ALERT!: Public Transit Emergency Info Questions - ALERT!
July 16th, 2007NOLA.com after initial review of its hurricane center website makes no reference to the Emergency.louisiana.gov website in addition to its references exclusively to NOAA. NOAA recently forecasted a storm on the wrong day according to one blogger. No one is perfect, however, and one system should not be depended upon alone for information.
In addition to this lack of information proliferation on the web the Emergency .louisiana.gov website lists the transportation link towards the bottom of their page where after clicking to access the LA DOTD the quick link to Emergency info is unavailable and non-responsive. This is going to require more follow through!
And along with follow through, you would think that the link to “Evacuations” from the Emergency.louisiana.gov would include public transportation information. It does NOT.
This map does not indicate the local roads available in the different parish’s, which may be vital when attempting to locate shelter information. There are many shelters utilized en route that require local road map information. The Emergency.louisiana.gov website lists stopping points where shelter information will be available during an emergency. It is unclear from the state evacuation map where the local roads play a role in evacuation planning. Common snese and experience tells us that local roads can be hazardous as they are often lined with timber and gas stations infrequent or undersupplied.
River Parishes ready for new transit system
Pre-owned bus option may speed process
Sunday, July 15, 2007
By Victoria St. Martin
I searched for info on the transit systems available in the different parish’s, but St. Tammany Parish was the only one mentioned to have a contact phone number. The following article did not indicate, upon initial review, other numbers to call for evacuation or sign up for evacuation in the event of an emergency. The article was not dated but cited May? 2006 or 2007? as the last time anyone called St. Tammany for evacuation sign up.
Buses to evacuate any who can’t drive away
But leave on your own if you can
By Meghan Gordon
West Bank bureau
Emergency. la.gov did not mention public transportation in the event of an emergency evacuation, either. I’ll have to further review the public transportation web site. It was already clear that the CPTC transit from Baton Rouge did not have any available information concerning evacuations. New Orleans stated, humph, that it would assist other parish’s in evacuations. I can’t depend on the New Orleans Parish transportation system if I live in one of the River Parish’s. Both the New Orleans transit system and the Baton Rouge transit system require more information and investigation.A simple search at the Emergency.la.gov site did not immediately reveal public transportation evacuation information utilizing “public transportation” or the phrase “transportation” on 07/16/2007. There is a link towards the bottom under Agency Links for the LA DOTD that as I mentioned earlier offeres a “quick link” to emergency info BUT IS A DEAD LINK.
The links to the New Orleans RTA indicate that citizens are to call 311 to sign up for evacuation - only after they take a survey. The jpg image mentioned 800 numbers to call “at the rear end of this brochure” that are not available at the website. The jpg should be in PDF form for ease of reading, especially due to the map present. it cannot be viewed on my computer. I have 20/20 vision, folks. The map is way too small. In June, at the beginning of hurricane season, this website (Emergency.louisiana.gov) was unavailable for several days. Information from CATS concerning evacuation (Baton Rouge) was unavailable. I did not recall reviewing the New Orleans RTA website on June 1, nor do I recall links from CATS to the New Orleans RTA.
Neither CATS nor Jefferson Parish Transit had evacuation information for the public on their websites 07/16/2007.
Where can I get more information?
Call the LA Swift information line toll-free at 1-877-94-SWIFT (1-877-947-9438). If you have already called the information line but still need more assistance, call the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development toll-free at 1-877-4LADOTD (1-877-452-3683).
info@brcats.com
Contacts
| Administration Office: | (504) 364-3450 |
RTA Contact Information
Telephone :
Paratransit : 504-827-7433
| Please direct all route and schedule information requests to: Rideline Hours : M-F 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Telephone :504-248-3900 Email : rideline@norta.com Telephone : 225-929-8302 with voice mail Fax : 225-389-7706 –> Email : mmajor@norta.com Please direct all media inquiries to: Rosalind Blanco Cook Telephone : 504-908-3691; 225-929-8392 Email : rcook@norta.com Please direct all employment questions and verification of employment to: Telephone: (225) 929-8378; (225) 929-8380; (225) 929-8403 Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Please direct all inquiries to: Tim Fenasci, Clear Channel Telephone: Office-504-523-7105; Cell-504-915-8160 Email: timfenasci@clearchannel.com 401K Benefits : 1-800-554-6513 Orleans Parish OEP : 504-415-1158 American Red Cross : 800-438-4636 |
LA DOTD email comments! Please help
Welcome to the
Louisiana Department of Transportation
and
Development
Public Transportation Section
Website
The mission of the Public Transportation program is to improve public transit in all areas of the State so that Louisiana’s citizens may enjoy an adequate level of personal mobility regardless of geographical location, physical limitation or economic status.
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Public Transportation Section
8900 Jimmy Wedell
Baton Rouge, LA 70807
Phone: (225) 274-4302
Fax: (225) 274-4314
2006 Annual Transit Conference
No comments:
Post a Comment