Every once in a while you get a “sign” you’re on the right track. Here’s what somebody searched for on AOL’s search engine today: “what+metra+would+i+take+around+Jefferson+park+to+get++to+Elmhurst”
The sad thing is that I know this because my blog is on page two of the “relevant” searches for AOL - and they clicked on it hoping I would have the information (I saw it on my referral log). I haven’t carried the information before, but Metra’s website and schedules are here.
This points to exactly what I was telling a constituent from Lisle today at the Michelle Obama Open House held at the County Democratic Office in Lombard - all the information for mass and alternative (non-motor) transit needs a central location if people are to really use it. It should have a web presence (something simple like TravelDuPage.org (which is available now)) and a phone center for 24 hour/7 day assistance. The website should have a master map component something like this.
As it is the poor person trying to find a Metra train may or may not have been able to find what they needed to use it this time - and after this experience, they may not try again. Make mass transit easy and, dare I say it, enjoyable, and people will actually use it. Give people a reasonable choice not to sit in gridlock - they’ll take it!
Post a Comment