Our bus system has never received the attention or support it deserves from our city's leaders and I believe it is because it is often thought of as little more than welfare on wheels and because typical customers are poor, physically and mentally challenged or Black and Latino. Two of these city leaders running for mayor are now taking an interest, or so I believe, because it is an election. Of the incumbent aldermen running for re-election as alderman, only one has chosen to respond to this survey.
Candidates and elected officials apparently believe that the vast majority of customers are some sort of silent mass who neither exercise or wield power in the city--and they may be right, but does that mean we should neglect their needs--or neglect what our bus system could be? It currently exists for the dependent customer who is generally considered of low socio-economic status but if properly supported and overseen, it could help us improve many bad situations in our city.
Unfortunately Alderwomen Hoyle and Finlayson, as well as Aldermen Israel and Paone could not be bothered (even though he talked to me about it), nor could candidate Kenny Kirby (although his handler Chuck Weikel sort of responded--to tell others NOT to respond to this survey, which may explain Hoyle and Finlayson's lack of response--although they never respond to CP).
The modal customers are mainly the transit dependent, especially minorities and service workers. However, the system is actually two systems, one being the routes that meet at Spa Road for transfers and the Brown Route that deviates for ADA-eligible customers. The other part is the stadium shuttle operations, mainly for state workers and to a certain extent tourists.
The system has especially suffered under the Moyer Administration and the management of an entrenched and often-absentee bureaucrat making a huge salary. She has been in that position as director since 1998 and before that as assistant director for many years. Questions come up about the management and the enormous amount of overtime at the department at almost every mayoral forum. The Transportation Board has been inactive for years and has only one member--the notorious Chuck Weikel--who has openly opposed me even doing this simple survey (see below under "Kenny Kirby"). The survey consisted of five brief and simple questions that required no technical expertise. Below are their responses. I provide some commentary in (red or blue bracketed italics). Thanks to the candidates for their replies which are printed in the order in which they were received:
The first response was sent in by Greg Stiverson, Ward Six
_______________________________________
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, i.e who should we be serving and how?
Most critical: City residents who do not have transportation to get to work, shopping, and health care.
Second most critical: City visitors--both tourists and the thousand who come to town to do business with state and county governments and local professional offices and businesses.
Third most critical: Residents who have automobile transportation and who do not consider public transit viable (for whatever reason, valid or not). (sounds good)
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
Five times: Three times with you on your excellent "bus enlightenment" tour. Once when I thought I was supposed to meet you along the way for ANOTHER bus enlightenment tour and you didn't show up (CP notes--we had our times mixed-up...geeze I am sorry!) and I ended up riding the full bus circuit alone. And once when my car broke down. On average, that's about once every seven years during the 34 years I've lived in Annapolis. Not a record I'm bragging about, but probably a bit better than most car-owning Annapolitans--which is a problem. Of course, if you discount the four times I rode the bus with you or because of you, my total bus trips in 34 years is just one. But I won't tell if you won't. (too late....you have been interested since you directed HAF and rode with me)
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
Money.
Bad management and promotion.
And the biggest problem of all: The automobile and the freedom and fexibility [sic] that it offers--both enshrined American ideals that will be difficult to change until gasoline reaches European levels and/or another Great American Depression forces Americans seriously to reduce unnecessary spending, which the automobile (and expenditures on roads, parking lots, etc.) are. (In a nutshell..you said it all though I believe money is not the core--it is management)
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
Adequate? It's embarrassing! Our bus system is second-class transportation for second-class citizens and the transfer point fits squarely into this conception of what Annapolis transit is. (right on!)
A real transit center should be located near the intersection of Route 50, Route 2, and West Street.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
The failure of Annapolis Transit to provide timely, clean, and fully functional buses including working air conditioning in the summer, suggests that something is wrong with either current management or its organizational placement within the city government. I don't know what the answer is but figuring out what's wrong should be a priority of the new administration--under the leadership, I hope, of a qualified city manager. A good place to start is by looking at similar-sized towns around the country and in Europe that have bus systems that work well. We do not need to start from scratch, but we do need to stop navel-gazing. Rather than cursing what we have we should develop and implement a plan to make it better, with specific timelines and goals to ensure accountability. (We have the brainpower to do this--just not the willpower)
Greg Stiverson, Ward Six
____________________________________
Most critical: City residents who do not have transportation to get to work, shopping, and health care.
Second most critical: City visitors--both tourists and the thousand who come to town to do business with state and county governments and local professional offices and businesses.
Third most critical: Residents who have automobile transportation and who do not consider public transit viable (for whatever reason, valid or not). (sounds good)
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
Five times: Three times with you on your excellent "bus enlightenment" tour. Once when I thought I was supposed to meet you along the way for ANOTHER bus enlightenment tour and you didn't show up (CP notes--we had our times mixed-up...geeze I am sorry!) and I ended up riding the full bus circuit alone. And once when my car broke down. On average, that's about once every seven years during the 34 years I've lived in Annapolis. Not a record I'm bragging about, but probably a bit better than most car-owning Annapolitans--which is a problem. Of course, if you discount the four times I rode the bus with you or because of you, my total bus trips in 34 years is just one. But I won't tell if you won't. (too late....you have been interested since you directed HAF and rode with me)
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
Money.
Bad management and promotion.
And the biggest problem of all: The automobile and the freedom and fexibility [sic] that it offers--both enshrined American ideals that will be difficult to change until gasoline reaches European levels and/or another Great American Depression forces Americans seriously to reduce unnecessary spending, which the automobile (and expenditures on roads, parking lots, etc.) are. (In a nutshell..you said it all though I believe money is not the core--it is management)
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
Adequate? It's embarrassing! Our bus system is second-class transportation for second-class citizens and the transfer point fits squarely into this conception of what Annapolis transit is. (right on!)
A real transit center should be located near the intersection of Route 50, Route 2, and West Street.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
The failure of Annapolis Transit to provide timely, clean, and fully functional buses including working air conditioning in the summer, suggests that something is wrong with either current management or its organizational placement within the city government. I don't know what the answer is but figuring out what's wrong should be a priority of the new administration--under the leadership, I hope, of a qualified city manager. A good place to start is by looking at similar-sized towns around the country and in Europe that have bus systems that work well. We do not need to start from scratch, but we do need to stop navel-gazing. Rather than cursing what we have we should develop and implement a plan to make it better, with specific timelines and goals to ensure accountability. (We have the brainpower to do this--just not the willpower)
Greg Stiverson, Ward Six
____________________________________
The below from Alderman Ross Arnett, Ward Eight
1. What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, i.e. who should we be serving and how?
Transportation and parking go hand-in-hand. For those visiting Annapolis, we need to get them out of their cars as soon as possible and onto a circulator buses. One can envision parking at the Mall to shop, taking a bus ride to Parole Towne Center for lunch, going to historic downtown for sight seeing and dinner, and then back to their auto to go back to Baltimore of Washington.
We should be serving folk who don’t have cars and those who will get out of their cars.
2. How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
I use the bus system rarely, once with you Paul.
3. What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
The buses are dirty, hot, leaky, and lurchy; not an enjoyable ride.
4. Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
I think we need an intermodal transportation hub, preferably somewhere near Route 50. Certainly the transfer spot at Spa Road is dreary and uncomfortable in inclement weather.
5. How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
The current system is managed poorly at best, with known management and overtime problems. I believe that we need to give strong consideration to contracting out the bus system. (It has to be discussed--it has to be explored...)
Alderman Ross Arnett, Ward Eight ___________________________
Kenny Kirby (Ward Six)...his response came not from him, but from his handler, Chuck Weikel who sent this note out to some candidates and various elected officials. I guess Mr Kirby could not answer the survey, but Weikel's views can be assumed to represent those of the candidate.:
Whether one believes in public transportation or not, I think even biased individuals have to admit that Annapolis' has a well run system. (Please--you crack me up Chuck! UpChuck! I like that...) The issues that exist revolve around those issues that exist in any transit system: budget and money. Today approximately 80% of the cost of a transit ride in underwritten by public and private funding outside of city government. Additionally, ADOT undergoes extensive and continually on going management reviews by the MTA and US DOT since it expends so much funding from these sources.(That's phony-the reviews are neither extensive and are hardly ongoing. If they were, do you think they might have said something about the air conditioning?)
As a former paid consultant and unpaid volunteer I think one thing can be definitively stated: this is not the way to set public policy for ADOT. The first questions Mr. Foer asks are certainly out of the realm of anything but a bus system expert and, indeed, might be deemed to be controversial within within any group of transportation professionals themselves. (Really? None of the respondents thought so. Of course your FOE pals Finlayson and Hoyle whose consitutentsheavily depend on our buses did not even respond. Of course they drive a Mercedes and Cadillac respectively)The last question appears to be extending his personal vitriol to ADOT management and to get you to agree with his personal agenda. (Uh, the only one with personal vitriol here is you...as usual)
I urge you to not respond to Mr. Foer's 'questionnaire', which is meant to empower him and certainly creates conflicts of interest with his activities as a consultant and will do no service to your campaigns. (Oh? A conflict of interest? You are a walking conflict of interests, as well as a walking conflict of a host of other things, but if your man Kenny Kirby is so interested in our transit system, whynot let him answer? )
Chuck___________________ (the above from UpChuck Weikel)
From Jennifer Monteith, Ward Seven
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should
we be serving and how?
The purpose should be affordabe [sic], timely, user friendly transportation for citizens, area locals and tourists to easity [sic] get around our beautiful town.
I ride the bus about quarterly, more often during tourist seasons to avoid parking downtown. When I have visitors in town I often take them on the Trolley which ends up a couple of times throughout the course of the year.(Too bad you backed out of our 40 minute tour the other day, so you could have learned more)
Communicating times, routes, accessiblity [sic] and exact change to ride.
I haven't had much interaction with the Transfer point so I would need more information gathering before making any comments. (You've never seen? Never driven by it?)
Most cities us a pass or ducted system [?] so no cash is handled on the actual bus. Passes or Ducteds [?] are then easily obtainable and provide discounts for weekend (3 day), weekly, monthly, or yearly passes to encourage ridership.
Regarding how it is managed and overseen more information would need to be gathered and evaluated from an organizational effectiveness perspective before commenting.(You are an aldermanic candidate and I would have hoped you might have learned a bit more about this considering the size of the departmental budget and your interest in fiscal management and the tax cap)
we be serving and how?
The purpose should be affordabe [sic], timely, user friendly transportation for citizens, area locals and tourists to easity [sic] get around our beautiful town.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
I ride the bus about quarterly, more often during tourist seasons to avoid parking downtown. When I have visitors in town I often take them on the Trolley which ends up a couple of times throughout the course of the year.(Too bad you backed out of our 40 minute tour the other day, so you could have learned more)
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
Communicating times, routes, accessiblity [sic] and exact change to ride.
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and
if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
I haven't had much interaction with the Transfer point so I would need more information gathering before making any comments. (You've never seen? Never driven by it?)
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could
Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
Most cities us a pass or ducted system [?] so no cash is handled on the actual bus. Passes or Ducteds [?] are then easily obtainable and provide discounts for weekend (3 day), weekly, monthly, or yearly passes to encourage ridership.
Regarding how it is managed and overseen more information would need to be gathered and evaluated from an organizational effectiveness perspective before commenting.(You are an aldermanic candidate and I would have hoped you might have learned a bit more about this considering the size of the departmental budget and your interest in fiscal management and the tax cap)
Above from Jennifer Monteith
_______________
From Ian Pfeiffer, Ward Seven
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
I believe our bus system is no different then any other system across the country. To be successful, it needs to serve a wide swath of riders, those who choose to use it and those who need to use it. In my estimation, this goal can best be achieved by offering a clean and comfortable experience for the rider, coupled with a route system that meets the needs of their ridership and offering timely service.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
Since moving to Annapolis in 2001, I have riden [sic]Annapolis Transit a number of times.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
I think our system would be strengthened by improving the quality of the fleet, and improving on-time arrivals so more riders can dependably get to work and commitments by using the bus system.
On the funding side of the house, we need to address the lumping of Annapolis Transit into the Baltimore region for the purposes of transit funding, which led to a phase-out of operating funds for small systems in SAFETEA-LU. We need to take a hard look at how to find efficiencies by possibly moving to a regional transporatation [sic] authority that could maximize the benefits to riders of the transit services provided by the City and the County. (An excellent answer and one w need to explore)
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
I don't know where the ideal location for a transit center/terminal would be, but I think if we are going to make investments in our transit system, and possibly move towards a regional authority with layers of service, a new transit center has to be a cornerstone of that effort. (Yes- a cornerstone! Absolutely.)
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
If elected, I intend to be actively involved in the oversight of Annapolis Transit. (I hope you will be active whether elected or not)
_______________Ian Pfeiffer, Ward Seven
Rock Toews, Ward Five
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who
should we be serving and how?
RET: I think the goal of our bus service should be to provide efficient transportation to all residents and visitors in such a convenient, comfortable and reliable manner that people prefer taking the bus to fooling around with cars. We should be serving everyone with our bus system. (Good answer! The benefits can be enormous)
(Good point.)
_______________
From Ian Pfeiffer, Ward Seven
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
I believe our bus system is no different then any other system across the country. To be successful, it needs to serve a wide swath of riders, those who choose to use it and those who need to use it. In my estimation, this goal can best be achieved by offering a clean and comfortable experience for the rider, coupled with a route system that meets the needs of their ridership and offering timely service.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
_______________Ian Pfeiffer, Ward Seven
Rock Toews, Ward Five
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who
should we be serving and how?
RET: I think the goal of our bus service should be to provide efficient transportation to all residents and visitors in such a convenient, comfortable and reliable manner that people prefer taking the bus to fooling around with cars. We should be serving everyone with our bus system. (Good answer! The benefits can be enormous)
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?RET: One--with you. (Keep riding--there is a stop right by your house)
RET: People want to take their own cars because they feel it's more convenient for them, faster, safer, they can easily adapt to a change in plans, etc. We have to make the transportation system appealing to those who now easily get along without it, because now the only ones who use it are those who can't get along without it.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
RET: The Spa Road Transfer Point is dismal. I'm no expert in bus transportation, but do we really need this one, central location to facilitate transfers? Why couldn't we arrange the routes so that they crossed at different places and with stops at those locations, people could make transfers in many places? (Yes--it does not take an expert to know this, despite what UpChuck Weikel says)
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and
if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
RET: Annapolis Transit is part of the Annapolis Department of Transportation but there seems to be little in the way of consistent and active management. To better structure and organize what we have we first need to get a consensus on what residents of Annapolis really want the bus system to be. This will give us direction and a more firm basis to work more productively with the county and state transportation systems.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways
could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
(Good point.)
___________________________________
Dave Cordle, Mayor
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who
should we be serving and how?
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and
if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways
could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
Scott Bowling, Award Three
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
I’ve been fortunate enough to live and work in downtown Annapolis for nearly a decade and a half, so most of the time I’ve been able to walk everywhere I needed to go. I have ridden both the bus and trolley on several occasions, both as a citizen and as a candidate trying to better understand the needs of the bus system. I would say in the past two years I’ve taken half a dozen or so bus trips.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
The 3 biggest challenges to our bus system are reliability when it comes to being on-time, buses that are in disrepair, and mismanagement of the department. It’s not hard to understand why people don’t want to ride the buses when they might wait an hour past the ETA for a bus to pick them up in the hot summer sun, only to be even more uncomfortable when they get on a bus without air conditioning. More importantly, we need better leadership of the system. An effective leader would have already addressed these problems, and would never allow the level of overtime expenditures that persist in the transportation department. Addressing these challenges is a priority of mine that goes hand-in-hand with many of my policy goals, particularly getting the city finances on strong footing. (Did not take an expert to figure this out did it?)
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
For now, I do believe the Spa Rd. transfer point is adequate for our needs. I would be hesitant to spend money that we don’t have on a new transfer point given the current levels of ridership. However, I anticipate increased ridership if I am elected mayor and make the much needed improvements to the bus system. When this happens, having more transfer points would provide added convenience to riders and make riding the bus all the more appealing. I would favor adding transfer points that do not cost the city a lot of money: perhaps a partnership with the bus station on Chinquapin Round Rd., or use of a part of an existing city parking lot or garage.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
From Mat Silverman, Ward Five
above from Mat Silverman
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Dave Cordle, Mayor
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who
should we be serving and how?
1. Reduction of vehicular traffic, easing congestion downtown. Provide trans to those who do not have private means, the young as well as elderly and particularly the handicapped/disables. More timely routes!
2. As a child several times per week as my mother didn't drive, several times about 10 years ago. My job as an investigator requires personal transportation.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
3. Budget. Maintenance, proper routes, marketing and proper "equipment" for the service provided.
if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
4. No, need more shelter and a terminal bldg. NAAA at stadium or the MD State Police Property at Rowe and Taylor. (We all need to keep working on this one...)
could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
5 Need to conduct full management and operations audit to determine that. (Let's hope the next mayor will do it...)
_____above from Dave Cordle
Scott Bowling, Award Three
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
[] The real purpose and mission of the Annapolis bus service should be to provide a clean, affordable, and reliable system to all public transportation system to residents and visitors of the City. It should be something that people regard as being accessible, reliable, and a viable alternative to driving when traveling within the City.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
[] A total of three (3).
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
[] The busses [sic]are dirty, not well maintained, unreliable at times, and the bus routes seem to be somewhat out dated and inefficient given what their purpose and mission should be.
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
[] I do not have enough information into the inner workings of the Spa Road Transfer Point to make a definitive statement, however, at first glance, it seems inefficient and ineffective. I have not researched or placed enough thought into a viable alternative or an alternative location to answer the second part of the question intelligently.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
[] I do not know the inner workings of Annapolis Transit or the Department of Transportation, so I feel it would be with prejudice and very unfair for me to pass judgment or offer structure and/or organizational changes at this time. (You know enough to provide some thoughts about it but your answers seem reasonable)
_______________________Scott Bowling, Ward Three
From Chris Fox, Mayor
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
The real purpose of our bus service should be to provide a viable and reliable service to those who don’t have vehicles, and an alternative for those who do. While there is certainly money to be saved in our transportation department, we shouldn’t necessarily aim to raise rates to a level where the bus system is revenue neutral—even the most successful transportation systems often require subsidies to operate a rate that encourages ridership. We need to improve the reliability and comfort of our bus system. Doing so will serve workers looking to save money they currently spend on parking downtown; it will serve those without vehicles as a means for them to get around; it will serve visitors looking for a convenient way to enjoy the downtown; and it will serve the city as a whole by creating more opportunities to make downtown more accommodating of pedestrians—all while lessening pollution. (Right on...)
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
As I mentioned, I believe there are ways that Annapolis transit must be better managed. We have to get to the point where people WANT to ride the bus because it saves them money, makes their life easier, or both. Beyond that, I believe the routes need to be changes to better accommodate the specific needs of the town. For example, often times service ends in the late afternoon. This totally neglects the needs of visitors that might be coming into town for a nice dinner, or for employees that get off work later in the evening. It seems like the public transportation system exists without even considering many of these circumstances, and we need to change that. (Yes we do...)
____________________above from Chris Fox, MayorFrom Mat Silverman, Ward Five
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
A big purpose of the bus system would be to cut down on traffic congestion and pollution in our city. I feel that the bus system could help serve the residents of Annapolis along with the tourist who are coming into our city to visit, shop, or eat.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
I have been on an Annapolis bus one time in all the years that I have lived in the city. My first time was recent. I took the ride so I can get a first hand feel for what the issues are concerning the bus system. Personally, I do not have a need to use the Annapolis transit system, I have worked night hours as a police officer in Washington DC for many years and currently work out of Edgewater with the County police. When I visit the down town area of Annapolis, many times I will ride my bicycle.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
I think the biggest challenge facing our bus system is simply getting people to use them more. I feel that we could be a little more user friendly and have more frequent stops and more times to catch the busses [sic]. I also feel that expanding the routes may draw a bigger crowd. It needs to become more disability friendly
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
I feel that it is in a good position because it is centrally located in our city. We need an adequate indoor area for the riders of our city busses [sic]to stay safe from the elements. (Yes!)
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
I feel that it is in a good position because it is centrally located in our city. We need an adequate indoor area for the riders of our city busses [sic]to stay safe from the elements. (Yes!)
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
The issues with the Annapolis Transit does not lie within the management or overseers. The problems lie within the busses [sic]themselves, A/C that does not work, they are dirty and do not run late enough for the night life in downtown. We also need to ensure that the busses [sic]run on time. If you cannot rely on public transportation to be timely, you will not use it. Having a City Manager will help regulate the Annapolis Transit and ensure that everything continues running smoothly, once the kinks have been worked out. (Not sure I understand your logic here...Buses do not manage themselves)
above from Mat Silverman
_______________
From Cohen Campaign
Today, Democratic mayoral candidate Josh Cohen announced his plan to fix the city's align bus system (what is an align bus system?). Josh believes that an effective bus system is at the core of a comprehensive transportation strategy for the city. The plan builds of his pledge that, as mayor, he will fundamentally change the way business is being done in Annapolis. (What did you do while on city council for five years about this?)
Here are the details:
Improve the health and safety of bus drivers and passengers by fixing the air conditioning and heat. This year, eleven of twelve buses had no working air conditioning. Because the system’s buses have windows that do not open and only small vents that do, these buses are not only extremely uncomfortable, but also downright dangerous to passengers. In addition, one-third of the buses have no heat.
Improve service for the disabled. Develop a model system for rides for Annapolis’ disabled and have designated busses [sic] and vans for that purpose. Today, our City’s transportation network has no adequate system to deal with rides for the disabled. At present, when a disabled rider needs to go somewhere they call the City’s bus dispatcher and an ATA bus (What is an ATA bus???) is taken off its scheduled route and sent to the caller’s house. The bus and its passengers are then both pulled off their schedules. Like Baltimore and Washington DC we must have a separate ATA van (What is ATA?) dedicated to providing transportation for the disabled.
Reliable, predictable and convenient routes. One of the main problems with getting people to use our City's bus system is that many Annapolitans simply don't trust it. (No Josh--you never ride it and you never support it and you never encourage anyone to do so either) Everyone knows that the bus schedule and the time the bus actually arrives have nothing in common (Everyone knows? No. This is simply wrong) This has led to Annapolitans losing their jobs because of late buses, and this is unacceptable!
Improve transportation management and priorities. Our City's transportation system has suffered far too many years from institutionalized neglect. Josh Cohen will bring sound management and fiscally responsible choices. (You have been a part of that institutional neglect. I am concerned that you did not respond to this survey but you decided that suddenly because I was doing this, that you should try to jump the gun...or am I being too cynical?)
Here are the details:
Improve the health and safety of bus drivers and passengers by fixing the air conditioning and heat. This year, eleven of twelve buses had no working air conditioning. Because the system’s buses have windows that do not open and only small vents that do, these buses are not only extremely uncomfortable, but also downright dangerous to passengers. In addition, one-third of the buses have no heat.
Improve service for the disabled. Develop a model system for rides for Annapolis’ disabled and have designated busses [sic] and vans for that purpose. Today, our City’s transportation network has no adequate system to deal with rides for the disabled. At present, when a disabled rider needs to go somewhere they call the City’s bus dispatcher and an ATA bus (What is an ATA bus???) is taken off its scheduled route and sent to the caller’s house. The bus and its passengers are then both pulled off their schedules. Like Baltimore and Washington DC we must have a separate ATA van (What is ATA?) dedicated to providing transportation for the disabled.
Reliable, predictable and convenient routes. One of the main problems with getting people to use our City's bus system is that many Annapolitans simply don't trust it. (No Josh--you never ride it and you never support it and you never encourage anyone to do so either) Everyone knows that the bus schedule and the time the bus actually arrives have nothing in common (Everyone knows? No. This is simply wrong) This has led to Annapolitans losing their jobs because of late buses, and this is unacceptable!
Improve transportation management and priorities. Our City's transportation system has suffered far too many years from institutionalized neglect. Josh Cohen will bring sound management and fiscally responsible choices. (You have been a part of that institutional neglect. I am concerned that you did not respond to this survey but you decided that suddenly because I was doing this, that you should try to jump the gun...or am I being too cynical?)
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Jim Conley, Ward Five
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
Above from Jim Conley________________
(Thanks to all the candidates who did respond. I encourage all of you to learn more and to help us all improve Annapolis Transit for the common good. One can only assume that incumbents Israel, Paone and Finlayson are simply way too busy to provide answers, even though each one is assured re-election and is not campaigning. As for Hoyle's lack of response--who knows? Alderwoman Finlayson presumably arrived at the new Recreation Center's dedication ceremony on Friday in her late-model Mercedes, but I did see Alderwoman Hoyle come in her Cadillac, and parked in a spot reserved for low-emissions vehicles. Alderman Paone came in his SUV, and used a handicapped parking space (he was injured). But they were too busy to answer this brief survey. As for Kirby? Well he likes to talk about being interested in our bus systems, but...
As to the above responses by the candidates, I think it is clear that we have a long, long way to go before elected officials really take this seriously, although I think at least a few of the above responses show some knowledge and concern. They also sent their responses in first!)
Jim Conley, Ward Five
1 What should be the real purpose or goals of our bus service, ie who should we be serving and how?
1. The real purpose of our bus service is to move people in a cost effective way, reduce cars on our streets and to serve people who rely on this form of transportation as their primary form of local transportation. During peak tourist times( Boat Shows, Navy games) we should limit parking downtown and increase bus service form the Navy parking @ the stadium.
2 How many times have you been on an Annapolis Transit bus or trolley?
2. Two times in the last 6 months.
3 What are the biggest challenges facing our bus system?
3.Air conditioning. Cleaner Bus vehicles. Improving their image for citizens and tourists.
4 Do you believe the Spa Road Transfer Point is adequate for our needs and if not, where could we have a real transit center/terminal?
4.No, I think we should look @ an alternate location, maybe on the Outer reaches of West Street.
5 How is Annapolis Transit managed or overseen and in what other ways could Annapolis Transit be structured or organized to provide better service?
5.Annapolis Transit should look into private/public partnerships to improve it's overall organization and structure. (I think it's a necessity to look into it as well)
Above from Jim Conley________________
(Thanks to all the candidates who did respond. I encourage all of you to learn more and to help us all improve Annapolis Transit for the common good. One can only assume that incumbents Israel, Paone and Finlayson are simply way too busy to provide answers, even though each one is assured re-election and is not campaigning. As for Hoyle's lack of response--who knows? Alderwoman Finlayson presumably arrived at the new Recreation Center's dedication ceremony on Friday in her late-model Mercedes, but I did see Alderwoman Hoyle come in her Cadillac, and parked in a spot reserved for low-emissions vehicles. Alderman Paone came in his SUV, and used a handicapped parking space (he was injured). But they were too busy to answer this brief survey. As for Kirby? Well he likes to talk about being interested in our bus systems, but...
As to the above responses by the candidates, I think it is clear that we have a long, long way to go before elected officials really take this seriously, although I think at least a few of the above responses show some knowledge and concern. They also sent their responses in first!)
READ CP Publisher Paul Foer's "The Ninth Ward" every Wednesday in The Capital
JOIN US EACH THURSDAY 8-9 am for our Sip N' Blogs normally at ZU Coffee, 934 Bay Ridge Road in the Giant Shopping Center. Nov-5th--mayor-elect? Nov 12--stay tuned. Stop by on your way to work for your morning latte and meet other local activists. Zu now has a drive-through window!
3 Comments:
Paul, thank you for putting this survey together! I like to see the candidates showing interest for this neglected city/citizen/tourist issue.
The candidate surveys that appealed to me the most were Rock Toews, Dave Cordle and Chris Fox.
Chuck Weikel... I will never understand why the Dem's haven't got rid of him yet. His response was arrogant and insulting.
Cohen's response was odd. Was a choreographed "statement" really necessary? How about just answering the survey as intended? I only read half of it and stopped b/c it was a typical "feel-good" politician response and I know he didn't write all of it himself. I don't want to listen to a machine. I want to listen to a person.
I'm not surprised about the few candidates who did not take the survey.
Thanks again for speaking up about the poorly managed bus system!
A few of my thoughts:
-The Spa Rd transfer point looks very unsafe. I'm surprised no one has been run over yet. It would be wise to have multiple transfer points as suggested by a few of the candidates.
-Fix the A/C!! Why is this so difficult to accomplish? I've been hearing about it for YEARS. Do we need to designate a few parking meters as charity to raise money?
-Is cleaning the interior and exterior of the bus a budget killer? Really? There's no resident in the city we could pay to clean the buses weekly on a fair wage?
-I'd like to see the buses of Annapolis go hybrid or electric. I know that's probably really expensive to change our fleet. (Call me a dreamer.) I'd also like to see all the buses look like the trolley car b/c although it is not unique to Annapolis, it does add to our historic character.
amazing...
a candidate actually comes out and agrees with EVERY dang thing you have ever said about the bus system and you ATTACK him for it...
amazing.
sorry Paul, but your bias is showing...
Please elaborate and then explain your statement "your bias is showing"...ooohhh..ohh...and the point is? Why don't you say something useful about the hate literature poisoning our city? And while you're on it, you can tell our readers what Cohen has ever done to improve our bus system. So please, elaborate and we can discuss thanks
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