Post by blueridge on Jun 20, 2008 9:23:23 GMT -8
UPDATE #2:
Last week LADOT added an additional bus on the afternoon run from Century City to West Hills. Thank you LADOT!
color=Red]UPDATE:
I tried to submit a complaint/suggestion about this on the LADOT website, but the form would not allow me to enter a route number. When I clicked on the field for the route number it would not allow me to enter any numbers. When I tried to go to the next page, it said I had to enter a route number first. It was a dead end loop.[/color]
I ride the LADOT Commuter Express Line 573 from the west side to the SFV. The past two days have been very frustrating on that line. Wednesday evening on the 405 northbound our bus began experiencing problems. The driver managed to get the bus off the freeway and another bus was sent. Thursday the 4:00 bus broke down and never made it to Century City. This left the 4:25 bus completely packed. People were sitting and standing in the aisles. It was so packed that the driver had to skip the last two stops in Westwood, leaving and angry looking group of riders fuming in the heat. As we headed over the Sepulveda Pass screams came from the back of the bus that smoke was pouring in. The driver got the bus off onto the emergency lane and people began slowly getting off onto the shoulder of the 405. Luckily the 574 line saw us and pulled over. Most of the riders were able to get on that bus and it took them to Encino. After a few minutes the driver of the 573 determined that the bus had simply overheated climbing the 405 from WLA to the SFV. My guess is that the 30 or so passengers standing in the aisles added too much weight and the bus couldn't take it. We got back on the bus and proceeded to the Encino Park and Ride where everyone got off and the driver waited for assistance.
Here are my concerns:
These buses on this line are now standing room only. Since these aren't regular transit buses there are no provisions for standing. The aisles are narrow and there is only one door. There are no bars for holding on while standing. If you are at the back of the bus and have to get off at the first stop, it is hard to make your way to the front of the bus to exit. Not to mention, it slows the route down. It is dangerous. I had a moment of concern when we were sitting on the side of the 405 with the back of the bus full of smoke. Because there were so many people on the bus it was taking a LONG time for people to get off. If a fire had broken out, it would have been BAD. Are there capacity restrictions by law on these buses? I think I have seen capacity signs on these buses. I don't know about other lines, but the buses to Santa Clarita have to be full or standing room only based on how many people I have seen getting on to them. UCLA has offered a program of free LADOT passes for giving up one's parking space. This, along with the continued rise in gasoline prices, is going to further overwhelm these lines.
I am afraid this is just another sign that the city has dragged it feet on transit issues and not ready for the increase in transit usage. I will forward this post to someone at LADOT. I would welcome any insight to these issues I've raised.
Last week LADOT added an additional bus on the afternoon run from Century City to West Hills. Thank you LADOT!
color=Red]UPDATE:
I tried to submit a complaint/suggestion about this on the LADOT website, but the form would not allow me to enter a route number. When I clicked on the field for the route number it would not allow me to enter any numbers. When I tried to go to the next page, it said I had to enter a route number first. It was a dead end loop.[/color]
I ride the LADOT Commuter Express Line 573 from the west side to the SFV. The past two days have been very frustrating on that line. Wednesday evening on the 405 northbound our bus began experiencing problems. The driver managed to get the bus off the freeway and another bus was sent. Thursday the 4:00 bus broke down and never made it to Century City. This left the 4:25 bus completely packed. People were sitting and standing in the aisles. It was so packed that the driver had to skip the last two stops in Westwood, leaving and angry looking group of riders fuming in the heat. As we headed over the Sepulveda Pass screams came from the back of the bus that smoke was pouring in. The driver got the bus off onto the emergency lane and people began slowly getting off onto the shoulder of the 405. Luckily the 574 line saw us and pulled over. Most of the riders were able to get on that bus and it took them to Encino. After a few minutes the driver of the 573 determined that the bus had simply overheated climbing the 405 from WLA to the SFV. My guess is that the 30 or so passengers standing in the aisles added too much weight and the bus couldn't take it. We got back on the bus and proceeded to the Encino Park and Ride where everyone got off and the driver waited for assistance.
Here are my concerns:
These buses on this line are now standing room only. Since these aren't regular transit buses there are no provisions for standing. The aisles are narrow and there is only one door. There are no bars for holding on while standing. If you are at the back of the bus and have to get off at the first stop, it is hard to make your way to the front of the bus to exit. Not to mention, it slows the route down. It is dangerous. I had a moment of concern when we were sitting on the side of the 405 with the back of the bus full of smoke. Because there were so many people on the bus it was taking a LONG time for people to get off. If a fire had broken out, it would have been BAD. Are there capacity restrictions by law on these buses? I think I have seen capacity signs on these buses. I don't know about other lines, but the buses to Santa Clarita have to be full or standing room only based on how many people I have seen getting on to them. UCLA has offered a program of free LADOT passes for giving up one's parking space. This, along with the continued rise in gasoline prices, is going to further overwhelm these lines.
I am afraid this is just another sign that the city has dragged it feet on transit issues and not ready for the increase in transit usage. I will forward this post to someone at LADOT. I would welcome any insight to these issues I've raised.