Wonderful...only I would have hoped that this were to happen in the MORNING---on a MONDAY or WEDNESDAY, perhaps?  Then, I could have snapped something important that I told other folks that I would take a picture of.

"NTC"

Actually it's NWTC.  YES, it does matter how you put that.  You saying this (NTC) will mean North Transit Center.

Morning?  Nah---try during the midday hours.  Oh well---until next time.

Mary,

    Notice how I said, "Morning?  Nah---try during the midday hours.  Oh well---until next time."  I couldn't of been available in the morning to do anything---yet.

I wonder if the Mayor still has that 6-Liter V-12 Mercedes Benz for Sunday drives, when the press is not around?

why doesn't he continue out to the long point area?  Maybe ride a little later in the evening when the buses go onto once an hour and wait at a busstop then?  Better yet, try to catch the 20 at memorial city hospital in the evening when the bus drivers sometimes pass up the standover and leave early so that I can't take the bus when I get off work.  I have rode the hybrids and must say that the seats are too hard and having to reach over to push a strip rather than pull the cord can be inconvenient.

With the Mem. City area building up as it is, that branch of the 20 shouod become its own route.

That explains the power washing of the NWTC this morning.

I think it's great that the city is slowly transitioning to hybrid buses, but I agree with Angela that the seats aren't that comfortable.

But, as Steven Wright says, "You can't have everything; where would you put it?"

I havenot been on the new buses.  But from wht I have seen, they seem like some of the harder seats San Antonio VIA uses.  Seat is harder, but is harder to cut up!  And, more than likely, easier to clean!

The seats are harder, and the backs are straighter. I've gotten used to them, though, especially since the "new bus smell" positively won me over on my first ride.

Now the thing is that they haven't been placed on ALL the routes yet. The 131-Memorial Express is all hybrid during non-peak hours, but they haven't put a hybrid on the 108-Veterans Memorial at all, for example.

I did finally get to ride on one of the old, retrofitted hybrids a couple of weeks ago. Those have good padded seats, but they're almost too low to the ground. Also there's fewer seats on the bus, so it's good for less crowded routes like the 42-Holman. On the bright side, the seats are comfortable, cameras were everywhere, and I had lots of leg room.

angela bynum said:

                 "I have rode the hybrids and must say that the seats are too hard and having to reach over to push a strip rather than pull the cord can be inconvenient."

Ummm---no offense but why must LOCAL buses HAVE to have how you say "comfortable" seats as the Park & Ride buses do?  Just sit in the seat and enjoy the ride.  If you still think you must sit comfortably as a Park & Rider folk, bring a pillow or something so your rear won't force you to say "again" that the seats aren't comfortable.  Just a suggestion.

I have ridden the hybrid buses (on a number of short trips) and the seats are just fine to me.  I could care less how the seats are.  I'm just only concerned about the bus itself and getting me from point A to point B.

Now---(I'll await the bashing laterz if you don't mind)---if the Mayor would ride the buses and trains more just to see how many "fare evaders" he can spot.  That---to me---would be interesting.  The METRO CEO should join the Mayor in those rides.

ChloeMireille said:

                  "Now the thing is that they haven't been placed on ALL the routes yet. The 131-Memorial Express is all hybrid during non-peak hours, but they haven't put a hybrid on the 108-Veterans Memorial at all, for example."

I can respond to that easy.  ONLY two garages have the hybrid buses in their fleet:  Polk and West.  Polk has most of the new hybrids (3550-3569) and ALL four of the retrofitted hybrids (4103-4106).  West only has the new ones (3570-3579).  You'll have to see what all routes those two garages operate during the weekdays; possibly during the weekends, too---if you're lucky.

About where they should go:  PU!  Here's MY suggestion:  Why don't they put those buses on the 77-Liberty/MLK route?  Now---I know what you're thinking=>"You dope.  They already a hybrid---or two---running that route---DUH!"  True but they ONLY run the buses on the HOMESTEAD branch---NOT the MESA TC branch (aka the Wayside bus).  Why worry about the MESA TC 77 line?  I lives on that bus---meaning---I ride it in the morning and during the afternoon hours.

If they do, then how come I'm not lucky enough to ride any hybrids on the MESA TC 77 line?  YES, Polk DOES operate the 77 line (along with Kashmere)---during the weekdays.

WHEW!  I'm done.  Until next time!

~Cedric Collins~

Cedric Collins said:

"Ummm---no offense but why must LOCAL buses HAVE to have how you say 'comfortable' seats as the Park & Ride buses do?"

I don't expect the comfort level of a Park & Ride bus, but I'd like the hybrids to match the comfort level of the non-hybrid local buses. My commute involves a 40-minute ride on a local bus, and it would be nice to have full blood circulation in my legs when I get off.

Steve Palmer said:

"I don't expect the comfort level of a Park & Ride bus, but I'd like the hybrids to match the comfort level of the non-hybrid local buses. My commute involves a 40-minute ride on a local bus, and it would be nice to have full blood circulation in my legs when I get off."

Ummm---can you sleep it off?  LOL!  Anyhoo, I can agree but I can also bet every last cent that you have METRO could be saying---WYSIWYG---What You See Is What You Get.  Heck---I would.

"Bus #20 Long Point"

For the love of...!  This may not be a big of a deal to some people but what's this?  You must mean (Mary Sit) the---wait---let me help you with this.

"This afternoon, Mayor Bill White will hop on one of METRO's hybrid buses at Louisiana and Walker - Bus #20 Long Point - and ride to the Northwest Transit Center."

Here's how I would have worded that statement:

This afternoon, Mayor Bill White will hop on one of METRO's new hybrid buses at the corner of Louisiana and Walker.  There, he'll board the #20 Long Point route and ride it to the Northwest Transit Center.

Sorry folks but that makes more sense---to me.  Just my opinion on the matter.

You're starting to become as annoying here as you are on the other board young Cedric.  

And how do you know the hybrids are only used on the 77 - Homestead branch?  I'm assuming because you've never seen them on the Mesa branch.  Well, I've never seen them on the 77 at all but I wouldn't say that hybrids don't run on the route because I personally have never witnessed it.  I hope you realize that there are only 34 hybrids in active service so far of which 20 are at Polk.  It's pretty hard to track the whereabouts of 20 buses that are used on a variety of routes.  

As far as the seat issue goes, they are a tad uncomfortable though manageable, but your child like gnashing of teeth at those who dare criticize the seats is over the top. Your know it all attitude combined with your propensity to display a slightly mentally challenged persona is creepy, disturbing, and distracting when posting/reading this blog.  At least Royko can express his delusions in a somewhat coherent manner.  As was suggested on the other messageboard, Cedric, you need some sort of psychological assistance.

Well, well, well.  Looky the what cat dragged in.

J. Liggins,

          It seems you want to start trouble, don't you?  You're just like those other cowards who won't shut the hell up and mind their own business.  Don't worry about what the hell's going on at other boards.  A real human being would name the board in which you speak of.  What are you going to do about it?  NOTHING!  #1:  Put your money where your mouth is and #2:  Get your facts straight before you speak.

"All of you critizing this man right. Either you have or had a father, grandfather. This could well be one of yours, do not spit up cause you might get wet. I am not defending either sides, just leave him alone, if he did wrong then that's his own consience, if did not then so be it, respect each other's opinion. We would not have a world if there were not opinions from each one.

Charlie - BFTA"

You need to get your brain working (if you have one) and listen to this man.  You can learn something from him.  E-mail if you think he's dead wrong about his comment.  On that note, I agree.

I can be as annoying as I want to be.  Are you denying my right to free speech---meaning---saying whatever the hell I want to say, huh?  Speak up---coward.

You will NOT silence me so why are you evening trying, dude?!  Just give it up already.  You're the one who needs help.  Ask---"Why am I butting in and I know that I'm NOT supposed to?!"  You can also ask---"Why am I worrying about other people when I need to worry about myself?"

All in all, what the *** are you trying to imply?!  Let me just put it to you this way---"takes one to know one."

When what you say comes back to bite you in the rear, give me a holler.  Better yet---don't.  There IS such a thing as the block feature.

BIG question?  You have a problem with me?  You have a problem with my kind?

Later, sucka!

"You're starting to become as annoying here as you are on the other board young Cedric.  

And how do you know the hybrids are only used on the 77 - Homestead branch?  I'm assuming because you've never seen them on the Mesa branch.  Well, I've never seen them on the 77 at all but I wouldn't say that hybrids don't run on the route because I personally have never witnessed it.  I hope you realize that there are only 34 hybrids in active service so far of which 20 are at Polk.  It's pretty hard to track the whereabouts of 20 buses that are used on a variety of routes.  

As far as the seat issue goes, they are a tad uncomfortable though manageable, but your child like gnashing of teeth at those who dare criticize the seats is over the top. Your know it all attitude combined with your propensity to display a slightly mentally challenged persona is creepy, disturbing, and distracting when posting/reading this blog.  At least Royko can express his delusions in a somewhat coherent manner.  As was suggested on the other messageboard, Cedric, you need some sort of psychological assistance"

Sorry for going offtopic but I need to see about putting this---whoever this person is---in his place.

J. Liggins,

          Are you THAT dumb?!  Do you want me to teach you about the word "ignore?"  Better yet---was I even talking directly to you?  Hint---NO SIR!  Don't speak unless you're spoken to.  You can A-B-C your way out of the conversation---thank ya.

On a much more serious note:

You need to learn more about a fellow human being before you speak.  If your LITTLE brain thinks I need help, then answer this question---coward.  Why the *** am I holding a J-O-B?  Surely, you know what that means---I hope.  I've had one for three years---you hear me---THREE!  Guess what I do?  HELP PEOPLE!  You can't help people with how I'm talking to you.  If I didn't feel like helping people and wanted to talk to them like how I'm dealing with you, then should I keep the J-O-B?  (buzzer)

If you still have a serious problem with me, then you need to complain to the proper authorities.  Good luck with that!

Still, my apologies for going offtopic but I must get this off my chest to these people who think they know better than the rest.

To J. Liggins and others who may have a 100% most serious problem with me:

At this time, I would like for you (if you're one of these people) to refrain from ever talking to me.  Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone.  If I wanted to joke around, I would be laughing but I am not.  I have much to do in my life and messing around with you is just not one of them---meaning---I don't have it on my list and I never intend to put it there, either.

Unless you have solved this problem with METRO or any of the proper authorities you want to speak to, you have nothing important to say to me.

This is a serious matter that needs to be solved quickly.  Want to make this personal, fine.

Here goes:  I have a loving, wonderful family and co-workers (HCC-Adult Ed Program) who support me in what I want to do so we all can be happy about things.  Sure---we may have problem but that can be solved quickly and move on.

Not you cowards.  Obviously you want to keep on worrying about other people when you need to first worry about yourself.  Learn how to fix that problem because it won't help you in the long run---especially when people know they can help themselves in what they want to say.

Apparently, you need to realize that everybody has the LEGAL right to their own opinion.  I made my opinion about where the hybrid buses should go and about the seats and I even made an opinion about how I would have worded something Mary Sit posted for this blog so you (J. Liggins) will just have to respect that.  Can't do that?  Not my problem.

Let this be the end of this because I have more important things to tend to.

Thank you!

~Cedric Collins~

I should of said this in my previous comments as I'm getting things off my chest but I must say this before my departure today.  I'm a grown man (not a boy---a man) and you'll need to treat me as such.  The childhood days for me are hereby over.

I'll say this again so maybe---just maybe---you'll learn it:  I have the LEGAL right to say what I want to say.  As long I don't threaten your life, you can't do anything about it.  Otherwise, go to D.C. and see if they can change the 1st Amendment to your liking.

Peace out!

Talking about the uncomforable seats, I would be glad to just any seat at all. I mostly ride the #1 and 82 and plenty of times I have to stand the whole trip. The same goes for the train.

J. Liggins,

"At least Royko can express his delusions in a somewhat coherent manner."

Delusions infer that the facts are contray to what I believe.  Since I often cite METRO's own data, unspun, to counter thier claims I would object to that characterization.

Cynical or Jaundiced View of METRO would be fair.

Thanks for proving my point young Cedric, and I do wish you the best on your J-O-B helping people........receive their orders.  Good luck at McDonald's, a shift leader position is in your future.  Kudos, young Cedric.  

And no, you don't have to reply with three long posts, as I won't respond and you'll just be wasting valuable bandwidth.  As a proponent of free speech, you should know that I had the right to question your fragile psychological standing.  Anywhoodles, you keep up the good work of helping people and going spastic over buses, okay?

Take care and let's TRY to keep it civil, mmmkay?

I'd like to propose a few awards for METRO bloggers. Since they are based on my own non-scientific observations, I would like to call them the txilya Awards. Some categories are serious, others are just a little sarcastic (hopefully most people can tell the difference); in some categories, I selected more than one winner.

So, roll the drums for the first txilya Awards...

Award for most posts/comments: 1st place - Cedric Collins; 2nd - Royko; 3rd – Mary Sit

Award for the most critical view of METRO: Royko.

Award for patience and moderation: Mary Sit

Award for most interesting comments: Don G and wi11ie

Award for verbal creativity: Royko ("METREAUX; sheeple") and Cedric Collins ("should of")

Award for the largest monthly car allowance: Frank Wilson ($1,030 per month)

Award for respect and tolerance towards other bloggers: Cedric Collins

Award for improving METRO blog: Don G. (his suggestion of immediate posting of readers' comments has been implemented on this blog)

Award for the most repeated words/phrases: Royko ("unsafe, unreliable and underutilized tram; the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped formerly bus transit dependent riders; boondoggle tram; wasteful urban rail systems; precious tax money; leftist baloney") and Cedric Collins ("the point/moral of your comment is; enlighten us; maybe --- just maybe; coward; IGNORE; NEXT!; DUH!")

Award for most criticism received from fellow bloggers: Royko

Award for creative interpretation of statistics: METRO

Award for "the most successful light rail line in the country": METRORail

Ladies and Gentlemen, please continue reading and writing to the METRO blog, and you could be the next winner!

txilya,

Ah shucks....thanks.

As far as "METREAX" as it applies to the Houston transit agency, the term was coined by another commenter over at BlogHouston earlier this year.

It sure "fits."  Only Ray Nagin could outdo those unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats running Houston's transit agency as if it were some MONOPOLY game bent on creating a wasteful Utopian Urban Rail Empire.

Award for most interesting comments: Don G and wi11ie.

WOW!!!Thanks, I would like to recognize all the people that have taken my life from boredom to a zany slice of Houston.

These same people have given me a chance to look at how I was driving and allowed me to shift my suspicions of "loonies" from working class Joes and Janes to where it really belongs. Thanks to all drivers that have cell phones attached to your heads. After seeing how badly you are operating your autos and trucks I no longer rattle on the phone when I drive.

Thanks to all those that do not recognize turn signals and refuse to let a 40,000 lb. vehicle make a necessary lane change.Accelerating to keep a bus from making a needed lane change.For shame .. Hope it bites ya in the butt at the gas station in your 16mpg SUVs and speedy autos.

And last of all I would like to thank Frank Wilson.

No-one wants to know why I am thanking Frank, but all operators know....

wi11ie

"Award for most interesting comments: Don G and wi11ie"

Like willie said just above. Aw shucks and thanks!

Here's to the good bus drivers and all those car drivers who do try to respect the buses!

Most of us, especially those who drive like I do on Westheimer, Richmond, Bellaire at rush hour, know that as soon as we see the first sign of a Metro bus in the right lane, to immediately shift to another lane or one is doomed to sit and wait(lol).

My pet peive that has been called in to Metro too many times to count, is when a bus stops and sits and waits because they are running ahead of schedule.

Saw another the other day on Westheimer but don't call anymore as it seems to be a waste of time.

I also have called on the buses that sit in front of the Valero stores and you see the driver coming out with coffee or food. Metro told me that they have designated stopping points with signs and I said I knew that as there is one on Edloe at Augusta at a clients.

I am also deeply indebted to Frank Wilson and his other predicessors who drive to work and everywhere they go and told us years ago that the buses were going to be outfitted with signal light overrides which sure seems to have never happened. ( and I question the right for one group to override the normal flow for others...aka private autos).

Even still, they said they would and they didn't.

I asked a large group of city employees just two weeks ago, "What do you think of Mayor White? How is he treating you?"  All of the 7 workers had the same negative responses which I cannot repeat.

As for Frank Wilson and the past Shirley, lied on my resume and lied on an accident, Delibero, both former Jersey "authorities" (and Wilson seems to have been involved with some interesting things in Jersey?) and both of whom have decided to spend our tax money on trolleys over buses?

As for the FACT that Metro has simply been 'sheepling' (nice word btw Tom) bus riders to the trolleys to boost ridership, I just saw another express bus the other day, out here on the far west side, and the destination sign said "Wheeler Station".

Willie, my wifes' Honda SUV gets 24-28 MPG in town. hehe.

Have a great day all!

Royko, wi11ie, and Don G:

A belated thank you for replying to my comment. I am looking forward to reading more of your interesting and thought provoking comments. Have a good holiday!

txilya

txilya,

I was just thinking of provoking a few comments.

Boring---next!