6/17/05
Diane
Watson
Hampton
Roads Transit Customer Service
3400
Victoria Blvd
Hampton,
VA 23661
Attn:
Diane Watson or Paula F.
Hi, I have some complaints and
questions about Handi-ride. I’ve sent an email before through the HRT site, but
nobody replied. I’m emailing this directly through the ADA comment mailbox;
I’ve also left a message on Diane Watson’s machine. I’m thinking of snail
mailing this too. So with that being said, I expect somebody to contact me.
To make a long story short…I was approved a while
ago and have only scheduled a ride four times. Two of those times, were no
shows. So that gives Handi-ride a 50% score, not good.
I’m familiar with the 30-minute window
and I’m careful to make a note of that when I make appointments. What angers me
so much is when the window ends, and no bus is here, it’s too late to do
anything about it. What makes it really infuriating is that the phone operator
asks if I still want a ride, they don’t understand, I’m already late and have
missed my appointment! When I call to schedule, Handi-ride asks me what time I
need to arrive at my appointment. I don’t understand why the window closing
time is so close to the time I need to be there? Could you please explain this?
Also, if the bus is running late, why can’t there be a courtesy call, to let me
know if they’re running late? Once when the window was closed I called, and my
bus was in Norfolk, and the driver seemed to not even know the location of my
street?! Sounds like poor management to me.
I moved here to be more involved in
my community. I was hoping Handi-ride would be a wonderful resource to me. So
far, it’s been nothing but disappointing and stressful. I’m tired of being stuck
in my house and lonely! You have no idea how it effects me when I try to reach
out to others and I’m struck down at the first step…my transportation doesn’t
show.
A
very unhappy HRT rider,
Ivy
K.
PS.
Why am I even bothering? You are going to be paid regardless…the quality of
service probably means nothing to you!
Responses/Results:
Diane
called me, I reiterated my problem. She told me she’d forward my compliant to
the correct department so they could better deal with it. I really can’t tell
if it’s gotten any better because like I said, it was 50/50. Anyway, I have my Pas aide to drive me now.
UPDATE
4/8/08:
I saw an article in the VA
Board for People with Disabilities newsletter about a grant President Bush
issued regarding transportation.
I
wrote the Hampton Roads Planning
District Commission:
‘Thank
you for emailing me so quickly.
I’m not sure how much input the Va Board for People with Disabilities has giving you, but their newsletter is how I heard about the HRPDC. I’m not on the board but I’m familiar with what they do.
President
Bush issued a grant involving transportation and low income and disadvantage
citizens. (EO 13330) Virginia Department of Rail and Transportation (DRPT) is
the agency helping the state comply with EO 13330. DRPT is assisting on 21
districts on these plans. I hope Virginia Beach is on of these 21. I was told
by the newsletter to contact my local Planning District Commission for more
information.
Hampton
Roads ranks in the top worst for traffic problems. Just imagine what it’s like
for people with disabilities that have to depend on public transportation. We
are at the bottom of the totem poll. We are supposed to be on time for work,
for doctors appointments, etc with a transportation system that doesn’t not
work!
This is an email that explains the problem with HRT’s Handi-ride. It seems like an impossible situation to fix. Please bring my issue up at the DRPT meeting. Don’t forget about people with disabilities! (I attached this letter to Handi-ride)