Other Bus Stories: 2016

Friday, June 10, 2016

ART, BRT: In The News (An Ongoing Blog Post)

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Dear Alibi (Letter to the Editor)

Dear Alibi,

ART has not received adequate (if any) coverage from the point of view of the daily bus rider. I am 76 years of age and my husband is 86. Neither of us has a driver's license. Hence we both depend totally on public transportation despite its limitations. We fail to understand how ART will improve travel for us (the elderly) when it requires crossing to the middle of the road while dodging oncoming traffic. The same applies to parents with strollers and young children as well as the disabled.
Spare me talk of widened sidewalks. Their only advantage—if you could call it such—is to narrow traffic lanes. Their major disadvantage will be to cause further havoc to pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
How, indeed, did one arrive at the magic figure of a “two times” increase of Rapid riders? (In a car town? Really?) Can one be sure it isn't simply a hoped-for guesstimate to justify the folly of ART and the waste of taxpayers' (local and federal) hard-earned dollars?
Surely, bus riders should have been considered and—dare I say—consulted when planning such a major and costly change to the current system. If that had been done and, moreover, all properly thought out, the architects of the scheme might have better provided for the needs of the passengers rather than the coffers of the “developers.” The real need is for additional buses and bus routes, particularly north/south.
An added disadvantage for these riders will be the access to ABQ Uptown, Coronado Mall and Winrock Center. With ART, riders will have to alight the Rapid at Louisiana and cross streets for a second bus—a major, and possibly dangerous, inconvenience upon returning riders, laden with packages such as groceries from Trader Joe's and Target.
The proposal should have been put directly to those of us who actually use the transportation system, meager as it presently is. At the very least, via a referendum. Public meetings do not hold. They are all merely a sham. Vox populi is never heard. Certainly never listened to.

—Marie G. Diaz, Letters to the Editor, The Alibi, vol. 25, No, 23 (June 9-15, 2016)

Sunday, June 5, 2016

From Walnut Grove, Alabama: “It’s In There,” by Tom Brandon

Remember Wednesday Addams from the old T.V. show The Addams Family? Her clone was riding my bus. (Read the rest of the story here.)

Sunday, May 29, 2016

From San Francisco: “A chance encounter on the ‘old 55-Sacramento,’” by Davy

“You would’ve been a star.” (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, May 22, 2016

From NYC: “An Unscheduled Bus Stop,” by Ellen Diamond

A pleasant-faced woman climbed up the steps, leaned over, kissed the driver on the mouth and stepped off again... (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, May 15, 2016

From Portland: “My Interloper,” by Nicareeno

A car slowed on the far side of the street. The driver rolled down the window and waved at me.

"I have to talk to you."

(Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, May 8, 2016

From Walnut Grove, Alabama: “Meow,” by Tom Brandon

It turned out the Pop-Tart was a payoff, a bribe; my good reputation had been compromised for a place in the front of the line. (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, May 1, 2016

From Provo: “He Finally Got Me,” by BUSNINJA

He finally achieved what hundreds of toddlers before him had achieved, but he had only dreamed about. He pulled the cord when I wasn't paying attention. (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, April 24, 2016

From Berkeley, California: “Five kinds of people you see on the bus,” by Isabela Reid

If you’re not lame enough to walk to class, hipster enough to have a bike, SoCal enough to skateboard or rich enough to have a hover board, odds are you take the good ol’ 51B. (Read more here.)

Sunday, April 17, 2016

From San Francisco: “Bus Report #910,” by Rachel

The sense of smell is a powerful thing: I was instantly transported back in time, to weekends with my whole extended family... (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, April 10, 2016

From Seattle: “King County Metro bus driver enjoys route before sunrise,” from KBCS 91.3

A view from the bus driver's seat.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

From Houston: “The Wit & Wisdom of Janis Scott: ‘The Bus Lady’ of Houston,” from STREETFILMS, on Vimeo

The Wit & Wisdom of Janis Scott: "The Bus Lady" of Houston from STREETFILMS on Vimeo.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

From NYC: “N.J. Man Says He Was Jeered At For Pointing Out Suspicious Bag On Bus,” from CBS2 New York

A bus passenger from New Jersey tried to do the right thing and report a suspicious unattended bag on board to police. (Read more here.)

Sunday, March 20, 2016

From Dublin: “This story about two kids chatting on a Dublin bus will make you feel super old,” from The Daily Edge

(You can see the whole article here.)

Sunday, March 13, 2016

From Detroit: “Retiree's last bus ride home leads to sweet surprise,” from KPNX

So you’ve been ridin’ the bus for 60 years. (Read the whole story here.)

Thursday, March 10, 2016

From Carolyn Carlson for The Alibi: ART Smart?

The following is pertinent to the controversial implementation of Albuquerque’s Rapid Bus Transit project. It is taken from a more extensive article dealing with the March 7 Albuquerque City Council meeting. The website where it appears is The Alibi.

Two measures were introduced regarding the proposed ABQ Rapid Transit plan. They were not discussed but are set to be discussed at the March 21 meeting. Councilors Ken Sanchez (D) and Don Harris (R) joined together to propose a bill that will ask for the Council to approve accepting federal monies and starting the project. Councilors Brad Winter (R) and Sanchez introduced a measure to allow residents and businesses along the proposed route to organize a transit advisory board. Councilor Dan Lewis (R) had said he will introduce a measure opposing the proposed ART route but it was not ready to be introduced. Recent public meetings have become unruly to the point of shouting, interrupting and face-to-face confrontations between Councilors, city administrators and residents. It seems no one at City Hall wants to look at alternate routes such as Lomas for the transportation route that could go from Old Town to the state fair grounds and malls, be welcomed by the businesses along the route, not add congestion into already cramped space, and actually spur development rather than deter development; the current proposal is obviously divisive despite bi-partisan Council support.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

From Wilson County, Tennessee: “Meet the school bus driver with a Grammy,” by Brad Schmitt for The (Nashville) Tennessean

Those pre-K kids don’t really know what a Grammy is. Teachers say they just know Mr. Joe got a big prize. (Read the whole story here.)

Thursday, March 3, 2016

From Joe Monahan: “Some Grumbling Over Berry Bus Plan At City Council But Not Much More”

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

From Joe Monahan: “ART Ache”

The following is pertinent to the controversial implementation of Albuquerque’s Rapid Bus Transit project. It is taken from a more extensive article dealing with other political issues in New Mexico. The website where it appears is “Politics in New Mexico by Joe Monahan.” This part specifically takes issue with what Monahan reports is a misleading headline in the Albuquerque Journal that implied the mayor was present at a recent ART pubic meeting.

An award for political duplicity? Certainly Mayor Berry's comments about the public hearings for his controversial rapid bus plan for Central Avenue (ART) is a leading contender for such an award.

Below a misleading newspaper headline that reads, "Colorful language greets mayor at ART meeting," Berry addresses the loud objections heard at recent public hearings on ART. The mayor has not attended the public meetings and faced the protesting public, but says: “Progress invites controversy but if we shy away from progress and improvements to our city simply because we don’t have the stomach for controversy, we’re going to shortchange our city, our citizens and our future.”

Just who doesn't have the stomach for controversy? Well, could that be the mayor who sends his no-name administrators out to face the angry public while he hides behind the curtains?

Apparently nurturing hopes for some kind of political future, Berry refuses to attend the meetings and face the howls of discontent over his plan that would make for some interesting TV clips. If there's anyone with a weak stomach around here, it's not those in the peanut gallery, it's the weak-kneed Mayor.

Then there's the spectacle of Berry insider and commercial real estate developer Paul Silverman blasting Jean Bernstein, owner of the Flying Star restaurant chain, for opposing the ART project because she believes the construction would be disruptive to Nob Hill and ultimately choke off business when it is completed.

Silverman points out that the Flying Star is in a bankruptcy reorganization that has nothing to do with construction but how she runs her business. Never mind that Bernstein isn't blaming any current construction for her woes, what about Silverman and what critics call his his crony capitalism, consisting of big public subsidies for his downtown apartments and grocery store near Central and on which ART buses would run? Or how about his appointment by Mayor Berry to serve on the ABQ Development Commission. Does all that perhaps have an impact on his opinion of ART?

Silverman denigrates Bernstein for her bankruptcy, but could he make it in the free market without his subsidies and friendships with City Hall? He might want to ask himself that the next time he attacks business owners like Bernstein who are not lining up at the City Hall trough at feeding time but battling it out in the real world of business.

Reader Bil Diven writes of the bus controversy:

Where is the creative leadership to improve and promote the existing bus system especially in lieu of new river crossings? And what about finally accepting Rail Runner as a regional asset instead of a Richardson hangover? There's a lot of infrastructure being left behind in pursuit of the new shiny toy.

Want to voice your opinion on ART? The ABQ Free Press is conducting a survey. You can take part by clicking here.

Sunday, February 28, 2016

From Seattle: “Why My Family Lives Car-free” (Interview with Carla Saulter on Soundcloud)

Why My Family Lives Car-free

Saturday, February 27, 2016

From Joe Monahan: “About That Meeting”

The following is pertinent to the controversial implementation of Albuquerque’s Rapid Bus Transit project. It is taken from a more extensive article dealing with other political issues in New Mexico. The website where it appears is “Politics in New Mexico by Joe Monahan.”

The public meeting over Mayor Berry's rapid bus transit plan (ART) that erupted into chaos Wednesday night drew wide reader reaction. Joanie Griffin, who provides public relations for Bradbury and Stamm, the contractor for the $119 million project on Central Avenue, came with this:

“I was one of the people trying to speak as part of the ART team last night. It was complete chaos. I do appreciate that people are upset. But screaming at City employees and the contractors does nothing to facilitate the process. Our intent with this series of public meetings is to present what is currently planned and get feedback from people. It's not a do you want ART or don't you want ART conversation. It's what can we do to mitigate the construction impacts and make this a project that works for people.

Rather than yelling and screaming, come up with some constructive alternatives and solutions. Right now businesses on Central are dying without ART. So what would they do to improve the business climate if not ART. Making a scene isn't constructive for anyone.”

Susan Bradway writes:

“While progress is a good thing, infrastructure must be in place to support that progress. The ART is a good idea but the infrastructure is not there. An economy near recession combined with a construction endeavor that will drive most would be shoppers away is an instant recipe for economic disaster for merchants along Central Ave. Combine the construction chaos with Albuquerque's elevated violent crime rate and that should about drive everyone out. Maybe that is the REAL plan. On some levels this is like the Behavioral Health debacle. Drive the present businesses out and put favored new ones in. Disgusting at best.”

Reader Jim Cooke writes:

“Joe, as an auto-free resident of the SE Fringecrest neighborhood I wonder how far $25 million would go in providing improved bus and jitney service in all the grossly under served districts peripheral to Central. Pretty far, I'd bet. I can hop on the No. 16 bus going West and, in minutes, get to Central where one risks drowning in the river of No. 66s, 666s and 777s. Fine. But try to make it to an appointment in the South Valley, North Valley, or anywhere north of Central and one needs to factor in hours to account for serpentine bus routes, long walks and time-in-stir spent at connecting bus stops, not to mention the challenge of distilling those connections from the Transportation Department's opaque schedules.

ART is a particularly unimaginative project. We need the jobs, granted. Why not make those jobs permanent by de-Centralizing the existing scheme?”

Reader Dan writes:

“. . . This is $120 million shot in the arm that creates construction jobs, will spur economic development, improves transportation and makes ABQ look less blight-y which is a real problem in attracting businesses and new residents. Plus it preserves a right-of-way for future mass transit upgrade (street car, light rail). The businesses on Central opposing this are insane in my opinion. Businesses are already leaving and closing and a shovel has yet to hit the ground. While we think Nob Hill is such a great walkable area it is only by our car-centric standards. The sidewalks are too narrow (BRT project would widen them) and cars travel too fast (BRT would reduce lanes in some area to one car lane which would slow traffic and make it easier to cross the street). My preference would be a streetcar or light rail but that option is not on the table. It’s pure fantasy given our dire economic realities. If a vocal minority (who skew older) kill this project, ABQ is in worse shape than I feared.”

There was another boisterous public meeting on ART Thursday night with most people in attendance adamantly opposed but feeling helpless that the project will be rammed through no matter their views. And where was Mayor Berry? Nowhere in sight to explain the massive $119 million project.

__________

I am posting these other links relating to “That Meeting” below.

Manzano Day School new venue for March 1 Albuquerque Rapid Transit Public Meeting

Meeting over BRT project turns chaotic.

Op-ed: Rapid Transit Chaos

About That Meeting

Business owners still worried about city’s BRT project.

In Defense of ART [Albuquerque Rapid Transit - local branding for BRT], a response to:

An Open Letter to Mayor Berry, the City Council,and the Citizens of Albuquerque

Sunday, February 21, 2016

From Los Angeles: “Love on the Bus: Can carless be sexy in a changing LA?” by Meghan McCarty for KPCC

"It's the second hurdle," he said. "You have to tell someone, 'Hey, I like you,' and see if you're rejected and then a couple weeks later say, 'I don't have a car,' and then see if you're rejected again." (Read the whole story here.)

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

From A Statement By The Toronto Transit Authority

There was some miscommunication between three operators -- the operator who was driving spoke to an operator on the street who believed that that operator was going to be taking over his bus, the operator he spoke to misunderstood he was taking another bus.

The third operator was the operator who was supposed to take over the original bus was late. He misread the time at which he was supposed to be there.

Reported by The New Yorker, February 1, 2016, p. 28, reporting from 24 Hours Toronto, reporting from a statement by the Toronto Transit Authority.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

From Provo: “Read a Book (or something),” by Greg Platt

Of all of the aforementioned "complaints" that I hear, the only one I have to deal with is that Transit takes time. I personally don't think it takes "too" long, but that's because I actually enjoy my time on the train. (Read the whole story here.)

Sunday, February 7, 2016

From San Francisco: “Bus Report #903,” by Rachel

This morning the 33 was almost empty, just five of us passengers and the driver. (Read more here.)

Sunday, January 31, 2016

From Portland, Oregon: “Karma Rides the 35,” by Bill Reagan

Schadenfreude is the German word for taking pleasure in another person’s misfortune. I was guilty of that today. (Read the rest of the story here.)

Sunday, January 24, 2016

From Seattle: “Bus Story: A Coat of Our Own Making,” by Richard Isherman

The black overcoat seems to be taking the man for a walk, rather than the man wearing the coat. (Read more here.)

Sunday, January 17, 2016

From Ottawa: “The bus driver, the disabed passenger, the buddies they became,” by Kelly Egan for the Ottawa Citizen

At Wednesday’s Ottawa Senators home game, high up in section 324, two men in jerseys sat cheering, unusually bonded — by sport, by the everyday — on the road of life. (Read the rest of the story here.)

Sunday, January 10, 2016

From Dublin: “Dogs on buses,” by Lucille Redmond

When did it happen that you couldn't bring dogs on Dublin buses? (Read more here.)

Sunday, January 3, 2016

From San Francisco: “Bus Report #899,” by Rachel

The woman in the fur hood smiles again, wider this time.
And I catch my reflection in the window and see that I'm smiling, too. (Read the whole story here.)