Disability Caucus 9/22/2016: Transportation Concerns (And Trying Out Uber for the First Time)
So today the old lady and I had our first experience with Uber because my mother-in-law wasn't available to bring us to Urgent Care (Our county school board is riding her like hell with regards to training teachers). The experience wasn't bad and the drivers did their job well even with the minor traffic jam on the way home. We'll probably use them for trips we might have to make on our own that we can't do so by golf cart.
That being said, with all the horror stories I've heard about and confirmed, I sure do hope their business practices, including treatment of drivers, improves. They certainly can't go on like that forever.
Many folks with disabilities rely on Uber and similar services to get around because driving is not an option for them. And if you live in an area like mine where public transit is almost non-existent, well...
In any case, I think we need major improvements on public transit everywhere. Problem is, too many folks around the country are still too in love with their cars to really give a shit about the issue, much less infrastructure renewal in general.
So how do we convince people to get behind this? It shouldn't take another disaster like with so many issues.
What are your thoughts?
See you around,
Aspie
Comments
I ride the bus all the time, but I live within the city
boundaries. IIRC, you live out in the country. They don't do that here except there's an express bus to Nicholasville, which a whole lot of people made their bedroom community.
Is there something nearby that could provide the city bus company with a lot of riders? Such as a big exurb, where you'd be right along their route to/from the city? That's the only way I know they expand here - if they can anticipate high levels of ridership, at least high enough so fares pay for sending out a commuter van.
Is there a nearby college? The college students here ride the buses a lot - they have more interest in riding for environmental reasons and less worry about it not being "classy". So you might could interest them in establishing a bus route to/from the city.
They do have special buses for the disabled to be reserved in advance here, but I think those only run so far out from the city too.
Of course much more should be doable, but you're right, most people still prefer their cars. High gas prices caused more bus ridership for a while, but I think those days are gone for good.
Maybe call and ask your local bus company what it would take there. Good luck!
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Check out the business model of Gadabout, Ithaca
I think it's a city service, via van, for elderly and disabled. I looked into it, there were some major hoops to jump to use the service and fares are required. There is county funding I think. I filed the thought away for "later".
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My adult son doesn't drive either and uses a golf cart
around town. We don't have smart phones, so Uber is out. His dad and I give him rides when he needs to go outside of town. He's an Aspie like you, so driving is just too stressful.
I wish this country would get behind public transportation. Instead, old rail lines are being turned into public parks, which is stupid IMO. The US is exceptional--exceptionally stupid.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
Stupid and Stubborn.
It usually takes nothing short of disaster before things even begin to change. That, and too many Americans still love their cars too much to give a shit.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
I lived in Europe with lots of lovely public transportation. Tha
was an education. There were local and intercity streetcars and trains. You could go most places using those.
You'd think Europe was some undiscovered planet the way Americans talk about issues. We seem to be willfully ignorant.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"