DAH!

Those numbers should include:

1.  Those who are going 2+/3+.

2.  People who get around on:

a.  Two leags (walking)

b.  Bicycles

3.  People who work at home.

No pigeons were harmed in this post!

One of the greatest problems is out-of-control spending by the local, transit, county, school districts, state, and federal governments.

By taxing the snot out of the producers today, and indenturing future generations with bonds for today's wasteful spending, we are crippling our economic future.

What I hate about traffic congestion is what it steals from me:  time.  Lots and lots of time.  Just because I take Metro to work doesn't mean I don't suffer from traffic congestion.  Every minute that bus sits in traffic is time I'll never get back.

And Dominic, power to the pigeons!  Those birdies are so misunderstood.

Elizabeth said:

'power to the pigeons!  Those birdies are so misunderstood.

Apparently they are tasty also.. Almost got one served to me in   France.Didn't happen though....

Folks, all we "have/own" to sell is our TIME.. everything else is just "window dressing"

If you are spending $3.57 a gallon to sit and waste your time in a traffic backup,then as Bill Engvall says, "Here's your sign!"

wi11ie

Royko, what about the debt related to the TransTexas Corridor? The Grand Parkway?

Well a nice place to start eliminating congestion would be to FIX THE LEFT TURN SIGNALS STUCK "ON"!

And then go to traffic detection signals instead of the time wasting fixed cycles.

Mandate right turn only lanes for intersections.

I don't think P&R ridder would mind this:

Have a set of mascots (pigeons) in various METRO uniorms:

1.  op.

2.  MPD Officer

3.  Repair person....

Now, something with more gravity.  

I was on the Energy Information Administration Website.

From what I can find out, from the top 15 countries who exporting out to the US, we import about 10.8 bbl or oil A DAY, accorting to Febuary 2008 data.

Now, let's say oil is running $117.00US/bbl.  That comes to about $1.26BILLION a day.

Questions:

1.  Can we really afford this over the long haul?

2.  Some of this money is going to counties who really hate are guts.

Need I sat more?

ex-298:

Is the 298 the old Kurk/N Sheperd P&R-Med Center route?

ERROR:

That's 10.8 MILLION BBL./DAY!

Mr. Wang,

I never said I supported Pecos Perry's Boondoggle.

I am busy trying to focus on the METREAUX abuse of the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders.

If you want to take on the TTC project, or other wasteful projects, I applaud you.

Royko, just for your information:

METRO (spelled M-E-T-R-O, not M-E-T-R-E-A-U-X) is responsible for providing its services to all Houstonians, also those who are grown, healthy, and rich (not only  disabled, elderly, youth or poor).

If 62% of them think "the development of a much-improved transit system is very important to the future" of our city, that's a great news!  But the problem is the vast majority of them do not really ride METRO on regular basis.  Why?  Because the system (as of present time) doesn't work for them.  Three major reasons:  (1) it is not fast enough (except P&R), (2) insufficient frequency on most routes, (3) problems with on-time performance, which create additional problems with transfers.

Good luck to METRO on improving our transit system!!!

Derrick,

Transit in Houston evolved to a system of rubber-tired vehicles with greater utility and flexibility than the steel-wheeled, fixed guideway vehicles tethered to a sparking wire.

Since 2004, METREAUX has reduced fixed-route bus headways, eliminated full-time bus operators, and reduced the bus fleet.  It is clear the priority with METREAUX is with boondoggle urban rail.  Precious taxpayer resources have been diverted from bus to rail, and seemingly the Urban Robber Barons are playing Monopoly with the "WINDFALL" sales tax money.

Even though the population in Harris COunty has grown by over 500,000 residents, METREAUX's boardings have trended DOWN until this fiscal year.

The voters approved the 2003 referendum on the "Solutions" scheme which promised a 50% INCREASE in critical bus service.

It is my hope that METREAUX not be allowed to lay any rail until after they honor fully the promise made in 2003 of a 50% INCREASE in critical bus service to the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders throughout the service area.

Royko,

You simply misunderstood that what metro meant when they stated the 50% increase in bus service was to cut service then add "signature" service to existing lines Such as the 2 Bellaire and the express IAH runs. Then much later metro will add lines that appoximate the cancelled runs and metro will claim they fulfilled their promised 50%. You Royko though are complicit in metro's "signature" bus service. All of your whining that if the buses would have limited stops as the rail the buses could provide similar service. Repeat a mantra long enough and it may come true. Someone at metro listens to some of what you say! :)

This is in response a prior blog that is no longer available for new comments, but it also does have to do with congestion on the highway (290).  The comment that the 286 route is the least popular route has to do with the fact that most of the people have to still fight traffic for 30 minutes after taking the P&R.  Asking passengers for a survey on a different route (217 Cypress route) does not help predict who would ride the 286 if it continued to the Cypress P&R.  

Is there any way to check in with the Greenway Plaza building and the Post Oak area to poll who would ride 286 to Cypress if it were available without transfers?  I am predicting that your results will change dramatically.  Many of those who work in the Greenway Plaza have tried the P&R, but gave up after a few tries.  I try to ride the 286 as much as possible, but the additional drive is hard to justify sometimes.

PLEASE help those of us who go home defeated and angry every day from fighting 290 traffic!!  Thanks so much for your time and any consideration.

Coug6666,

Shazzam!  And WESTPARK really meant Richmond on the 2003 referendum.

METREAUX seems consistant on ANIMAL FARM - Houston.

I am eagar to hear the eventual decision by officials to shut down wasteful rail, and, will be amused to watch bums loading shopping carts with catenary copper to get paid in two-dollar bills.

Royko said:  "I am busy trying to focus on the METREAUX abuse of the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders."

Why are busy trying to focus on METRO (not METREAUX) and you know doggone well that your little "crusade" is NOT getting you anywhere?  You'll get it---one day and then maybe---just maybe---h*&% would have fozen over.

I would applaud you if you would just stop whining about METRO and start whining about other folks who would desparately need your "precious" tax dollars.  I can list a lot of those people but you can figure it out yourself.

I 2nd the motion of wishing METRO the best of luck on improving transit around here.

Regarding Light Rail.  METRO if you build it, THEY WILL COME.  Opportunity Costs abound around a decision to go to light rail.  Decrease in bus service is an unfortunate consequence to pushing forward the light rail project.  

I only have one thing that I really want you to hear, "FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, ELEVATE THE LIGHT RAIL".  

I too wish METRO success in their efforts.