Next stop is where, exactly?
The TU recently deployed a group of "intrepid" reporters to ride CDTA buses throughout the region. The short story: the bus isn't so bad, but "a stunning lack" of schedules and signs makes for some confusing rides. Somewhere, Qualities of Life in Albany is probably yelling something along the lines of, "Yes! Exactly! That's what I've been saying!"
The thing that was really news to us was way down at the bottom of the story. Apparently you can schedule "a CDTA travel trainer, who can accompany new customers and help them learn the ropes on the spot."
What? If people need a coach to help them ride the bus, that's probably a pretty good indication that the schedules and signs need improvement.
Earlier on AOA:
+ Local transit info now on Google Maps
+ Trippin' with CDTA
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Comments
I too was shocked to learn about Travel Trainers! Now that's cute, and ummm.... absolutely indicative of "issues" with the transit system.
... said ThisQualityLife on Jul 23, 2008 at 4:11 PM | link
Hey, Quality! I enjoy your blog!
I'm getting a kick out of reading the reader comments on the TU story. As an "intrepid" traveler on the CDTA buses, I agree with most of the complaints about leaking buses, bad signage, late (or early!) buses, and mystifying map routes. The thing that gets me are the people that complain about other riders. CDTA can't really control the behavior of it's riders - you just have to put up with it! That's the price you pay for a $2 fare!
... said Ellen on Jul 23, 2008 at 5:28 PM | link
Everytime I get lost riding the CDTA buses, I just push the big orange button on my Batsuit. Because that activates my sonar glasses/hologram map and things pretty much work themselves out from there. So I don't know what everyone is complaining about. Babies.
... said Pantaloons on Jul 24, 2008 at 9:49 AM | link