Transcript LIAA Community Center Software

NMRide.net
A web-based tool for connecting carpoolers
Janie McNabb,
Community Relations Coordinator
NWM Council of Governments
LIAA Community Center User’s Conference
August 10, 2007
Traverse City, MI
Transportation Barriers
• Population dispersal across relatively
large geographic area
– People with low incomes live outside urban
centers
– People with low incomes have difficulty
with reliable transportation
Transportation Barriers
• Employers identify poor attendance
and/or punctuality as a primary reason
for termination – much of which is
caused by lack of reliable transportation
(source: Poverty Reduction Initiative Employer Survey, 2005)
Northwest Michigan
Transportation Alliance (NMTA)
• NMTA was created to address
transportation barriers and increase
options
• Collaboration of more than 20 human
services agencies
• One full-time staff person supplied by
BATA
• Non-emergency health ride
NMTA – Employment & Training
• Focus on transportation for Employment
& Training purposes
• Carpooling was identified as feasible
option
• How to connect riders and drivers?
Ride Share Web site
• Central location for carpoolers to
connect
• Connections made that otherwise would
not be made
• Low administrative overhead (versus a
call center)
• One more tool in transportation options
“toolbox”
Ride Share Web Site
• Met with local employers for feedback
• Employers supported idea
• NWM Council of Governments offered
to create and maintain web site
• NMRide.net
Challenges – Security Fears
• Personal information on the Internet
– Hid address information from public;
contact is made via email
• Carpooling with strangers
– Safety tips: meet in public place, etc.
• Release of liability disclaimer in User
Agreement
– Must agree when self-registering
Challenges - technical
• How to Use this Site page
• Terminology used on site
– Made it clear, easy to understand
• Form should be easy to fill out
– Place names and addresses
• Visuals
– Maps
NMRide.net
Challenges - current
• Lack of use
• Promotion
• How to deal with feedback and
implementation of suggested changes