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DRPA plans iPads for top aides to cut paper costs

The Delaware River Port Authority has purchased iPads for some of its top officials to cut the printing and distribution costs of agendas and monthly reports.

Researchers looked at 100 people with this type of vision loss and found that their reading speed increased by at least 42 words per minute when they used the iPad tablet on the 18-point font setting, compared with reading a print book or newspaper.
Researchers looked at 100 people with this type of vision loss and found that their reading speed increased by at least 42 words per minute when they used the iPad tablet on the 18-point font setting, compared with reading a print book or newspaper.Read more
    by By Paul Nussbaum, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

The Delaware River Port Authority has purchased iPads for some of its top officials to cut the printing and distribution costs of agendas and monthly reports.

The DRPA expects the $9,000 cost of the iPads to be more than offset by an annual savings of $25,000 to $30,000 by getting rid of paper, spokesman Tim Ireland said.

Twelve of the 16 DRPA commissioners will be issued iPads; the other four already have their own. Several senior staffers also will get DRPA-issued iPads, Ireland said.

The iPads are to be returned to the agency when the commissioners or staffers leave the DRPA, Ireland said.

DRPA is following other transit agencies - and government agencies - in making the shift from paper agendas, minutes, and reports to electronic versions.

SEPTA recently stopped mailing printed agendas and minutes, posting that data on its website instead. SEPTA board members have been issued iPads for the last two years, assistant general manager Francis Kelly said.

"In the long run, it's a cheaper, greener solution than sending a couple pounds of paper to 16 commissioners and 40 or 50 staffers every two weeks," Ireland said.