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Post by ieko on Apr 28, 2008 3:30:42 GMT -8
1) I've always wondered why some MTA routes were run by contractors instead of the MTA directly because it seems like an organization as big as the MTA would have the means to do so.
It wouldn't be such an issue if the contractors fleet had the same amenities as the MTA's, for example line 232 uses Orion VI's that have no automated stop announcement system which I've found very useful and I know many others do as well. About a month ago I tried to get to Griffith Park via line 96 and it was by far the worst public transport experience I've ever had, it was a very hot day and either the Blue Bird CSFE 3703 had no air conditioning or it wasn't on it really made me wish that if there was a line that needed a limited stop version it was that one, and of course no automated stop announcements. I also feel that the Blue Bird CSFE 3703 isn't really suited for a large agency like the MTA, but then again I may just hate it for no real reason.
2) I know that the MTA and many other agencies have been buying up busses that run on CNG & LNG but why not any hybrid diesel busses? I think I heard it was illegal to buy busses that ran on diesel now, is that true?
3) Line 33/333 is probably one of the busiest routes in LA and yet until very recently most of the busses running on the line were old RTS', why? It seemed to me that if there was ever a candidate for a line that could use better & bigger busses it was this one.
4) Is it just me or has graffiti on MTA busses, or at least here in the south bay risen dramatically? All of a sudden I started to see graffiti on the seats of busses and stickers all over the windows, is this because of budget cuts?
5) I know the MTA gets money from Transit TV, but I'm beginning to think that Transit TV is nothing but a nuisance. It was okay when you were just getting bombarded with local news updates, but now it seems like we're getting everything from worthless informercials to mexican jerry springer adverts, or at least that's what I can gather from the bleeping out of words and the general commotion that surrounds it. I would think this sort of assault would be something that a new rider would be turned off by immediately, I mean I love public transport and even I can't rationalize it so I can't imagine how others feel. It'd be more useful to have short local news updates coupled with BBC World News bulletins and news displayed as text. BBC World News is trying very hard to expand it's viewership in the USA and I could see this attracting riders who are not generally the type to ditch their car.
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Post by wad on Apr 28, 2008 12:05:41 GMT -8
1. An older contract with the unions allowed for Metro to outsource operations. It's an experiment that never went well. The current contracts only allow outsourcing of brand new lines like 577X. Metro is still allowed to devlove service to Munis, such as 104 to Montebello, which is now Line 50.
Everyone can agree that the contract operations are horrible.
Metro cannot take them back in-house because they would be too expensive to operate. Those lines would have to lose weekend service or be canceled.
2. An AQMD regulation prohibits transit agencies from purchasing diesel buses ever since 2003. Metro has invested heavily into a CNG infrastructure, so it is sticking with it. It will buy a few demonstrators from New Flyer that run on gasoline-hybrid engines, similar to the ones in Long Beach.
3. No reason why 33/333 always gets RTSs. Division 6 in Venice did not get a CNG station, so the diesel buses are stored there. Metro's still buying more artics, but seems to mostly keep them on the Rapid lines.
4. Graffiti has always been bad.
5. Transit TV is always a nuisance. Metro signed on because it brought a few pieces of silver, but it would be more expensive to opt out of the service by breaking a contract. Think of a cell phone agreement where you pay hundreds of dollars as a termination fee.
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simon
New Member
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Post by simon on Apr 29, 2008 23:17:36 GMT -8
I seem to remember that Metro bought a bunch of diesel buses many years ago and it was a complete disaster, flooding the city with horrible diesel smog and violating clean air acts that were about to be put in place. It was some sort of vague scandal because then they had to waste a ton of money replacing them.
Transit TV wouldn't be so bad if the ads weren't so much louder than everything else. They suddenly burst on in the middle of a trip and pelt you.
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Post by erict on Apr 30, 2008 7:39:49 GMT -8
Graffiti is getting worse in my opinion because our city leaders do not treat it as a criminal act, as it should be treated. Metro recently paid an artist to design a disgraceful mural that looked like graffiti art to Adorn the East LA extension of the gold line during construction. I complained to Metro and was ignored. Since they treat graffiti as art, they deserve to pay to have it removed.
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Post by Transit Coalition on Apr 30, 2008 17:33:39 GMT -8
I seem to remember that Metro bought a bunch of diesel buses many years ago and it was a complete disaster, flooding the city with horrible diesel smog and violating clean air acts that were about to be put in place. It was some sort of vague scandal because then they had to waste a ton of money replacing them. Is it possible that your memory is faulty? Metro has only been in business since 1993. And the best I can tell, they've only purchased a CNG powered fleet. Your statement is an example of how rumors and misinformation get started. You could have done some research before posting here. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but in the late 1980's, the old Southern California Rapid Transit District (RTD) wanted to buy clean air buses and bought a fleet of Methanol Powered coaches. The Methanol literally ate the engines alive and the fleet had to be sidelined. After being sidelined, the fleet was repowered with Diesel. The settlement was made with the manufacturer, who picked up the financial tab. From Wikipedia: RTD pioneered experimenting with alternate fuel buses in what the Transit Coalition derisively called "the fuel of the month club." At the start of Metro's existence, there were buses running on ethanol, methanol, regular diesel, low-sulfur (clean) diesel, and CNG. The last of the Metro Diesel Powered Buses will get retired, but there is another issue. Diesel Fueled Buses only operate out of Santa Monica Division, which was supposed to be replaced a couple of years ago with a brand new CNG powered division. That deal fell through and Metro is now working on relocating the Santa Monica Division to a site over at LAX.
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Post by ieko on May 1, 2008 2:01:30 GMT -8
It's sort of lame how they can't purchase Diesel Hybrid busses, it seems that they are right up there if not better than CNG powered busses.
I still feel that graffiti suddenly got worse here.
Also I noticed that busses on the 44x routes are using busses in the Rapid color scheme instead of Local sometimes, I E-Mailed the MTA about this and they say it's because those busses are usually newer. Still though, it really can't help new riders. Perhaps they should just go back to one color scheme and stick with it?
When will they finish relocating to LAX?
Sorry for all the questions, I just really like public transport and hope to one day have the power to understand and fix the problems that plague our system.
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Post by Transit Coalition on May 1, 2008 5:49:10 GMT -8
It's sort of lame how they can't purchase Diesel Hybrid buses, it seems that they are right up there if not better than CNG powered buses. Well, I am not aware of the existence of Diesel Hybrid, so I can't can't comment. Metro did put out a bid to procure Gasoline Hybrid Low Floor Buses, to replace the aging Diesel, formerly Methanol Buses that operate out of Venice Division 6, which you find running on Pico and Wilshire. Sadly, there was a problem with that bid, so this effort is still in process. The CNG procurement in that same bid went through, so many of the 1994-95 Neoplan Buses will finally see retirement. Well, I would strongly suggest you get the Bus # and fill out the Metro On-Line Complaint Form. Each Operating Division and Sector keeps track of graffiti and repairs. By actively reporting, someone's statistics are going to increase and since the Sectors compete against each other, the General Manager will get aggressive with his Division staff to get those numbers down. Well, this is a fleet management question. Sometimes due to maintenance issues, all of the buses in a color scheme are tied up (revenue service, repairs, body work), so a Division doesn't have the same flexibility with 2 or 3 color schemes as you have with only one fleet color. Service needs to run, so the Line runs with what is available, rather than canceling the trip. The relocation to LAX is still in the very early stages. A property deal has to be assembled, environmental and lots of approvals. I would say, maybe 5 years to go. Well, you don't learn, if you don't ask questions. I will take this opportunity to mention that Transit Coalition is always in need of any type of financial gift you may offer. We are an all volunteer group, but websites, newsletters and all the work we do behind the scenes mounts up. So, please consider making a contribution.
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Post by ieko on May 1, 2008 16:01:16 GMT -8
Yeah the Orion VII can run as a Diesel Hybrid and I believer New Flyer has one too.
I can't really donate right now, but perhaps I can volunteer? I'm in college right now working my way to a transportation engineering degree.
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simon
New Member
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Post by simon on May 1, 2008 18:07:38 GMT -8
I seem to remember that Metro bought a bunch of diesel buses many years ago and it was a complete disaster, flooding the city with horrible diesel smog and violating clean air acts that were about to be put in place. It was some sort of vague scandal because then they had to waste a ton of money replacing them. Is it possible that your memory is faulty? Metro has only been in business since 1993. And the best I can tell, they've only purchased a CNG powered fleet. Then maybe I am confusing things with another situation, in which case I apologize. I do think, however, that LACTC did have diesel buses before the merger in 1993 that were very unpopular. In fact I think they had them for decades, but the only diesel information I can find online about the switch to CNG mostly just references all the work AC Transit up in the bay area had to deal with their diesel buses and the clean air acts. So maybe my problem is just using the word "metro" to refer to LACTC.
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Post by ieko on May 14, 2008 9:56:15 GMT -8
Is there no so called "face" of the MTA? For example everyone knows to look at Cheif Bratton when the LAPD does something well or does something awful. I guess this would be whoever is the head of the MTA but does the MTA even have one person in charge of everything? From what I can gather is a board of people who vote on things instead of having one person make choices.
I think in a region like Los Angeles where car is greater than all other modes of transportation it's necessary to have someone who can stand up for public transport and also take the heat for blunders. I know the people want an alternative to driving but the problem is they don't know where voice their frustration and ideas because there is no one to turn to.
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Post by Tony Fernandez on May 14, 2008 11:15:26 GMT -8
Roger Snoble and Pam O'Connor are the two people you mostly associate with Metro these days.
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Post by ieko on May 18, 2008 18:01:00 GMT -8
Thanks, it'd be nice to see one of them be a lot more public so that people can have someone to associate the MTA with.
-- Anyway I have another question but it is MTA rail related rather than MTA bus related, I was looking for where to post the following question but there seems to be only very specific forums for each line rather than one that covers MTA rail overall.
My question is what guage does the MTA use for light rail and the red line? From what I understand the red line is standard guage.
What is the length, width, and height of the platforms for the MTA, is it standardized throughout the system?
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