Post by bennyp81 on Jun 20, 2005 11:42:05 GMT -8
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 8th [2003] 6:24 PM
I have noticed a marked improvement in MTA bus service in the City of Los Angeles in the past couple or so years. It seems to me that there are more buses on the streets that I travel, and that the frequency of service has increased. I am generally very pleased now with the MTA bus service, except for the continued overcrowding on many buses, and I applaud the MTA for the great improvements it has made!
I see many buses on the streets now! The steady flow of buses, for instance, through the intersection of Wilshire and Western is a sight to behold! On my morning workday commute, after alighting from the Red Line train at Wilshire/Western, I usually have to wait no more than 5 minutes, maximum, for a #207 or a #357 to come by, which I can board for the last leg of my transit trip.
And it is indeed rare that I have to wait more than 20 minutes for any bus on any of the lines that I frequently use! Even the #212, which I usually take back home from the 99 Cents Only Store on Saturdays and Sundays, has been coming within 20 minutes of the time that I come out of the store with my groceries! This is wonderful!
Another thing that I think has improved on many of the MTA buses is the air circulation. It is rare anymore that I have to ride for very long on an a bus that I would consider to be either uncomfortably hot or unventilated. It is particularly pleasing on the many hot days in L.A. to be able to step aboard a refreshingly cool MTA bus and ride in air-conditioned comfort! And on the few really cold days, it is likewise comforting to ride a bus that is just warm enough without being hot!
I think it's great to live in a city that has such very good bus service! With the exception of the continued overcrowding on many of the buses, I'm generally quite satisfied with the quality of service provided by the MTA!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 14th 11:27 AM
I'm pleased about the establishment of the Vermont and Broadway Rapid Bus lines! It's good that better service will now be available on Vermont and Broadway; AND this will help ensure that the many other Rapid Bus lines that the MTA is planning will, indeed, be initiated!
I am especially looking forward to the upcoming Hollywood/Fairfax Rapid Bus line!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 15th 7:42 PM
The frequency of MTA bus service just keeps improving! This afternoon I only had to wait 9 minutes for the #212 bus to come by after stepping outside the 99 Cents Only Store with my bags of groceries!
Bus Rider MTA
User ID: 1606604 Dec 15th 8:14 PM
John, this is an invite to request you join the people who have really worked hard over the last year to improve the wonderful L.A. Bus system.
WE are having a lovely party this Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. You can bring food to share with others. Won't you alert everyone and please join us?
Where? Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 3300 Wilshire Blvd. (corner with Berendo).
Get there by bus or rail: (Lines 20, 21, 720, 204, 754 and Red Line Station Vermont/Wilshire)
Children welcome. The meeting will be in English, Korean, and Spanish. Please call with any questions at 213-387-2800 or you can fax your questions to 213-387-3500
Looking forward to you joining us!
www.busridersunion.org Feel free to e-mail me should you need details: ericmann@mindspring.com
:
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 15th 8:55 PM
Sorry, I won't be able to attend the party, Bus Rider MTA; but I hope you have a nice time! And thanks anyway for the invitation.
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 21st 11:40 AM
It's so nice to live in a city that has very good transit! On workdays, for instance, when I leave the stress of the work environment, it's such a relief to be able to get home within a very reasonable amount of time, thanks to Los Angeles's very good transit system! And there is not one, not two, but THREE convenient routes that I can choose from to speed me home!
When I take one of the two routes of which the Red Line is a component, I usually walk the few blocks home upon arrival at the Hollywood/Highland station. But, sometimes, after climbing the stairs, if I see that either a #212 or a #217 bus is waiting or approaching the bus stop outside the station, I just get on board and ride even closer to home! Ah! Such luxury! And all because I live and work in a city that cares a lot about transit!
Now, I must say that my partner's work commute is longer, less easy and enjoyable, and involves no passenger rail component. But it seems to us that this is inevitable, given that he works on the Westside. He thus accepts the commute, making good use of it by listening to music, reading, napping, and resting. Fortunately, MTA is allowed to provide service to the Westside! And on my partner's days off from work, he is then able to take advantage of the very good transit service which is such a great characteristic of the Hollywood/Fairfax area!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 21st 6:01 PM
Well, after coming out of the 99 Cents Only Store this afternoon, two minutes was all that I had to wait for a bus to come by! Yes, only TWO MINUTES! MTA is great!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 22nd 5:49 PM
Today when I came out of the 99 Cents Only Store, the bus was waiting at the bus stop just outside! My immediate reaction was to trot on over to it, thinking that it might pull away at any second; but, as it turned out, I had to wait a few seconds to board, given that some passengers were still alighting and others were waiting to board.
Now, probably after such excellent timing both yesterday and today, I'll have to wait a full 20 minutes or thereabouts for a bus in the near future; but that's perfectly okay with me. Even 20 minutes is not an unreasonable amount of time to have to wait for a bus on many streets in present-day, automobile-clogged L.A.! However, I definitely think that the MTA should be trying to plan busways for most of the major streets, so that the frequency of service could be five minutes or less in the near future.
Bart Reed
User ID: 8854703 Jan 31st [2004] 1:36 PM
Despite any happy talk from John, bus service is not that good or dependable. This morning my 8:55 a.m. Line 94 southbound made a no show. My 9:14 a.m. Metrolink train was right on time, without me.
So, we are starting a new contest: "Complaints 2003, better service or else!"
Good service is your right!
Buses: On Time, On Schedule, Graffiti Free
Operators: Courteous and all Call the Stops
Service: Frequency, Hours and Routes
To Report Concerns, Get this information:
1. Bus Line Number
2. Date, Time and Direction: N S E W
3. Bus / Vehicle Number
4. Boarding Location
5. Operator Badge Number
Call Toll Free 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Phone: (800) 464-2111
Metro Customer Relations
Þ--Þ--Þ
John
User ID: 9510053 Feb 16th 2:40 PM
Well, ever since moving to the City of Los Angeles, I continue to be quite pleased by MTA's bus service. As I so often say, it isn't excellent, but it's very good.
Yesterday, for instance, I was impressed that some of the protesters at yesterday's huge anti-war protest in Hollywood chose to use transit. During my walk to the 99 Cents Only Store, I saw some waiting for the Santa Monica Bl. bus, and others waiting for the #212. I would imagine that still others traveled to and event via the Red Line.
I also thought it was nice that, even though some streets were closed for the massive anti-war demonstration, I was still able to get back home quite easily from the 99 Cents Only Store by bus. In fact, the bus driver let me off at Highland & Sunset: very close to the stage where the pro-peace speeches were being made! I stopped to listen for a few minutes, just as Ron Kovic was presented! How neat!
Yes, the MTA's service is indeed impressive!
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 12:02 PM
Well, yesterday afternoon my partner and I traveled to downtown El Segundo via bus-only and we preferred this to traveling there by train-and-bus. The amount of traveling time to El Segundo by bus-only and by train-and-bus is comparable, however we felt that the bus-only trip was a bit quicker. And of course it was nice not to have to make THREE transfers as we used to when we would go by train-and-bus: Red Line to Blue Line to Green Line to bus (whew!); haha! SO nice to have to make only ONE transfer: from the #210 bus to the #124 bus. Mike was able to get a much-needed nap on the #210 bus, too, since we rode it all the way from Hollywood to the intersection of Crenshaw Blvd. & El Segundo Blvd.
On the return trip, we took the #439 bus to West L.A. Transit Center, where we transferred to the #217 bus. Again, so nice not to have to make THREE transfers as we used to do when traveling by train-and-bus! Plus, this way, we got to stop by Farmer's Market for dinner! What a deal!
Having had the chance now to compare the two different modes of travel from Hollywood to El Segundo (and back), I think I'll probably choose bus-only most or all of the time now.
Andrew S
User ID: 0269124 Mar 14th 12:55 PM
I will differ with you as to my preferred method, but I do agree that the multiple changes of train is a bit of a pain.
I prefer rail because it moves faster, is smoother and more relaxing, has more frequent service and last but not least, because I can look at all the other passengers.
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 1:50 PM
That's fine, Andrew; I respect your preference. And yes, I agree that train rides are generally smooth, which I too like; however, I think that most bus rides are smooth as well, so for me rail does not win out on that point.
Regarding the relaxation aspect, that depends on the form of rail involved. I have always found heavy rail passenger train rides to be generally relaxing, especially Amtrak rides. However, as I think you already know, I do NOT find light rail train rides to be relaxing, since the seats are so cramped and uncomfortable, some of the passengers are so loud/obnoxious, etc.
Finally, as for rail being faster, I think that all depends on where one is going, what the connections are, etc. For instance, as of January, I've given up taking the Red Line part of the way to work, since I discovered that I can arrive more quickly traveling by bus all the way. And, as I described in my post above, my partner and I found that we can also travel from Hollywood to downtown El Segundo a little more quickly via bus-only. So it all depends.
As for looking at other passengers, I find that I can usually enjoy that far more, too, on the bus.
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Mar 14th 6:12 PM
Duh ... you keep saying that the Red Line doesn't go anywhere near your work ...
PaulC
User ID: 9885643 Mar 14th 6:56 PM
I would have to say that bus service sucks right about now. I was in downtown and the bus was late and crowed like usual. As far as the ride, oh ya it was very smooth. I bet the old lady that got thrown to the floor of the bus thought so too, when the bus jerked like they do. Another thing too, once again the buses AC was out also. But that's improvement on bus service for you.
Paul
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 8:59 PM
LOL, Paul. I have never been on a bus that crowed; that is pretty amazing!
Now, seriously, every now and then I do experience a bumpy ride on a bus; but that is the exception to the rule in my experience since moving to Hollywood, I am happy to say. Also, every now and then I also get on a bus where the air conditioning is either not working or the driver doesn't turn it on. That used to be a common problem, but it seems to me that since the passage of the Consent Decree, that, too, is the exception to the rule. Indeed, one of the chief reasons why I enjoy riding the bus is that they are so often pleasantly air-conditioned!
Another great thing about bus riding since the passage of the Consent Decree is that the buses I ride almost always arrive within 20 minutes of the time I get to the bus stop. I think this is a pretty good record. Now, yesterday my partner and I did have to wait at least half an hour for the #439 in El Segundo. After 25 minutes had passed, I began to get a little angry, but I quickly told myself, "No. You cannot blame the MTA, since you are awaiting a bus in the 'burbs. It is not the MTA's fault that so few 'burbanites take the bus. If they did, as people in the lively parts of Los Angeles do, then the buses naturally would pass more frequently." I felt much better then with this feeling of fairness toward the good MTA.
So, Paul, if you find the buses to GENERALLY be late, and the rides to GENERALLY be bumpy and jerky, then your experiences with the buses are simply very different from mine. As I say, I do have such experiences once in awhile, but since the passage of the Consent Decree, they have become the exception to the rule.
Overcrowding, on the other hand, continues on many lines, and I think much improvement is still needed in that regard.
Robert
User ID: 8214233 Mar 14th 9:40 PM
John aka Wilhelm Grimm.
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 10:29 PM
If I wrote that buses crowed, I would agree with ya, Bob. Ha HA!
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Mar 15th 3:14 AM
Again, life must be beautiful when you have such low standards. Studies show that the "tolerable" waiting time for most people is no more than 10 minutes. 20 minutes at a Hollywood bus stop would be a hellish experience for just about anyone else.
Andrew S
User ID: 0269124 Mar 15th 11:24 AM
Especially given the lousy conditions in which passengers have to wait. If you seriously want passengers to ride a bus, then the places where they wait for a bus need to look and feel more like oases than the middle of the desert.
User ID: 9510053 Dec 8th [2003] 6:24 PM
I have noticed a marked improvement in MTA bus service in the City of Los Angeles in the past couple or so years. It seems to me that there are more buses on the streets that I travel, and that the frequency of service has increased. I am generally very pleased now with the MTA bus service, except for the continued overcrowding on many buses, and I applaud the MTA for the great improvements it has made!
I see many buses on the streets now! The steady flow of buses, for instance, through the intersection of Wilshire and Western is a sight to behold! On my morning workday commute, after alighting from the Red Line train at Wilshire/Western, I usually have to wait no more than 5 minutes, maximum, for a #207 or a #357 to come by, which I can board for the last leg of my transit trip.
And it is indeed rare that I have to wait more than 20 minutes for any bus on any of the lines that I frequently use! Even the #212, which I usually take back home from the 99 Cents Only Store on Saturdays and Sundays, has been coming within 20 minutes of the time that I come out of the store with my groceries! This is wonderful!
Another thing that I think has improved on many of the MTA buses is the air circulation. It is rare anymore that I have to ride for very long on an a bus that I would consider to be either uncomfortably hot or unventilated. It is particularly pleasing on the many hot days in L.A. to be able to step aboard a refreshingly cool MTA bus and ride in air-conditioned comfort! And on the few really cold days, it is likewise comforting to ride a bus that is just warm enough without being hot!
I think it's great to live in a city that has such very good bus service! With the exception of the continued overcrowding on many of the buses, I'm generally quite satisfied with the quality of service provided by the MTA!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 14th 11:27 AM
I'm pleased about the establishment of the Vermont and Broadway Rapid Bus lines! It's good that better service will now be available on Vermont and Broadway; AND this will help ensure that the many other Rapid Bus lines that the MTA is planning will, indeed, be initiated!
I am especially looking forward to the upcoming Hollywood/Fairfax Rapid Bus line!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 15th 7:42 PM
The frequency of MTA bus service just keeps improving! This afternoon I only had to wait 9 minutes for the #212 bus to come by after stepping outside the 99 Cents Only Store with my bags of groceries!
Bus Rider MTA
User ID: 1606604 Dec 15th 8:14 PM
John, this is an invite to request you join the people who have really worked hard over the last year to improve the wonderful L.A. Bus system.
WE are having a lovely party this Saturday, December 21, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. You can bring food to share with others. Won't you alert everyone and please join us?
Where? Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 3300 Wilshire Blvd. (corner with Berendo).
Get there by bus or rail: (Lines 20, 21, 720, 204, 754 and Red Line Station Vermont/Wilshire)
Children welcome. The meeting will be in English, Korean, and Spanish. Please call with any questions at 213-387-2800 or you can fax your questions to 213-387-3500
Looking forward to you joining us!
www.busridersunion.org Feel free to e-mail me should you need details: ericmann@mindspring.com
:
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 15th 8:55 PM
Sorry, I won't be able to attend the party, Bus Rider MTA; but I hope you have a nice time! And thanks anyway for the invitation.
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 21st 11:40 AM
It's so nice to live in a city that has very good transit! On workdays, for instance, when I leave the stress of the work environment, it's such a relief to be able to get home within a very reasonable amount of time, thanks to Los Angeles's very good transit system! And there is not one, not two, but THREE convenient routes that I can choose from to speed me home!
When I take one of the two routes of which the Red Line is a component, I usually walk the few blocks home upon arrival at the Hollywood/Highland station. But, sometimes, after climbing the stairs, if I see that either a #212 or a #217 bus is waiting or approaching the bus stop outside the station, I just get on board and ride even closer to home! Ah! Such luxury! And all because I live and work in a city that cares a lot about transit!
Now, I must say that my partner's work commute is longer, less easy and enjoyable, and involves no passenger rail component. But it seems to us that this is inevitable, given that he works on the Westside. He thus accepts the commute, making good use of it by listening to music, reading, napping, and resting. Fortunately, MTA is allowed to provide service to the Westside! And on my partner's days off from work, he is then able to take advantage of the very good transit service which is such a great characteristic of the Hollywood/Fairfax area!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 21st 6:01 PM
Well, after coming out of the 99 Cents Only Store this afternoon, two minutes was all that I had to wait for a bus to come by! Yes, only TWO MINUTES! MTA is great!
John
User ID: 9510053 Dec 22nd 5:49 PM
Today when I came out of the 99 Cents Only Store, the bus was waiting at the bus stop just outside! My immediate reaction was to trot on over to it, thinking that it might pull away at any second; but, as it turned out, I had to wait a few seconds to board, given that some passengers were still alighting and others were waiting to board.
Now, probably after such excellent timing both yesterday and today, I'll have to wait a full 20 minutes or thereabouts for a bus in the near future; but that's perfectly okay with me. Even 20 minutes is not an unreasonable amount of time to have to wait for a bus on many streets in present-day, automobile-clogged L.A.! However, I definitely think that the MTA should be trying to plan busways for most of the major streets, so that the frequency of service could be five minutes or less in the near future.
Bart Reed
User ID: 8854703 Jan 31st [2004] 1:36 PM
Despite any happy talk from John, bus service is not that good or dependable. This morning my 8:55 a.m. Line 94 southbound made a no show. My 9:14 a.m. Metrolink train was right on time, without me.
So, we are starting a new contest: "Complaints 2003, better service or else!"
Good service is your right!
Buses: On Time, On Schedule, Graffiti Free
Operators: Courteous and all Call the Stops
Service: Frequency, Hours and Routes
To Report Concerns, Get this information:
1. Bus Line Number
2. Date, Time and Direction: N S E W
3. Bus / Vehicle Number
4. Boarding Location
5. Operator Badge Number
Call Toll Free 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Phone: (800) 464-2111
Metro Customer Relations
Þ--Þ--Þ
John
User ID: 9510053 Feb 16th 2:40 PM
Well, ever since moving to the City of Los Angeles, I continue to be quite pleased by MTA's bus service. As I so often say, it isn't excellent, but it's very good.
Yesterday, for instance, I was impressed that some of the protesters at yesterday's huge anti-war protest in Hollywood chose to use transit. During my walk to the 99 Cents Only Store, I saw some waiting for the Santa Monica Bl. bus, and others waiting for the #212. I would imagine that still others traveled to and event via the Red Line.
I also thought it was nice that, even though some streets were closed for the massive anti-war demonstration, I was still able to get back home quite easily from the 99 Cents Only Store by bus. In fact, the bus driver let me off at Highland & Sunset: very close to the stage where the pro-peace speeches were being made! I stopped to listen for a few minutes, just as Ron Kovic was presented! How neat!
Yes, the MTA's service is indeed impressive!
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 12:02 PM
Well, yesterday afternoon my partner and I traveled to downtown El Segundo via bus-only and we preferred this to traveling there by train-and-bus. The amount of traveling time to El Segundo by bus-only and by train-and-bus is comparable, however we felt that the bus-only trip was a bit quicker. And of course it was nice not to have to make THREE transfers as we used to when we would go by train-and-bus: Red Line to Blue Line to Green Line to bus (whew!); haha! SO nice to have to make only ONE transfer: from the #210 bus to the #124 bus. Mike was able to get a much-needed nap on the #210 bus, too, since we rode it all the way from Hollywood to the intersection of Crenshaw Blvd. & El Segundo Blvd.
On the return trip, we took the #439 bus to West L.A. Transit Center, where we transferred to the #217 bus. Again, so nice not to have to make THREE transfers as we used to do when traveling by train-and-bus! Plus, this way, we got to stop by Farmer's Market for dinner! What a deal!
Having had the chance now to compare the two different modes of travel from Hollywood to El Segundo (and back), I think I'll probably choose bus-only most or all of the time now.
Andrew S
User ID: 0269124 Mar 14th 12:55 PM
I will differ with you as to my preferred method, but I do agree that the multiple changes of train is a bit of a pain.
I prefer rail because it moves faster, is smoother and more relaxing, has more frequent service and last but not least, because I can look at all the other passengers.
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 1:50 PM
That's fine, Andrew; I respect your preference. And yes, I agree that train rides are generally smooth, which I too like; however, I think that most bus rides are smooth as well, so for me rail does not win out on that point.
Regarding the relaxation aspect, that depends on the form of rail involved. I have always found heavy rail passenger train rides to be generally relaxing, especially Amtrak rides. However, as I think you already know, I do NOT find light rail train rides to be relaxing, since the seats are so cramped and uncomfortable, some of the passengers are so loud/obnoxious, etc.
Finally, as for rail being faster, I think that all depends on where one is going, what the connections are, etc. For instance, as of January, I've given up taking the Red Line part of the way to work, since I discovered that I can arrive more quickly traveling by bus all the way. And, as I described in my post above, my partner and I found that we can also travel from Hollywood to downtown El Segundo a little more quickly via bus-only. So it all depends.
As for looking at other passengers, I find that I can usually enjoy that far more, too, on the bus.
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Mar 14th 6:12 PM
I've given up taking the Red Line part of the way to work, since I discovered that I can arrive more quickly traveling by bus all the way.
Duh ... you keep saying that the Red Line doesn't go anywhere near your work ...
PaulC
User ID: 9885643 Mar 14th 6:56 PM
I would have to say that bus service sucks right about now. I was in downtown and the bus was late and crowed like usual. As far as the ride, oh ya it was very smooth. I bet the old lady that got thrown to the floor of the bus thought so too, when the bus jerked like they do. Another thing too, once again the buses AC was out also. But that's improvement on bus service for you.
Paul
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 8:59 PM
LOL, Paul. I have never been on a bus that crowed; that is pretty amazing!
Now, seriously, every now and then I do experience a bumpy ride on a bus; but that is the exception to the rule in my experience since moving to Hollywood, I am happy to say. Also, every now and then I also get on a bus where the air conditioning is either not working or the driver doesn't turn it on. That used to be a common problem, but it seems to me that since the passage of the Consent Decree, that, too, is the exception to the rule. Indeed, one of the chief reasons why I enjoy riding the bus is that they are so often pleasantly air-conditioned!
Another great thing about bus riding since the passage of the Consent Decree is that the buses I ride almost always arrive within 20 minutes of the time I get to the bus stop. I think this is a pretty good record. Now, yesterday my partner and I did have to wait at least half an hour for the #439 in El Segundo. After 25 minutes had passed, I began to get a little angry, but I quickly told myself, "No. You cannot blame the MTA, since you are awaiting a bus in the 'burbs. It is not the MTA's fault that so few 'burbanites take the bus. If they did, as people in the lively parts of Los Angeles do, then the buses naturally would pass more frequently." I felt much better then with this feeling of fairness toward the good MTA.
So, Paul, if you find the buses to GENERALLY be late, and the rides to GENERALLY be bumpy and jerky, then your experiences with the buses are simply very different from mine. As I say, I do have such experiences once in awhile, but since the passage of the Consent Decree, they have become the exception to the rule.
Overcrowding, on the other hand, continues on many lines, and I think much improvement is still needed in that regard.
Robert
User ID: 8214233 Mar 14th 9:40 PM
John aka Wilhelm Grimm.
John
User ID: 9510053 Mar 14th 10:29 PM
If I wrote that buses crowed, I would agree with ya, Bob. Ha HA!
Roberto
User ID: 9161143 Mar 15th 3:14 AM
the buses I ride almost always arrive within 20 minutes of the time I get to the bus stop. I think this is a pretty good record.
Again, life must be beautiful when you have such low standards. Studies show that the "tolerable" waiting time for most people is no more than 10 minutes. 20 minutes at a Hollywood bus stop would be a hellish experience for just about anyone else.
Andrew S
User ID: 0269124 Mar 15th 11:24 AM
Studies show that the "tolerable" waiting time for most people is no more than 10 minutes.
Especially given the lousy conditions in which passengers have to wait. If you seriously want passengers to ride a bus, then the places where they wait for a bus need to look and feel more like oases than the middle of the desert.