November 26, 2007
Great news!
Thanks to feedback from PARC-ers, StarMetro has agreed to sell reloadable PARC cards at the plaza downtown.
This means that ANYONE who wants to pay by-the-ride rather than by-the-week or by-the-month can now do so!
I was told that PARC cards will be available at the plaza starting Tuesday, Nov. 27. You can buy in increments of 10 rides – $1.25 per ride (sorry, no discount for seniors). In other words, for $25, you can buy 20 trips.
Spread the word.
Thanks, PARC-ers!
November 26, 2007
It’s official: Express Route 80X will begin regular service Monday, Dec. 3, to Target and Wal-Mart on north Thomasville Road!
The bus will run every half hour during the morning and afternoon rush hours and once an hour during the middle of the day,
The bus stop at Target will be moved from the front of the store, where it was during Commuter Choices Week, to a grassy area near the exit. The bus stop at Wal-Mart will be in the same location — at the entrance near the gas station. I suggest you go the day before to look for the StarMetro signs. 80X will also stop at the Village Square and Premier stops before heading downtown.
On the way home, you’ll catch the northbound 80X at the stop across the street from the plaza.
See you on 80X! Tell your friends and colleagues to join you.
The PARC Team
October 3, 2007
Greetings:
If you haven’t picked up your PARC goodies bag yet, there still are a few left at the front desk of Premier.
Also, if you haven’t completed your survey yet, please do so. We understand some of you are waiting for Route 80X to extend to Wal-Mart and Target before you start riding StarMetro. But please complete this first survey anyway. Thanks. We need at least four more back.
The PARC Team
October 3, 2007
Greetings, PARC-ers:
For those of you who have been riding StarMetro regularly, this is the week your PARC card probably expires. (Note: the card had a month’s worth of free rides on it … and that month started the first day you used the card.)
We were hoping by now that we’d be able to go online and pay to have additional rides added to our cards. But apparently, that isn’t available yet.
Therefore, be sure to bring the correct change with you when you get on the bus. For most riders, the fee is $1.25 each way — BE SURE to ask for a transfer if you need to catch a connecting bus at the plaza.
If you are a “senior citizen” (apparently, that kicks in when you turn 60), the fare is only 60 cents each way.
Of course, you could purchase a week or month pass. But unless you ride the bus twice a day, five days a week, these passes are not cost-effective. If you’d like to purchase a pass, you can do so at the ticket booth at the plaza.
The PARC Team
September 26, 2007
Greetings, PARC-ers:
It is so exciting to see so many new people riding StarMetro. We’ve formed quite a nice little community!
We’ve heard that some of you are waiting until Route 80X is extended to Wal-Mart and Target before you start riding StarMetro. Well, the latest we’ve heard is that this won’t happen, probably, until the first week in December. That appears to be the quickest that all the approvals can be obtained. So hang in there. And please consider joining us now by catching StarMetro at one of the stops near Premier. This way you’ll be primed and ready to switch to 80X.
See you on StarMetro!
The PARC Team
September 26, 2007
September 25
Sept. 27 Session Seeks Input on Proposed Route Changes – StarMetro will be seeking public input and feedback at another “listening session” later this week. Citizens will have the opportunity to provide StarMetro officials with comments regarding proposed revisions to several routes, including two serving Florida A & M University, two serving Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College, and two serving Governors Square and nearby office complexes. Proposed revisions include both time changes to be consistent with other system routes, and several revisions to streets served.
A Community Listening Session will take place Thursday, Sept. 27, 5:30-7 p.m., at the Leon County Veterans’ Services office, 918 Railroad Avenue. Participants may discuss the proposed route changes with StarMetro staff, as well as offer suggestions on transit services in general.
Though participants may discuss any aspect of StarMetro and mass transit services in general, this Thursday’s session will concentrate on proposed changes to the following routes:
The route changes have been proposed to increase the efficiency of service for passengers.
For more information regarding the Sept. 27 Community Listening Session, please contact Ben Growley at 891-5206, or visit Talgov.com.Contact
Ben Growley, StarMetro, 891-5206, or Bill Behenna, Communications Department, 891-8534
September 17, 2007
It turns out StarMetro has been providing Saturday service to the Village Square Blvd. stop all along — however, it’s not on Route 16 but rather Route 10.
Route 10 leaves the Village Square stop at 10 minutes past the hour between 9:10 a.m. and 6:10 p.m. It leaves the plaza downtown at 40 minutes past the hour between 8:40 a.m. and 5:40 p.m.
Route 10 travels different streets than Route 16, so check the StarMetro link for details.
The PARC Team
September 17, 2007
If you haven’t already done so, please complete and return your PARC survey to the PARC Team, 2234 Monaghan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32309.
By joining PARC, you agree to ride StarMetro an average of two days per week between Sept. 4 and Dec. 7. You also agree to complete a few surveys. Please do so. We’ll use the results of the survey to help improve future park-and-ride efforts. Thanks.
The PARC Team
September 6, 2007
Greetings, PARC-ers:
We learned this week that you do not need to get a transfer in order to ride another bus after Route 16 (the bus you catch on Village Square Blvd. or Maclay Blvd.). Instead, simply use your PARC card.
We also learned that you must hold your PARC card steadily in front of the sensor on the fare box. It doesn’t work if you swipe it past the sensor.
Your PARC pass is good for 31 days — counting from the first day you use it. Stay tuned for information about how you can add trips to your card.
The PARC Team
September 1, 2007
Hints on Riding StarMetro
Greetings, PARC-ers! In case you’ve never ridden StarMetro before – or if you missed the orientation meeting Aug. 30 – here are a few things to help make your travel experience easy and enjoyable.
Where to Park
Premier Health & Fitness Center is providing 30 PARC-ing spots in the far corner of its lot on South Maclay Blvd. Smith, Thompson, Shaw & Manausa law firm – located in the SunTrust building – is providing 10 PARC-ing spots in the far corner of its lot on Village Square Blvd. across the street from Po’Boys Creole Café.
Where to Catch StarMetro
PARC is focusing on two stops. There’s an unsheltered StarMetro stop on South Maclay Blvd. right in front of Sage Restaurant and Baden Baden. And there’s a newly refurbished sheltered StarMetro stop on Village Square Blvd. near Fresh Market.
StarMetro Schedule
Route 16 is scheduled to arrive at 10 minutes past the hour between 7:10 a.m. and 7:10 p.m. at the Village Square Blvd. stop – and a minute or two later at the South Maclay Blvd. stop. According to industry standards, an “on-time arrival” is within 5 minutes of the posted time, so don’t worry if the bus arrives a little later. You’ll still make your connection downtown. When express Route 80X starts running every half hour later this year, we’ll send you the schedule.
Using Your PARC Card & Transfer
All PARC participants are being given a special PARC pass from StarMetro. StarMetro has generously given each of you 31 days of free rides – which kick in the first day you use your card. When you enter the bus, hold your PARC card in front of the sensor on the fare box. If you’re not sure where that is, ask the StarMetro driver. You do NOT need a transfer; you’ll use your PARC card on connecting routes. Now simply find a place to sit and relax.
Once you arrive at the C.K. Steele Plaza downtown on the corner of Tennessee and Adams streets, walk to your next bus (more on this in a minute). Hold your PARC card next to the sensor on the fare box, find a seat, and let StarMetro do the driving.
Navigating at the Plaza
StarMetro schedules its routes really well. Route 16 is scheduled to arrive at the plaza at 38 minutes past the hour. This gives you just enough time to walk a few yards to your connecting bus – all buses are scheduled to leave at 40 minutes past the hour. Again, don’t be worried if the schedule is off by a few minutes. Drivers call ahead and let people at the plaza know to hold your connecting bus if Route 16 is a bit behind. Route 16 arrives at Gate N. If you are going to FSU (via Jefferson and Pensacola streets), just stay on the bus. Route 16 becomes Route 15. However, if you need to take StarMetro someplace else, do the following:
1. Go to http://www.talgov.com/starmetro/routes.cfm and find which connecting bus you need to take. During regular business hours, you could call the StarMetro office at 891-5200.
2. Note which gate your connecting bus leaves from.
3. When you arrive at the plaza, look for the gate letter of your connecting bus, or ask your StarMetro driver to direct you.
The plaza has clean bathrooms, plus soda and junk-food machines. There are a few benches near each gate under shelters. And there usually are several StarMetro employees (wearing uniforms) around who can help you with other needs.
Getting Home at Night
When you’re online at http://www.talgov.com/starmetro/routes.cfm, note which times your bus leaves your from-work stop – OR call StarMetro at 891-5200 and ask for the schedule. As long as you catch your from-work bus around 15 to 20 minutes past the hour, you should make the Route 16 bus without any problems. (NOTE: Depending upon where you work, you might be just fine if you catch your from-work bus as late at 30 minutes past the hour.) Give yourself plenty of time your first trip to see what works best for you.
Route 16 leaves from Gate M at 40 minutes past the hour. Most of you probably will be catching the 4:40 p.m., 5:40 p.m. or 6:40 p.m. buses, which will drop you off at the PARC-ing lots about 30 minutes later.
Record Your Rides
Each PARC-er has been given a yellow business-card-size diary in which to record when you ride StarMetro. Remember, as a PARC-er, you have agreed to ride StarMetro twice a week, on average, between Sept. 4 and Dec. 7. Bring your diary with you to our celebratory luncheon Saturday, Dec. 8. We’ll tally how many miles we’ve all traveled, how much gas we’ve saved, and how much less carbon dioxide we’ve dumped into the atmosphere.
Complete the PARC Survey
If you haven’t already done so, PLEASE complete the survey in your PARC goodie bag. The results will help us measure the effectiveness of the program and identify issues we need to address. Thank you. Use the self-addressed stamped envelope to return the survey to 2234 Monaghan Drive, Tallahassee 32309, as soon as possible. Do not sign the survey; we want your opinions, not your name.
Emergency Rides
If PARC-ers use StarMetro, carpooling, vanpooling, walking or a bicycle at least three days a week to get to work, then you qualify for the “Guaranteed Ride Home Program,” which is sponsored by Commuter Services of North Florida. You have received a GRHP registration form in your PARC goodie bag. Once registered, you will receive a voucher in the mail, which you can use to pay for a taxi to get home in an emergency when using StarMetro doesn’t work. Remember, the voucher is meant for emergencies when you can’t hitch a ride from someone else.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions, write to us at parkandridetallahassee@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to answer your questions. See you Tuesday on StarMetro! The PARC Team
