Just had to send out some kudos to the MTC. In the space of two weeks, I've experienced or witnessed three instances of great customer service:
1. A sharp increase in the number of buses idling in front of my house prompted a call to a customer service rep at Metro Transit. The NEXT MORNING, there were signs on my corner, instructing bus drivers not to run their engines there, and I had a call back from the rep, explaining what had happened (new driver) and what they would do to keep it from happening again (instructions on the "paddleboard"), as well as a request from the rep to call her if I ever had any other problems. 2. An older woman boarded the bus at my south Minneapolis stop and asked the driver for help getting to the Hennepin County government building. He reassured her that she was on the right bus, and explained to her not only where to get off, but which direction to walk and which door to use to get into the building to get to where she needed to go. The woman said "You know, I can't drive anymore, and this is my first time on the bus. Thanks for making this so easy!" 3. The construction downtown has rerouted buses that usually use 2nd Av. down 3rd Av. -- which eliminated the initial stop coming off of 35W and added a 2 block walk for the people who usually stop there. Some of those first stop customers must have gotten ahold of someone at MTC, because this morning, our bus jogged up to 2nd Av, and that first stop, before circling back down to the detour on 3rd. There are lots of things that I wish were different about Metro Transit. I wish buses were quieter and cleaner. I wish I could "reverse commute" to the suburbs. I wish I could get across town from east to west without going up to Lake Street or downtown to transfer. I wish they weren't talking about a big bus hub at 42nd or 46th Street. But having said all that, I've got nothing but respect for the people I've dealt with at the MTC on a day to day basis. Especially the drivers, who put up with "customer service" issues that the average person can't even imagine. All have been incredibly responsive. I know it's tough to be a public official, and go to all those meetings, and take public transportation. But if you work downtown, and live in south Minneapolis, the bus is a no brainer . . . and right now, the #35 will drop you off right across from City Hall! Just call me Pollyanna this morning. It's a refreshing change from being cynical about government . . . Sara Strzok Ward 11 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail! http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
