New computer WDW bus dispatch?

[sndral]

When I arrived 11/29/10, the bus drivers kept referring to the new computer dispatch system when people complained about long waits. One day leaving DTD the driver even stopped the bus, stood up and gave a speech about it then walked through the bus handing out free pirate swords to the kids (not sure if girls got something else) - delaying us longer, of course.
The delays I experienced seemed pretty typical of the usual WDW bus inefficiency, eg business as usual, so I asked a bus driver about what was going on. He said that the new computer dispatch eliminated a lot of idle time for drivers waiting @ TTC to get through on the radio. He also said that @ park closings they reverted to the 'visual' system where on ground cast members were directing where to send buses - I didn't know they did this, but that explains the 3 buses to every other resort while you wait and wait and wait (human error.) Anyone else know anything about the new computer system for the buses?

 

[Missytara]

That is funny, because I was there the week after Thanksgiving. One of the bus drivers from POR stated that they were trading in the rest of the "......" buses and filling out the fleet with the newer "......." buses.

I asked if it had anything to do with some sort-of computer upgrade - since they had been doing so much to the other systems, and he said, "You know, that would make a lot of sense."

 

[Magicbus]

Anyone else know anything about the new computer system for the buses?

There is no new computer system. The current system has been in use for years.

I asked if it had anything to do with some sort-of computer upgrade - since they had been doing so much to the other systems, and he said, "You know, that would make a lot of sense."

Sounds like a non answer. Replacing buses is nothing new. It's been ongoing.

 

[cranbiz]

The only thing different in the dispatch system is the fact the computer is now forwarding the dispatch to the bus instead of the coordinator radioing the bus. IMHO it's not working too badly.

To the OP, the bus system is not perfect, it's mass transportation. It does the job, pretty good most of the time. You are always free to rent a car and drive yourself if you don't like it.

 

[joelkfla]

There were a couple of other enhancements: adding time to the bus's ETA when the driver records a wheelchair being loaded, and the ability of a driver to tell the computer when a bus is full and no further guests can be picked up. Previously, the full bus notification was broken and drivers were instructed not to use it.

Small steps, but progress towards the goal of a dynamic scheduling model (if it ever happens.)

 

[Magicbus]

There is no new computer system. The current system has been in use for years.

The only thing different in the dispatch system is the fact the computer is now forwarding the dispatch to the bus instead of the coordinator radioing the bus.

Small steps, but progress towards the goal of a dynamic scheduling model (if it ever happens.)

Wow, the Three Musketeers, the Three Amigos, the Three Stooges, of buses. I figured I'd throw the last one in before someone else did.

 

[DOOM1001]

The one thing I know is new for bus drivers is that they now are responsible for cleaning protein spills.A young kid had a protein spill on the back of the bus we were boarding,the driver said he wasn't fully trained on cleaning it yet but they were going to be responsible for it starting this week.He threw some disinfectant powder on it and that's it since he wasn't fully trained on cleaning it,he then called it in so it would be cleaned at the next stop.

 

[Magicbus]

The one thing I know is new for bus drivers is that they now are responsible for cleaning protein spills.

They're running that ridiculous idea up the flag pole to see if any drivers salute it. I told the trainer, as many other drivers did too, I'll clean up puke when hell freezes over.

 

[Missytara]

The only thing different in the dispatch system is the fact the computer is now forwarding the dispatch to the bus instead of the coordinator radioing the bus. IMHO it's not working too badly.

I was kinda hoping this was true, to make the DTD hub much more efficient. Last year, it seemed great, because there were two people there radioing into dispatch what buses were needed - they could physically see how many people were sitting waiting at the various areas.

This year, I was very surprised how convulated everything seemed. I like to use the DTD hub because I am at POR and I went to a lot of resorts for dinner this time and rarely went to the parks, which is the other way of getting resort to resort.

I was sitting in wait area no. 1 one day - dropped off from POR and waiting for the OKW bus. Several times, a bus would approach the stop sign just before the hub area - and hesitate, then change the sign on the front of the bus to what resort they were picking up. I monitored the buses as they came in, but was also quite frankly watching them as they exited onto the highway, which was right across from me.

I watched four POFQ buses, as well as five SSR buses go by me; with a random POP or ALL Stars bus go by. Not much else.

Lo and behold, I look up and there are three buses in a row that had made the loop and were waiting to turn onto the main highway and they all three said "OKW." Not one ever picked me up. By then, I had been there 35 minutes.

I finally found a guy with a radio and a clipboard wandering around, looking sort-of lost. I asked him about a bus for OKW and he said, are you ready, "One will be along soon." I said, "No, three just went right by me without even acknowledging or picking me up." I stood there while he radioed back to dispatch and told them what happened and sure enough in about two minutes, here comes an OKW bus.

He waited for a few minutes to see if anyone else was coming along for the ride and I asked the bus driver, what gives?

He said they were doing what was called "dead-heading", they would be dispatched from the parks/resorts runs as needed at the DTD hub.

Now I understand how this whole thing works.... or doesn't sometimes.

Needless to say, I love, love, love the transportation system - it is better to let someone else do the driving.

 

[cranbiz]

There is no reason for a driver not to pick you up, even if it is a deadhead route. He's going to the resort, why not take you. I do. It makes no sense to go with an empty bus when you can take guests with you. This is just a driver being lazy and using the "Deadhead" name to avoid picking up guests. Management won't write you up for picking up a guest on a deadhead run, it just is good business practice.

Unfortunately, not all drivers think like I do (or Magicbus and Joekfla)

And NO, I won't be cleaning up protein spills. I have not been "properly trained" by WDW nor have I had the Hepatitis shots to protect me against bodily fluids.

Isn't it interesting that this came about during stalled contract negotiations? Want to bet this will be negotiated out of the job description when the new contract gets passed and the union will take credit for it.

 

[Missytara]

There is no reason for a driver not to pick you up, even if it is a deadhead route. He's going to the resort, why not take you. I do. It makes no sense to go with an empty bus when you can take guests with you. This is just a driver being lazy and using the "Deadhead" name to avoid picking up guests. Management won't write you up for picking up a guest on a deadhead run, it just is good business practice.

Yes, however, why did the three buses pass me by, with the DTD sign still on their bus, make the entire loop and then got the exit the bus said OKW and all three in a row were empty. I know I would have noticed them at Stop no. 1, since I was sitting there the entire time?

They had to change over the sign somewhere after they passed the Stop no. 1, but before they made the turn from the loop to the exit.... At one point, knowing that I was not supposed to - I started to walk out towards the bus and wave my hands to the bus driver, but Mr. Clipboard did chastize me for stepping out into the traffic lane - which is correct for him to do that.

Just didn't make sense.

 

[cranbiz]

I can't answer that.

I do know if one of those drivers were anyone who participates on this forum, you would not have been passed by. We know where we have been dispatched to before we get into the Marketplace. The only time in the morning where we might pass you by if our instructions were to drop off at the Marketplace and head over to PI for a break. But that would usually result in DTD on the marquee or something else like Stitch, Rapunzel, etc.

I know that you acknowledged it was wrong, but everyone, please don't approach a moving bus. Stay behind safety lines. Company policy is once in motion, we are not allowed to pick up anyone unless we can safely pull into a designated load zone and that is at the drivers discretion.

 

[Magicbus]

Hey CranBiz, good to see you on the boards, where you been?

Yes, however, why did the three buses pass me by, with the DTD sign still on their bus, make the entire loop and then got the exit the bus said OKW and all three in a row were empty. I know I would have noticed them at Stop no. 1, since I was sitting there the entire time?

I would like to think that they didn't see you, but 3 buses, don't know what to think. I also would like to think that the vast majority of drivers pick up, even on DH runs. As Cranbiz said, why not, I hate empty buses. I'd rather have company on the ride, but like any other large company, Disney does have some slackers. I'm still puzzled that 3 passed you by.

It's of little satisfaction now, but I have noticed a concerted effort at all the hubs to pickup what are called upstream riders in the AM. I believe we're doing a better job than even a year ago. So maybe it would be different now.

 

[cranbiz]

Been busy, started a new Computer Service company in Deland. This working 3 jobs really sucks up my time.

Its good to have a little time to get back to the boards.

 

[clkelley]

It's of little satisfaction now, but I have noticed a concerted effort at all the hubs to pickup what are called upstream riders in the AM. I believe we're doing a better job than even a year ago. So maybe it would be different now.

For somebody that likes to go to morning EMH, then back to the resort before 9am, I LOVE better upstream runs