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Will Dispatch finally know when buses (and especially successive buses) are running behind schedule - and most importantly, will they take the appropriate action to rectify the situation (which means re-routing buses, calling Supervisors to the field to attempt to resolve the problem, adding buses, consolidating bunched buses, create shortlines)...or will this just be a pretty new computer to play Solitary and Bejeweled on while the Supervisors and Dispatchers continue to sit in their air conditioned offices well removed from the ovens-on-wheels (also known as Gilligs, Phantoms, 1400s, or "the bus I always get stuck with" especially in the PM rush) pretending that nothing is going on?
All technology does is give you the information you need. At the end of the day it still takes responsible people - humans - to make the RIGHT decision. When I hear Operators calling Dispatch about delays and Dispatch replies that they don't know about any problems, there's the problem - THE OPERATOR JUST TOLD YOU WHAT AND WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. The Operator can only drive their own bus. It's up to management to run the entire system. The Operator can't call ODOT - Management can. The Operator can't call the local public works or police departments - Management can. The Operator can't tell another Operator what to do, or re-route themselves on a whim (and they don't have any way of communicating such with other riders who might be waiting for the bus)...Management can.
My work has an incredible system, but at the end of the day it boils down to me interpreting the data to assist the customer. If I don't do my job, my manager's ass is hauled before the Public Utility Commission and I find myself quickly removed from a job. It's a shame TriMet has no oversight because they wouldn't stand a chance before Oregon's PUC. If my employer conducted itself like TriMet does, we'd be crapping out million dollar checks while simultaneously fleeing the state because our privilege to operate would be revoked.
-Without it, TriMet will not be able to radio communications without potential fines or other penalties as the current system does not meet coming FCC requirements
In other words, service would severely degrade otherwise
-The current hardware is obsolete and not supported
In other words, this will save money and effort keeping the old system going
-The software is rudimentary compared to current systems (your work computer doesn't run Windows 95-era software, does it?)
In other words, dispatchers will have better tools to manage issues
-TriMet will be able to end payments for use of Portland's radio system
In other words, this will save money annually
Also, the new system will provide location updates much more frequently, which will mean more accurate information internally and for Transit Tracker
Will Dispatch finally know when buses (and especially successive buses) are running behind schedule
My understanding is yes, and I think I've read that it will especially help when there's major situations
and most importantly, will they take the appropriate action to rectify the situation
They could cancel some bus runs and hire more dispatchers if you wanted
Gilligs, Phantoms, 1400s, or "the bus I always get stuck with" especially in the PM rush
You could always take the 12 or MAX to WES if you wanted
The Operator can't call ODOT - Management can. The Operator can't call the local public works or police departments - Management can.
Wouldn't it be the dispatchers who would make the calls, leaving the managers to manage?
Jason - The new BDS system is needed because, like the bus fleet, it's a system on its last legs, kept limping along far past the point of timely upgrade.
It seems like it's a newer, better version of a 1995 comm/GPS system. It certainly doesn't sound like Trimet is trying to get to the forefront of technology, like it did in 1995.
So, its like the transfer printers in buses- old ideas repackaged.
6 comments:
No buttons also means that you have to be looking at it in order to push a button -- i.e. you cannot operate by touch alone.
Still, this is probably a good step, no?
Hmmmm...good point Max
Now how will this IMPROVE service to the public?
Will Dispatch finally know when buses (and especially successive buses) are running behind schedule - and most importantly, will they take the appropriate action to rectify the situation (which means re-routing buses, calling Supervisors to the field to attempt to resolve the problem, adding buses, consolidating bunched buses, create shortlines)...or will this just be a pretty new computer to play Solitary and Bejeweled on while the Supervisors and Dispatchers continue to sit in their air conditioned offices well removed from the ovens-on-wheels (also known as Gilligs, Phantoms, 1400s, or "the bus I always get stuck with" especially in the PM rush) pretending that nothing is going on?
All technology does is give you the information you need. At the end of the day it still takes responsible people - humans - to make the RIGHT decision. When I hear Operators calling Dispatch about delays and Dispatch replies that they don't know about any problems, there's the problem - THE OPERATOR JUST TOLD YOU WHAT AND WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. The Operator can only drive their own bus. It's up to management to run the entire system. The Operator can't call ODOT - Management can. The Operator can't call the local public works or police departments - Management can. The Operator can't tell another Operator what to do, or re-route themselves on a whim (and they don't have any way of communicating such with other riders who might be waiting for the bus)...Management can.
My work has an incredible system, but at the end of the day it boils down to me interpreting the data to assist the customer. If I don't do my job, my manager's ass is hauled before the Public Utility Commission and I find myself quickly removed from a job. It's a shame TriMet has no oversight because they wouldn't stand a chance before Oregon's PUC. If my employer conducted itself like TriMet does, we'd be crapping out million dollar checks while simultaneously fleeing the state because our privilege to operate would be revoked.
Trust me, the data won't be active for a dispatcher to use with the operator/vehicle to MANAGE system performance.
No more BDS cards-- big deal The data will be auto- collected to record early/lates, boardings, and investigations of operator performance.
Now how will this IMPROVE service to the public?
Let's see what the board resolution approving the system says:
-Without it, TriMet will not be able to radio communications without potential fines or other penalties as the current system does not meet coming FCC requirements
In other words, service would severely degrade otherwise
-The current hardware is obsolete and not supported
In other words, this will save money and effort keeping the old system going
-The software is rudimentary compared to current systems (your work computer doesn't run Windows 95-era software, does it?)
In other words, dispatchers will have better tools to manage issues
-TriMet will be able to end payments for use of Portland's radio system
In other words, this will save money annually
Also, the new system will provide location updates much more frequently, which will mean more accurate information internally and for Transit Tracker
Will Dispatch finally know when buses (and especially successive buses) are running behind schedule
My understanding is yes, and I think I've read that it will especially help when there's major situations
and most importantly, will they take the appropriate action to rectify the situation
They could cancel some bus runs and hire more dispatchers if you wanted
Gilligs, Phantoms, 1400s, or "the bus I always get stuck with" especially in the PM rush
You could always take the 12 or MAX to WES if you wanted
The Operator can't call ODOT - Management can. The Operator can't call the local public works or police departments - Management can.
Wouldn't it be the dispatchers who would make the calls, leaving the managers to manage?
Jason - The new BDS system is needed because, like the bus fleet, it's a system on its last legs, kept limping along far past the point of timely upgrade.
It seems like it's a newer, better version of a 1995 comm/GPS system. It certainly doesn't sound like Trimet is trying to get to the forefront of technology, like it did in 1995.
So, its like the transfer printers in buses- old ideas repackaged.
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