Category Archives: seattle stuff

Catching up, part II

• Metro gave a preview of the new Rapid Ride buses on Tuesday.

A KC Metro Rapid Ride bus(Photo credit: Seattlepi.com)

Sexy, no? The interiors aren’t bad, either.

And the agency had some more good news*:

…acting FTA Administrator Matt Welbes announced his agency is immediately releasing $13.8 million dollars to help fund the acquisition of new articulated hybrid-electric coaches and other system improvements to support Metro’s first RapidRide line. The funding will help pay for 16 new buses, various station and shelter enhancements and real-time information systems for the “A Line” serving the cities of Tukwila, Sea Tac, Des Moines, Kent and Federal Way beginning in 2010.

This is a good thing, since KC Metro is beyond broke at this point–and in the process of trying to figure out which existing service to cut.

•If you’ve got 10 minutes to spare, watch the Streetfilm, “The Search for the Zozo.” I won’t even try to explain it. I’ll just say that it’s a bit different from the usual Streetfilms fare, and, if you’re in the mood for silly (Who isn’t these days?) it’s worth the watch.

 

• Pierce Transit driver Brentt Mackie won first place in the American Public Transportation Association’s annual Bus Roadeo. (Yes, people, there is really such a thing.)

From an APTA press release:

Lakewood, WA – For the second time in three years, Pierce Transit Bus Operator Brentt Mackie has been awarded the First Place trophy in the 40-foot Transit Coach Division at the 2009 International Bus Roadeo that just concluded in Seattle.

[…]

The Roadeo competition requires drivers to maneuver their vehicles through an intricate maze of graded exercises that includes serpentine turns, passenger stops, and reverse turns that duplicate the demanding requirements of everyday driving. The final exercise is high-speed braking where operators maneuver through a row of ten 55-gallon barrels spaced only inches wider than the bus.

Whoa. I want to be on his bus.

Picture
Brentt “Skillz” Mackie

This year, the festivities were held here in the 2-0-sickness. Seattle Transit Blog has the scoop on the other Washington State winners.

• Seattle police are cracking down on drivers who don’t stop at crosswalks.

Seattle police are sending more pedestrian decoys onto city crosswalks, to nab drivers who blow through without stopping.

[…]

Seattle tends to rank among the safest U.S. cities for pedestrians. Nonetheless, 468 car-pedestrian collisions were reported to police last year, said Gray. She is project manager for the city’s new Pedestrian Master Plan, soon to be released, which calls for more enforcement.

(Source: Seattle Times)

This issue was also one of the topics on KUOW’s The Conversation on Tuesday.

* I don’t have a link to the online version of this press release, but I will post it as soon as I do.

Catching up

After 21 post-free days–the longest hiatus I’ve taken from this blog in the three (plus) years I’ve been writing it–I return (project: complete, Chicklet: healthy and enjoying her bus rides more than ever), determined to reestablish a more regular posting schedule in May.

I’ve had about a zillion bus adventures since I last checked in–far too many to write about. The good news is, there will be many zillions more.

On to the transit news of note:

I trust you all noticed that Metro’s website has new and improved home page. It’s the beginning of a long-overdue update/upgrade to make the site more relevant, responsive, and usable. Some highlights: Trip Planner entry fields are now on the home page (not three clicks away); the navigation is simpler; and there are “quick” links to important stuff like Orca information and Tracker. It ain’t perfect (yet), but it’s a good start.

The Orca payment system is live. As it happens, my annual pass expired on May 1st, so I’m now using an Orca card. This month, I’m trying the “e-purse” only, which means that I didn’t purchase a pass; the money I loaded onto the card is deducted as I ride. Since I’m not commuting five days a week anymore, and, since, with Orca, paying cash is as convenient as paying with a pass (more on that later), I figured it was worth it to find out how much money a pass actually saves me.

I had a few glitches at first–it took a couple of days for the money I added online to register in the system, and a couple more days for transfers to work correctly–but everything seems to working fine now.

What I love:

• You don’t have to buy a pass to have the convenience of a pass. If you’re an infrequent rider, you can add money to your e-purse and use your card when you need it. No more worrying about having correct change or keeping track of transfers.
• If you do buy a pass, you can add extra money to your e-purse for trips that exceed the pass’s value. Beautiful!

What I don’t love:

• Annual passes are no longer an option. I have no idea why.
• Orca’s web interface for loading money and buying passes–especially for people with new cards–is confusing. It’s not clear up front how to buy a pass, and it’s also not clear if you can use the money you load into your e-purse to purchase a pass (you can’t).

On the whole, though, I’m loving the change.

Anyone else have thoughts about Orca–or, for that matter, Metro’s new home page?

* This includes, believe it or not, the period after my mother’s death and the period after Chicklet’s birth.

A brief layover

I’m finishing up a major project, so I won’t be posting here very frequently (or at all) for the next week or two. Before I go:

Remember Pierce Transit’s “bus buddy” program?

Picture
A bus buddy ad on a Pierce Transit shuttle

Apparently, Sound Transit has one, too.

Speaking of Pierce Transit…

Pierce County buses now have: GPS tracking, automatic stop announcements, and extensive two-way communication systems.

Thanks for the links, Andrew.

3 billion (and counting)

On March 31st, KC Metro expects to record its 3 billionth boarding.

The agency wants you to help celebrate/commemorate the milestone by:

• Submitting a photo of yourself riding your favorite route. (Time for a family pic on the 27!) The photos will be included in a public gallery.

• Sharing your “carbon footprint.” There’s nothing to calculate; you just pick a shoe and add your initials. I think the point is to illustrate the collective impact of riding transit, but I wanted to see some numbers–or, at least some cuter shoe options.

Also, look out for Metro staff with “3 Billion Served” buttons at Westlake Station (and elsewhere) on the 31st.

3 billion

Here’s to the next 3 billion!

Upcoming events for transit types

Transportation Freedom Day*
*Added on 3/13/09

What: A celebration with a purpose: to educate Seattleites about their transportation costs

How much does transportation cost you?
Walking/Biking: Free
Metro Bus Fare: $1.75
Gallon of Gasoline: $2.17
Days the average Seattleite works to pay for yearly transportation costs: 74
Helping Seattle celebrate an earlier Transportation Freedom Day: Priceless

Your transportation costs could surprise you. In the average household, transportation accounts for the second largest drain on family budgets; more than food, health care, and second only to home ownership.

If fact, every dollar you earned from January 1st until March 15th will ultimately go towards your transportation costs for the year. That’s why we’re raising awareness by celebrating Seattle’s Transportation Freedom Day!

When: Sunday, March 15th, 3 – 4 PM
Where: Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club, 4520 MLK Jr. Way S. (Served by routes 39, 42, and 48)
How much? Free

Did I mention there will be cake?

Seattle Green Festival

What: A “green living” expo!
“Discover some of the best green products and services the Northwest has to offer. And, through Seattle Climate Action Now!, Clean & Green Seattle, and the city’s many other climate projects, you’ll learn how neighbors, community nonprofits and city departments are working together to make their city a healthier place to live.”

When: March 28, 10 AM – 7 PM & March 29, 11 AM – 6 PM
Where: Washington State Convention Center
How much? $15 ($10 for cyclists and bus riders)

This was great fun last year. I’d be attending again, even if I wasn’t participating in the “Undriving” panel.

Climate Day for Kids

What: An Earth Day celebration, where kids (and adults) can “learn about climate change and what actions [to] take to reduce your carbon footprint. Create green art using recycled materials, and explore games and exhibits from SAM partners.”

When: April 18, 12 PM – 3 PM
Where: Olympic Sculpture Park
How much? Free!

I’m planning to take Chicklet. She doesn’t know what global warming is yet, but she’s down with anything that involves playing outside.

Seattle Summer Streets (formerly known as Carfree Sundays)

What: Car-free, locally organized street festivals
“Walk. Bike. Shop. Play. Breathe. City streets are being opened for people to have fun, celebrate the spirit and personality of their community and support local businesses.”

When: Many, many dates throughout the spring and summer. The first one (in Phinney) is on April 10th. See below.
Where: Lots o’ neighborhoods! (Though not mine yet.) See below.
How much? Free!

I went to all of these last year and (except for some minor weather issues) thoroughly enjoyed myself. If you’re fortunate enough to have one in your neighborhood, you should really, really take advantage.

Here’s all the date and place info from the City:

Event: The Greenwood/Phinney Chamber’s Art Up/Open Up Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, April 10, 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: Phinney/Greenwood Avenue North from North 65th to North 87th streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Bike to Work Day and Summer Streets Party
Date: Friday, May 15, 4 to 7 p.m.
Location: Bergen Place Park and 22nd Avenue Northwest between Market Street and Ballard Avenue

Event: West Seattle High School PTSA’s 5K Run/Alki and Seattle Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, May 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Alki Avenue Southwest from California Way Southwest to 63rd Avenue Southwest

Event: Seattle Parks Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, June 7, 14, 21 and 28
Location: Discovery Park (7th), Interlaken Park (14th), Seward Park (21st), Magnuson Park (28th)

Event: U-District Chamber’s Summer Streets Party
Date: Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: University Way Northeast between Northeast 50th and Northeast 45th streets.

Event: Pike Place Market’s Fresh Fruit Festival and Summer Streets Party
Date: Sunday, July 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Pike Street/First Avenue to Virginia

Event: Rainier Valley Chamber’s Heritage Parade and Summer Streets Party
Date: Saturday, Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Rainier Avenue South from South Orcas to South Alaska streets

Event: Cascade Bicycle Club’s Restore Our Waters Cascade Spawning Cycling Tour
Date: Sunday, Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Starts and ends at Myrtle Edwards Park, goes through Seattle Parks non-motorized areas of Seward, Interlaken, Gasworks, Commodore and Discovery Parks.

Event: Visit a park with permanently open streets and Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets
Date: May through September
Location: Volunteer Park, Seward Park, Interlaken, Magnuson Lakefront Promenade, Arboretum, Discovery Park

Also during the months of May through September, Bicycle Sundays are being held along Lake Washington Boulevard every weekend. Seward Park’s upper road and Carkeek Park Road west of the Environmental Learning Center are being closed to cars on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Snow: bad. Improved communication: good.

More snow (?!) is expected this weekend (conveniently, the same weekend as a bus fam planned excursion to Issaquah). The good news is that Metro is working hard to improve its (previously abysmal) adverse-weather communication with customers. From a KC Metro press release:

With snow again in the forecast, King County Metro Transit is gearing up to keep buses moving and to keep riders better informed…

In the event of a snowstorm this weekend, King County will use the Twitter social-networking system and a county blog posted prominently on www.kingcounty.gov to provide all known Metro service disruptions related to bad weather.

[…]

To get the latest Metro Transit messages on Twitter, go to: www.twitter.com/kcnews. The King County Alert blog is online at: www.kingcounty.gov/kcnews.

This is long overdue, but I must give Metro props for taking steps to address a major weakness. And the best news of all:

By next winter, transit users should find even more communication improvements. Metro is already upgrading the Metro Online website, developing a new transit alert messaging system, beefing up information staffing for emergency events, and planning for the integration of new technology that tracks bus reroute and service disruptions as a new source of real-time information.

Hallelujah!

Upcoming events for transit types

Actually–very upcoming. These are both happening today.

Fare (pun intended) hearing
What: ST’s holding a public hearing about their proposed light rail fares.
When: Today, Tuesday, February 5th, from noon to 12:30 PM
Where: Union Station, Ruth Fisher Board Room, 401 S. Jackson
Additional information: From ST: “The public’s comments will be presented to the Sound Transit Board in February 2009 for consideration in setting Link’s fare structure and pricing. The Board’s decision is expected in spring 2009.” If you can’t attend the hearing, you can e-mail your feedback.

Zipcar open house
What: Zipcar‘s opening a new office downtown (in, of all things, the old DOL space), and they’re having a grand opening party.
Where: 380 Union
When: Today, Tuesday, February 5th, from 9 AM to 5 PM
Additional information: There will be free food and SWAG, and lots of recruitment; they’re waiving the annual fee for new members. (Also note: Zipcar will be making a joint announcement with the City of Seattle later today. Update: Here’s the announcement.)