Bus question for Doc - our reporter on the scene

[Bennet]

Hey this is almost as good as the evening news with a live remote.

Lets go live to our man on the scene!

Doc

It from your reports, it sounds like the new bus system is for getting back from the parks to the resorts.

The bus driver I spoke with earlier this month said something about the program running in the morning. I took it to mean they would have CMs at the bus stops at the resorts helping get the busses to the parks. Anything like that?

Hope you are having a lot of magic and not doing so much reporting you are missing out on any fun.

Thanks
Bennet

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[RobDoc]

While I find the reporting a terribly time consuming and demanding job, SOMEONE has to do it!

We're having a great time as always and get a great deal of pleasure out of talking with CM's. (especially those who enjoy what they are doing and who they do it for!)

There are no dispatchers at the resorts in the morning (at least NOT at OKW). The dispatchers are at the parks and other venues (water parks and DD).

I spoke too soon earlier....the "On Demand" program crashed again today (computer problems again) and they returned to the "old" system apparently shortly after our somewhat positive experience this morning. I do believe this program has great promise and can be an effective answer to the transportation shortcomings here.

There are 18 more buses coming on-line next week- just in time for the opening of AKL. Stay Tuned!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[BobH]

A simple two way radio sytem would suffice to get a bus where it is needed. How is a computer system used in the new bus system?

 

[RobDoc]

They have some handheld PDA type computers- connected to a server which tracks the routes and position of the buses. I guess it does sound complex, but with over 200 buses, it is a little more challenging than a few walkie-talkies. They do use radios already (and have for years), but the system itself appears to be more involved.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[Janet2k]

Brer-Rabbit just returned from WDW and posted the "Bus on Demand" experience on the following thread: http://wdwinfo.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?q=Y&a=tpc&s=40009993&f=15009194&m=4540916921#8780923031. From what Brer described, it sounds like when it's working, it's a decent system.

 

[Janet2k]

By the way, Doc, I hope you're having a wonderful vacation!

 

[Pete W.]

I think they are using computers rather than just radios because the bus system is very complicated (as Doc said) but also because the ultimate goal (I believe) is to have an automated FastPass-type system at each bus stop which would be activated by guests swiping their resport IDs and indicating their destination. They're simply using CMs at this point as a test and to work bugs out before investing in the "FP" machines.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think Pete may have hit the nail on the head! It really would make sense to do it that way!

Disneydiane