Public Transit

Attention StarMetro riders (and would-be StarMetro riders): Our local transit service is continuing to incorporate your feedback into the new, decentralized route system and several requested changes will go into effect on January 21. If you already ride the bus, you’ll want to look in on the new Ride Guide and see if any of the adjustments will affect your trip.  And if the previous routes or schedules didn’t suit your preferences this is a good time to consider it again.

StarMetro riders save money, enjoy “me” time, and may qualify for our FREE Emergency Ride Home Program! Follow the links and get all the details today.

StarMetro’s new Nova2010 routes launch this week and I was riding along on the very first day, as a volunteer “Ambassador” on the Dogwood Route. Despite having studied the materials, I admit I was a little overwhelmed trying to assist 3 riders at once and to do so in the order that we’d be reaching their connections!

The new system is far more convenient than making unnecessary trips to the plaza downtown, but it also means there’s a learning curve for riders. So, do your homework! Visit www.NOVA2010.com and plan your new route from the comfort of your home or office. If you need help, call StarMetro at 891-5200; they have lots of extra staff on the phones this week to provide expert, step by step trip planning.

Most of the people on our bus were making the adjustment just fine—in fact, the regulars already had it down pat. A trio of friends joined us by mistake, dashing thru the drizzle to the first bus that came along; but they knew about the changes and had allowed themselves some extra time—so they were laughing at their little adventure and we got them sorted out in no time.

Our StarMetro driver was awesome! He announced every upcoming stop and which routes it connected with; and, despite having to drive this huge vehicle safely, he was consistently patient and friendly in answering specific questions.

So here are my conclusions about Nova2010: plan your trip beforehand; call if you have questions; allow a little extra time this first week; and enjoy your FREE ride (that’s right—launch week is FREE for everyone).

Oh, and don’t be shy about asking your Ambassador or Driver questions! They will be happy to help.

P.S. If you find that the new bus routes simply are not going to work for your daily commute, Commuter Services of North Florida can offer you some alternatives. Find out more.

Who doesn’t love to “try before you buy”? There’s an exciting product about to come out: Nova2010, StarMetro’s new, decentralized service. They’ve just announced that for the first week (July 11-15), you can ride absolutely free! Visit their website at nova2010.com to see all the changes, including the more direct routes and more frequent service. If you have any questions, give StarMetro a call at 850-891-5200.

On July 11 StarMetro (@ridestarmetro) will commence its route decentralization plan known as Nova2010. This will radically alter its existing system. Plan ahead! Find out how your route will be affected by the changes now so your daily commute won’t be interrupted.

Also, if you’ve never used the transit system in Tallahassee because the routes weren’t convenient for you, now would be a good time to reconsider. With gas prices as high as they are you might be able to save a lot of money simply by changing the way you get to and from work each day!

Plus, anyone who takes the bus to work at least three days each week qualifies for one of our Emergency Ride Home vouchers. If you find yourself stuck at work because you missed the last bus of the day or you have an emergency that simply can’t wait, use your voucher for a free taxi ride home. You can even use it for two destinations, so should you need to pick up your sick child at school you can use that same voucher to get you the rest of the way home. Sign up for the Emergency Ride Home Program today!

On Monday, March 21, StarMetro will begin installation of brand new bus stops, also known as StarStops, along the Forest Route in preparation for the July 11 launch of the route decentralization project Nova2010. The Forest route, which runs along Mission Road, Appleyard Drive and Jackson Bluff Road, will share stops with Florida State University’s Seminole Express service. As such, stops along these corridors will reflect the brand new StarMetro StarStop design and a newly redesigned Seminole Express sign seen below. 

The new StarStop design will feature a 16-inch circular topper, reflecting StarMetro’s new icon, and a 12-inch by 6-inch rectangular information blade half an inch below. The information blade will depict the routes served by that particular StarStop, as well as StarMetro’s phone number and web address. One inch below the StarMetro information blade will sit the Seminole Express sign blade, which will feature the corresponding university information.

Both signs will rest on a 12-foot octagonal pole; for sturdiness, three feet of the pole will be placed in the ground.

Until the July launch, each StarMetro information blade will have a message covering the route information that indicates whether that particular StarStop is active or inactive. Those 473 current stops that will remain in the new system will feature a message that says, “Active Stop.” Customers can begin using these stops with the current system as they go up. Those 266 brand-new StarStop locations not along current routes will feature a message that says, “Not an Active Stop.” Customers may not use these stops with the current system.

While the StarMetro information blade may be ‘active’ or ‘not active’, customers may use all existing Seminole Express stops regardless of sign type.

“It is our goal to have all of the newly redesigned, off-campus Seminole Express stops installed by July/August,” said  Ronald Garrison, Executive Director of StarMetro.

For more information, please contact StarMetro at 891-5200 or visit talgov.com/starmetro. Other ways to view information include ‘liking’ StarMetro’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/starmetrotransit and ‘following’ StarMetro’s official Twitter page at twitter.com/ridestarmetro (@RideStarMetro).

Contact: Brian Waterman, StarMetro Planning Administrator, 891-5564
Heather Teter, StarMetro Marketing Specialist, 891-5206 [author of this post]
Alex Faubel, StarMetro Marketing Assistant, 891-5200

In preparation for the July launch of StarMetro’s route decentralization project known as Nova2010, StarMetro will install 766 brand new bus stops, or StarStops. With assistance from Public Works, the new StarStops will be installed in two phases. The first phase begins today and includes the Evergreen, Gulf, San Luis, Red Hills, Live Oak and Moss routes.

The second phase will include all other routes. Phase two is expected to begin within four to six weeks.

The new StarStop design will feature a 16-inch circular topper, reflecting StarMetro’s new icon, and a 12-inch by 6-inch rectangular information blade half an inch below. The information blade will depict the routes served by that particular StarStop, as well as StarMetro’s phone number and web address.

Both signs will rest on a 12-foot octagonal pole; for sturdiness, three feet of the pole will be placed in the ground.

“In order to make our StarStops more accessible, we chose to incorporate an octagonal pole into our new design,” said Ron Garrison, executive director of StarMetro. “By having the pole shaped differently from any other sign along the road, visually impaired customers will be able to feel the StarStop and know that they are at the correct spot to catch their bus.”

Another accessibility feature of the new StarStops is a one-inch Braille plate that will sit on the front of the pole four feet from the ground. This plate will feature the route letters in Braille and in raised lettering, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. At the time of the launch, all StarStops at the 43 transfer intersections will feature Braille plates. All other Braille plates will be installed shortly after the launch.

The new StarMetro system will utilize a total of 766 StarStops. Of those, 473 currently exist in today’s system, and 266 will be new locations. These new StarStop locations will be along corridors not served today that will be served in the new system. These corridors include sections of Orange Avenue and North Monroe Street.

Until the July launch, each information blade will have a message covering the route information that indicates whether that particular StarStop is active or inactive. Those 473 current stops that will remain in the new system will feature a message that says, “Active Stop.” Customers can begin using these stops with the current system as they go up. Those 266 brand-new StarStop locations not along current routes will feature a message that says, “Not an Active Stop.” Customers may not use these stops with the current system.

For more information, please contact StarMetro at 891-5200 or visit talgov.com/starmetro. Other ways to view information include ‘liking’ StarMetro’s official Facebook page at facebook.com/starmetrotransit and ‘following’ StarMetro’s official Twitter page at twitter.com/ridestarmetro (@ridestarmetro).

Contact
Brian Waterman, StarMetro Planning Administrator, 891-5564
Heather Teter, StarMetro Marketing Specialist, 891-5206 [author of this post]
Alex Faubel, StarMetro Marketing Assistant, 891-5200

Connecting people with jobs is a critical benefit of public transit service in our region, and the Gadsden Express is proving itself to be an invaluable resource for Gadsden County residents.

In April of this year, Gadsden County launched the Gadsden Express, an express transit service linking Quincy and Midway to Tallahassee. During its first full month of operation, the Gadsden Express provided 837 trips. In September, the service provided 1,817 trips – an increase of 117%.

A ridership survey which was conducted in August also revealed some good information about how and why Gadsden Express riders are using the service. 43% of riders say they use the service for work purposes while 21% use the service for school or other vocational training.

68.9% of riders use the service at least 3 days per week, and 35% of riders use the service 5 days per week.

Other important information collected from the survey shows that 60.8% of riders use the service because they do not own a car while 42.7% use the service because it’s cheaper than driving their car. The current fare is $1/trip. The fare is even cheaper when users purchase multi-ride passes.

For more information download a Gadsden Express brochure or call Big Bend Transit at 850-627-9958. If you are a rider and using the Gadsden Express service to get to and from work, be sure to register for Commuter Services’ free Emergency Ride Home Program.

Using the bike rack found on many city buses is really simple, but we understand it could be intimidating if you’ve never used one before. Here’s a quick video demonstrating just how easy it is for you to bring your bicycle with you when you ride the bus.

StarMetro is holding two listening sessions on Thursday, September 2, to garner feedback about the proposed bus stop locations for its route decentralization project known as Nova2010. The first session will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., and the second session will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Both sessions will take place in C.K. Steele Plaza. Bus patrons who cannot attend these Listening Sessions may view the bus stop location maps online and submit online feedback and/or call StarMetro’s main office at 850-891-5200.

You can read the entire press release online. You can also follow StarMetro updates on Facebook and Twitter (@starmetro_).

This week, representatives from Commuter Services, StarMetro, Gadsden County, the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency, and Big Bend Transit will be conducting surveys of Gadsden Express riders. The purpose of the survey is to identify who is using the service and why the use the service. Results of the survey will be used to make any needed improvements to the service including the addition of stops and/or more frequent service.

If you ride the Gadsden Express, please take time to complete the on-board survey when asked. Staff from the agencies listed above will be available to assist you. The survey will conclude on Friday, August 20. Final results will be posted on the Commuter Services of North Florida website.