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Florida Megalopolis

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TalTran getting a New Name.... Tomorrow!!!!

The city has kept details very quiet on this, nothing is known of the new name other than it has something to do with Tallahassee, and there's even a new line of busses that will roll out with the debut.

City hopes to lure riders with wireless internet access points on buses, in addition to a few other nice perks. Introduction of the New TalTran will be done tomorrow night at the City Commission Meeting.

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jpl02 Hamlet

jpl02

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TalTran getting a New Name.... Tomorrow!!!!

The city has kept details very quiet on this, nothing is known of the new name other than it has something to do with Tallahassee, and there's even a new line of busses that will roll out with the debut.

City hopes to lure riders with wireless internet access points on buses, in addition to a few other nice perks. Introduction of the New TalTran will be done tomorrow night at the City Commission Meeting.

Where did you hear that? It certainly is great news! :yahoo:

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Florida Megalopolis

Florida

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The New Tallahassee Transit System will have a New Name and the Following:

Vehicle Paint Schemes - As part of the transit system’s reinvention and new branding, all of the transit vehicles will be painted with the new logo and paint scheme. Most of the work will be done in-house, but some vehicle painting will be outsourced in order to implement the change in a timely manner. The total cost for in-house and outsourced services is estimated to be $216,000. Total funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

New and Rehabilitated Buses - To better serve the community, the renaissance is proposing new routes and services to include expanding certain existing routes and developing commuter services. To accomplish this the transit system will purchase four new expansion vehicles and rehabilitate four existing newer vehicles. It is estimated that a new bus will cost $325,000, including new fareboxes and security cameras. These buses will be used for new routes and expanded services. The rehabilitation of the other four buses will be $80,000 and include fareboxes, security cameras, upholstery, etc. Total funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

Marketing Campaign - As part of communicating and educating the public of the new direction, services, amenities, conveniences and renewed commitment to transit excellence, a progressive marketing campaign is an essential component of the success of this plan. The marketing campaign will implement media advertising, community events, different campaigns, new marketing venues, and information distribution throughout the next three years. This campaign will be necessary to ensure the community is aware of and takes advantage of the new service, innovations, amenities etc. Most of the new projects identified in the Tallahassee Transit Renaissance will not be as affective without strong marketing efforts. $50,000 a year will be used each year between FY 2006 and FY 2008. The total cost for the three-year marketing campaign is $150,000.

Large Format Vinyl Graphics Machine - The transit industry, as well as other industries requiring repeated vehicle painting, has begun to fully understand the value of using vinyl in place of paint. With a new vinyl printing/cutting machine, the transit system can implement vehicle painting more efficiently with a lower turn around period. In addition, the machine will be used for various advertising venues thereby creating a revenue source. This machine will be useful for various internal large format printing to reduce reproduction costs. The cost for a vinyl printing/cutting machine with supporting equipment is $50,000. Funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

Additional Fareboxes - Since the approval of a federal grant to implement a new farebox system, additional vehicles have been procured. Ten additional fareboxes will be necessary to ensure that all vehicles have the new farebox system and ensure sufficient backup systems for repair and maintenance. The total cost is $115,000.

Solar Technology - As part of the transit system’s effort to enhance the transit systems safety, security and customer comfort, solar lighting technology is proposed for select bus shelters and stops. The technology is very non-invasive and will provide a cost effective solution for necessary customer amenities. It is expected that such technology will also allow the basis to power real-time customer information. All new shelters purchased in the future will include such technology. The total cost to retrofit existing shelters and select bus stops will be $155,000 based on several quotes from solar lighting vendors. Funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

Bus Simulator - The transit system believes that a transit bus simulator will be invaluable in better screening, training and retraining coach operators. The use of a bus simulator will greatly reduce our driver training costs as well as enhance our risk management efforts by providing training within a controlled environment and allowing driver performance to be objectively evaluated and critiqued with minimal risk. Such simulator technology will even allow for the transit system to recreate high-risk incident areas and conditions that provides focused training in known conditions. In addition, to the immeasurable value of a simulator for just the transit system, it will provide a relatively significant revenue source from leasing the use to outside entities, such as the school systems and EMS services. The total cost for the technology is estimated to be $500,000, but the transit system will secure 50% form Florida Department of Transportation and only requires $250,000 from the City Commission to implement this project. Funding for this project would occur during FY 2007.

Bus Stop Shelters- The transit system is committed to providing the best amenities possible for its customers. As part of that effort, a bus shelter plan must be developed and new shelters need to be implemented. 39 new shelters have already been purchased, but there are still over 50 existing shelters that need replacement and over 100 bus stop locations that justify the need for a new shelter. The transit network has over 1,800 bus stop locations and the transit system will work with FDOT to establish underline.gif

Underlinefuture dedicated funding to continue shelter replacement and expansion and it will work with the city’s planning department to implement shelter development requirements with new developments. But, based on an analysis of existing conditions and proposed future expansion, there are immediate shelter needs of 35 new shelters. The cost of these shelters is estimated to be $534,000, which includes various amenities such as solar lighting, benches and schedule information.

Remote Transfer Facilities - As part of the transit systems effort to redesign the transit route network, as to reduce unnecessary transfers and increase direct route services, it must develop remote transfer facilities. Currently, the transit system expects to implement two such stops in the next three years. It has already begun discussions with FSU in locating a remote transfer stop on their campus. The cost to develop a remote transfer facility is estimated $50,000 each ($100,000 total). Funding for the first facility will be needed in FY 2007 and the second facility in FY 2008.

Wireless Technology - As part of its effort to enhance customer amenities, the transit system is proposing to implement wireless technology at select bus shelters, transfer locations and on select bus routes. The technology is relatively simple and cost efficient. Such amenities will attract un-tapped transit user markets and provide expanded services to existing customers. Wireless access points (Wi-Fi) will also serve to allow transit SmartBus technology to communicate with the transit technology network. If successful and demand continues, the transit system will continue to develop the infrastructure that allows for Wi-Fi expansion. The initial cost for the Wi-Fi technology implementation is $50,000. Total funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

Bus Stop Benches - In addition to expanding the transit network’s shelter inventory, the transit system is proposes to replace decaying bus stop benches and implement new benches at location that don’t meet the need for a full shelter. The transit network has over 1,800 bus stops and most require some sort of amenity. It is proposed that 200 benches be implemented. Combined with shelter implementation, local development support and community donations, the transit will continue to move towards providing necessary amenities relative to each bus stop. The total cost to implement 200 bus stop benches is $100,000. Total funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

Preliminary Engineering of C.K. Steele Plaza - One of the transit system’s major facilities is C.K. Steele Plaza. This facility is in need of major renovation and rehabilitation. The transit system has begun to work with BluePrint 2000 to use its engineering contractor, LPA Inc., to examine the existing structure and recommend/design its redevelopment. Funds have been identified for the preliminary engineering, as well as development, but such funds cannot be used for the type of preliminary engineering needed to examine the potential of this location and the type of structural renovation that could occur. The funds identified can only be used for an identified purpose. The transit system is proposing to use city funds to help initiate this process and redevelop the transfer facility into a more effective facility for transit use. The requested assistance for this project is $400,000. Total funding for this project would occur during FY 2006.

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Florida Megalopolis

Florida

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StarMetro takes over Tallahassee's Streets

StarMetro is the New name... beaing the image of the Tallahassee Star followed by a red trail along the side of the bus.

Busses should bear new look by the end of the month. Leaders are talking about installing televisions on busses, in addition to the WIFI. One of the greatest new features about the system is the cellphone paging system that will allow tech savvy riders to know when their bus is near on their favorite route... neat technology I think. And the new bus signs are far better than I could have imagined... they will be solar, there was one on display at the meeting today and I'll post the image of it when I get home. But it is solar powered, lights up at night to display the route map and and even has a button a rider would press that would flash at night to alert the bus driver that a passenger is waiting at a given stop. Stops will also have info displays keeping real time information on next bus arrival.

The entire Tallahassee Transit scheme will be totally different with the switch to StarMetro including routes to Southwood, and the airport.

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Florida Megalopolis

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StarMetro: The New Direction of Mass Transit in Tallahassee

smetro.png

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

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TD Burg

TD

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StarMetro: The New Direction of Mass Transit in Tallahassee

smetro.png

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

NICE!! i cant wait to see the new busses, and the new transfer stations at fsu, and around town! :yahoo:

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Florida Megalopolis

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I'll post it... but I can almost predict the response... and it probably won't be the warmest, based on the picture I have.

The star and stripe on the bus, in the pictures I was given seem to be improperly placed which makes the bus look less attractive... but think you have to keep in mind... the banner advertising which will infact be convering the entire bus.

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TD Burg

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The new features sound really nice, but I'm not a big fan of the name. What does it mean? Does Star stand for something? I like TalTran better, because it's name fits in with the city so well. Maybe it'll grow on me...

It makes perfect sense. The Metro part is derived from many other cities such as Atlanta and Washington D.C. naming their mass transit systems the "Metro"

Its a common name for mass transit, and the Star part i believe is derived from Tallahassee's new star Logo

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TD Burg

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I think the changes once completely implemented will be incredible... our transit system will be top notch.

But all changes aren't expected to happen over night.. it may be a year or two before everything is in place.

i have to slightly disagree..... I believe we need more routes.....

and a transfer station in the north.

a transfer station in the south

one at famu

one at fsu

one at southwood

and one in woodville.

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