579 replies to this topic

[Florida]

StarMetro: The New Direction of Mass Transit in Tallahassee



The City of Tallahassee announced the launch of StarMetro, a new, high-quality mass transportation service, at this afternoon's City Commission meeting. StarMetro is the new direction for Tallahassee mass transit. Starting with a new name, logo and bus design, the reinvented transit system will provide customers with expanded service, updated amenities and improved technology over the next two years.

"We are excited about the future of Tallahassee's mass transit system," said Ronald L. Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. "By achieving the highest level of transit excellence, we will best serve the transportation needs of our customers."

At the City Commission meeting, StarMetro leadership outlined the six points of the Renaissance Plan, which describes the transit reinvention in detail. StarMetro will focus on the following key areas: Communications, Technology, Service, Amenities, Revenue Opportunities and Excellence. Highlights of the proposed enhancements include:

Advanced Farebox system for customers to use "swipe cards"
Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access on buses and transit shelters
Driver training simulator
On-board bus televisions
Three new routes including one limited service route to SouthWood
C.K. Steele Plaza redesign
Solar lighted transit shelters
The StarMetro branding initiatives will provide a fresh perspective of Tallahassee's mass transit system. In the upcoming months, the new StarMetro logo will be visible on transit vehicles, C.K. Steele Plaza, satellite transfer centers, bus stop signs and drivers' uniforms

Edited by Florida, 09 January 2008 - 03:24 PM.

[Florida]

I think we should remove all of our old signs, and change them to look like this:



that way everyone waiting at a bus stop will have some type of idea where they are going. This is just my prototype for a sign, the actual details are not here in this one, but I think on our future signs we should include bus numbers, route numbers, hours of operation, and duration between each pickup. Phone numbers and such should also be included.

Edited by TaureanJ, 16 June 2006 - 10:21 PM.

[Florida]

Before


After



The before probably looks better than the after, but thats all due to artistic error... let a true professional do it and it'll make a great difference.

Edited by TaureanJ, 16 June 2006 - 10:22 PM.

[Florida]

I think with a few simple changes, we can really make this TalTran of ours profitable. I've put together a concept of a new bus stop and shelter complete with new route sign, advertisment (which should draw some good revenues) and a comfortable seat. Tell me what you think!

Edited by TaureanJ, 16 June 2006 - 10:22 PM.

[csmurphy8885]

more seatage.... but awsome work.. I like the mroute maps on the signs, easy transit is happy transit.

[Florida]

more seatage... sounds like something I might say. lol!

Wouldn't it be great if bus stop shelters had tvs!? lol! I know I'm asking a bunch!

It would be nice however, for them to have a t.v. or two at the terminal downtown, so atleast people know whats going on in the news.

[97preludesh]

What we truly need for taltran is an overhaul....

We need 3 more transfer stattion atleast!

We need one on the north side of town around killearn.

One on the South Side

One out by southwood.

The feeling i get from the bus system is people who cant afford to drive ride them, but in other cities mainstream people take mass transit.... If we made more transfer stations... and had better routes going through the north of town and everywhere else.. more people would ride.

[Florida]

A study was done about 2 years ago, which held some interesting information.  The more affluent, or as some like to call "main stream" ( I don't like that term, it makes it seem as if the poor are sub-stream, or inferior because they have less) people living in North Eastern Tallahassee and in the more privledged areas, would rather continue to support TalTran with their dollars, but not with their ridership. The conclusion was, "they love their cars". But I'm sure, if you gave "them" a light rail to ride down Thomasville Road into downtown, "they" would hop on that concept very quickly. Its not that "they" don't like the bus in my opinion, its just that they don't want to share transportation with those in a "lower" social class.

Its sad, but that's how the world works. These people's only bus riding experiences are probably on FSU Gameday, from the Civic Center to the Stadium with their buddies.

[stjoe]

TaureanJ, on Sep 14 2005, 10:57 PM, said:

I think we should remove all of our old signs, and change them to look like this:



that way everyone waiting at a bus stop will have some type of idea where they are going. This is just my prototype for a sign, the actual details are not here in this one, but I think on our future signs we should include bus numbers, route numbers, hours of operation, and duration between each pickup. Phone numbers and such should also be included.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

great sign.  Has my vote.

[Florida]

Thanks buddy!!

[csmurphy8885]

TV's at bus stops will become an awsome way to incorporate more media into our routines ... And certainly not too far in the future!

The increased area of the transit with substations is a step in the right direction.  I think the DT location is ok... but a SW and Thomasville/I10 area substation would be helpful to increase effeciency.

The city's budget looked like it included extra money for taltran... was that for improvement or cost of operation increases?

[Florida]

Well its a little bit of both... they had to forward an extra $25 Million for higher fuel costs alone.

[cityboy05]

That's a very nice sign I would sure like to see those around town!

[Florida]

I'm looking forward to the Implementation of the Renissance plan.

[slnash]

Answer me this:

Why on campus do bus drivers feel the need to stop their buses at University Center B and just sit there for 5 minutes?  Is this to slow down and "catch-up" on their timed routes . . . putting distance between them and whatever bus might be ahead of them?  Or, are they just trying to anger us students by making us all 5 minutes late for class?  

I still haven't figured that one out.

I am also suprised that they do not "advertise" their bus routes more.  I refuse to use the buses except on campus because I simply cannot understand how to get from FSU to my house . . . guess I'm a little slow.

[Florida]

OMG!!   You noticed that too! Every morning I walk to University Center B from my apartment, just across the street to catch the Garnet or Gold to my 8:30 class on time. Everyday I get there, there is atleast one bus, usually two, just sitting with the door open and NO BUS DRIVER!

WHERE IS THE BUS DRIVER? WHO'S DRIVIN THE BUS!

5-10 minutes later I look around to see a face with some creased blue pants with a lighter blue stripe down the side of the leg pulling his pants up as he makes his approach to the bus. Was he taking a leak or trying to get a good seat for the next football game?

Stay on the DERN BUS -- BUS DRIVER!!

[Florida]

OK... lets have a bus design competition... I know I'm going to lose.

Edited by TaureanJ, 16 June 2006 - 10:24 PM.

[Florida]

Do you all not like my bus designs?

[cityboy05]

It's nice its interesting. I like it.

[Florida]

Thanks. I was a little disappointed at how the graphic letters turned out, but I was to lazy to fix it.