Reconnect Rochester presents Voices of Transit, an ethnography profile blog series that along with the qualitative survey data from over 200 RTS customers, shows how our current bus system helps (and sometimes hurts) transit-dependent riders in their daily lives. Read more about the initiative here and to review the survey results from the Transit Ambassador Pilot Program, click here.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and give us an introduction to your transit story.
I’m originally from Atlanta, GA, but my mom moved here when I was an infant so I grew up in Rochester.
I’ve been riding RTS for years, before Reimagine RTS and before the Transit Center was built, so I know the “good and bad”, as a frequent rider and longtime customer.
Can you talk about why you ride RTS?
I used to drive a lot but now that I’m pushing 60, I don’t have the patience to sit behind the wheel anymore. I’m also on SSI, so I’m on a fixed income and it’s cheaper to use RTS. I also found that I wasn’t always driving, so if I’m not always driving, then I don’t need to own a vehicle so I got rid of it.
It’s easy to go to a lot and buy a car, but people don’t think about how much it costs to maintain it. I don’t need to worry about that [maintenance] with RTS.
It’s also cheaper than having to pay people gas money to give me a ride.
What do you enjoy about RTS?
The Transit Center is the best thing RTS has done because it’s one place where I can access all of the buses. And Rochester gets cold! So, rather than having everyone wait outside in the winter, it’s nice to have a warm shelter to wait for your bus.
I live a few streets away from the Transit Center and it’s convenient to be able to walk a few blocks away from my apartment with my grocery cart, catch the #3 to go to Walmart, get back on the bus with my groceries and go back home.
I also just learned about the RTS OnDemand service. I have family that live near Emerson St. and it’s hard to visit them using the regular routes because I have to walk far. I love walking but I’m getting older. I have a bad hip and I have a cane, so I can’t walk as far as I used to. So having the OnDemand service drop me off right where I need to so I can visit my older sister is convenient and cuts down on travel time.
I will also say that the security guards at the Transit Center are very pleasant. I do think they could be trained to de-escalate situations better, because I have seen incidents that could’ve gotten out of hand, but overall 85-90% of my experiences with RTS as a frequent rider are pleasant.
Is there anything that you don’t enjoy about RTS? Or anything that you might change?
In terms of the OnDemand service, I don’t like that I have to schedule in advance, that defeats the purpose of OnDemand, especially if I make last minute plans to visit family for example.
Also, over the years I’ve found people who are selling monthly passes for $20 instead of paying $56* which is obviously cheaper especially if I don’t ride the bus all the time. I liked the old passes where you use it and it counts how many times you use it and it adds up to a month. But, getting a monthly pass now can be a waste of money if I don’t ride the bus everyday. If I only use it half the month, then the other days are going to waste.
The only other thing I would change is how they allow people to hang outside, hustle items and smoke outside of the Transit Center because not everyone is comfortable with smoking and people soliciting you**. Other than that, the Transit Center is a wonderful thing.
What are your thoughts on bus stop amenities? Is there anything that would make you more comfortable while you wait?
There are a lot of conversations that RTS only wants to put shelters in areas that they think are “good areas”. It’s a surprise to me that there’s one on Jefferson Avenue but they don’t keep it clean unfortunately. I think if there will be shelters, there needs to be a crew of people to maintain it.
What’s your hope for the future of the RTS bus system?
Consider lowering the cost of the monthly bus passes or make it so that you are only credited for the rides that you actually take. I would also suggest that it should be mandatory for every driver to lower the bus to make sure it’s accessible for all riders getting on and off the bus. We shouldn’t have to ask the driver to lower the bus. It’s my biggest pet peeve.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I appreciate the customer surveys and feedback session and that RTS is willing to hear from their customers.
*According to the RTS site, “RTS Go caps the amount you spend to a maximum of $3 per day ($1.50 for reduced fares) and $56 per month ($28 for reduced fares). The more you ride with RTS Go, the more you’ll save.”
**Editor’s Note: Prior to publishing this piece, the Reconnect team met with RTS and were notified that the area past the pillars at the Transit Center is public space so they cannot directly manage loitering and other activities, however RTS contracted with the Rochester Police Department to have officers stationed in front of the Transit Center (on RTS property) throughout the day to discourage activities that may be uncomfortable to riders.