"Para Transit Bus Service ain't what it used to be..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #138)

James "Kimo" Rosen is a retired professional photographer
 and amongst other things lived in a tent outdoors for 7 years.
Rosen currently resides on the tropical island of Kaua'i
with his best friend and spiritual adviser Obama Da Dog!

Kimo's world #138~Blog #1812
Editors note;
This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the Thursday July 14, 2016 edition of The Garden Island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-july/article_e0bb0c5f-f2c7-5245-b6fe-ce92275562fb.html

Para Transit Bus Service ain't what it used to be
The Para transit bus service is one of the many  perks of being over 60 and living on the Garden Island.

The Para Transit Bus is one of the many
great perks of being over 60  on the Garden Island!

Recently those at the top of the chain  decided to change the computer system with a new GPS in every bus  plus  new dispatch computers showing all at the central location where every bus is every minute. Eventually down the road allowing customers access to seeing where buses are just by logging onto a computer or smartphone.

This all sounds great, however there is an old expression, "if it ain't broke, why fix it?"

Somebody decided that each Para Transit driver every day shall drive a different route. Before drivers had fixed routes they were familiar with and riders that looked forward to their drivers knowing their needs. Many para transit customers are wheel-chair bound and have special needs. It takes time for the drivers to get to know the needs of those with special needs. A routine is imperative for the job to be done efficient.

This would be like having a cleaning service sending you a different person every week instead of having a person of routine who knows what you like. 

Lucy is  one of the many aloha spirited
 Para transit bus drivers.
Currently they must drive
a different route everyday.
A fixed route seems
to make more sense to
a majority of the drivers and
passengers.

The Para Transit drivers are some of the most Aloha oriented people I have ever met. The people running the Kauai bus have no idea what it's like to be a passenger or driver, they seem to have no common sense?

The drivers go to work and 
have no idea where they are starting their day, North, South, East, or West side of the island.
Whomever is responsible for the recent change in demanding that every para transit driver have a different route every day needs to be fired--no second chances, no let's talk about it. 

I do not know how much money was spent on this new program for the Kauai bus, but every driver I have talked with and every passenger I have spoke with is very disappointed. Most people say nothing because that is the local way.

The only people that are thrilled are the ones who sold the program and those who profited with commission sales through this idiotic program. It would be interesting to see who profited from this program and how much did this cost the taxpaying public?

Technology is not always the best choice, in many instances the human element out trumps(excuse the pun) them all.
Editors note;
This blog also appeared as an opinion article in the Thursday July 14, 2016 edition of The Garden Island news;
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/mailbag/letters-for-july/article_e0bb0c5f-f2c7-5245-b6fe-ce92275562fb.html

Hana Hou, Encore!