DTW contract with Prospect Airport Services, Inc., to
: >> provide wheelchair and baggage assistance, and more. You can also call
: >> Prospect directly to arrange for help, preferably in advance but also
: >> when
: >> you're at the airport. Prospect's phone number at DTW's McNamara Terminal
:
: >> is
: >> 734-247-2400; at the North Terminal, it's 734-247-1121.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. New Customer Service Desk at McNamara Terminal
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Cheers to You This Thanksgiving!
: >>
: >> Thanks to you-our wonderful passengers-Michigan Flyer is now celebrating
: >> its
: >> eighth anniversary! With your support, our service has been growing
: >> rapidly
: >> since 2012.
: >>
: >> Over the years, you've told us you love how we enable you to ride in
: >> comfort, avoid traffic, stay productive, save money, conserve energy and
: >> protect the environment. And it doesn't hurt that we help connect two
: >> great
: >> university towns with one another and the world, and generate millions in
: >> economic benefit for both regions.
: >>
: >> However, you also really wanted the convenience of near-hourly departures
: >> every day between early morning and late evening.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender. Happy Thanksgiving!
: >>
: >> We delivered in November 2013, upping our daily schedule of roundtrips
: >> from
: >> eight to 12 on the East Lansing-Ann Arbor segment of our route to and
: >> from
: >> Detroit Metro Airport. A one-year, one-time start-up grant from the
: >> Federal
: >> Highway Administration helped us do it. Because of the continuing surge
: >> in
: >> loyal riders like you, the four new runs are now self-supporting.
: >>
: >> We'd like to express our gratitude to our friends at the Ann Arbor Area
: >> Transportation Authority
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu7a-ymsckn8&_v=2> , too. A
: >> giant
: >> first step toward greater frequency was the formation of a public-private
: >> partnership with AAATA ("TheRide") in February 2012 to increase daily
: >> roundtrips from eight to 13 on the Ann Arbor-DTW segment of our route,
: >> which
: >> we operate as "AirRide
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu7b-ymsckn9&_v=2> ." It's been
: >> a
: >> resounding success for Southeast Michigan, and no local property taxes go
:
: >> to
: >> support AirRide.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender.
: >>
: >>
: >> Why Drive?!
: >>
: >> Booking is easy, click here
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu7c-ymsckn0&_v=2> to view
: >> schedules on
: >> Image removed by sender.
: >> Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender.
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu7d-ymsckn1&_v=2> Image removed
:
: >> by
: >> sender.
: >>
: >> Image removed by sender.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> Michigan Flyer
: >> 333 Albert Street Suite 214 | East Lansing, MI 48823
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.c?7lzhp-ivu7e-ymsckn2&_v=2>
: >> www.michiganflyer.com
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> **Unsubscribing will affect your ability to receive Michigan Flyer
: >> information
: >> pertaining to general schedule changes or other updates.
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> This email is intended for f.wurtzel at att.net.
: >> Update your preferences
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.fo?7lzhp--8lrq-ymsckn2&sl=u&t=1&_v=2> or
: >> Unsubscribe
: >> <http://trk.cp20.com/Tracking/t.fo?7lzhp--8lrq-ymsckn2&sl=u&t=5&_v=2>
: >>
: >>
: >>
: >> _____
: >>
: >>
: >>
: <http://www.campaigner.com/?utm_source=campaigner&utm_medium=email&utm_campa
: >> ign=deliveryfooter> Image removed by sender.Image removed by sender.
: >>
: >>
: >
: >
: >
: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: ----
: >
: >
: >> _______________________________________________
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: >
: >
: > _______________________________________________
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