Some stories you may have missed last week: MTA etiquette campaign is not working for some, Las Vegas outfits bus for public engagement, and TfL cancels Uber contract.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (NY) subway etiquette campaign has largely been a bust. The MTA began offering buttons to customers with special needs who might need a seat — pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities — so others could easily identify them and offer them a seat. But the New York Times spoke with several commuters who requested the button (it’s available online) and said it didn’t make a difference. “I stopped about two weeks ago,” said one pregnant commuter. “I thought my belly was doing the talking for me now. I hadn’t really received any seats so I figured I would just move on.” Link to full story in The New York Times.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is hitting the road in a retrofitted 40-foot bus to engage the community in conversations about a comprehensive transit plan called On Board. The air-conditioned bus includes two widescreen monitors for presentations, along with seating and iPad workstations for residents to take a short survey (available in English and Spanish). To make it convenient for residents to participate, the bus also has a play area for children. The RTC created the bus in partnership with its contractor MV Transportation. “We know that dynamic and interactive engagement tools need to be developed and brought directly to the community in order to get the best feedback,” said RTC general manager Tina Quigley in a statement. “Thanks to MV Transportation, we can now engage our residents in a truly unique way.” The bus will be on the road for the next 12-18 months.
Transport for London (UK) will not renew Uber’s license to operate in London after the current contract expires on September 30. TfL officials cited concerns about public safety and security. The decision affects some 40,000 drivers and 3.5 million Londoners who use the mobile application. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan supported the decision. “I want London to be at the forefront of innovation and new technology and to be a natural home for exciting new companies that help Londoners by providing a better and more affordable service,” he said. “However, all companies in London must play by the rules and adhere to the high standards we expect – particularly when it comes to the safety of customers.” Uber’s new CEO said the company would appeal the decision which, he added was based on past behavior. “The truth is that there is a high cost to a bad reputation,” he wrote in a statement to employees. “It really matters what people think of us, especially in a global business like ours.” Read the TfL decision here. Link to full story in The Guardian.
Image source: MTA
