Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Transportation MATA's Dump the Pump Discount
Posted by Mary Cashiola on Tue, May 25, 2010 at 8:30 AM
As part of this year's Dump the Pump day, MATA will be offering 7-day passes for $10 from June 14th to 18th. The new unlimited-ride weekly FastPass, started as part of MATA's elimination of its problematic transfer system, usually costs $15.
For persons who are seniors or have disabilities, the weekly pass will cost only $5 during the Dump the Pump celebration.
National Dump the Pump Day encourages people to ride public transportation to save money, protect the environment, and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.
"The whole point of the FastPass is to encourage people to ride MATA more," said MATA spokesperson Alison Burton.
As part of its monthly meeting yesterday, MATA board members also approved a $77,000 route scheduling software package from Trapeze. Using current data, the "Blockbuster" software will create the best route scenario, and allows automation of cutting runs and testing alternative scenarios.
"We're doing that manually now," said MATA president William Hudson.
Comments (5)
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MATA's Pump the Dump campaign is designed to address the problem with better messaging.
Clap louder, Memphis!
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I think I'll wait for the result of the new schedule improvements, if they even happen. Now I could ride the bus 45 minutes to get 2 miles down the road--no thanks! That's not a savings at all.
Unfortunately, having been a long-time rider, I can't wholeheartedly endorse the MATA plan. After my car blew up on me, I rode the bus for a spell. It was not very convenient or comfortable. I had to leave home prior to 6:00 am in order to make it to my job at 8:00 am., and it's no more than a 25 minute commute by car (less traffic reduces the time). Even then I would still sometimes be late. That was the main reason I bought a car when Idid. Dirty buses and rowdy school kids didnt make it any better. It's less stressful to just drive and be done.
MATA is getting a computer in 2010? Personal computers have been out since 1980. Where has MATA been? Oh, I forgot. MATA is a slowpoke. That is why I drive my car. To get where I need to go.
@dqwilliams65 It's a bureaucracy thing. The VA just automated some of their systems for the first time last year.
As linwood379 said, a 30 minute trip can take hours (I, too, had to leave my house prior to 6 to be somewhere at 8). The buses are generally dirty, the windows are cracked, the drivers are often on cell phones, the buses do not come on time, and, as I have witnessed numerous times, oftentimes the bus will zoom right on by stops with people waiting because the drivers are not paying attention.
MATA isn't going to get more riders by lowering fares. The fares, as they are now, are higher than some cities that I've seen and lower than some others. The problem is the service. Anyone who has a choice in their transportation is not going to choose to ride the bus.
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