PennDOT implements nation’s first statewide real-time public service tracker system

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the Fixed Route Intelligent Transportation System (FRITS) has been fully implemented at 33 transit agencies across the state. FRITS provides real-time service information for passengers, and enhanced transit planning for agencies. Passengers are now able to see their bus and how far away it is from their location at nearly three dozen transit agencies spanning 41 counties across the Commonwealth. 

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Riders can access real time service information including the location of the bus and predicted stop arrival times via the “myStop” smartphone app. Customers can also easily navigate between transit agencies using myStop, which is especially useful for riders in rural areas. For example, a passenger in Lemont Furnace who needs to travel to Greensburg can use myStop and view information for both Fayette Area Coordinated Transit and Westmoreland County Transit to identify which routes to use, where the bus is currently located, and easily plan their route. Additionally, because all agencies have had their routes certified by Google Maps as part of the project, customers can use Google Maps to plan transit routes as well and rest assured that route information is accurate.

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A month's worth of EMTA email rider alerts

I have been trying out the EMTA email rider alerts that you can sign up for in MyStop. 

The alerts are the same as those posted on the MyStop site, except they come to your email.

There is a text option but it was not working in the three times I signed up. I'm not sure what the problem is, but if it is available, EMTA needs to activate it, since a lot of riders would find it more useful than the emails.

I tried it out in three different email accounts. The screenshot below was from an account I signed up for January 26, 2023, and I stopped it at February 26. As far as I can I received them all, though it seemed like there was a curious gap for a couple weeks, maybe everything was running smoothly. 

Delivery issues

Alerts coming to each of the three email accounts had delivery issues. Outlook and Gmail sometimes delivered the alerts to another file. Yahoo Mail is still posting every single alert at 12:00 AM. ... every single one. None of them ended up in Spam so far. Again, having the text alert option might eliminate this goofiness.

Another advantage to alerts delivered to your device

Having an alert delivered to your device gives you a record of an issue that might have caused you a problem with getting somewhere. Your employer, instructor, doctor, etc., might accept your excuse a little more readily if you show them the alert that made you late. The alerts on the MyStop page disappear as soon as they are over, but you have the alert as a record. 

Click here for instructions on how to sign up for alerts

Click to enlarge  

EMTA email alerts

So apparently the MyStop tracking system can does actually give you email alerts. 

I tried when it was first set up five (?) years ago  and had issues with it, then tried it again a few years later and had a different issue. I got the impression it was a dud, so I gave up. 

On a hunch, I tried it again recently with a couple less-used email accounts. 

They both sent me email alerts, but with an odd difference. 

The Yahoo email only posted them at exactly 12AM.

The Outlook email seems to post them in real time. Now, I just signed up for the Outlook email, but if it actually works, that would be great. 

I originally signed up in Google, but never received anything using that email . 

Is it possible there is an issue with which email service you use? 

The email alerts are the same as the ones that are posted on MyStop. 

I have tried out about 20 different email alerts and this isn't my favorite, but at least it is an alert system.

You can sign up from the MyStop page (upper right-hand corner). In the photos I am attempting a walk-through of sign up from a desktop. I'll attempt one from the phne app please have at it!  

~~~~~

If anyone wants details about the issues I experienced, email me.  I avoided getting into details to make this more readable.

DESKTOP SIGN-UP:

Click on photos to enlarge

Go to MyStop page. Up in the right hand corner where it says Log In, that's where you register

If you have never registered, click where it says "Sign up here" (lower right). DON'T use the same password you use for your email.

Here is where you sign up. I think the reason they ask you for your name is because email without a name sometimes ends up in spam. Since I had already used my real name on the Yahoo email sign up, I gave myself a false name with the Outlook test sign up. If it causes problems,, I can go back and put in my real name. 

This is supposed to help you fine tune which alerts you get, but I couldn't get it to work. I will play around with it later, but I want to get this posted. i assume if you don't specify anything here you will get all alerts, and there aren't that many total alerts, so at this point it's not a big deal. 

POSSIBLE DELIVERY ISSUES

Spam

To avoid having your alert dumped into the spam folder, you can put it on a whitelist that instructs your email account to always accept emails from that address. 

Delivery time

Alerts should arrive in real time, like the ones I received today in my Outlook account:

If you are receiving them late like in my Yahoo email (midnight deliveries, see photo below) I'd like to hear your experiences, or if you have a fix that would be good to know as well.   

Text/Email alerts from peer agencies

Text and email alerts provide one of the best methods to reach transit riders concerning changes in service. And yet there are still many agencies that aren't using them. More mystifying is why some of those who have the alerts do not use them to go directly to riders' devices, even when they have alerts posted on their homepage and/or tracking app. 

I decided to look over the text/email alerts performance of peer agencies of Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) (When PennDOT is doing evaluations of PA transit agencies, it uses peer agencies for comparison. PennDOT and EMTA agree on peer agencies used for this comparison). 

The most recent EMTA evaluation I'm aware of is from 2020. That means the pandemic could have changed things after the evaluation. I'm going with what I have available to me.

 
There were 14 EMTA peer agencies listed in the 2020 evaluation of EMTA. Of those, I found six that offer rider alerts via text and/or email.

 
I subscribed to alerts offered by all six of those agencies that offered them. I was surprised to find such variation in quality. Obviously, I cannot evaluate them as accurately as if I were a rider living in any of these locales. This is what I observed from my subscriptions to these agencies' alerts: 

 

Chatham Area Transit Authority (CAT) Text alerts. Savannah GA area. 

Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) Text alerts Doesn't seem very active except for system-wide alerts. Chattanooga TN.

Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) Email alerts Duluth MN.They seem to keep up with their alerts

Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) Text alerts. Knoxville TN Seems to have stopped maintaining the alerts, but their format is still worth checking out. Especially like that previous alerts are archived so that you can pull them up in the event they caused a problem. They apparently have an ongoing workforce shortage, so that may be why text alerts are not being maintained? Worth finding out why.

 

Municipality of Anchorage - Public Transportation Department (People Mover)    Text alerts Anchorage AK. I've only started receiving these, so I don't know how well-maintained they are

Rock Island County Metropolitan Mass Transit District (MetroLINK) Text alerts and email alerts Serves Illinois Quad Cities region. Seems to be very well-maintained.

Below: Recent screenshots of text and email alerts from transit agencies that PennDOT considers "peers" of EMTA. 

Chatham (CAT)

Chattanooga TN (CARTA)

Duluth (DTA)

Knoxville TN (KAT)

Anchorage (People Mover) 

Quad Cities (MetroLINK)

Hurricane Ian rider alerts for one Georgia transit agency

Chatham Area Transit  (CAT) in Savannah GA has been texting its riders with helpful service information related to Hurricane Ian.

The messages come right to riders' phones, helping to ensure most will see them. 

I'm thinking these text alerts would be very helpful during Erie's snow emergencies. 

  

New shelter schedules easier to read

 The printing on the new shelter schedules is a lot clearer.

Routes that were out of order have been corrected as well.

These schedules are helpful, especially for people who might not be familiar with how the buses run, so making them easier to use is very important. 

EMTA Bus schedule from 1986

Here is an EMTA bus schedule from 1986. 

Hope you can read it, I had a problem scanning the images. 

Click on each image to enlarge. 

For as far back as I can remember, EMTA had put all the city routes together in a foldable 20x24 thing. Then in 2005/2006, when they overhauled the routes, they gave each route a separate schedule, and took some of the route details off. The Executive Director at the time said this is how they do it in big cities, which he seemed to think was a good thing. 

Anyway, regardless, this is how they were doing it in 1986, and I thought it was interesting. 

A couple things worth noting. 

The fares shown are in 1986 dollars obviously. According to a dollar converter I used, the 75 cents fare people were paying back then is equal to $2.03 on the day I compared it (8/8/2022). So if that's correct, it means the fare really hasn't actually gone up. 

 

Also, it looks like there were more trips back then. But then, our population has gone down and we've lost some workplaces. 

I noticed that an ad says "Compliments of Mellon Bank." So I guess they paid for the printing in exchange for the ad.

I made a point of captioning each one "SCHEDULE FROM 1986" just to avoid possible confusion.

SCHEDULE FROM 1986 - All city routes put together on one foldable map-size sheet. 

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

SCHEDULE FROM 1986

Fares - FROM 1986

Accessibility of Waterworks area at Presque Isle

The Waterworks area is the most accessible area of Presque Isle.

It doesn't really have a lot to do with bus service, but I figured since this is a stop used by the Presque Isle Express, I would share some basic information about accessibility. I will follow up with more specific information especially about the accessible beach area and the restrooms, but I wanted to at least get this started. Comments encouraged and appreciated. 

The Waterworks area has a network of paved paths that allow you to move around most of the area without leaving a paved surface. Within the area are a multi-purpose trail, a bayside dock, two sets of accessible restrooms and an accessible porta-john, an accessible  lakeside beach deck with a wide ramp, floating dock on a pond, smooth path to playground area and accessible picnic areas. 

Click photos to enlarge

Map is from Google maps, I did add some things to it specific to this article. 

CROSSWALK - If you require a smooth surface at all times, ask the bus driver to leave you off at the crosswalk. Although the area is well-paved, this is the only place where the road connects to the paths.  The surrounding area is packed dirt and grass, so if you don't require a flat surface you can still get around, but this is the spot for "smooth landing."

Crosswalk on bay side

Crosswalk looking toward lake side 

RESTROOMS - All restrooms are accessible. The Rotary Pavilion restroom area path is smooth. In addition to a men's and women's room, it also has a single, straight-entrance restroom in the middle. Also water fountains at two heights. The other rest area is in an unpaved parking area on the bayside, and. the surface of the parking area there is packed dirt and small stones. There was an accessible porta-john by Cabin #1, but I don't know if it is removed in off-seasons.

Restrooms in Rotary Pavilion area

MULTI-PURPOSE TRAIL is an ADA accessible 13+ mile loop around the park, and is used by people using mobility devices as well as hikers, runners, cyclists, skateboards and others. Generally people are respectful of each other; etiquette tip: stay on the right side and leave room on the left for oncoming and people wanting to pass. Although the map calls it a bike trail and there are some cyclists who would like a dedicated trail, this one is called multi-purpose and it is for all manner of moving around.

Multi-Purpose Trail used by everyone

FLOATING DOCK extends into the eastern pond. There is a smooth bridge connecting it to the dock, and a wide deck.with benches. Fishing is allowed from the floating dock. Note: I don't know why the bridge leading to the dock was crooked on this visit. But it is still wide enough to accommodate anyone who wanted to travel on it.

LAKESIDE BEACH DECK AREA - There is a large accessible deck on Beach 7. There is a wide ramp area that leads to the deck. If you travel by private vehicle, there are about six spaces reserved on either side of the entrance to the deck. 

In years past there has been a mat leading from the deck to the water's edge, but it was gone this year. I called the park office about the mat, and they said although it was removed from Beach 7, there are mats on Beaches 8 and 11. I don't know how long these are left in place, and would recommend checking ahead ( 814-833-7424 ) if you plan to use them.

PLAYGROUND AREA PATH Playground itself has sandy floor but there is a smooth pank path and bench so one can watch and supervise. 

PICNIC AREAS - The cabins #2 and #3 and pavilion are accessible inside but only open to parties who have reserved them. Cabin area path is an unpaved road. Cookhouse shelter (bayside)  is often reserved but when it isn't, people who want to eat or take a rest will sit down at the tables. Cookhouse shelter is paved and has wide aisles but sometimes tables block the way from the path. Individual tables are up for grabs but usually on the grass. 

WHEELCHAIR RENTALS?  unfortunately the bike rental business does not rent mobility devices like beach wheelchairs or even the garden variety mobility devices. I guess they have their reasons, but it seems like an odd omission since they rent all kinds of other wheelie things. Presque Isle Partnership is working on making beach wheelchairs available though... check it out  UPDATE: As of 2024 Beach wheelchairs  available to borrow for free at Beach 8 and Public Safety Building (ranger station.)

BUS STOP INBOUND - The inbound bus (heading back into town)  is located a little to the east of the paved crosswalk. The berm is pretty solid, but if you need to stay on a solid surface, I guess stay on the outbound crosswalk and wave the driver down? Perhaps this could be addressed by drivers and those who would be affected by an unpaved surface. 

Surface at inbound bus stop is packed dirt 

Presque Isle Park Office  814-833-7424

Other areas on Park:

Beach 8 visit July 2024 shows recent accessibility features and some other cool stuff.  

Beach 11: Quick look at Accessibility  posted on Facebook June 2023. I checked this out because EMTA Presque Isle Express was running a bus shuttle to the Wednesday concerts at this beach. 

Accessibility at Waterworks area at Presque Isle July 31, 2022 A couple years ago wrote about accessibility at the Waterworks/Cookhouse/Beach 7 area a couple years ago, if you want that sort of into:

More Presque Isle info:

Presque Isle  info from DCNR

Accessible Erie: Presque Isle State Parke from Accessible Erie A project of Voices for Independence

Park and accessibility information    

Mobi-Mats - Presque Isle Partnership 

Presque Isle Partnership Projects (Past and Present) 

Comments sent to EMTA board about Greyhound closing and restroom access

I just sent this comment to the EMTA board to be read at their monthly meeting. EMTA owns the Intermodal Center that housed the Greyhound station:


Hi I know the Greyhound issue is being addressed but i want to implore you to take some sort of action yesterday regarding bathroom issues
Yesterday as I was taking photos in that area a middle aged man arrived to catch his bus to NYC. His face expressed alarm when he saw that it was closed. I told him he could accompany me to the library and I would show him the restroom area. He was very grateful.
There are apparently some instances that are a little more problematic. I will spare the details.
️Immediately there should be noticeable signs directing persons to the library next door.
Also well-maintained porta john or two is absolutely called for.
These are not controversial measures, and could have and should have been enacted
This is in the interest of EMTA, Greyhound customers, the City of Erie and all other tenants of the building. Please act immediately.
Thank you.
Deb Spilko

Erie Greyhound station update

The Greyhound station is still closed, though still served by Greyhound buses.. At least to the best of my knowledge, Greyhound has not communicated their plans in Erie, or if they have any plans to speak of.  

Efforts to address situation

At June EMTA board meeting Dave Robinson EMTA (Community & Governmental Relations) said he was working on the issue with with City Council President Liz Allen, and City Councilwoman Jasmine Flores, city council liaison to EMTA.

Haven't heard if Visit Erie has been involved, but they should be. Not a good first experience for visitors or newcomers. 

Change in status

The Greyhound site now describes the Erie stop as a "Curbside stop" and carries the message "Effective May 1, 2022 this location will no longer have local staff available. If you need to purchase a ticket via Credit Card or Cash, go to Greyhound.com" Here is the Greyhound Erie PA page. The page  states that the stop is open 24 hours a day, which is a tad misleading. 

Shelter, restrooms and safety

Several local people have suggested at least at this point the need for porta john and some sort of shelter for passengers waiting for buses. This was also discussed at last month's EMTA board meeting.

Also, it seems to me that if Greyhound has no intention of returning to the Intermodal Center, it would be worth considering moving the stop elsewhere. As pleasant as a bayside stop is in the warm weather, that will soon change. Also there might be other locales that could provide shelter, restrooms and safety ... all of which are problematic at the present location. 

Customers also need to know how to buy tickets without having to go online. I see the info sheet inside the Intermodal door says you can buy tickets at: CVS, Family Dollar and Walmart (local stores) and others that are not available locally are 7-Eleven, Ace Cash Express, and Casey's. I also saw cash pay info on their website, but it flashed so quickly (literally a fraction of a second) that I had to video it to get a screenshot (see below). The cash pay information flashed after I clicked on "Buy Tickets" After some very specific searches I did find the info online here ... dated March 3 of his year, so I guess this move away from staffed locations goes beyond our local situation. 

Backgrounder:

Greyhound bus ticket office closed in Erie; buses are still running

Greyhound's Erie PA page 

Photos of building are from June 23, 2022 and July 5, 2022. Greyhound website screenshots from June 28, 2022. Click to enlarge

Editing notes:

Slightly edited for clarity 7/23/2022

CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

Current waiting area. Two benches, some rain protection, pay phone removed long ago. 

Looking through window, east wall, signs still up

Looking through the locked doors from inside the west side of the building. 

Information from website could be confusing. "Open 24 hours"?

Notice on Greyhound website 

Company website offers where to buy tickets with CASH, but it literally flashes so fast (literally a fraction of a second) I had to video it to be able to get a screenshot.

Buses still arrive and depart but station now considered "curbside" 

I am assuming it was EMTA who had to post these notices advising Greyhound's confused customers

One letter sized notice on back door. Tinted glass makes it hard to see, easy to miss 

Not much of a welcome.