A happy ending is a good thing, and every once in a while we actually get to see some progress. Remember a few weeks ago the story of the man who was told to park his motorcycle in a certain area because the regular parking was blocked off and then he got a ticket? Well, David follows up to tell us: “I’ve actually had a very good experience (so far) with the Metro HQ folks. Investigator Spencer of the Metro police was optimistic that it could be resolved. I had Mr. Schmitt (of Metro Parking) call him to tell him that I was directed to park where I got the ticket. Investigator Spencer promised to reply in writing as soon as he gets the copies of everything I mailed him. Mr. Schmitt also responded positively to acting on getting signage for motorcycle parking at the Metro stations (a problem since ’99) and would consider my suggestion to move it back to the Kiss and Ride lot.
“Without the benefit of final resolution, I would like to say that the Metro folks deserve kudos for their responsiveness and customer-first attitude (much better than expected). I would hazard a guess you don’t hear those kinds of things too often.
“Thank you also for your responsiveness and willingness to enter the mix. It’s a crazy world out there — thanks for making it more sane.”
It’s always good to hear a positive outcome.
Metro announcements
John writes in to say that the problem with announcements isn’t limited to rail riders:
“Metrobus is even worse. Riders are subjected to an automated announcement for every single stop on the line, sometimes WAY too loud, and the driver will tell you she/he can’t do anything about it. I asked one if he would report it and he said, ‘I can report it but that doesn’t mean it will be fixed.’ I said, ‘Don’t they care about their customers?’ and he said, ‘Don’t care about the drivers either.’ These are quite unnecessary, as the stop is shown in lights at the front of the bus. (I would be perfectly content to have the announcements switched on for anyone who told the rider he needed them, which I doubt would be often.) ‘Stop Requested’ on Metrobus is even more unnecessary than ‘Doors Closing’ on Metrorail. Any bozo riding Metrobus will figure out soon enough that the chime means the bus is going to stop.
“On rail, the announcement gives you a little extra warning before the doors close, and there are many more visitors using rail than bus. Yet another noise Metrobus riders must put up with is the infuriatingly loud beep that indicates a fare has been paid; I’m sure the driver could hear it at half the volume. I’ve tried earplugs; most of the noise cuts right through. Oh, and the cameras they’re installing to watch you every minute you’re sitting on the bus are another reason to prefer some other form of transportation.”
Next week and we’ll talk about how much a bridge can be worth to advertisers; Metro’s response to the issue of announcements for the hearing-impaired and of course your e-mails.
Have questions, comments or random musings? Write to [email protected].
