THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408120253
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
This is in response to the letter written by Lewis Frampton (The Clipper, July 24) about his experience with Tidewater Regional Transit services. The letter addressed the following issues: information services, timeliness of service and security.
I regret the inconvenience Mr. Frampton experienced with reaching the correct telephone information operator. His frustration shows me we need to place even more emphasis on this, despite recent improvements in telephone equipment and customer service training.
Mr. Frampton's trip required two transfers on TRT's Maxi-Ride paratransit service, which serves areas where bus service is not available. While his first two rides went smoothly, his last departure was delayed and his trip was lengthy. TRT buses operate on a direct transfer system, where vehicles meet at direct transfer centers and passengers quickly change from one bus to another and continue on their way. It is very popular with our riders. We are now experimenting with including Maxi-Ride in the direct transfer system to eliminate the delays Mr. Frampton experienced.
Another concern in the letter was people loitering near the bus stop. TRT works together with local businesses and police to make our customers secure and comfortable. In addition, all TRT buses have radios, and Maxi-Ride vans have cellular phones to call for help.
TRT strives to offer a quality service, and we urge all TRT customers to report service problems to us as soon as they happen. TRT's customer comment line is 640-6236. We welcome all suggestions that will help us provide better service.
TRT is publicly funded. Funding levels affect everything from the number of routes we can offer to the frequency of pickup times. TRT recognizes its public responsibility and strives to provide the most efficient service possible for the funds available, providing the most service to the areas with the highest transit demand.
James C. Echols
Director of Tidewater Regional Transit by CNB