Post by bennyp81 on Jun 20, 2005 10:10:16 GMT -8
Cliffj
User ID: 0812164 Jul 31st [2003] 7:44 AM
John's posts also tell of problems riding the "Cramped Little MTA Buses". But he usually masks his disaproval with a faux compliment of the MTA, followed by a cynical criticism of the Expo Line etc. Then he tops it off with his trademark: AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....tee HEE!
PaulC
User ID: 9147853 Sep 23rd 11:11 AM
Man, last night I was at the 491 bus stop at Santa Anita and Huntington Dr. I had just gotten there at 7:30pm and missed the bus that arrives there at that time. So I waited for the next bus which was scheduled for 8:10pm, but it never showed.
So I called the MTA's 1800-commute and they said that it should have been there, and they didn't know what happen to it. So the lady on the phone said that there should be one coming at 8:30. Well the 8:30 bus didn't come till 9:00pm, because he said he got pulled over by Arcadia PD. When I got on the bus and asked him which bus he was, he said that we was the 8:30 bus and that he didn't know what happened to the other.
This was the first time I have ever had a problem like this with the 491. One thing I found interesting from the MTA, was that they couldn't track these buses. They only thing they could do is tell you if they had a delay. I think MTA needs to put some type of GPS system in there buses. I also think that MTA should have a 24 hour 800-Commute call center. This would really help make transit in LA better.
Paul
Dane
User ID: 1878484 Sep 23rd 12:45 PM
The ATMS system, when it's finally implemented, will incorporate GPS tracking and bus health monitoring. So, just hang in there...it _will_ happen.
www.metro.net/other_info/ATMS/faq.htm
Elson
User ID: 1453344 Sep 23rd 3:55 PM
I rode the RTD for 8 years of my life, from 1984-1992. The MTA's buses are cleaner and the interiors are more airier, brighter (no more "cockroach brown" faux woodpanel interor!) and I think that makes a huge difference. However, they can clean the buses as much as they could and make them run frequenly and on-time as they could, but it's still SLOW.
Buses work best when the rides are shorter. That's partly why DASH is such a huge success.
I can't tolerate a bus ride that's longer than 20 minutes. When you have a bus line going in excess of 10 miles each direction, it wears down the vehicle over time, compromising its mechanical reliabilty. That's why we need more rail, to handle the big corridors, and use the buses to go to the places the rail can't cover.
Roberto
User ID: 1223124 Sep 23rd 4:09 PM
I have been saying this for a long time. The time it's most needed (at night, when people are stuck and need to know how to get home), the lines are closed.
Paul, I'm surprised you actually got through! I've only tried to call twice after 7PM. Both times, I was on hold for over 30 minutes before giving up.
PaulC
User ID: 7071683 Sep 23rd 11:55 PM
Really Roberto? I've always gotten through, and never have waited that long for an operator.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 1285974 Jan 13th [2004] 9:45 PM
Well today I had another I hate the bus (sometimes) moment. Well let me began my story. I had to be at work at 2:30pm today, so I used the MTA trip planner and got my schedule. So I went out to catch my bus at 1:00, because any good bus rider knows he/she should be there early incase the bus comes early. 1:13 come and then goes and there I am waiting for the bus. So finally at 1:35 the bus show. By now I really upset.
So when I got to the El Monte bus station, I made a complaint in the new information office. There the lady tried to say that I should understand traffic and all, but I said that this was an everyday thing for the last couple of months. So she took the report and passed it on to her boss. So I finally got to work 30min late, thank god I have an understanding boss. So hopefully this will help improve the time of the 486 buses. Well there is my rank.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 0986624 Jun 6th 2:01 PM
Well this is somewhat of a rant and comment on improving bus service. I normally take the Foothill bus 486 to the El Monte bus station and then catch the MTA 267 bus to Pasadena where I attend and work at Pasadena City College. I must say that it can be quite a long trip. Sometimes the trip is about 50-55 mins and at other times it can be just over an hour. So I was think that MTA or Foothill should implement a rapid or limited type bus between the El Monte Station and old town Pasadena area. Because Pasadena is a major employment area of the SGV and I think they should have such a type of bus service between the two areas. Well there is my comment on that.
Bus Rider MTA
User ID: 1606604 Jul 7th 12:03 PM
Los Angeles Daily News: Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Letters to the Editor: MTA bus drivers
At what point in time were MTA buses exempted from traffic laws? Why are they allowed to exceed the posted speed limit by as much as 20 miles per hour? Who gave the drivers the OK to run red lights? Why do they get away with blocking whole intersections simply because they don't fit on the other side?
Where is it written that drivers want to be forced into a different lane when a bus pulls away from the curb? Why don't MTA buses have "How am I driving" bumper stickers? Perhaps they're afraid of flooded phone lines?
Michael N. Schnitzius, Burbank
***********************************
Interesting rant by another self-centered clueless
motorist who just owns the road and doesn't care that the bus may carry up to 100 people per hour, therefor removing a lot of traffic as he speeds illegally himself.
I suggest advocates write: We welcome letters on all issues of public concern. All are subject to editing and condensation, and they can be published only with the writer's true name.
Only the writer's home community, rather than the whole address, will be published. Letters must include the writer's complete home address and daytime telephone number for verification purposes. Please limit letters to 100 words.
Letters and columns that are submitted may be republished in digital and other formats and retained in archives without compensation to the author.
• E-mail: dnforum@dailynews.com
• Mail Letters to:
Public Forum, P.O. BOX 4200,
Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200.
• Fax: (818) 713-3723
PaulC
User ID: 8548253 Jul 29th 12:03 AM
This is not a what I hate about the bus post. I dont know if anyone one has notice that ride the buses in the SGV, but they're having a SGV meeting about supposed bus service changes and the introduction of a rapid line in Pasadena. They had a flyer on the bus stating this, and it said that info would be on the bus this week or so, but no info flyers have appeared(at least on my rides). Does anyone have info on this?
Paul
Bert G
User ID: 8841313 Jul 29th 1:13 AM
There will be an introduction of a Rapid line to follow the routes of the 217/180/181 from Fairfax/Wilshire to Colorado/Lake in the near future. It is in the short range transportation plan, and I believe the bus line will debut in December.
You might get some information on the MTA website, but if I find out any more info, I will post it here.
PaulC
User ID: 8548253 Jul 29th 8:33 AM
Thanks Bert. I just discovered that this morning. It looks like I'm going to have to go to the mat on one change that will be affecting a line I currently ride daily. Even though the change that they purposing wont hurt me, it will hurt fellow commuter and I cant just let that happen with out speaking up first. The change that they are purposing is on the bus line 267 and they want to eliminate service between a certain sections of the line and move it to Rosemead blvd.
If MTA does this, this would leave elderly, students, and other riders with out a bus to ride in the near vicinity of their homes, and the walk to another bus line would be to long (even for a seasoned MTA bus rider like me) and wouldn’t have the frequency of the 267. So if anyone else rides the line 267 or any other line in the SGV subject to service change, please go the public hearings.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 1271794 Jul 29th 10:42 AM
Please webmaster remove this post and my earlier post about the 267 route being changed, I was wrong about the information. Sorry to all those who might have taken this information serious.
Paul
PForce
User ID: 0247944 Jul 29th 1:26 PM
Even though I am a regular bus rider on the Westside, I have to agree with the letter to the editor shown above. While I depend upon the bus as the only alternative to driving on my side of town, I agree with everything he says.
The problem is obvious: buses can't beat traffic--especially heavy traffic--unless the drivers break the rules frequently and bully their way through lines of cars. (They don't try this with big trucks.) They apparently have to stay with the bus schedule or have a bad record for not being prompt regardless of the circumstances. Wanting a longer break between runs is also probably on their minds.
The problem, as we all know, is that there is no solution to such aggressive-driving behavior except to create lanes of traffic dedicated to buses. But if we were to take that route, the next obvious question would be: why not put in light rail in the separate lane?
Buses are a menace. They are loud, uncomfortable, and difficult to board for the elderly, young children, those with wheel chairs, or those caring packages or babies. They rock side-to-side and swerve a lot, and are dangerous for those trying to get to the exit door before the it closes without one's falling down or tripping on the steep steps (as happened to me once when I ended up in bed with a cast on my leg for a couple of months).
No one likes riding the bus. We take them because--other than driving--there is no alternative but walking. Many people either can't afford a car or are to young or too old or infirm to drive.
Our city fathers (and mothers) are causing many problems by not getting control of traffic instead of enabling speeding and other common traffic violations that endanger the lives of pedestrians or other drivers. Speed limits should be lowered and traffic lights and stop signs more freequent. Drivers are not born with the God-given right to speed, to cut off pedestrians, or to make dangerous moves in traffic. We probably need at least a thousand or more traffic police--if for nothing more than for traffic calming.
Another bad thing about buses is that, unlike light rail, bus routes and schedules can be changed at will, often without any notice. Bus systems react to changes in typical commute patterns--particularly MTA buses. In contrast, rail is permanent, and the community adjusts to the lines rather than vice-versa, thus lending a sense of permenance to neighborhoods--something that tends to be lacking in LA.
John
User ID: 9753653 Jul 29th 11:39 PM
LOL.
User ID: 0812164 Jul 31st [2003] 7:44 AM
Except for you, most post tell of the problems we have riding busses.
John's posts also tell of problems riding the "Cramped Little MTA Buses". But he usually masks his disaproval with a faux compliment of the MTA, followed by a cynical criticism of the Expo Line etc. Then he tops it off with his trademark: AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA....tee HEE!
PaulC
User ID: 9147853 Sep 23rd 11:11 AM
Man, last night I was at the 491 bus stop at Santa Anita and Huntington Dr. I had just gotten there at 7:30pm and missed the bus that arrives there at that time. So I waited for the next bus which was scheduled for 8:10pm, but it never showed.
So I called the MTA's 1800-commute and they said that it should have been there, and they didn't know what happen to it. So the lady on the phone said that there should be one coming at 8:30. Well the 8:30 bus didn't come till 9:00pm, because he said he got pulled over by Arcadia PD. When I got on the bus and asked him which bus he was, he said that we was the 8:30 bus and that he didn't know what happened to the other.
This was the first time I have ever had a problem like this with the 491. One thing I found interesting from the MTA, was that they couldn't track these buses. They only thing they could do is tell you if they had a delay. I think MTA needs to put some type of GPS system in there buses. I also think that MTA should have a 24 hour 800-Commute call center. This would really help make transit in LA better.
Paul
Dane
User ID: 1878484 Sep 23rd 12:45 PM
The ATMS system, when it's finally implemented, will incorporate GPS tracking and bus health monitoring. So, just hang in there...it _will_ happen.
www.metro.net/other_info/ATMS/faq.htm
Elson
User ID: 1453344 Sep 23rd 3:55 PM
I rode the RTD for 8 years of my life, from 1984-1992. The MTA's buses are cleaner and the interiors are more airier, brighter (no more "cockroach brown" faux woodpanel interor!) and I think that makes a huge difference. However, they can clean the buses as much as they could and make them run frequenly and on-time as they could, but it's still SLOW.
Buses work best when the rides are shorter. That's partly why DASH is such a huge success.
I can't tolerate a bus ride that's longer than 20 minutes. When you have a bus line going in excess of 10 miles each direction, it wears down the vehicle over time, compromising its mechanical reliabilty. That's why we need more rail, to handle the big corridors, and use the buses to go to the places the rail can't cover.
Roberto
User ID: 1223124 Sep 23rd 4:09 PM
I also think that MTA should have a 24 hour 800-Commute call center.
I have been saying this for a long time. The time it's most needed (at night, when people are stuck and need to know how to get home), the lines are closed.
Paul, I'm surprised you actually got through! I've only tried to call twice after 7PM. Both times, I was on hold for over 30 minutes before giving up.
PaulC
User ID: 7071683 Sep 23rd 11:55 PM
Really Roberto? I've always gotten through, and never have waited that long for an operator.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 1285974 Jan 13th [2004] 9:45 PM
Well today I had another I hate the bus (sometimes) moment. Well let me began my story. I had to be at work at 2:30pm today, so I used the MTA trip planner and got my schedule. So I went out to catch my bus at 1:00, because any good bus rider knows he/she should be there early incase the bus comes early. 1:13 come and then goes and there I am waiting for the bus. So finally at 1:35 the bus show. By now I really upset.
So when I got to the El Monte bus station, I made a complaint in the new information office. There the lady tried to say that I should understand traffic and all, but I said that this was an everyday thing for the last couple of months. So she took the report and passed it on to her boss. So I finally got to work 30min late, thank god I have an understanding boss. So hopefully this will help improve the time of the 486 buses. Well there is my rank.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 0986624 Jun 6th 2:01 PM
Well this is somewhat of a rant and comment on improving bus service. I normally take the Foothill bus 486 to the El Monte bus station and then catch the MTA 267 bus to Pasadena where I attend and work at Pasadena City College. I must say that it can be quite a long trip. Sometimes the trip is about 50-55 mins and at other times it can be just over an hour. So I was think that MTA or Foothill should implement a rapid or limited type bus between the El Monte Station and old town Pasadena area. Because Pasadena is a major employment area of the SGV and I think they should have such a type of bus service between the two areas. Well there is my comment on that.
Bus Rider MTA
User ID: 1606604 Jul 7th 12:03 PM
Los Angeles Daily News: Wednesday, July 7, 2004
Letters to the Editor: MTA bus drivers
At what point in time were MTA buses exempted from traffic laws? Why are they allowed to exceed the posted speed limit by as much as 20 miles per hour? Who gave the drivers the OK to run red lights? Why do they get away with blocking whole intersections simply because they don't fit on the other side?
Where is it written that drivers want to be forced into a different lane when a bus pulls away from the curb? Why don't MTA buses have "How am I driving" bumper stickers? Perhaps they're afraid of flooded phone lines?
Michael N. Schnitzius, Burbank
***********************************
Interesting rant by another self-centered clueless
motorist who just owns the road and doesn't care that the bus may carry up to 100 people per hour, therefor removing a lot of traffic as he speeds illegally himself.
I suggest advocates write: We welcome letters on all issues of public concern. All are subject to editing and condensation, and they can be published only with the writer's true name.
Only the writer's home community, rather than the whole address, will be published. Letters must include the writer's complete home address and daytime telephone number for verification purposes. Please limit letters to 100 words.
Letters and columns that are submitted may be republished in digital and other formats and retained in archives without compensation to the author.
• E-mail: dnforum@dailynews.com
• Mail Letters to:
Public Forum, P.O. BOX 4200,
Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200.
• Fax: (818) 713-3723
PaulC
User ID: 8548253 Jul 29th 12:03 AM
This is not a what I hate about the bus post. I dont know if anyone one has notice that ride the buses in the SGV, but they're having a SGV meeting about supposed bus service changes and the introduction of a rapid line in Pasadena. They had a flyer on the bus stating this, and it said that info would be on the bus this week or so, but no info flyers have appeared(at least on my rides). Does anyone have info on this?
Paul
Bert G
User ID: 8841313 Jul 29th 1:13 AM
There will be an introduction of a Rapid line to follow the routes of the 217/180/181 from Fairfax/Wilshire to Colorado/Lake in the near future. It is in the short range transportation plan, and I believe the bus line will debut in December.
You might get some information on the MTA website, but if I find out any more info, I will post it here.
PaulC
User ID: 8548253 Jul 29th 8:33 AM
Thanks Bert. I just discovered that this morning. It looks like I'm going to have to go to the mat on one change that will be affecting a line I currently ride daily. Even though the change that they purposing wont hurt me, it will hurt fellow commuter and I cant just let that happen with out speaking up first. The change that they are purposing is on the bus line 267 and they want to eliminate service between a certain sections of the line and move it to Rosemead blvd.
If MTA does this, this would leave elderly, students, and other riders with out a bus to ride in the near vicinity of their homes, and the walk to another bus line would be to long (even for a seasoned MTA bus rider like me) and wouldn’t have the frequency of the 267. So if anyone else rides the line 267 or any other line in the SGV subject to service change, please go the public hearings.
Paul
PaulC
User ID: 1271794 Jul 29th 10:42 AM
Please webmaster remove this post and my earlier post about the 267 route being changed, I was wrong about the information. Sorry to all those who might have taken this information serious.
Paul
PForce
User ID: 0247944 Jul 29th 1:26 PM
Even though I am a regular bus rider on the Westside, I have to agree with the letter to the editor shown above. While I depend upon the bus as the only alternative to driving on my side of town, I agree with everything he says.
The problem is obvious: buses can't beat traffic--especially heavy traffic--unless the drivers break the rules frequently and bully their way through lines of cars. (They don't try this with big trucks.) They apparently have to stay with the bus schedule or have a bad record for not being prompt regardless of the circumstances. Wanting a longer break between runs is also probably on their minds.
The problem, as we all know, is that there is no solution to such aggressive-driving behavior except to create lanes of traffic dedicated to buses. But if we were to take that route, the next obvious question would be: why not put in light rail in the separate lane?
Buses are a menace. They are loud, uncomfortable, and difficult to board for the elderly, young children, those with wheel chairs, or those caring packages or babies. They rock side-to-side and swerve a lot, and are dangerous for those trying to get to the exit door before the it closes without one's falling down or tripping on the steep steps (as happened to me once when I ended up in bed with a cast on my leg for a couple of months).
No one likes riding the bus. We take them because--other than driving--there is no alternative but walking. Many people either can't afford a car or are to young or too old or infirm to drive.
Our city fathers (and mothers) are causing many problems by not getting control of traffic instead of enabling speeding and other common traffic violations that endanger the lives of pedestrians or other drivers. Speed limits should be lowered and traffic lights and stop signs more freequent. Drivers are not born with the God-given right to speed, to cut off pedestrians, or to make dangerous moves in traffic. We probably need at least a thousand or more traffic police--if for nothing more than for traffic calming.
Another bad thing about buses is that, unlike light rail, bus routes and schedules can be changed at will, often without any notice. Bus systems react to changes in typical commute patterns--particularly MTA buses. In contrast, rail is permanent, and the community adjusts to the lines rather than vice-versa, thus lending a sense of permenance to neighborhoods--something that tends to be lacking in LA.
John
User ID: 9753653 Jul 29th 11:39 PM
No one likes riding the bus.
LOL.