From Seattle: "Police Seize Pictures Of Seattle Bus Tunnel," by Molly Shen for KOMO News

This story originally appeared on KOMO News and was posted at this address: 
http://www.komonews.com/news/archive/4149371.html. This link is now broken. A Google search shows the story has been reposted on flyertalk. A copy of the original story appears below.


KING COUNTY - Was it a security threat or a case of police going overboard?

A King County Sheriff's deputy seized a photographer's pictures in a public bus tunnel over the weekend, citing terrorism concerns.

Alex Williams was taking pictures in downtown Seattle over the weekend when he ducked into the tunnel to escape the rain.

The vast, open space, the unique design and the lights and movement of the metro bus tunnel in Pioneer Square attracted his eye.

Williams specializes in nature photography and he was trying to expand his portfolio.

“I was approached by a King County Sheriff's Deputy who said, ‘Oh no, no, no, no, no. This is no good. We're going to have to confiscate all this stuff.’ And he motioned to all my gear,” Williams said.

The deputy explained that the tunnel is a potential terror target and that photographers must have permission to be there.

When Williams offered to delete his digital photos, the deputy said he was confiscating the flash cards - to search them for security breaches. There are no signs there saying photos aren't allowed.

The deputy was wrong.

King County Sheriff's Spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart told KOMO 4 News, “We're going to do some additional training with our deputies who work the bus tunnel, let them know that yes, it is okay to photograph inside the tunnel. I think he just went overboard a little bit. He shouldn't have done that. It isn't against the law.”

Only after his gear was confiscated, did Williams find out he hadn't broken the law.

He's filing a formal complaint with the Sheriff and consulting the American Civil Liberties Union.

“It's alarming if an officer can approach you and take your stuff or force you to leave when it's not really against the law,” he says.

All he really wants is an apology and his compact flash cards back.

The Sheriff says he'll get both.

That doesn't mean the tunnel is a free-for-all for photographers. Because of security concerns, deputies will still question people taking pictures in the tunnel.

And metro transit wants commercial photographers to get permission first.

That's for liability reasons.

From Seattle: "Bus Stories," by Andrew Smith

I know, this is usually the realm of the Bus Chick, but I overheard a man and a woman on the 66 today sharing funny bus stories. Their stories were okay, and it got me thinking about my most bus stories, and I’d like to share two of them with you. I apologize in advance if I offend anyone.

I was on the 14 two days ago and a mildly crazy man was repeating loudly “You used me as a go-between.” (Read more here.)

From Seattle: Bus ride through downtown Seattle, by Oran Viriyincy

The link below is to a Flickr time-lapse video of a bus ride through Downtown Seattle taken during the evening rush hour from the upper deck of a Community Transit double-decker bus on route 401 Lynnwood. Since 4 video seconds = 1 minute time passed, it takes more than 15 minutes to travel through Downtown before entering the I-5 Express Lanes. Posted by Oran Viriyincy. 

Bus ride through downtown Seattle. 

From Madison, Wisconsin: "Madison Metro Transit Bus Driver Chooses Jail." (Wisconsin State Journal)

A former Metro Transit bus driver who took an unruly passenger for a ride on the outside of his bus has chosen to spend time in jail rather than go on probation for a disorderly conduct conviction. (Read more here.)

From Albuquerque! "Get on the bus!" by Eric Billingsley

This story was published in the Albuquerque Journal on August 3, 2008. However, I am unable to find a link to that story within the Albuquerque Journal website's search engine. I did find two pages of Eric Billingsley's stories, but not the story I have copied below.


So-called "staycations" are all the buzz, given the current state of the economy. Instead of hopping on a plane or driving cross-country, the idea is to do something vacation-like at home. But if you have kids, even carting them around town can quickly add up at the gas pump.

I recently challenged myself, son Gabriel, 8, and daughter Lavender, 6, to forgo using our SUV for a day and ride public transportation instead.

Starting in the far Northeast Heights, we traveled to Central Avenue and down to the Albuquerque Biological Park. We later caught the Rio Line train to the Rio Grande Zoo, and returned home via city buses.

Using public transportation is a no-brainer for some. But for a person like me, who has become way too accustomed to driving, the experience was an eye-opener. The kids loved it. And I appreciated not only saving money on gas, but also how tired they were at the end of the day.

Rise and shine

At 7:45 a.m. the kids and I wake up, eat breakfast and get ready for our day on the bus. We have to be at the southwest corner of Academy and Wyoming at 8:45 a.m. to catch the 8:59 a.m. southbound to Central Avenue. Not for a minute did the kids balk at the idea of riding the bus or dillydally around to get there on time.

When the bus arrives, the driver greets us with a big grin and is especially welcoming to the kids. After paying $1.70 for the one-way journey, Lavender sits down contentedly. Gabriel, being the high-energy kid he is, proceeds to push, pull and test everything in his new environment.

Twenty minutes later, we arrive at Central, get off the bus and walk to the Rapid Ride station on the northwest side of the street to catch a westbound bus. Prior to the trip, I obtained all of the route information on the City of Albuquerque's Web site, cabq. gov. It took 30 minutes or so of research and a couple of calls to the city's 311 call center to pinpoint the best route and times for our trip.

At the bus stop, we meet a mom and her three children en route to Chuck E. Cheese's near Coors Boulevard. They ride the bus frequently and have only good things to say. Gabriel and Lavender climb, explore and run around. I have a quick talk with them about staying well away from the street, but they still manage to exert plenty of energy.

We also meet Maggie Ross, who is commuting home from an all-night shift. With crimson red hair and a punk rock look, she smiles, chats for a while and returns to reading a book. On the Rapid Ride, the kids also see a Boy Scout troop from Wisconsin en route to the train station Downtown.

A day at the Bio Park and zoo

We arrive at the Albuquerque Biological Park at 10 a.m., precisely one hour after leaving the Academy and Wyoming bus stop. The kids are more exited than ever, even though they've been to the aquarium and botanic garden many times.

To save money, and to keep with the public transportation theme, I purchase a Biological Park/ Rio Grande Zoo combo package for all of us - $5 for each kid and $12 for adults. The pass includes use of the Rio Line that runs along the bosque and connects the Biological Park and zoo.

Our first stop is the butterfly exhibit at the botanic garden - a must for young kids. We then stroll to the Rio Grande Heritage Farm, where Gabriel and Lavender are captivated by a three-horned Churro sheep named Rambo.

Afterward, the kids are anxious to see the aquarium. They bypass most of the exhibits and head straight to the large tank filled with sharks, sea turtles and even a diver cleaning the rocks.

It's about noon, so we eat lunch at the aquarium's cafe. Prices are reasonable, kids can color on the paper table coverings and they can watch the fish swim in the large tank.

We then catch the Rio Line to the zoo. The train, which runs every 30 minutes, is a great 20-minute reprieve from walking and chasing the kids. Scenery along the bosque is relaxing, and the kids get a kick out of the train conductor and traveling in a rail car.

At the zoo, we head for the children's play area. Gabriel and Lavender seize the opportunity to get wet in the jumping waters fountain. They play in the jungle gym, and then we check out the seals and sea lions, big cats, polar bears and a few other exhibits.

A book titled "America's Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans and Families" recently named the Rio Grande Zoo one of the top 60 in the U.S. Authors noted the zoo's diverse animal collection, knowledgeable staff and excellent exhibits.

At this point it's about 2 p.m. I'm pretty worn out. and we have a 20-minute train ride ahead of us to get back to the Biological Park, and an hour bus ride to get home. So we catch the 2:15 Rio Line and begin our journey north.

The road home

Just before 3 p.m. we arrive at the Rapid Ride stop on Central Avenue. The kids still have lots of energy, and I have to remind them to hold hands while crossing the street and to stay away from Central.

The bus arrives a few minutes later, we pay our $1.70 and settle in. One thing is strikingly apparent: Afternoon riders seem a lot less chipper than the morning crowd. Things get a little stranger when we change buses at Wyoming and an intoxicated man, with a 12-pack of beer in hand, stumbles into the bus stop.

Reason for concern? A little. But other riders take note of the man's state of mind and compassionately and swiftly send him on his way. We keep our distance, but Gabriel and Lavender ask plenty of questions. My response is to describe to them the effects of alcohol and remind them to steer clear of people when they're intoxicated.

No need to judge, just be aware and safe, is my parenting approach. Even though the kids are 6 and 8, it seems like a valuable lesson.

We board the bus for the last leg of the journey. Lavender lies down on one of the back seats, and Gabriel is still going full-force. The part of the trip where the kids get tired doesn't kick in for another hour or so.

Halfway between Central and Academy, a group of youngsters from Gold Cup Gymnastics School boards the bus. Sure enough, my kids recognize a few of them and the camp counselors because they attended that camp last year. At 4 p.m., precisely one hour after leaving the Biological Park, we arrive at our final stop at Academy and Wyoming.

On our way home, only 10 or 15 minutes from the bus stop, I ask the kids if they enjoyed riding the bus. Still filled with energy, they say, "yes."

But the most striking thing is that the experience seems like just another day in the life to them. They aren't thinking about whether the bus is more convenient than the family SUV. They aren't obsessing about the intoxicated man we encountered. Riding public transportation was fun, and it made sense, especially for a staycation.

From Düsseldorf, Germany: "Fake bus stop keeps Alzheimer's patients from wandering off," by Harry de Quetteville

The idea was first tried at Benrath Senior Centre in Düsseldorf, which pitched an exact replica of a standard stop outside, with one small difference: buses do not use it.

The centre had been forced to rely on police to retrieve patients who wanted to return to their often non-existent homes and families.

Then Benrath teamed up with a local care association called the "Old Lions". They went to the Rheinbahn transport network which supplied the bus stop. (Read more here.)