News & Events: Press Releases
August 2007
BAY TOWN TROLLEY ANNOUNCES RIDER UNDER COVER AGENTS
As Ridership Numbers Grow Trolley System Elicits Feedback from Riders
Media Contact: Allison Fogt
850-878-5531 x223
afogt@kidd.com
(Panama City, Fla.) - After months of reviewing applications and interviewing riders, the Bay Town Trolley staff has selected the following "agents" to serve as the eyes and ears of the system: Lisa Brock, Virgil Mayville, Lee Ard, Christopher Mayeux, LaVonna Coombes and Jerry Patterson. Selected agents are part of the Rider Under Cover Program, which launched earlier this year and will continue through July 2008.
Applicants were required to be monthly pass holders, ride at least four times per month and have been riding the trolley for at least one year. These six riders met the criteria and continued to exceed expectations. Those chosen exhibited extreme familiarity with the system, clearly articulated feedback and had a sincere passion for Bay Town Trolley and the community. When asked why they wanted to participate, these Bay area residents expressed a desire to give back to a system which had significantly impacted their lives.
"These riders demonstrate a true desire to help improve the system and I am glad they have answered the call to 'duty' from Bay Town Trolley," said Doug Boice, general manager for Bay Town Trolley. "I anticipate that they will be very instrumental to the future of our system."
As Bay Town Trolley celebrates 12 years of service and unprecedented growth, they want to make certain that riders are receiving the quality service they deserve. July 2007 ridership reached 35,241, bringing the yearly total close to a quarter-of-a-million passengers. This represents a 43 percent increase from the number of riders at this time last year.
"As our mission states, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life as well as meeting the growing needs of our community. It is our goal to continually enhance the service to meet this increasing demand, and what better way to do it than through the Rider Under Cover Program," said Beth Coulliette executive director of the Trolley. "I am thrilled to have these six agents on board. They are truly inspiring and we look forward to their feedback over the next 12 months."
The six agents will go about their normal routines observing the trolley experience. Each agent has been provided with a padfolio to record their personal feedback. Once a month the agents will be responsible for submitting "surveillance" reports, which outline positive and negative experiences, as well as general feedback.
When the reports are submitted, the trolley staff will review the observations and address changes accordingly. All feedback will be taken into consideration for both short-term and long-term planning.
Agents have already provided some initial feedback, applauding the trolley system for placement of new benches and shelters, attracting new riders and simply impacting people's lives throughout the community. Topping their list for improvements: extending service into the evenings and weekends. One rider in particular, Lisa Brock, says that extended hours and days will help her enter the workforce when she is done with school.
"With extended service, I would have more flexibility with my job hours during the weekdays. It would also allow me the opportunity to explore the community on weekends," said Agent Lisa Brock. "Hopefully my role in the Rider Under Cover program will enable me to better the trolley system as a whole, giving back to a community which has extended their hand to me in so many ways."
For more information on the Rider Under Cover Program or to interview an agent please contact Kelly Robertson at (850) 339-1336 or at krobertson@kidd.com.
Bay Town Trolley is an award-winning transit system that serves the growing needs of Bay County, Monday through Friday, with hundreds of stops daily. For more information about Trolley routes and service call (850) 769-0557 or visit www.BayTownTrolley.org. Bay Town Trolleys are equipped with bicycle racks and wheelchair lifts.
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