[Winona Online Democracy] An idea - what do you think?
New Business - "My Chauffer" Would people be more likely to use it if they paid a flat monthly or annual fee? A couple of years ago I read of a young couple who wanted to go into farming but could not afford to purchase a farm. The got a bunch of people together who agreed to buy them a farm on the understanding that they would provide all the farm grown products needed for their families. What ever excess was grown could be used or sold by the couple which they retained. Most seniors reach a point when car ownership is nether safe for them or those on the road but a car, especially for men, it the right of passage into adulthood and is tough to give up. Many young families find themselves running, running, running to get their kids from one activity to another or even to school. Car ownership is expensive for those who care to do the math. My Chauffer would enable subscribers to buy shares to fund the vehicle then charge a flat monthly fee which would provide them unlimited use of the service. Knowing who the driver would always be would establish trust, security, and be like being picked up a friend without imposing on one. It would increase mobility since they would pay a set fee whether they used the service or not. Routines could be established so they could set in advance appointments, weekly get together with friends, hair appointment, church, dinning etc.. The Chauffer would use a cell phone and the vehicle would be their office. The flat fee would provide a full time job or multiple jobs for people depending on the usage. I think usage could be high since the use it or lose it thought process works better than pay as you go. Even our current taxi companies may have or consider a flat fee for a monthly unlimited contract as an option. What do you think? Paul Double [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Craig Brooks Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 5:07 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Winona] mass transit [Winona Online Democracy] First -- off the thread for a second -- when a subject like this gets lots of action, it will help save bandwidth if when you reply you delete all the prior responses except the very last one. Some of these can get to be huge and take up too much space in the computer and internet netherworld. On mass transit -- just an additional comment or two from prior discussions over the years... The disabled and the seniors do have some special needs. There are equipped vans being used at many service providers every day. Much of the day many of those sit waiting for the program to end or the work shift to end - therefore sitting idle. I wish there was a way to aggregate all those needs AND the school's to create one larger coordinated system. The reason school buses are full is due to the fact that the route is determined based on the kids that need to be picked up. If more persons need to be picked up, the route will change and, if needed, the number of buses and routes will increase. Yes, the bus company needs to get paid for the extra time. But, that is cheaper than having these overlapping transportation systems like we do now. WORC, DAC all the nursing homes and other providers are using vans and cars to transport people to medical appointments and shopping all day and all over and not much of it is coordinated. Many years ago an attempt was made to combine the school bus routes with the needs of the DAC and WORC (adults with handicaps). It did not work out. Not because of buses being filled. Not because of no funding. Not because of a lack of need. Not because the persons with handicaps lived far afield from the school's existing routes. It failed because of not wanting those persons on the same bus with the kids. It was a personal preference issue and not a money one. Volunteer or paid bus attendants could have been provided. That was not the barrier. Another example of where personal preference has barred a transportation system attempt from working is for seniors. Everyone says that older persons need more public transportation, especially nights and weekends and outside the city. The problem came in when we found that they would not use it. The personal preference is to have an individual, you know and trust, take you in a personal car. Even having the bus come to the door would not meet the wishes. There was a grant and there was a service offered at one time. It failed because it was not what the consumer wanted. What I think is needed and what I say I would personally do is all too often not what the majority of end users want. I can have the best of intentions but fail and then scratch my head wondering why 'they' couldn't see the value of such a wonderful idea. But then I don't know why people haven't gone to my favorite restaurant or watched my favorite TV show resulting in my losing something I value when it is closed or canceled. Craig Brooks _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
