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2011 Comes to a close

2011-12-18T13:19:00.001-08:00

Well, its that time of year again, time for it to end. Seemed quick, and while I don't feel like I did much this year, looking back i actually did.

So this year biggest event to me was the approval of the CRC to save Metro (and my job), and that includes plans to dump the RFA by Oct.

While I visit Vancouver quite a bit, a highlight for the year was my visit Calgary for a couple of days (videos are here) and to Banff to take in some awesome views. Also had a one day visits to Spokane & Eugene for some transit riding.

A few other things to mention, the arrival of new buses, including Metros Orions & 60' Restyled New Flyers, and Sound Transit 60' non-hybrids.

Don't forget that Al visited us in Seattle, landmark event for him!!

I finally get to ride the West Coast Express Commuter Rail.

So, 2012? Sounder is supposed to extend to Lakewood next fall, major changes at Metro coming soon with routes drastically changing and the Ride Free Area vanishing, I'll be watching.

Below is the year end video looking back at this years filmings, don't forget to follow me on twitter if you don't for blurbs from my travels out and about. Thanks to you for reading and watching, have a great 2012!

West Coast Express

2011-12-18T11:07:00.001-08:00

On Dec 10, Translink hosted its yearly Santa Train event, which includes a ride on the weekday/peak direction only West Coast Express Commuter Rail. This is a very difficult train to catch as a one day trip to Vancouver from here, so its much later departure, plus on a Saturday finally made this possible for me.

Just a few things to comment on about the operations of the WCE. First thing I noticed was a coffee shop on board the train. Get coffee and snacks all in route.

Like Sounder platforms, WCEs platforms are built to accommodate 7 cars, however, our train was a 10 car train. It appears 10 cars trains are a normal operation for them as well as they had the stopping down to a science. Clearly a 10 car train doesn't fit in the platform, so Cars 1 and 10 have the exit doors roped off and disabled, cars 2 and 9 have the doors closest to the end of the train, respectively, roped off in the same manner and only one door opens at stops. All doors open on cars 3-8. Might be the future of Sounder trains if ridership continues to rise.

If you purchase a "Return Ticket", lingo for RT ticket, it provides 2 things Sounder tickets do not. First, one way fare for the entire line is $11.50. A Return Ticket provides a slight discount, $1, AND it is valid on all Skytrains, buses and Seabus all day long! Despite our calls to Sound Transit to give us our day pass back, they refuse. (There is nothing wrong with a day pass Sound Transit, it makes things easy to use and understand, do YOU understand that?) ST should return Day Passes to paper tickets, for all to use.

One thing I was surprised WCE does not have is WiFi. There is none. If your spending upwards of 2 hours on this train per day, sure would be nice. With the high cost of this train, it should be an included service.

Overall is a very scenic ride, top speed I measured was 120km ph, or 73 mph. They have several ticket machines at every station as this train (like all of Translinks services) is honor based fares.

I took a few videos of the ride if you'd like to experience it for a YT point of view. I have hinted at Translink to run a train on a Saturday during the summer, but their response didn't sound promising. So for now it will be cloudy scenic rides.

Amtrak tests eTicketing in Northeast

2011-11-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Not in Portland Oregon, but the other Portland. Starting today Amtrak is testing out a new eTicketing program. You will be able to print off your ticket from home and simply take it aboard the train. The conductor will then scan it to mark it redeemed. What makes this even better, this will work with smartphones. You will be able to pull it up (much like Groupon offers) and it can be scanned and redeemed right there with no paperwork at all. Another upside for those forgetfuls, if you lose or misplace the eTicket, you can print another one, unlike paper tickets which are just like cash. Currently this is being tested on the Downeaster line between Boston and Portland ME.

Some details about eTicketing, It can not be used with Multi-Ride tickets, Monthly Passes, Group Tickets, onboard purchases and tickets issued by anyone except Amtrak (i.e. travel agency). Currently any itinerary with travel off the Downeaster line can not use this program yet, unless you purchase the tickets separately from your other travel plans. If all goes well, Amtrak hopes to roll this out across the system in 2012. Another agency joining the paperless revolution. I myself have a smartphone, and its very nice to be able to pull up coupons and paperwork on your phone for viewing or redeeming. Soon, with the recent introduction of mobile boarding passes on some airlines, travel is becoming almost paperless.

Amtraks Facebook post

TriMets Budget Woes

2011-10-26T10:11:00.001-07:00

So TriMet is at it again, claiming budget woes on the backs of it riders. According to Twitter reports, TriMet is considering another fare increase, and service cuts. Relying on a method of taxes tied to the job market, what did they expect in a recession? We all know TriMet thinks outside the bus, but never outside the box. One of the Board Reps suggested deleting WES service, since its the largest money loser in TriMets toy box. Why doesn't TriMet look at other possibilities for revenue? While we all know that MAX is a culprit, that they won't admit to, that ship has sailed and been fired at plenty. Heres some ideas, with the first being most import, and probably most controversial.

Cut the salaries of all Managers, Directors and Executives by 15%. Most of these employees make over $100,000 per year (Thats anyone with the above words in their titles, or who act in such a capacity). While they say they have had a wage freeze, and cut positions, theres more that can be done here. There are over 100 employees making over $100k per year that fall under the above category. That is a savings of at least $1.5 million! Those who actually provide the service to the riders, have taken a pay cut, in the way of the forced upon Medical Premium sharing costs. The riders have put up with less service, less options. The nation is tightening its belt, and TriMet Admin/Execs has done this in almost every way, except to themselves. These people are selfish to keep making these above average salaries on the backs of its riders. If you can not afford the paycut, then you shouldn't be living outside your means in a economic climate like this, and it certainly shouldn't become the problem of your riders and customers. Take a paycut to preserve service, to preserve jobs, and to do the right thing in this economy.

Add 3% to the Hotel Occupancy Tax This option can only be exercised after the option above has been put into place, its not fair to add taxes when execs are raking it in, and we will not be using these taxes to fund their salaries. In 2009 there were 19,465 hotel rooms available in the Portland area (Vancouver excluded), on average the occupancy rate is 63%, or 12,263 rooms occupied each night. Adding 3% to the tax is $3 per $100 spent on the room. The average room rate is slightly less. This has potential of up to $13 million in annual revenues. If this tax was in acted, it should be put in stone that it can only be used for bus operations. That is Bus Fuel, Bus maintenance, Bus Cleaners, Bus Drivers, VM personnel, Bus Shelters, Bus Flags etc. It may NOT be used for mangers of ANY kind, or capital projects under the exception of bus purchases or Bus Rapid Transit. The funds may not be used for MAX or WES under ANY circumstance. Also, the current operations budget must remain in force, you can not shift money from the current budget from bus to rail because of the new funding, this is made to improve bus service, and maintain high levels of quality bus service all over the region. The tax would only apply to the TriMet service district. This tax effects mostly business travelers and tourists, which many use the Free Rail Zone to get around the city centre. A weekly stay at $100 per night would cost $21 more for the week, its not much, but helps a great bit.

Charge $10 per year to car registrations An option just exercised here in Seattle, this should be a last resort option, and only added if the above two options are insufficient. Owning a car is a luxury, and this is minimal amount to help preserve bus service, or provide better service! This option adds $10 per year, or $20 to your car tab renewal. Theres about 520,000 registered cars in Multnomah county, adding up to $5.2 million per year, not including Washington and Clackamas counties. While this usually doesn't mow over well with car owners, they need be reminded their SOV status is causing much more harm. The terms of spending this revenue would be the same as option 2 above.

So its time for the Execs and managers and directors to step up, take a cut until things turn around, and help the agency do what it supposed to do, provide transit service to those who need it most, and to those who are willing to ditch their cars for it. Time to end the top heavy spending that TriMet has so selfishly held on to so tight, and provide a world class transit system. Your budget woes should include high salaries and service cuts at the same time. Once you have done that, then lets start the path to not good bus service, but GREAT bus service!

In completely unrelated news, TriMet is hiring Part-Time Bus Operators.

Free Rides dwindling in Portland

2011-09-08T10:12:00.001-07:00

The Portland Afoot website, or magazine as its referred to is reporting that the Portland Streetcar is about to can the "Free Rail Zone" and leave that for MAX riders only. Making it fair for all riders of the system that will be riding from the eastside to the west as the Streetcar grows in size.

Unfortunately, with this plan, the Streetcar plans to charge more, MUCH more for a pass product. Currently the annual pass is $100 (or $8.33 month), the proposed pass will cost up to $45 a month. While it is a far cry from TriMets $81 pass that just increased double the usual price at fare increase time, for those in the NW or S Waterfront areas, it will be quite a jab in the wallet.

With all this, there is hope that better fare enforcement is coming, but there are no plans as of yet. Read Michaels entire entry, including the fare details on his site, Portland Afoot.

Meeting and Vote on the Congestion Reduction Charge

2011-09-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

King County Metro is Saved from deep cuts, RFA going away

2011-08-12T11:07:00.001-07:00

At a press conference this morning, it was announced that the Council has come up with the super-majority votes needed to pass the $20 Congestion Reduction Charge. With the deal, the Downtown Ride Free Area will be phased out by October 2012.

So, Metro Service is spared from deep cuts, and pay as you leave is leaving soon. There are some other parts to the deal, but these are the ones that matter most to me.

A Day Out: Sulfur Mountain

2011-08-09T19:45:00.001-07:00

Filmed July 1 2011

A Car is a Luxury, Transit is a Need

2011-07-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

This was in response to many comments I see circulating the internet in regards to the $20 car tab fee for transit:

Because the media feeds info into your head, then you explode it like a turkey in a deep fat fryer into unreasonable assumptions, let help you better see, one life of a Metro Bus driver.

Not all Metro Drivers make the top scale, or make $60k a year. I am a Part Time operator, got this job after 16 months of unemployment a little over a year ago. I make $19.93/hour for my first 2 years. My regular shift has ranged in the last year from 2.5 hours to 3.35 hours per DAY! I am able to scrounge for extra work, and I get some here and there. Like over 1000 of my co-workers, I am on track to make around $20,000 this year (many will make less, very few will make more). This is the same as making only $9.61/hour if working a 40-hour week. According to all of you, this apparently calls for a wage reduction, because I am living the high life in my room I rent. Health insurance is not free to every operator. I do not have it, because it would cost me about $130/month, or about $1600 of my $20,000 salary. Everyone thinks we make too much money, of the 2700 or so operators, only 1700 are FT, and make the 60k yearly salary (some do not due to other reasons, like unpaid leaves). Sure, Some do make a lot more, but they worked for it. It wasn't a "Government handout", its not a performance bonus, we don't get those. They put in the extra hours to keep a bus going. Why do I do this, because I enjoy the work, unlike some people, it isn't always about the money.

Metro blows exactly $0 on light rail trains. Stop assuming thats their problem. Go knock on Sound Transits door if trains are a problem with you. Sound Transit pays for Metro to operate the trains. If you put a comment out there, saying your not voting yes because Metro needs to stop building trains, then your just the lazy/undereducated one for not learning about things first, and making grand assumptions. Don't forget all those Carpool lanes, those were roadways built with transit dollars. But because you SOV around town, those are of no use to you as well.

Why should you pay for something that you don't use? Well, lets see, you pay for Police, Fire, Schools, Parks, etc. I bet you love the Police when they pull you over for speeding, how about the fire department that you need to yield to, such an inconvenience, you have no kids in school, and you hate the noisy family friendly park......yet your paying for all of it! Transit is a public service, Like Police and Fire, it provides a service to the community in which you live in, and is not out to turn a profit. Its easy for you to say "Cut it". But you know, that sales clerk at Nordstrom that sold you that suit, that server at your favorite lunch spot that delivered your food, how about the IT support guy at your work, they could have all taken the bus. Why? Because on low retail/server salaries, they can not afford the LUXURIES of an automobile. $90/month is better for them, or is more affordable. Some people do not like paying for outrageous parking, or dealing with the current traffic situation. "Cut it" means some of them will not be able to serve you, or show up for work, only making our struggling economy worse. Just because the cost of riding the bus doesn't line up with your car payment, doesn't mean one isn't being "fair". Transit touches everyone in some fashion, be it the clerks at your favorite shops, the gas station attendant, or the fact that my bus kept 100 SOVs off the road and out of your way, don't think because your not using it, that it doesn't effect your quality of life.

A change I agree with, Ride Free Area needs to go away. A lot less money could be spent on one bus route that circles downtown, which I have proposed. Also our Transit GM makes less than the CEO of Community Transit, close to $30,000k/year less, and look how well they are fairing.

The squabble over $20 a year for two years, its $1.67 a month. Pocket change. Either way, you will be paying for it, thru $20/year, or through longer travel times in your SOV on the interstate. And little ol me? Well, if this fails, not to worry, I won't have a job to worry about going to, I will return to your taxpayer funded unemployment and food programs.

For what its worth, I'd be happy to contribute $20 of my paycheck once a year to help, sound fair?

A Visit, a Few Rides on Calgary Transit.

2011-07-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

Calgary Transit reminds me of the phrase "You don't know what you got until its gone". Real-Time Arrivals, A/C on Buses, Schedules at stops, Smart Card, Easy Access to schedules, TVMs that accept Credit Cards, Bills, and dispense Monthly Passes. These are all things Calgary Transit DOESN'T have. Tho very few machines do have Credit Card readers, they are few and far between. Real-Time Arrivals are coming for Rail in August. Some of my other observations while I toured Calgary on their system.

Park & Ride lots are plentiful around the Light Rail, but many offer only weekday parking because its being borrowed during that time. We parked at Crowfoot, since we drove in from the West. Upon arrival we were greeted by a TVM That only takes change. Now since we didn't have $16.50 in change, we had to walk to a nearby 7-11 to get Day Passes. Once on our way, the ride was quick, its only about 20 min to Downtown from the beginning of the line. The trains top out at about 52 mph, and appeared to be partially automated. That is where the train has its own right of way, it drove itself. It was controlled by the driver on surface streets like Downtown. Light Rail has NO Priority Downtown. As a matter of fact, it has no signals downtown either. It follows the regular traffic signal cars and peds do. In Downtown, the Trains and buses share the same travel lane, but again, no signals. It was not uncommon to see a bus pass by you while you wait for a train, and a train pull in right behind it. Then as a train leaves the station, a Bus is following it right out. This method didn't seem to cause too many back ups with trains or buses, but once in a while a train gets stuck at a light. All trains were 3 cars long and packed at rush hour, with trains 2-3 min apart. No autos are allowed on 7th Ave.

Once out of the city, the McKnight Line travels in the center of a main arterial. The ROW had cement barriers on both sides lining the tracks. Intersections had crossing arms, allowing the train to go faster than 35 mph in the middle of a roadway. All the stations have raised platforms, which are not level with the trains high floor entries. Wheelchairs still must deploy a ramp to board (similar to TriMet). Many stations had enclosed waiting areas with heaters, for Albertas cold winters. Much like TriMets (newer) MAX Stations and Sound Transits Link, there are no schedules posted at Light Rail Stations, only posters with Headways, and first/last trains of the day. The trains were partly comfortable. The older cars have no A/C, and those can get stuffy, even with the windows open. All trains had automated announcements, tho the announcements on the older cars are very hard to hear, and have no readerboards.

I only had time to ride one bus line, I picked the BRT 305. I wanted to see how it compares to our own RapidRide Line. It doesn't. They use 60' LFRs on the route, but they are in the standard Calgary Transit Livery. The seats are far from comfortable. Theres no automated stop announcements, not even next stop displays (except for the "Next Stop" Stop Requested Sign). Hardly any of the buses destination signs show their destination. Their BRT line is more like Express Service on lets say like the 18 here. There are no BRT "Stations", or glorified stops. So I guess BRT means something different in each city. But RapidRide looks pretty good compared to their BRT.

Finally I took photos of buses too, when I had the chance. MCI Classics, NF D40LFs, and D40LFRs were to be found in service everywhere. It didn't appear any buses have A/C. Most of the buses use the same seats as the D60LFRs, the older buses appeared to use the same seats as the light rail trains.

Fares are $2.75 for 2 hours, 8.25 for a day pass. The track on 7th Ave Downtown is a "Free Fare Zone". It does not apply to buses. Monthly $90. Books of tickets can be purchased for $24 for 10 tickets (providing a pre-purchased savings). Youth Passes are $54 and are not valid during Summer Break.

The Light Rail is honor based as well, and we had our fare checked once each day (once appears in the video above). Much to the complaints of Transit Sleuth about Metro, you really need to plan ahead to use the Calgary system, with buses destination signs reading only "Route 96" and nothing else, you couldn't just hop a bus to anywhere. I do think they have a text based arrival system, but its scheduled times. After riding Calgary Transit, a lot of the complaints i hear on the twitterverse and blogasphere about Transit here at home seem.....blah!

Be sure to check out my Flickr set of Calgary photos, and YouTube videos. I will still be adding videos over time since those take much longer to upload.

At a Glance: Spokane Transit Authority

2011-06-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was able to take a very short trip to Spokane Washington, and ride a little bit of the system there. I uploaded many of my photos to Flickr, check them to get visuals of the equipment, and "The Plaza".

I rode the bus from the hotel is was staying at into town, the 61. Was a Gillig Low Floor. Upon arriving Downtown, you are dropped off at a massive transfer point known as "The Plaza".

The Plaza is one block, all STA. On the North and South Sides you will find all the bus zones, The West side had a few shops, and the East side had paratransit bays. Head into the Plaza, you'll find Schedule Displays, which hold TV monitors of the scheduled arrival times and what zone to find your bus at. Plus all the paper schedules of their routes. Head Upstairs, and youll find the Bus Shop, open Mon-Sat to sell you bus passes, answer questions, and buy a Smart Card. There is also a TVM in the Plaza, of which you can buy a 31-day pass or reload your SmartCard. Buses are Timed Transfers at The Plaza, at least on weekends.

I purchased a Smart Card, It was $12, $2 for the card, plus $10 of value. You can only buy the card at the bus shop, not from a TVM or any vendors. It can be reloaded a bit easier. The biggest thing that surprised me about the card, it does not hold transfers. The only thing the card is capable of, is paying your fare. If you want to transfer, you still must obtain a paper transfer, known as a 2-hour pass. Tho, the upside is, you can buy a day pass from the farebox in with this method. Also, the smart card does not have online access to load or view balances. You are able to register the card when you buy it, but you must visit the bus shop to deal with a lost card. Fares were $1.50 per 2-hr ride, $3.50 for a day pass. They also offer rolling 31 day passes on the Smart card, and in paper media format.

The equipment was newer than say TriMets. STA has purchased a handful of Gillig Hybrids. Most of STAs fleet is Gillig Low Floor, they do have a few New Flyer Artics, but they are not out to play on Saturdays (though I heard they should be out on a few routes from the riders). Personally, I do not like the low floor Gillig model, the one level windows is not optimal in the low floor section of the bus. I have heard they have issues climbing hills and running the AC at the same time. I think they look more boxy than the NF D40LFs. The neat thing I liked, was when the ramp was deployed, the floor raised up a bit to level off with the coach floor, making it easier to board, and not having a lip to deal with. I would take a Gillig over a Nova anyday tho! They also used a stepped up on seating inside the bus, and the buses didnt seem too trashed.

You think your service ends early? Bus service in Spokane is scarce after 9:30pm on a Saturday and 7pm on a Sunday (still beats Community transit Sunday service levels). The busiest routes have 20min headway service, while most other routes are 30 min, and (most) hourly. I wasn't there for a weekday, so i have no comparisons. The buses I rode were busy, the 25 was standing room only. The busiest route I understand is the 90.

So, SmartCard: Yes, Paper Transfers: Yes - Mag Stripe, DayPass Available: Yes, Hybrids in service: Yes, Frequent Weekend Service: No, Late Night Service: No. For the size of the city, the transit seemed a bit of the skeleton nature, and I read more cuts were coming. As someone who rides a lot of transit, I'd rate STA Satisfactory, it has 7 day service, but short hours of service, low fares, day pass and on board with smart card technology. The Plaza had some info on future plans, including considering Rapid Lines, Streetcar and Light rail. Will be interesting to see what STA does in the future.

Driving a Bus Is.....

2011-05-17T12:21:00.000-07:00

Have you been keeping track? If you have, you'd know its been a year, when I added "Operator" to the things I do Transit. Its been fun, its been challenging, its been a new experience. So for all those that wonder, I share my experiences, raves, and rants in:

Driving a Bus is.......

"Learnable". I hear a lot of people say "I wouldn't want to drive those things". Why? With the help of the very patient training staff, you get the tips and tricks you need to leave your mark on a curb, and not a lamp pole or parked car. Things that I realize later, the cars are just as afraid of you as you are of them, but for the most part, you fit in your lane. And the most important part of your bus is? Take a guess.

"Sightseeing". I often say "I have a corner office that rivals that of most CEOs". In an office, you can look at pictures on Twitter of the outside world, a CEO can look outside and see a few of these places, driving a bus you are those locations. From my office, I have seen Deer, Autumn Colors, snow-capped mountain ranges, and 30 different ways to wear your pants. It is possible to see something new everyday that you had not imagined before.

"Entertaining". Well, this is in the eye of the beholder. If you come into this thinking your going to get a comedy show, then you will be pleasantly pleased. You would think that driving a "Less desirable" route in the morning hours is different, and it is. Though, it seems some of the prime time entertainment still finds its way on. Picture a perfectly quiet 358, only thing humming is a hybrid engine.......and potholes. A pair of ladies up front, in no particular fashion ask each other if the other has any remaining fortified beverages, apparently they were out, but they will see about solving that problem later. The quiet ride then continued. The entertainment is constantly changing, onboard and off. From a guy telling you a joke as you unload in the tunnel, to the completely out of sync dance crew on 3rd Ave, theres never a dull moment.

"Shocking". The Stupids, i think is how most of us refer to them. The red hand means walk, the crosswalk is a sacred painting and should not be walked on, and we always make right hand turns from the left lane. Another item that never ceases to amaze me, the things people do in front of a bus.....usually without thinking about it, or missing beat. I really had no idea how big of an organization Darwin Inc is. There must be some universe I am unaware of where changing lanes directly in front of a bus is actually a good idea? Although Darwin's are no strangers to pain, theres really no other way to look at it then "that will hurt". More on this in a moment.

"Disrespected". This one is simple, in general, a SOV (Single/Selfish Occupant Vehicle) will do things in front of a bus they don't do to other autos/SOVs. For example, a car wont signal if it wants to merge, or wants over in front of a bus, but will for other cars. If theres 2 cars and bus, all with the same spacing traveling down a street, a car turn will almost ALWAYS pull out in front of the bus, letting the 2 cars go, even if no cars are coming behind the bus. Some call it "Behind-the-bus-phobia", I call it disrespectful and selfish. Your SOV is not as important as the upwards of 60-100 riders onboard my bus. One other tactic in this category, SOVs that race up to cut me off, and after they do, i look back and see maybe 30, 40 car lengths behind me, I mean come on, really. Finally, the cars that tailgate another car to avoid letting me in. The "Luxury Class" is most guilty in this one, if they are not able to change lanes, they simply wont let you in, there is no way my $600k-750k vehicle getting in front of their $50k plus vehicle.

"Jawdropping". The other things people do on the roadways. Cut off a bus with less than a smart car length left in front of me, and it happens so much you get used to it, and for some reason surprises me every time. The most popular is the "Nose Dive". This is the car that signals at about the first (big) window then moves over as they clear the corner of the bus. The signal is useless if I do not see it before you make your lane change. Theres the move over that occurs in this order: drift, signal, terminate signal, finishing drifting. What is so hard about that turn signal switch? The turn in front of a bus maneuver, this has happened only a couple of times to me, and ALL were close calls. There is NEVER a good time to make a turn from an adjacent lane and cross in front of a lane occupied by a bus. I am not referring to the ones that make a lane change listed above then makes a turn, this maneuver the vehicle is perpendicular to your vehicle when its in your path. Finally, things pedestrians do to catch a bus. In my experience, this has included 2 incidents I recall, one where one didn't look both ways before crossing an intersection to catch a bus servicing a stop. These runners don't see traffic signals, oncoming cars or buses, they see 3 people left to board and better get a move on. This person came with inches of being hit, I was able to stop in time. The second is the jaywalkers, or better jayrunners, these run to catch your bus from the other side of the street, behind or in front of your bus. I remember once a pair of high schoolers yelling wait, then I heard car horns. I very kindly let them know my bus is never that important, they thought it was. But hey, they are teenagers and are invincible right?

"Different". This is job is very different from other jobs. Theres no impressing your supervisor or Manager. Your Real boss? Just turn around and look, you can see them, watching, reading, daydreaming, listening to music. You keep your riders happy, and its a great job. Want to be a grouch, they can make things very miserable for you (tho I have no first hand experience in this). When my riders hop off and say "Thank You", Thats the real job performance feedback right there. I love seeing many different people, as well as my regulars, its an awesome mix. Bus Riders, Make the best Bus Drivers, it's true. Been on that bus that takes turns like a NASCAR, Blames schedules for their tardiness when the other driver runs it on time? These are drivers that do not ride the bus. They do not know what it is like to hold on tight, to depend on that bus to get someplace, to miss a transfer. Now, as both of driver and rider, I watch other drivers, and see what to do, and what not to do (someone in Training is thinking "Learning Bad Habits" I bet).

"Rewarding". While driving a bus warrants lots of restraint (at dumbass drivers), its a lot. I still find it fascinating, I take a bus out, worth more than the cars that cut me off in any case, pick up these people who depend on me to take them home. As a long time bus rider, Its nice to return the favor, you know that feeling of the bus showing up, the driver getting you there safely and comfortably, and you hop off and your home. Even as a rider, I feel sometimes we all take it for granted, everything a driver is doing up there is more than fares and calling out stops. Sometimes we are the on board concierge, providing directions, recommendations and in some cases a review or two.

"Fun". While a lot of what I said seems like complaints, its a really fun job. I take alot of the "complaints" and blow them off, you can't let them get to you, and I don't. I feel I have really mellowed out since I started this job. Driving a big bus around town, enjoying the great sights of the 4 seasons, the skyline, and crossing bodies of water, theres not too many other jobs that can top it.

So Personally, my favorite route to drive so far was the 216. the 71/76 run on 50th gives me grey hairs, a narrow street where cars park on both sides....builds character i guess. I have driven the 5, 18, 21, 41, 56, 64*, 65*, 76*, 77*, 214*, 216, 218, 346, 347, 358 & 545. (*= worked a shakeup) Soon adding the 72 and 74 to that list, among some others on vacation reliefs. If you like to follow some of my adventures out there, I send some things to my twitter account that I find interesting.

So heres to another year, and lets see what new items I have for the list next time.

Community Transits CEO explains her side

2011-04-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

Watch this video from the Puget Sounds highest paid transit CEO:

My Response: She continues to blame the recession for another round of cuts in February. She shows the sales tax revenues dropping, but in the last year, the decline was small, and some how that still yields a 20% cut. She says bus purchases were delayed, they are receiving new buses, much of which are funded from elsewhere. She's prepared to support growth of Snohomish County, with bus cuts? She also mentions ridership has declined, wonder why, oh right, no Sunday service. The interview between Emmett and her say the recession appears to have no end in sight, yet they are projecting higher sales tax revenues. Buy Local for transit: this only works if those who depend on transit can get around on transit, say for example, on Sundays. She again says the revenues do not look like they are coming back, despite the projections.

She promises Responsibility for today, but in this video, she was never specific on what they have cut internally, upper management wise. I think a 20% pay cut is in order for Admin and Execs, see how that adds up!

Poll Results: Many of you Want ETBs to hang around

2011-04-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

88% of the 27 votes I got here want to keep ETBs in the Metro System, but 11% don't, wonder why? The Public Meeting is tomorrow, and we expect the actual decision very soon.

What do you want to see happen with King County Metros Trolley Bus System?

King County Metro changes the seats

2011-04-14T20:47:00.001-07:00

I was able to tour the newest buses about to hit the streets here in Seattle. I spent a short time looking at King County Metros newest 60' bus, and their new 40' Orions. Other photos from this visit can be found on my Flickr Account.

The biggest change, are the seats! Many agencies use these seats, and have for some time. They include Portlands TriMet in their Buses and Trains, Vancouver Translinks Buses, Los Angeles Metro Rapid Buses, Philadelphia SEPTA Buses, and Orange County (OCTA) Buses, to name a few. Metro has been using borderline premium seats in all its buses. Seats that are expensive to repair and replace.

It has been in my travels, that these new seats are durable, and despite the removal of the coil based cushions, these seats are comfortable. They are shaped ergonomically, and very space saving. The seat covering Metro chose is the same as the seats in the current in service 6800s, a vinyl, non-slip surface. These seats resist soaking up odors, spillages and more. Overall, these seats will help save Metro money, and will provide a better experience for the rider. It is very possible you will see these seats in all future Metro buses, including RapidRide, and personally I welcome the change.

This blog turns 2

2011-04-13T10:28:00.000-07:00

April 9 2009 is when this blog was born.

And some thought it would only last a few months.

Don't forget my other components to this blog that have since been created:

Flickr

Twitter

Thanks to all my readers, commenters and more, for stopping by from time to time.

PSTO Blog deleted.

2011-04-12T10:17:00.000-07:00

Jeff, while not answering any of my requests for info, has now posted the fate of the blog.

What I Think: CT is about to tip over

2011-04-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

Today, Joyce Eleanor, the areas highest paid transit CEO released a statement that more cuts are looming. In her letter, she says tax revenues are down. Per the Budget page, 2007 was $76.6 million, 2008 was $71.7 million, 2009 was $62.3 million and 2010 came in at $61.5 million. CT is projecting $62.7 million this year. From 2007, revenues are down $15.1 million. Or, if you want to add it up per year, Grand total loss $34 million. From last year its only $800,000 less. So where does that equal a 20% service reduction? Are fares down this much? She says the cuts when all done will equal 1/3 of the employees and service it had in 2007 (33%), but the sales tax revenues are only down 20%. Lets not forget fares were raised twice, so we don't know how much of that helped make up the lost difference.

Snohomish County already has lost Sunday Service (and Holidays too), how much more can they do to the area? Buy Local for transit, if on Sundays you cant get anyplace on the bus, your not shopping. Then, they want to lay off more employees, who will not have the money to buy taxed goods. Heres some tough questions: What if the execs and admin took a 20% pay cut? Would that save jobs? What if bonuses were cut (since service is being cut, there should be no bonuses)? What if OT is curtailed, watched more closely (execs & admins)? Can CT save jobs, and maybe restore (some) service then?

The Herald article on this has a statement from another Snohomish County transit agency Everett Transit, "We're like everyone else, we're still behind where we were in 2008 (in tax revenue) but we have seen several months of measured improvement, we're hanging in there." The article also mentions Sound Transit giving a similar statement. CTs Facebook post is already full of comments by people who are fed up with the agency.

I think its time for this top heavy agency to look at other alternatives, and take service cuts off the table. This is just my take, but you can read the budget plan here, and make your own opinion. Public Transit is a service to the community, its not like shuttering under-performing retail stores, this is something those with no car depend on, it shouldn't be treated like this with so much upper management.

15th Ave Bridge to reopen Apr 15, 3 routes move back

2011-04-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Seattle DOT and their contractor have finished the important work on the 15th Ave Bridge in North Seattle and will reopen it Friday April 15th.

As a result, as you can see in the photo, King County Metro Route 73 will no longer serve Roosevelt Way and will (once again) begin servicing 15th Ave on Saturday April 16. Routes 77 & 373 will also make this change on Monday, April 18. Route 68 will still serve Roosevelt b/t 80th and Northgate Way.

As part of Metros stop spacing project, Not all stops will return. Northbound the following stops are scheduled to open: 15th Ave @ 80th St, 85th St, 90th, 95th, 100th, 103rd St, Northgate Way, & 115th St. Southbound is 15th Ave @ 115th St, Northgate Way, 104th St, 102nd St, 94th St, 89th St & 82nd St. Route 73 also makes the existing stops at, (SB) 80th, 75th, 70th, 65th, Cowen Pl@ 15th Ave, Univ Way@ Ravenna Blvd, & (NB) at Cowen@15th, 15th Ave@ 63rd, 65th, 70th, & 75th. Cowen, 63rd, 68th, 73rd and 77th are listed on the stop spacing website as currently open, but on the closure list.

Seems TriMet is trying to steer you away from Twitter

2011-04-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

In the last couple of days TriMet has been sending tweets, even emails out to steer you from sending any complaints, suggestions or commendations to them via social media. One reads "Have an experience you'd like to share?", then gives a link to their comment form. Another "Do you have a question or comment about our services?" Also complete with a link to the comment form.

They have even went to the extent to send me an email:

"Do you want to give us feedback about one of our operators? Do you need to report a broken ticket machine? Do you need to report an item you lost or found on one of our buses or MAX trains?

Visit trimet.org/contact to find the reporting forms for all of these issues.

You can also contact Customer Service directly by calling 503-238-RIDE. Thank you for your feedback."

Unlike Translink in Vancouver, TriMet wants to use Social Media in a one-way format, don't bother them with your questions, unless you want to use the form or call. TriMet has been very slow at adapting to Twitter, sending out service alerts late, and just "sorta" using it. Skimming thru the TriMet Twitter they are answering peoples questions and complaints (mine too), but judging by all the attention being given to "Use the form", they do not want to be answering you on Twitter, and maybe they are trying to run from it. TriMet needs to learn from Translink pilot Twitter project, which is VERY successful, it was made permanent.

TriMet has also taken this to Facebook, there are a few very vocal people (that it appears TriMet ignores, because the only respond to those who praise the service).

TriMet: Twitter and Facebook are great ways to communicate with your riders and users, embrace it, don't ruin it.

King County Metro says Trolley Buses should stay!

2011-03-29T20:05:00.000-07:00

King County Metro here in Seattle has released its initial findings into the Electric Trolley Bus system, and the direction its headed. The conclusion of this report is positive for supporters. KC Exec Constantine said "the trolley buses are clean, quiet and modern trolleys can be very cost effective to operate over their lifetime".

Right now Metro runs 159 ETBs, 100 40' Gilligs and 59 refurbished Bredas. Those need to be replaced soon, and KCM was toying with ETBs, or Hybrids as their replacement. We have nearly 70 miles of wire around the city which carries 1/5 of the total ridership. ETBs traverse the steep hills better, and provide the city with a quieter transit system running by their homes.

I personally am happy to see this. Now Metro will look at new low floor equipment, which will help loading times with easier boardings. Also helping the decision seemed to be the fact that the new equipment will be able to run off wire for a couple of blocks if a blockage occurs (something no streetcar can do) with back up battery power.

There is a public hearing on April 27, which I hope will be positive. This will keep our ETB system, and upgrade the equipment for better mobility, and reliability. If you can, head to the meeting and show your support, and keep Electric Trolley Buses in this great city!

I have also created a poll in the right side bar, cast your vote!

Life is.....at any moment

2011-03-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

My thoughts and prayers are with those and families of the 3 people killed in Kelso by a train on Wednesday. One was an engineer with the BNSF who was 58, almost to retirement. Another was a Conductor Trainee, a 28 yo learning the job. Also, the Shuttle Driver, a 60 yo did not make it, but was not a railroad employee. The conductor, a BNSF employee is in critical condition at OHSU in Portland, he is 52.

I used to be a Crew Hauler for UP a few years ago, the easiest job on the railroad. You had to be alert tho, you don't look once, or twice, you check about a half a dozen times before crossing tracks. Train equipment is very unforgiving equipment, and the last thing you wanted was to be in its path. There are thousands of employees who run this equipment, and work with it in the yard, you are always on the lookout. Once when I was picking up a crew at the North end of Brooklyn Yard in Portland, an Amtrak train went by, at 50mph. Theres no crossings, therefore no horns, no bells, just it whisking by pretty quietly. Its a good job, but one mistake is usually your only mistake.

Unfortunately, the railroads continue to try and cut costs to boost profits, and have hired the cheapest they can contract with. That doesn't go without saying these drivers are not trying to be safe, but when your paying these guys minimum wage, you get a lower quality of work. I hope this incident sparks some changes.

As a transportation blogger, and once a railroad worker, this is a loss to our world. Its just a reminder of how short life is....and you never know. Be Safe in everything you do!

Bus AD Fail

2011-03-22T13:05:00.000-07:00

Whoever put up this ad didn't seem to notice,

How's My Driving?

Photo credit EBOperator

Crystal Method - Comin' Back

2011-03-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

This is a bit of an older song from them, I really like it, plus I forgot how cool the video was.

Al's Weekend Out in Seattle

2011-03-02T09:43:00.001-08:00

Dave Stubblefield moves to Flickr

2011-02-28T23:23:00.000-08:00

Check out his photos in their new home on Flickr.

McGraw Square - An Idea That Makes No Sense

2011-02-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

McGraw Square, a little "Transit Friendly" park at the Southern Terminus of the Streetcar Line. the SDOT Blog touts "The new plaza makes it easier to travel around downtown, and enhances connections from [SLUT] to other options like buses and Link Light Rail".

What?? That is farthest from what it does. The "park" did not add bus stops, add an entrance to the tunnel, nor did it make it easier or friendlier to cross that intersection to connect with transit. This was a $900,00 waste of taxpayers dollars, that could have been used to improve transit downtown, like adding shelters in the form of the high raised glass canopies that protrude from a nearby building. I just do not see this as an improvement on any transit related transactions, except a better encouragement for jaywalking to/from all sides of the park.

Save the Date - Adron Halls Transit Beer: Seattle Edition

2011-02-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

February 26, 2011. Transit Beer is something local blogger Adron Hall started a few years ago in Portland. Its an informal get together of the local transit blogging community. Thats people who write, read and love talking transit. We usually go to a local establishment where you can order food and drinks, and converse.

This will be a chance for many of you Seattle readers to meet Adron, the writer behind Transit Sleuth and a chance to meet me. Also special guest from Portland, the TriMet driver and ranter himself, Al M will be there.

The place for this is at the Frontier Room, Belltown Seattle. Use the map below to get directions, be sure to select "By Transit".

View Larger Map

I would love for my Twitter readers/followers, blog readers, and everyone I talk transit with to come on down and say Hi. There is no agenda, just come by, sit down, grab a bite, and have fun! Do let me know if you might make it, we will need to know how much space we might need. You can RSVP to the event here. If your not a Facebook user, you can leave a comment to this post.

Hope to meet some of you, and to chat with some of my longtime readers!

TriMet wants money it could use for buses for Light Rail

2011-02-15T12:42:00.001-08:00

TriMet, the agency so many outside of Portland praise, wants to use all the money it can get from a Flexible Funds Program to fund the Milwaukie Light Rail project. Doing this would not allow TriMet to obtain funds from it for 6 years for bus replacements.

This further proves TriMet wants to be a Light Rail agency, and wash their hands of bus service. Sadly, it doesn't surprise me. What is it going to take to get TriMet to use any funds it can get to replace buses that are barley holding on? I think the bus assignments should make sure that the oldest equipment runs on the routes upper management claims they take, maybe that will give them a better idea?

See the whole story at the Cascade Policy Institute Site.

TransLink the leader in Social Media?

2011-02-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

In the last few months, TransLink, Vancouver BC's transit provider, has staffed a person to run their Twitter account. It is typically updated from 6:30am to 11:30pm every day. The service comes from the customer service call centre, with one morning person and one afternoon person monitoring and sending out messages from the account. They send out reroute info, tips for riding, and upcoming transit changes. You can also send them a message, and they will respond to you very quickly.

As of right now it is a pilot program, that keeps getting extended month after month. I follow this account and its great to see what they are doing. Closer to home, Metro is trying, alerts get out about reroutes and issues, but what if they did the same thing Translink is doing? Although, I have reason to suspect if Metro had the level of activity as Translink, a few STB bloggers will still find something wrong with it. I think its a great idea, as I have mentioned before, this is a platform that people use, and its great to see Translink take it to the next level.

You can read about the project, submit your feedback, and look at stats of the first month of the project on their blog.

Update: This project is now permanent!

Rant: Poor Planning leaves you waiting longer

2011-01-26T11:53:00.001-08:00

15th Ave between Pacific St and 55th st in the U-District is a treacherous road to travel, dips, potholes everywhere. Well, SDOT is on track to fix that, but not in a fashion to make things any better. If you have traveled through this area recently by bus, odds are you were delayed. If you have traveled through here by car, please don't.

SDOT decided to close one lane in each direction at the same time, leaving only one lane open in each direction for buses and cars to share. The left turn lane into Campus from 15th has been abolished, causing longer back ups and delays, simply because only one bus can make a left turn per light cycle thanks to all the cars who chose not to avoid this stretch. A handful of routes come off of Campus Pkwy, must make a quick Right then left onto Campus, and typically this takes about 1-2 min at most. Now its taking upwards of 10-12 min at just this intersection. While Metro could detour us, its very possible they are simply unaware of what SDOT is changing on a whim and the after effects it is having.

So if your bus travels thru the U-Distric and even touches 15th Ave, it might be late, and work with us, we are trying. While cars who choose to not avoid the street and find a less traveled alternative such as University way or other streets to the West, and buses fight for the light (some fellow bus drivers are not so kind to let buses that have been waiting a while go ahead), your bus might be late, 10 min even. If you have complaints in regards to the late service, please do not call Metro, its not our fault, call SDOT! I'm sure the same office that made lanes narrower than a bus is wide for bike lanes had something to do with this planning.

The upside is I myself will not be driving thru here after Feb 5th, but I feel for the operators that will until they are done.

Sound Transits D60LFR hits the streets

2011-01-08T23:41:00.000-08:00

In my travels today, I came upon Sound Transits newest Non-Hybrid 60' bus running on CT operated Route 510. ST9557 is a quiet bus even with a regular diesel engine, and looks pretty slick. Check out the photos below taken by Dave Stubblefield while I was shooting the video seen at the bottom of the post.

Sounder to Everett - Passenger View Winter Sun Timelapse Version

2011-01-03T10:15:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T09:15:00.001-08:00

With a little help from the Angry Birds Cast!

Schedule Changes to Amtrak Cascades Service 1/3-3/31

2010-12-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

Union Pacific Railroad is going at it with Track Maintenance again, this means some changes to Cascades and Coast Starlight Service from Jan 3 thru March 31.

Trains 500, 506, 516, 501, 513, 507, & 509 have no changes.

Train 504 and 508 will not run.

Coast Starlight 11 will depart Seattle at 11:45a arrive Portland at 3:50p & 14 will depart Portland at 6:20p and arrive Seattle at 10:45p.

Train 508 is canceled, and replaced with 514, departing Portland at 5:15p arriving Seattle at 8:50p. Judging by the travel time, this train will still be Talgo Equipment.

This leaves a bigger gap in morning departures from Seattle, and delays one Portland departure by almost an hour. The Coast Starlight will run the entire route from Seattle to Los Angeles by train. Schedules revert back on April 1st 2011. The WSDOT Passenger Service Notice is here.

TriMet employs its usual 'MAX is Priority' Plan

2010-12-21T12:20:00.001-08:00

TriMet has been awarded a federal grant for a system to recoup the energy from braking. It will cost $4.2 Million, to save $168,000 in energy costs. Thats a little over 23 years to recoup the cost spent. $4.2 million will buy 7 hybrid buses, or 10 regular buses (approx costs).

This is the usual stance TriMet takes, they get money, ask for money, set aside money for MAX and rail projects, and continue to neglect the deteriorating bus system. Are you surprised?

As 2010 comes to a close

2010-12-16T09:47:00.000-08:00

Its another year in the books. Personally for me it was a year of a lot of changes. I have relocated from Portland to Seattle, and added driving transit to my frequent transit riding lifestyle. Without a doubt, TriMet is still a focus in my blog, now that I work with a similar company, its interesting to see the comparisons. I have started a twitter feed to send out my rants and raves on. I also want to thank some of the Seattle bloggers for the warm welcome, and partaking in my blogging adventures. Heres a look back at some of the highlights (and lowlights?) of 2010, plus, of course, a year-end video, my yearbook of some of my favorite videos made throughout the year.

Steve Banta departs TriMet, bonus in hand I have heard, for another Light Rail happy job in Phoenix.

The new leg of the Portland Streetcar, Eastside Loop, begins construction.

Metrolink gets new Commuter rail cars, to help improve safety.

Neil McFarlane is the new GM at TriMet, replacing Fred Hansen, although his approval rating is not as shiny as we were hoping for.

I take one last trip around Portland, Video-blogging my adventures before heading to Seattle and getting settled in for my new adventure.

I look into what local and regional Transit CEOs are making, some of the numbers were surprising!

While getting us all excited, TriMet orders new Hybrid buses!!! Shame its only 4.

I blog about what I think TriMet is doing wrong, twice, from being all sealed up to not spending money on buses.

Sound Transit takes delivery of new buses, While TriMet puts out a bond measure to buy more, and it fails in counties with cut service.

King County Metro Launches RapidRide, its first BRT line!

Let it snow, Let it snow...My first snow as a bus driver, and how I think Metro handled it. Have you signed up for alerts yet? Metro, TriMet

My idea of how to dump the Ride Free Area in Seattle.

King County Metro Drivers Ratify a new contract, only 18 days after expiration, TriMet Drivers still without one for almost 13 months now. But hey, after a long stint of hiring management only, now you too can be a TriMet bus driver, just apply!

A Translink Vancouver Trolley bus visits Seattle. Meanwhile Skytrain turns 25.

And how about some fun for the holidays eh? Translinks Reindeer bus is out and about!

Also, a recent run down of new and old transit blogs around the region. A new one to add, a blog by AdriC, Rantings of a Regular TriMet Rider. While it lacks in personally written articles at this point, its is actually a good round up of whats on other blogs, and seems to be regularly updated. Its added to the fellow bloggers list!

With that, I end 2010 and look into 2011's crystal ball.........Metro will get more new buses, start another BRT RapidRide Line, TriMets Orange Line will continue to help the public lose trust in the agency, and a classmate of mine that I think I am rubbing off on, I hope to see a blog out of him maybe someday.....I thank many of you who read this blog everyday, it gives good reason write, and have a little fun once in a while! Be Safe out there, Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Poll Results: McFarlanes Approval rating is at 24%

2010-12-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

Heres the results to the most recent poll regarding McFarlanes performance as GM with TriMet. A total of 33 vote were logged, a record for this blog, but I think represents an accurate view of my readers. Why do you feel McFarlane deserves a 24% approval?

Approve	8 (24%)
Dis-Approve	25 (75%)

(Approve 24.24% Disapprove 75.76%)

Translink SkyTrain turns 25 tomorrow

2010-12-10T10:28:00.001-08:00

SkyTrain, a 100% automated Rail Mass Transit system turns 25 tomorrow. Read more about the opening day celebrations 25 years ago, and an issue of Vancouver Rapid Transit Project Quarterly from 1985 on Translinks blog, The Buzzer.

Translinks Reindeer Buses

2010-12-08T13:33:00.001-08:00

Vancouvers Translink has taken Christmas to a new fun level, With Reindeer buses. Big antlers, big red nose, eyes, and decorated inside, its a fun way to celebrate this time of year.

Translinks blog, The Buzzer, has a story on the history of the buses, and links to photo galleries to get a closer look at the decorated vehicles.

Vancouver BC Translink Trolley Bus floating around Seattle

2010-12-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

Vancouver BCs Translink has loaned a New Flyer E40LFR Electric Trolley bus to King County Metro for a very short time, So we can try it out, stare at it, slobber all over it, etc etc.

I hope we get a whole bunch of these, I have taken a ride in a few while in service in Vancouver, and they are nice.

VeloBusDriver was able to get some shots of it, including the photo to the left, and has uploaded them here, take a look.

Oran also got some shots and the videos below.

Take the Poll: McFarlanes Approval Rating

2010-12-03T12:16:00.000-08:00

Only one week left to vote, if you haven't already, on if you approve or disapprove Neil McFarlanes' work as TriMets GM over the last few months. The Poll is on the right in the sidebar. Feel Free to comment as well.

And not just for TriMet employees, but Riders too. Is he taking the system in a better direction for you, over Fred Hansen?

The end of the Day-Pass as we know it...is near

2010-12-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

Thats right kiddies, effective January 1st 2011, Day Passes at Metro are out! Also gone, Family Fares. However, you will need 25 cents more to travel around town starting the same day. Since you will need a higher Pass denomination, that will be $9 more a month.

This brings me to my fares suggestions.

Its time to encourage more ORCA use. Take a look at London for this example. Cash fares should be increased as planned, transfers eliminated, and no more ticketbooks. ORCA Card users would pay the current prices for e-purse fares, providing these users with a discount for not using cash, and having a pre-paid fare instrument. ORCA Card users board faster & have exact change, they should be rewarded with slightly lower fares. In London, the cash fare is more than the Off-Peak AND Peak fares! The only other thing, which has been mentioned more than a few times out in the blogasphere, is creating a Day Pass with ORCA, and Disposable ORCA Tickets (that would provide transfers).

For this program to work effectively, the surrounding transit agencies, that is Sound Transit, Pierce Transit and Community Transit should standardize fares. Everyone has the same local fare is a good start, and the same Zone Fares. ST and CT would need to line up their commuter and county fares, Metro would need to line up with ST Zone fares structure, and everyone (except ST) has the same Local fare. ORCA Card users get $0.25 off each trip, and that comes with 2-hour transfers. Pass holders would load the e-purse discounted price for their pass value. Sounder and Link Trips would cost $0.25 more than current prices to buy a paper pass vs. using an ORCA Card.

Day Passes also need to come out for all users. For ORCA Card users, the e-purse should max out at 2X the highest fare used, for example if you travel on a $2.50 one-way Fare, a Day Pass would cost you $5. If you purchase the suggested forthcoming disposable Day Pass, its 2.5X the highest fare, except that you would need to buy the "Highest Fare" you think you might need in advance. There could be "Local" ($2.25 Value at $5.75) and an "Express" ($3.00 Value at $7.50) to avoid confusion for visitors and non-frequent users. For those that know exactly what they want, they can choose by Value.

These are just my thoughts on this, what are your ideas, which do you like, or could change. BTW, The local Off-Peak Fare Starting Jan 1 will be $2.25, Zone Fares will be $2.50 and $3.00 respectively. As mentioned above, the weekend Day Pass and Family Fares are being discontinued.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Metro still Rolls

2010-11-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

Last week was an interesting week for Metro and the Seattle Area. On Monday, Metro put all of its buses on snow routes, then the snow arrived. That then became the longest day for many operators. I myself was stuck in the 4th Ave mess, which was a direct result of the I-5 Parking lot. Semis were stopped in the middle of the freeway to put chains on, forcing traffic to make up their own lanes to get around. Also blocking the freeway (and some roadways), Metro and Community Transit Artics. Metro chained up all of its buses except for the low floor 40' buses, which still didn't stop 60' buses from jack-knifing. In my travels, most of the older high floor buses were stuck. Community Transit, chose not to chain anything, and had 60' buses up 4th avenue clogging up the place (seemed too many buses running). Even one CT artic bus on Olive got stuck, trying to get out, ended up blocking Olive all the way across. One driver of another CT bus I saw hopped out and had a bucket of sand, which he used to make over the summit of the I-5 NB On Ramp.

Despite the stuck buses, I think Metro handled the snow well. They sent out alerts and updates via their twitter page, and online. They informed the media of what was going on. Metro did their best to get thru most of last week, and kept buses moving. Timetables had snow routes in them, though many customers did not know what the snow routes were. Metro has recently released a detailed video about how to sign up for alerts, emails and texts in regards to changing conditions. It also goes into detail how to use the snow alert maps and webpage. (There is also a glimpse of a 194 sporting a D60 bus.) CT finally got it together the next day, sending out mostly 40' buses that were chained, one of which I think was going a bit fast due to the sparks it was kicking up. Also handling the snow were the operators, many operators had their time at work for that day doubled or more, but kept going, and kept positive attitudes. Metro lets you know where to wait, the operators keep things moving as best they can. To help operators, trainers were out (at least at my base) to answer questions for operators, about where to go, clear up any confusion, and in my case, answer questions about using different base and Y Routes. Metro tried their best to arm us with the info we needed to get thru our day.

My only two suggestions, not complaints, are that while Metro cancelled many routes, snow routing should perhaps run on a Reduced Weekday Schedule, and assign 40' coaches to as many runs as possible, especially ones that go up hills, or have tricky turns. 60' bus on the 41 for example works out ok, its mostly a straight shot. With Metro looking to expand the artic fleet, this idea will run short on equipment. Secondly, while deactivating the Real Bus Tracking feed is to avoid confusion of when your bus is actually coming may seem like a good idea, I think it would be nice to know if a bus is coming at all. You would need to keep in mind reroutes and slower travel times, but the decision to wait for a bus that you know is coming, or just walk would be made easier if the feed just remained on. It would also point out reroutes, if your at a stop that buses keep "passing by", but haven't seen one, your bus is re-routed and you might want to look into it.

My complaint, the City of Seattle has work to do. First and foremost, who times traffic lights, or who doesn't might be the better question. So many lights are set to let the herd go while the next block turns red, effectively moving very little traffic, and causing cross traffic to block intersections. Most Lights make NO sense in moving a street of traffic along smoothly. Secondly, while some articles tout Metro failed, I think the city failed. They have this big plan, but acted on it too slowly, blaming motorists on city streets. I also want to make note that the failure to reverse the Express lanes Northbound on Monday was a poor, and i mean grade F decision, period!

The city did not plan for snow, they were not out sanding until it started to fall, Metro had chained up hours before. The writer that gave Metro an almost failing grade, must not ride the bus, and appreciate what goes in to getting you home safely in all conditions, or the fact that many bus drivers made it into work to do their best to move passengers around this city at a greater time of need. She has a computer, but if she's not riding the bus, she wouldn't know about anything because she's not involved with Metros Website, or alerts program. Based on the comments others have left for her, she only made herself looked uninformed about the snow. Many of my passengers were grateful for my arrival, and safe transportation to their destination, you can't tell me they didn't know what was going on.

They say more snow is potentially coming this winter, be prepared, go to Metros Snow Page on how to get alerts, or simply familiarize yourself with the page, so you know where to look quickly and easily for info about transit in your area. While operators are doing their best to get you from point A to point B in snow, it helps if you know where they will be running so they can pick you up.

King County Metro Drivers Ratify Contract

2010-11-19T05:27:00.000-08:00

69% of King County Metro Drivers and Mechanics who voted yesterday, decidied to approve the new contract. Giving up COLA for one year, and a handful of rules changes to better utilize Part Time Operators are big points in what is our new contract. The new contract is from November 1, 2010 - October 31, 2013.

Information in regards to the new contract are publicly available on ATU's Website.

Metro Video - Be Prepared for Winter, Sign Up for Alerts

2010-11-18T12:48:00.001-08:00

Fellow Transit Bloggers Link Update

2010-11-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

The blogasphere has been changing quite a bit lately. I have a handful of new blogs linking to me, so I have updated the links list with some new blogs. I hope these blogs live on.

Read on to check out some details about the blogs in the Links list to the right.

Ranting Al, or Al Margulies is a mini run operator at TriMet. He offers transit news, and his point of view on not only TriMet, but other happenings around the country, and world. Checkout his Rantings at long run blog Rantings of a TriMet Bus Driver.

Adron Hall, Portland Transit blogger that has since moved here to Seattle offers the Transit Slueth blog of his travels, and his opinions of those travels. He also examines transportation issues surrounding the Puget Sound Area.

Carla Saulter, formally a blog writer for the Seattle PI has now turned her focus to her own blog, Bus Chick. She promotes the Car-Free Travels of Seattle.

Eva, another TriMet Operator used to run a popular Light Rail & I blog, now runs a blog about her life, but still includes much of her transit interactions and opinions. While still struggling with a catchy blog title, It is In Short: Her Life.

Camelopardalis, has recently started a new blog MAX FAQs. While the main purpose was to focus on facts about Portland's Light Rail system, it has sort of steered towards editorials about TriMet in all capacities.

Michael Anderson has started a new online-zine type site, Portland Afoot which is PDX's 10 minute newsmagazine on buses, bikes and low-car life.

Jeff Welch, A Metro Part Time Operator has the informative blog about Metro happenings, Puget Sound Transit Operators mostly gears it posts to operators, but visit the popular Ask a Bus Driver section to view questions, and submit your own question you have always wondered about.

Cameron Johnson, a young TriMet rider recently started his blog Ravings of a TriMet Ally, he tries to find the upside to TriMet in a blog world that seems to focus on the unavoidable to notice fails TriMet is doing.

Rebels by Bus is a blog by Gail and Mary, how find their ways around the Puget Sound, and beyond completely on Public Transit. Defiantly a interesting and fun read.

Rose City Transit, work of Jason McHuff hosts much history and facts about TriMet, and a trial system of a map style transit tracker. Also check out his live Steel Bridge Camera.

Dave from Dave Knows Portland and Heather of Mile73 started TriMet Diaries, a place to share the amusing, amazing and horrifying tales gleaned by riding public transit in the Portland area.

Oh, and don't forget to check in on this blog too =)

Take the "Area" out of Ride Free Area

2010-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

Seattle's King County Metro bus system has something we call the Ride Free Area. It's a zone within the downtown Seattle core that from the hours of 6 am to 7 pm, rides are free on all of the buses. Salt Lake City has a similar system, but without the hours restriction. TriMet in Portland used to have a Fareless Square that allowed free rides on all buses and trains, but has been reduced to rail services only. With all the cuts in transit funding due to lower tax revenues, chopping Ride Free Areas seems like a money saver, but is there a way to do it and still maintain movability thru downtown on Transit?

As noted in a recent study, it is believed that much of the fare evasion comes as a result of the Pay-as-you-leave structure on our buses away from the RFA. Something to the tune of $62,000 per week is lost in fare revenue due to fare evasion. Now I am not saying its solely due to the RFA, but it is a large contributing factor. Of Metro Drivers surveyed, about 50% want it gone! I join that count. In one route I drive, it begins outside the RFA, travels thru the RFA and emerges out the other side, without ever changing my route sign. It leads to confusion. Discontinuing the RFA does not prove popular with the city and those that use it, so whats a fair meet-me-in-the-middle way to do it?

Expand Route 99. Make it a service much like what Denver's RTD does. Route 99 would continue to be free, but would travel more of Downtown.

View Larger Map

I have shown one idea this route could take in this map. It would be a loop. Being that Route 99 mostly serves tourists, this loop serves most of those areas. Starting at 8th and Jackson like the 99 currently does, it serves King St Station, Ferry Terminal, Seattle Aquarium, SAM Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Center, Westlake and the Retail Core, and the Seattle Central Library. Its also short walks to Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum, Benaroya Hall, Smith Tower, The Stadiums, Convention Center and several area Hotels. This would add a new area not previously within the RFA as well. The Route could also serve counter clockwise, or both:

View Larger Map

The Route could run from about 6am to 11pm everyday, with 10-15 min intervals between 9am and 7pm, and 30-45 min the rest of the day. This of course could be adjusted to ridership and seasons. The route is designed to move tourists around downtown and to major transportation connections, it crosses the Transit Tunnel twice for easy connections to Light Rail, serves King St Station, and crosses many of the bus routes paths, or comes within 2 blocks. Now you might be thinking, commuters from Sounder and other connections may have a problem with this, not true. Most regular commuters that need to transfer to complete their trip already have ORCA cards. Pass or No Pass, an ORCA Card provides a transfer to any bus. ORCA Card passengers board quicker, and would not hamper much of the travel times of buses thru downtown. Many single ticket riders are more than likely not regular riders, so route 99 will serve their needs.

Metro is already paying to run Route 99, and the article above claims that the City of Seattle is pitching in $400,000 a year for the operation of RFA. By Eliminating the RFA, Metro could direct these funds to operate the new Loop version of Route 99, provide an easy, simple option for tourists to get around, and make all other buses pay as you enter. Fare evasion will dip & buses will only be crowded with paying passengers (minus the ones with a new excuse everyday).

Those with slashed service said No!

2010-11-03T10:30:00.001-07:00

The TriMet Bond measure fails. Its where it failed that is becoming obvious, and I would think I would have maybe picked up on this. As TriMet has slashed, chopped, and whittled away at bus service, its important to take note where this effects most riders. In those news releases, they have cut 12 lines in Washington County, That is they do not run on Saturday, Sunday or Both. They have cut, or threatened to cut 6 lines in Clackamas County. In Multnomah, They have cut a handful of lines, but Portland has good service, that runs (somewhat) frequently.

Multnomah County Voters approved the Bond 59% to 41%. But Washington County Voters Said No to the tune of 56%, and Clackamas follows suit with a whopping 60% saying NO!. Would you blame them? TriMet is going to buy new buses, and improve stops....for buses that don't run in my county? Center Garage has the majority of the new buses bought in the last 10 years, which most run within Portland and Multnomah County. While Clackamas County has seen more Low Floors, they are older buses. Washington County has 40 of TriMets newest buses, most which never get seen on routes within Washington county except the 57. The 52, 76 and 78 sometimes get them, if theres some left over. The 2 Counties that voted No get the oldest of the fleet, but their service has been cut to where they may have resorted to find other means of transportation.

TriMet has recently posted a response to the failure of the bond. They say this was due to the economy. Well sure, it because they have shot themselves in the foot. You cut service to 2 of 3 the counties rather heavily, then ask them to buy new equipment, with no promise in sight of that service returning. Bus Service cuts have fed the decline in ridership, and making downtowns' Fareless Square Rail only, naturally boosted Rail numbers. This bond measure was to benefit the elderly, whom of which many live in the outlying areas where service was chopped. McFarlane goes on to say that he hope operators will continue to provide great service, which in response to the Bond measure I am sure they will. But its until you sit down, and work something out with your operators union, which you have not, that the overall culture will change.

While you continue to ask for federal dollars for rail projects and not buses, its you TriMet, that left your bus riding customers on the curb.

Legos Gone Transit!

2010-11-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

This is awesome, From Legos Website:

Catch the tram or hop the bus at the LEGO® City transport station!

A LEGO® fan choice, this transport station is packed with details and vehicles. Get out of town your way on 3 different platforms for 4 LEGO City vehicles. Shop the trackside kiosk. Keep the roads clear for cruising with the street sweeper then race away in the flashy yellow sports car.

Includes 6 minifigures: bus driver, tram driver, bicyclist, shop assistant, garbage truck driver and passenger
Also includes City bus, tram, street sweeper and sports car
3 platforms for commuter vehicles
Open City bus roof to seat 6 passengers and 1 driver
Open tram doors to load passengers!
Compatible with LEGO train tracks
Tram measures 12.5” (32cm) and bus measures 9.5” (24cm)

If anyone wants to get me one for Christmas, I wont say no!

King County Metro to try out Electric Bus

2010-10-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Not Electric Trolley buses, but battery powered electric buses. This keeps Metro on the cutting edge of bus technology, and looking to keep making our fleet one of the greenest in the nation.

Read the official Metro News Release for more info.

(Photo is for illustration purposes, and may not reflect the actual bus KCM will get.)

King County Metro Union reaches tentative agreement

2010-10-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

King County Metro and ATU 587 have reached a tentative agreement that forgoes the 2011 COLA increase. Per the new article found on King County Executive Dow Constantine page, those represented by ATU, bus drivers, Link Light Rail Operators, maintenance and clerical transit focused positions will give up the increase for only 1 of the 3 years the contract will be good for. The rest of the details have not been released yet as they still need to be released to the union members for a vote.

This is good news that our contract is moving forward in a positive direction, unlike TriMet in Portland, who's contract was up 11 months ago, and no agreement in sight.

What is TriMet doing?

2010-10-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Articles, Letters, calls from the public pour in to the view of the world. They want light rail stopped, operators want a contract, the people of Portland want reliable and frequent bus service.

Where is TriMet and its "leadership" in all this? Oh thats right, pushing forward on light rail, reminding its front line workers they mean nothing to management, and cutting service tot he point where people are turning away. When is TriMet, mainly Neil McFarlane going to step up, and answer the public??

Building employee moral is something TriMet Management tossed in the garbage a few months back. Now, McFarlane steps forward, sends a letter to its union employees stating "Starting Jan 1st you will pay your medical costs, and a salary freeze also". This is what union negotiations are for, TriMet says it is at an impasse. Which means, its can't have everything it wants, and now its kicking and screaming like a little kids on the cereal aisle. If you want your employees to take a salary freeze, and cover portions of medical, you need to bring that to the table. If it doesn't fly, you need to rethink your plan.

Bus/Light Rail operators are the frontline workers, next are the mechanics, then Customer Service, without them, you, TriMet Management, have no service to run, and your out of a job!

To TriMet Management, and Neil McFarlane: Step up, get real, and Grow up, face the public, tell them why you don't want to serve the best interests of your riders. They have told you want they want, and don't want. Yet you still push on with your progressive rail agenda. Adding a bond measure to pay for buses, this was the biggest yell into the city "We have mismanaged our funds, we need your bail out". It's time you realize who cuts your paycheck, and makes your position available........the public (taxpayers) and your frontline union employees.

To TriMet Frontline employees: Don't give up, I see your strong bond with each other, your fed up, and its time for TriMet Management to step up to the plate, and be responsible for what they have done! Rock On! You have my Support!

TriMet, if your not answering the public, then....What ARE you doing with our money?

There is a poll to the right, mark your approval rating of Neil McFarlanes first 4 months as TriMets GM.

Just when you thought TriMets TVM's Sucked

2010-10-20T10:11:00.001-07:00

Seattle Transit System Map 1958

2010-10-19T08:47:00.001-07:00

Courtesy of Oran Viriyincy, this is what transit in Seattle looked like in 1958. The weirdest thing to me is the absence of I-5. Click the image to go to the Original size on Oran's Flickr Page and check it out!

40 People By....

2010-10-19T08:42:00.001-07:00

Very interesting to see how taking public transit, walking or biking actually leaves a smaller footprint. You can see what out roads would look like if people who took the bus, drove.

Rant: The Impatient Road to No-Where

2010-10-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

So much hostility these days towards bus drivers. So much in Portland and here in Seattle. We make too much, we have too good of benefits, unions are bad. Really? And what qualifies YOU to make that determination?

It seems to me, that many of the people who criticize transit operators, do not ride transit. I bet they don't know much about transit at all. So who are these people? Lets turn the finger around, and see how this sounds.

While driving my bus in normal daily interactions, I pick up 30-40 people per trip. These people get on, some smile, some say Hi, some thank me, some do not, most pay the correct fare and respect the bus by not defacing it. While I transport my bus load of people, I will get narrowly cut off by either a Luxury Car (BMW, Lexus, etc) or a SUV, carrying ONE person a handful of times a day. Why does this person feel the need to cut off my large heavy piece of equipment of 4000% occupancy rate of their vehicle? Its the impatient road to no-where. They are in such a hurry, they cut me off to save, thats right, up to 7 seconds off their day, and risk so much more.

Makes you wonder, What do these people do for a living? Well, Commissioned salesman comes to mind. Their goal, is to sell you insurance or products to enhance your daily life, and reap a commission off it. So, you, the customer get to pay MORE for your service to cover that commission, its not coming out of the companies wallet. Some salesman will tell you anything to get their commission, even if its a little white lie. They then take your hard earned money, and buy nice cars, and think they are the coolest cat in town, and behaving like a kindergartner is the best way to show it.

So the question is, why are bus drivers under fire for making 9,000-120,000/year, when higher management (not necessarily referring to transit here), commissioned salesman, and more of the like, take home MORE than that, and get left alone? The bus driver, whom must show up to work ON TIME, not on a flex schedule, does not get a regular lunch schedule to go out with friends or colleges, and sometimes miss out on happy hour, work their shift while dealing with self-centered, arrogant, asshole single occupant drivers that cut off and other wise take major risks to save 7 seconds, gets nailed by a Republican Party Group, meanwhile, CEOs of the same party take home MORE pay, for less credible work, and its ok? The bus yesterday that had to slam on brakes due to being cut off to close is a prime example of how disrespected bus drivers are on the road. A few people were injured as a result of one persons (the car) careless self-centered act. This is what bus drivers are paid to do, navigate a large bus of people from point A to Point B, and dodge the arrogant single occupant vehicles, its more than you think.

So before you leave nasty comments on this blog, or any other story about Transit operators wages and benefits, you'd better think that last time you rode a bus. Did the passengers make it unpleasant for you, take too long because it was stuck in traffic, well none of those are the drivers fault. If you have never ridden a bus, and you drive yourself to work, you have NO room to talk about what we make, and how we make it.

Remember this, all the bus drivers APPLIED for the job, no one is keeping us there against our will. We are there because the job posting was attractive, good pay, good benefits, and some of, well, a lot of us, enjoy the job. We have a corner office that offers some of the best views of the region. Now if you have a problem with that, then you should have applied to become a Transit operator. If your telling your self "No Way, why would I do that" (or you think your too good for that), keep your negative comments to yourself, they mean nothing. You should pick on someone your own size, like the single occupant traffic congestion causing CEO that will cut me off later this afternoon because he makes MORE than I do.

RapidRide Launch Day Video

2010-10-08T00:13:00.000-07:00

Filmed by Dave Stubblefield, compiled and edited by me.

MUNIs New Fare Gates have a Flaw

2010-10-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

My Spring Commute

2010-10-01T08:54:00.001-07:00

ST9624 2010 New Flyer DE60LF

2010-09-30T22:31:00.001-07:00

To go into service with the Fall 2010 Shakeup:

Opinion: Facts about TriMets Bond Measure - Say No!

2010-09-25T09:37:00.001-07:00

TriMet has decided to send a Bond measure to voters to help buy new buses. Despite being mentioned in a few places by a fairly vocal bus rider, TriMet could apply for funds for new buses just like they do Light Rail. But, shortly after TriMet announces they are short on the Light Rail project no one wants, this bond measure magically appears.

TriMet had targeted this measure to "Help improve service for those with disabilities and the elderly". This is like the qualifications to get on Home Makeover, you win over the producers of the show by giving your story, and they pick the one mostly likely to "Touch Home". Thats exactly what TriMet is doing here. You would think that is this group of people is what TriMet is interested in serving, then they would stop cutting bus service! You would see more Rail cuts, but TriMets rail agenda won't allow that.

TriMet keeps telling us the economic downturn has delayed bus purchases, meanwhile the same place the MAX money comes from seems to remain untapped for bus purchases. TriMet says "We can not use those funds for operations". We get that! But why are you building a new Light Rail line, which when open will come out of the already cash strapped operations fund? This is what the public means by "STOP BUILDING LIGHT RAIL". Sure you got the money to build it, but you do not have the money to operate it, unless you continue on the unpopular path of slashing more bus service.

TriMet has only mismanaged money from the start, otherwise they have more newer buses already. They would make it a priority. Rail is priority, because they spent so much money buying it, now they have to run it. So why not spend so much money buying buses, Hybrids, Artics, state of the art, and run them with the same logic as light rail!!

"Why do this now" they ask...the elderly population is growing, we are all growing, Fred Hansen grew old, its what happens, why are we taking a bond measure to projected elderly population, when there is already an elderly population crying out at the cuts TriMet is making to where they already live. More of them depend on buses then rail, and if that was a true TriMet priority, they would have answered to that long ago.

Personally, I think this is an embarrassment to the agency, this only brings to the forefront how poorly management and the board of directors have run the place, approved cuts and spending with asking questions, finding more information to make an INFORMED decision. Why didn't any Board members come up with this idea before the Milwaukie light rail plan was adopted? Because the public, those they serve, were not first priority.

Its time to step up, and "Say No!" to this act of desperation because they have made a big mistake. This needs to be brought to the attention of the FTA, and congress, and get the light rail money moved to buying buses and making improvements, which ARE capital projects. TriMet, you are not fooling anyone with your "It can not be used for operations" bit in regards to the light rail money, it CAN be used to buy the new buses your asking for money for, in which you plenty to do so, if not more. Do not build light rail if you can not afford to run what you have now, period, simple business economics.

There is a poll to the right to vote on your take.

Say No!

Behind the Scenes of Vancouvers SkyTrain

2010-09-12T12:25:00.001-07:00

Photos now on Flickr

2010-09-09T22:22:00.000-07:00

I have decided to give Flickr a try. I have uploaded my limit for the month, but will add more as time and space allows. For now, its worth a look if you'd like to see what I have.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkrawker4783/

Animated Ads on Buses?

2010-09-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Saw this on one of Vancouver BC's buses, it looks like an LED Ad Sign.

A ride on a Vancouver Trolley Bus!

2010-09-07T22:05:00.000-07:00

I really hope Seattle gets some of these!

Labor Day Round-Up

2010-09-02T19:50:00.000-07:00

Most agencies are on a Sunday Schedule this Monday, other details below. Also many changes are in store around this time each year.

King County Metro service change is October 2. Major changes are small, route 174 is out, RapidRide is in. Also note, Sounder does not run Monday, all Customer Service offices are closed for the holiday on Monday. Community Transit will have NO service.

TriMet Raised fares 5 cents, and passes $2 on 9/1. Also they increased the shipping charges for the online store due to "Increased Costs". Stamps only went up about 3 cents didn't they? Also look for more cuts effective 9/5, as usual bus riders suffer the most, but MAX was included this time, and the WES was spared once again.

BART is making minor changes to schedules on 9/13, mostly to benefit transfers, which is a good thing!

SF MUNI RESTORES service effective 9/4!! 61% of the service reductions are being restored. Much of the service is in headways, notably the OWL and evening routes. Also many later trips that were cut are returning.

Sacramento RT implemented some minor changes to 4 weekday routes.

OCTA will have minor schedule and route adjustments. The bus book will now cost $1.

NCTDs Coaster will run on Monday for a Padres Game only!

And Americas #1 Transit agency, San Diego's MTS, is also Restoring a lot of service due to extra funds from the state. No cuts or fare increases here.

Have a great weekend!

RapidRide Shelters begin making an appearance

2010-08-29T08:34:00.000-07:00

At Pacific Hwy & 288th:

Hey Wait a Minute, This is a Metro Bus!

2010-08-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

"Yes Sir, but it is still a Sound Transit Route".

This is the common response being heard a little extra these days as Metro buses appear to be taking over the Sound Transit routes. Why the confusion? Well, METROs Fares page does say "Metro Paper transfers are only valid on Metro buses". So this leads to the confusion when a Metro bus is substituted in, and when one ST route overlaps a Metro route, and not everyone reads signs, just notices the equipment, it makes it a bit harder for the operator to explain.

As of late ST Buses that serve the east routes have been caving in left and right , leaving no choice but to run the service with Metro equipment, From Metro Hybrids to the D60s and even a few Gillig 3200's. 13 brand new shiny ST Hybrids are about to take to the streets shortly, and a handful more are on order! In the meantime, you may get a variety of equipment so Sound Transit and Metro can still get you there.

As a reminder, Sound Transit Routes do NOT accept paper transfers. If you have an ORCA card, you can transfer between Metro and ST as you always have.

METRO transfers are only good on METRO routes, nothing else, .......well, maybe a bookmark too.

Editorial: TriMet losing points fast

2010-08-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

TriMet was named "Americas Best Large Transit Agency" by the APTA is 1989. A title TriMet has not earned since. Why? Well we can examine why San Diego won the award for 2009. "MTS has also substantially renewed its bus fleet, adding 224 new vehicles over the last three years." In the last 3 years TriMet has added 40. They have not even added as many new buses in 10 years! And now, they want a bond measure to buy new buses, coincidentally 2 weeks after the Milwaukie MAX line funding was shorted.

San Diegos award continues on "On the labor front, MTS re-negotiated union contracts that resulted in higher starting pay for new hires and for top-step bus operators, but implemented significant work rule changes that resulted in reduced absenteeism, limited overtime, and savings that allowed MTS to completely absorb the higher pay." TriMet can not agree on union contracts, because it can't get its money affairs in order. This hurts employee moral, which trickles down to the riders, and makes it un-enjoyable. One last note on why San Diego got the award "During the last three years, ridership climbed 12.3 percent from Fiscal Year 2006 to FY 2008. Fare revenue jumped 12 percent over the same time period and subsidy per passenger decreased 14.1 percent. Farebox recovery increased to 38.4 percent in 2008". TriMet continues to experience a loss in riders, mainly because they are cutting essential bus service & running unreliable equipment, that people want to avoid. The "I love MAX" mentality TriMet management has will fail if buses keep disappearing, like it or not.

A TriMet bus driver runs over 5 pedestrians, TriMet still, has not technically fired the driver. She was placed on Administrative Leave. If you hit a pedestrian in a crosswalk here in Seattle as a bus driver, they tell you "That will end your career here". This is the same as PPD Officers getting off scott free after killing someone for no good reason (as viewed by the public).

A TriMet bus hits a Bicyclist. Fortunately the Bicyclist will be OK. This is shortly after the pedestrian incident, which occurred after the GM planned to roll out a safety program. It also appears to be a left turn accident. This can only say the safety program either still is inefficient, or nothing has changed.

HUGE Service cuts continue to be targeted to bus riders. Cancelation of more routes, the Westside hardly has any service on weekends! This last round, after about 3 or 4 rounds, finally include MAX, but still fails to include one of TriMets lowest ridership/highest cost lines, WES. Meanwhile, the Feds cut back funding for the new MAX line, so now they are going to try and "Make it work". In other words, force it. Instead of trying to "Force" the finds to bus service, that is see if they can re-direct the money for a new fleet, bus stop improvements and more. New bus service and equipment is essentially a capital project. Lets not forget the slap in the face purchase of 4 Hybrids, thats can be trashed on line 72. C-Tran has more hybrids, and are a much smaller agency.

The agency is wasting taxpayer resources controlling blogs ran by employees. Dan Christensen and Al Margulies have both been called into meeting to talk about their blogs. Its these individuals way to expressing themselves, leave them alone. Technically, it is not TriMets place to tell anyone, including employees, what they can say about anything on their personal blog (unless it releases sensitive confidential information).

The money being spent is being viewed by many as not being spent wisely. Ridership is down, Fares are up, Service is being cut. But hey, they have TransitTracker by text now, with ADs! It is not exactly a way to earn points, the biggest point loser for TriMet in my opinion is the lack of respecting the public response. The public does not want light rail right now, they want buses, and a bond measure is the wrong way to go about it when you have a light rail project no one wants right now, in limbo. WES still runs far below expectations, despite being the FOCUS of the public response, nothing was done. Once you, TriMet, start listening to your passengers, you will see changes for the better, and TriMet wont always have a negative item attached to it. One way to open up to the public, is to open up TriMet. Agencies such as Sound Transit and BART publish the Board Meeting Videos online, Sound Transits CEO writes a weekly email on what they have done and what they have spent, its an idea TriMet should embrace.

I will say, I have seen more of the new GM in the news representing the agency more than Fred Hansen ever did, and I think that is a step in the right direction, but he still has a long way to go to remove the impression Fred left.

Erik Halstead Editorial on the Bond Measure

2010-08-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Read about it here

I Agree!

Community Transit by Numbers

2010-08-10T22:32:00.000-07:00

In CEO Joyce Eleanors Letter to the public in regards to service cuts, she said the agency needed to chop Sunday Service in order to save $13.6 Million. She said they worked hard to look at Service cuts and reductions. Well This blog post is to tell you what they didn't look at, Overtime!

In 2009 Community Transit paid out $2.8 million in Overtime to Coach Operators and Transit Supervisors. Just Overtime. 16 Operators made over $20,000 in Overtime, 3 made more than 35,000, and the top overtime earner made over $48,000 in just Overtime. Overtime accounts for 9.56% of the total wages for Operators, and 13.47% for Supervisors. Also, 100% of Supervisors had over time, Average OT was $13,364. 94.5% of operators had overtime averaging $5,925. Only 5.5% of operators had no overtime, this includes PT.

As Far as regular wages, the top earner made $112,639, plus $48,140 in OT for a total of $160,779.

Another Note to make, the CEO, Joyce Eleanor, Makes the Highest wage for a CEO in a Transit Agency in the Puget Sound at $204,341. Its only second in the Northwest behind TriMets CEO in Portland.

Compare to METRO? Sure, Kevin Desmond Makes $172,768. Only 6.22% of Operator Wages are Overtime with an average of $4,291. I do not know the Supervisors statistics at this time.

CT only has about 400 operators, and has $2.23 million in OT. Supervisors add about $500,000 to that, I see other places they can cut, besides service. Also, as a side note, the Overtime could fund 28 new regular operator positions at CT, Minus a few for the cost of benefits.

No Fare Metro Blog

2010-08-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

Theres a blog I recently found, called No Fare Metro.

It's slogan is "Exploring the viability of a free bus system in Seattle". While it does have articles on Fare-Free Transit, It also features news rolls, and an article or two relating to Drivers wages. So far, most seem to be just passing on news articles, instead of opinion or editorial pieces. One thing I am surprised it does not touch on, is the RFA.

You can check it out, and see what you think, I am not really sure where it is headed just yet.

A Low Balance Clipper Card still rides

2010-08-07T20:14:00.000-07:00

In the Bay Area, riders on AC Transit and Golden Gate Transit have been able to use a Stored Value Card called Translink for a little while now. They have now changed the name to Clipper Card, and added SF Muni, BART & CalTrain.

In reading about this, a change to using your card on SF Muni I thought was pretty nice for card holders who might have depleted their funds. As long as you have $0.01 on your card, and you tap, you will still be able to ride. Here in Seattle, the ORCA card will let you ride, but you owe the difference as a cash fare if you don't have enough. On Clipper, the system essentially "Overdraws" your card. If you have $1.00 on your card, and it is a $2.00 ride, your card will be overdrawn $1.00. Next time you reload it, lets say with $20, you will have $19 available. I personally think this is a nice feature. With so many people going cashless, this helps if you don't have any cash because you can reload with your card later, or make plans to have cash, instead of being caught with not enough to ride.

A down fall to SF Muni, this should help some complaints about transfer times with ORCA, Clipper only gives you a 90 minute transfer period. So ORCA card users should be happy with the 119 minute transfer time they have.

Poll Results: Mcfarlane was named gm

2010-07-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

I am a bit behind on the poll, my apologies to my loyal readers on that.

Only 8 votes, but they are good votes, 74% of you think the new GM at TriMet will focus on rail over buses. 1 of you thinks bus service may improve, but not before MAX. And 1 of you thinks he really will make a difference. He has said one of his priorites is to restore bus service, but how can we carry on with that while the next MAX line is pushing forward, and TriMet is ordering only 4 new buses?

mcfarlane was named gm, do you think changes are ahead?

Yes, I think it will improve over all service	1 (12%)
Yes, but MAX will still be ahead	1 (12%)
No, This guy loves rail, and buses will still suffer	5 (62%)
No, hes a spitting image of Fred Hansen	1 (12%)

Votes so far: 8
Poll closed

Klingons Take over a Trolley Station in San Diego

2010-07-23T10:25:00.001-07:00

San Diego MTS is a great transit system, and they know how to have a little fun. Check out their gallery on Facebook of them transforming the Gaslamp Trolley Station into Klingon Territory for this years Comic-Con Convention.

Timelapse I-5 to SR-520 EB, N. Seattle to Bellevue

2010-07-21T13:12:00.000-07:00

TriMet to get Hybrids?

2010-07-08T21:18:00.001-07:00

Don't get overly excited now. According to the FTAs Article on Stimulus funds, TriMet is getting only 18 of them.

They are going to be put on the 72, one of TriMets heavily used lines. That way, they can get destroyed, graffitti-ed on, and broken in a jiff! But hey, this is a step in the right direction, We have called for years now for them to buy hybrids, and its about damn time!

But lets take a step back..........I will believe it, when I see them take the streets! Supposedly there was a presentation about it, but since I just told you about it, theres no need to waste your time looking at a bunch of politicians toot their horns. I hope this will lead to more, better bus procurement in the future.

Theres More: TriMet always undercuts us when possible, according to the news release, they are only getting 4 to start with. Its almost "Why even bother". But with TriMet, You have to take what you can get when it comes to buses.

Freds Last Day!

2010-06-30T14:07:00.001-07:00

Today, June 30th 2 thousand and 10, is Fred Hansen's Last Day as GM at TriMet.

Wonder where he will pop up next.

I just hope McFarland does not give a us a reason to say "Just Like Fred".

Bye Fred!

Editorial: Ranting Al, Your Pal

2010-06-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

The blogger of Rantings of a TriMet Bus Driver is at the focus of a lot of criticism because of his blog. I have known Al Margulies, or "Ranting Al" for a little over a year now, and have been reading his blog for sometime longer than that. Al's blog has been up for a couple of years now. His blog features everything from his daily encounters as a transit operator, to news in transit to news of the weird. It is Al's outlet for saying what is on his mind, sharing stories he likes, and pointing out where TriMet is favoring spending money everywhere except on buses.

In a story he did for KGW News he points out how he has had a 14 year clean safety record, and does not feel distracted with passengers conversing with him. One guy in the story says "bus drivers should be respected, but [Al] is not one of them". I want to know why not? Sure, as a fellow transit operator for another transit agency, I will side with operators. On this case, theres is no reason not to respect Al, he drives safe, he tries to keep on schedule, and focuses on being a safe driver. The ever so positive speaking spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said "It's ok to have a blog, but while your operating we would like you to focus on driving the bus". At what point did that become a problem? He is not posting to his blog while driving, or at work. His blog, and driving happen at different times of the day. He does not film while driving, someone else might. That only proves that customers, riders, chat with operators. Chatting with riders is something the the job entails, and you see it on many of the buses traveling about TriMets system. Operators are not robots, they are not puppets or drones. They are Bus Drivers, Human, Tourist Information, Trip Planners, Tour Guides, Customer Service Counter, and so much more.

Al's blog is not causing any harm. Sure it might piss you off from time to time, but I certainly do not think its a distraction to his job of operating a transit vehicle safely. Al will gladly point out where TriMet spends money, link to a few of my posts and videos, and give you his opinion of calling out stops. And when the spokeswoman of TriMet has spent some time behind the wheel of line 72, then we can take her comments of distracted driving with a little more respect. Until then, how do you know what distracted driving is compared to everything else operators do in a days work?

Al's blog is a fun read for sure, and the critics should stick to rating movies. I hope to keep reading his blog daily, there would be a gaping hole in the Transit Blogging Landscape without it.

Calling TriMet, heres a golden opportunity!!

2010-06-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Look at that beauty, and 226 are for sale at a discount. TriMet might want to have a look at it here.

A Look into KCM Trolley Buses

2010-06-22T22:41:00.001-07:00

Video from KCDOTs YouTube Page.

Mariners shuttle will end next week

2010-06-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

A Lawsuit brought on by private charter companies so they can provide the same service at 5X the fare to the rider. Hey folks, METRO is still a great price at $2 each way, even if you come from a bit farther, your King County Metro Operated Sound Transit Routes are only $2.50. I urge everyone to take METRO to the games, do not feed into the charter companies round-about ways of trying to make a profit. A part of another article said "Starline had to layoff 32 people", heres an interesting fact, METRO has hired about THREE times that since the beginning of the year. Support local, union jobs, your METRO driver. Support KC Metro as a service, and pass on the buses that are in it for a profit!

News Release from the SeattlePI, also read the other story in regards to this for more background.

It's official: The Mariners shuttle express is coming to an end.

After a federal court ruling last week, King County Metro Transit officials said Wednesday they are sending the Mariner's a 14-day notice they plan to end the service, as required by the contract with the team.

"That notice states that Metro's special transportation services for the baseball games will end after the June 18-24 home stand. This will allow time for Metro and the Mariners to give fans adequate advance notice, so they can make alternative transportation plans," Metro said in a news release.

The shuttle briefly resumed this year after Democratic Sen. Patty Murray fought for a provision in the federal transportation spending bill allowing the Mariners and Seattle Sounders soccer team to contract with Metro to provide shuttle service for fans. The "Murrary provision" was in response to Bush administration ruling that public transit agencies could not provide special service to games and other public events if private charter companies were able and willing to do so.

A federal judge struck down the provision last week.

The shuttle service was popular with fans, who could ride from Eastgate, South Bellevue, South Kirkland and Northgate for $5 each way. From a transit perspective, it also kept cars off the road. Private companies charge higher prices.

Fans still can take regular bus or light rail service to games.

What does your CEO Make?

2010-06-16T23:01:00.000-07:00

As Transit agencies cut service, lower benefits and freeze pay raises, the CEO or GMs salaries typically comes into play.

So this brings the question, What does your Transit agencies CEO or GM make?

This was posted back in February, I have moved it up to reflect updated information.

Here are the Annual Pay Rates of Select NW Agencies head Transit Execs:

(From Highest to Lowest)

(Daily Ridership, Routes & Fleet B=Bus, LR=Lightrail, CR=Commuter Rail)

Fred Hansen, General Manager TriMet, Portland $256,954

(Neil McFarlane, GM As of July 1, 2010 $217,000)

(324,080/Routes 81B, 4LR, 1CR/Fleet 660B, 127LR, 6CR)

Joyce Eleanor, CEO Community Transit, Everett $204,341

(40,000/Routes 63B/Fleet 282B)

Joni Earl, CEO Sound Transit, Seattle $195,467

(57,725/Routes 30B, 2LR, 2CR/Fleet 240B, 38LR, 58CR)

Kevin Desmond, General Manger King County Metro, Seattle $170,869

(400,457/Routes 223B/Fleet 1443B)

Lynne Griffith, CEO Pierce Transit, Lakewood $169,180

(57,689/Routes 52B/Fleet 200B)

Mark Pangborn, General Manager Lane Transit District, Eugene $125,358

(38,376/Routes 38B/Fleet 102B)

Jeff Hamm, CEO/Executive Director C-Tran, Vancouver $123,496

(19,000/Routes 29B/Fleet 111B)

Mike Harbour, General Manager Intercity Transit, Olympia $122,990

(14,000/Routes 23B/Fleet 135B)

Allan Pollock, General Manager Cherriots, Salem $108,737 (apporx)

(10,000/Routes 24B/Fleet 65B)

Note: Puget Sound agencies have contracts to operate Sound Transit routes that originate in their county. These agencies numbers may not include Sound Transit Route ridership. Amounts are pay rates from 07-09, depending on the most current information available.

Originally posted 2/2010, Updated 6/2010

Some fun in Vancouver BC

2010-06-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Man Moves Entire Apartment Using the Subway, Loses Friends in Process

2010-06-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

Min promised Teng-Yu Huang (pictured here) dinner as a peace offering.Photo: Jill Weiner

The Metropolitan Transit Authority boasts that it moves over 5 million people a day, but how many people does it really move? Last week it served that purpose for Young Min, 24, who packed up stuff from a Korean homestead in Flushing, Queens, and moved it all to a one-bedroom on the Upper West Side — using only the subway. While easy on his wallet, the move turned out to be hard on his friendships: To help him get all of his belongings from one place to the other, Min enlisted two friends from his language school. Together they moved his air conditioner, collapsible double-rod closet, dishes (including serving platters and utensils), laptop, linen, quilts, books, clothes, and assorted framed pictures, a soup cauldron, Korean medicine, condiments, and a 40-pound bag of rice onto the 7 train, then to Times Square, through the Times Square Station to the 1 train, and finally to the new place on West 64th. (Mid-trip, the air conditioner broke through the trunk holding it.) The next day, when he called for help moving his bed, again on the subway, his friends didn't return his calls and one even skipped their Kaplan class in order to avoid getting roped into another move. Min says he left assorted items at the homestead including a TV and a wooden dresser. “I do want my TV but it’s too hard," he told Intel. "I don’t want to go back. I can’t ask anyone else to help. They told everyone how hard it was and so there’s no one else to ask."

From the Daily Intel.

BART Considering Fare REDUCTIONS

2010-06-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

BART, after receiving unexpected funds from the State of California, wants to reward its riders, by DECREASING the fares. Public Workshops are planned to talk about it. Informations is here.

Sounder Ride Everett to Seattle

2010-06-07T13:00:00.001-07:00

A Look around the Beacon Hill Light Rail Station

2010-06-07T12:59:00.000-07:00

PSTO Blog presents: The Others

2010-06-03T13:25:00.000-07:00

Which one are you, or which one is your favorite. Something I love about this job is the entertainment. Theres nutty people, theres people who do things that you have never seen before. This blog entry helps breakdown the entertainment value operators see everyday!

Now follow me on Twitter

2010-06-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

For a while I have used my personal Twitter account, but I thought since I do tweet a lot of Transit Related stuff, I would open up an account just for that. Follow me for updates on new blog posts, new video uploads, and my random ramblings about riding or driving transit. I will no longer do transit "tweets" on my personal account, if you already follow me there.

http://twitter.com/punkrawker4783

Something I did just for fun

2010-06-01T23:15:00.001-07:00

Bonus Poll: Milwaukie Light Rail - Vote

2010-05-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

Heres a poll, spread the word, vote on your opinion of the Milwaukie Light Rail line, or Light Rail in general. The people will speak. Also feel free to leave comments.

A Fail Blog Find

2010-05-27T13:47:00.001-07:00

Poll Results: Fred Hansen is leaving

2010-05-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

86% cant wait for the day in 6 weeks when Fred Hansen retires. Out he goes, out goes his progressive rail agenda, his ways of fattening the admin staff, and skipping bus improvements. But wait, is all that going to disappear with the new GM at the helm? The new poll asks just that, vote on it. What is dead sure, no one is dead set on him staying, that says something i think!

So happy, your speechless	13 (61%)
On the fence, maybe he should stay	3 (14%)
Sending him emails daily to convince him to stay	0 (0%)
Personally want to drive his last 17 to wish him good riddance	5 (23%)

TriMet wants feedback on its Twitter use

2010-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

TriMet is finally getting on the Twitter bandwagon. They ask "What do you want to see us do with Twitter"? In the past, I looked up tweets directed at TriMet, the answers all lie there. But since the over paid bureaucrats don;t have the time for that apparently, you can take a survey. They claim they really want your feedback. So tell them, make note of it, and let's see if it actually takes a turn for the better.

One region is taking Bike to Work week more seriously

2010-05-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Bike to Work week this week is sending a lot of buzz. Do you ride a bike to work? Well if you live in Portland, you may already do that, or you may part trip on MAX or a bus too. Here in Seattle, The buses have bike racks that can accommodate 3 bikes per bus. But how about Southern California? Unlike TriMet who runs from doing free rides or offers when possible, you can ride any San Diego MTA Bus, Trolley or the regional Coaster commuter rail for FREE if you ride your bike and conjunction it with transit this Friday. In that release they also tout how they have improved bike accessibility by adding bike trails, improving bridges and more. Los Angeles County transit agencies are also offering free rides on Thursday. As forward thinking as Portland *thinks* it is in biking, Free Transit for riders for one day should have been offered. I feel the same for Seattle, especially since we can get one more bike on most buses than many agencies offer, and we have LINK and Sounder that could have offered as well. It opens up the idea of trying the two together to see if it really works, and if not nothing lost, if it does, a new transit rider, which in the end, helps bring back service.

Pierce Transit wanting public opinion on how to redesign the system

2010-05-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Pierce Transit is reaching out, and has been for some time now about making changes to the system that would benefit both PT and its customers. Calling "Pierce Transit Tomorrow" focus on getting input from riders, local businesses and surrounding communities on what they like and don't like. Details of the plan and what has been heard so far is here on their webpage. There are many public meetings still to be held, you can find all that info using the link above.

Timelapse up HWY 99/Aurora

2010-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

Sightseeing....by Transit

2010-05-08T07:46:00.001-07:00

Slow Travel with a Low Carbon Footprint is the slogan for Rebels by Bus. The website spells out how to get around the Puget Sound Area, and beyond, solely on public transit. Not for the ones in a hurry, Olympic Loop in 3 days, or Centraila by skipping the over-priced train. Check it out, it is very interesting, and can be a great way to go!

For those looking to go to Vancouver BC by transit from Seattle, it is possible, but have lots of patience. Oran Viriyincy, who regularly contributes to the Seattle Transit Blog, and hosts his own Flicker page, put together his experience on this journey and a easy to read timetable to try it yourself. Its cheap, but long.

Which best shares your opinion?


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