Comments on: Moving Transit Forward: Metro would like you to help shape its long-range transit plan

By: RTBones

RTBones — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:36:03 +0000

A follow-up to my comment from yesterday. Waiting for the bus, noticed the bus stop sign 1) had a number but no list of where the route goes 2) a blanked out route (with destination listed) on the back of the sign 3) a phone number, and 4) a website listed. I have a blackberry, so I tried to pull up the website on it. All I got was an error, and directed to a site that allows you to buy passes (which didnt work). No way to look up routes/connections. So I tried Google Transit. WAP friendly page, and was able to look up some connections. Even listed a phone number — which was different than the one listed on the bus stop sign. Have not tried the number yet.

By: RTBones

RTBones — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:02:33 +0000

Courtney,

I can second MJ’s comments about Chicago’s bus/rail connection being easier to get around than here. My own thoughts…

1) By and large, signage is better. There is also a phone number on the bus signs you can call if the bus is late or you are unsure which one to take. While iPhones and Blackberries are more common these days, not everyone has access to the web 24/7.

2) SIDEWALKS…you can actually WALK to the bus stop, and not have to worry about walking on the shoulder of the road. One of my biggest problems with transit here is that there are many stops with poor signs and no way to actually WALK to the stop without having traipse (sp?) across a field, walk down a shoulder of a road, no way to cross at a crosswalk, etc.

3) Connections…my experience has been that transit in chicago is built around the TRAIN. Buses feed the train. Here, Metrolink – while nice – is almost an afterthought.

3a) Connections part II — I generally dont have to wait 1/2 hour after getting off a train to get on a bus. There is enough service that the longest wait (at least that I have experienced) during normal hours is about 15 minutes.

4) Cabs … there are times when trains and buses just cant get you where you need to go. In chicago, there are plenty of cabs that take up the slack. While a taxi is usually my last choice, it is nice to know I am not going to get stranded.

5) Did I mention there are SIDEWALKS? You can WALK?

Chicago transit is not a panacea…but it is markedly better than here.

I would be very interested in hearing your comments (as someone who lived there) vice mine (as someone who visits).

By: Courtney

Courtney — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:08:33 +0000

MJ,

What makes it easy to understand for you? How does it work well for you? (I lived in Chicago in 2003 and have my opinions, but am interested in what you think.)

By: mjschmitz

mjschmitz — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:50:27 +0000

I would love to see a system where the rail system (metrolink) and the bus system work together almost seamlessly. When I visit Chicago, I can get anywhere by using a combination of their L-train and their bus system and it is very easy to understand. I have absolutely no need for a car in Chicago.

By: RTBones

RTBones — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:23:31 +0000

Interesting read. I was unaware that Metro was actually thinking of commuter rail. I havent seen Austin’s system, so it looks like I have a weekend research project. I look forward to seeing a draft of the plan in December.

I just hope that if the tax DOES make it onto the ballot in April, that the language is precise enough to get the tax passed.

By: Jazzy Jeff

Jazzy Jeff — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 22:52:50 +0000

And this…with some meaty details:

Metro weighs big changes in long-term plan

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2009/09/28/daily26.html

By: Jazzy Jeff

Jazzy Jeff — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:48:51 +0000

Good post:

http://www.metrostlouis.org/InsideMetro/NewsRoom/newsDetails.asp?recNum=50

By: Jimmy Z

Jimmy Z — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:43:16 +0000

You need good, specific plans to convince voters to support a tax increase. It took Denver’s RTD three tries to get it right, but now they have a full 1% sales tax dedicated to expanding transit there, compared to the ¼% Metro tries to live on (on the Missouri side) . . .

By: Jazzy Jeff

Jazzy Jeff — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:20:25 +0000

Good read: Metro sales tax is likely to be on April ballot, says adviser to county executive

http://www.stlbeacon.org/region/metro_tax_may_be_on_april_ballot

By: Jazzy Jeff

Jazzy Jeff — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:17:39 +0000

Very good posts on both counts RTBones! Yes we need both City and County to work together!