Now, with Q METRO should know how many people ride what and when.  Now to get buses shrdulrd to folloe suit.

It is still not quite clear to me, after watching an interview with Mr. Oistad, if METRO expects us to tap our Q cards again at rail platforms after transferring from bus to LTR.  The cards remain "valid fare items" for 2 hours after tapping them the first time on the bus anyway, so why bother?

"It is still not quite clear to me, after watching an interview with Mr. Oistad, if METRO expects us to tap our Q cards again at rail platforms after transferring from bus to LTR.  The cards remain "valid fare items" for 2 hours after tapping them the first time on the bus anyway, so why bother?"

You have to tap every time you change buses. The LRT is just another bus. No difference.

ChloeMireille said:

"You have to tap every time you change buses. The LRT is just another bus. No difference."

I beg to differ.

Buses run rings around rail!

Buses enjoy far greater utility and versatility over steel-wheeled vehicles tethered to a sparking wire.

When the tram craters, or when there is 3+ inches of accumulated storm water in the streets, METREAUX must call in the buses to rescue the hapless tram riders.

Royko said:  "I beg to differ.

Buses run rings around rail!

Buses enjoy far greater utility and versatility over steel-wheeled vehicles tethered to a sparking wire.

When the tram craters, or when there is 3+ inches of accumulated storm water in the streets, METREAUX must call in the buses to rescue the hapless tram riders."

Here we go with this "buses run rings around rail" BS again!

I'll say this once more---BUSES CAN'T EVEN RUN RINGS AROUND THEMSELVES---WITHOUT THE PROPER TLC DONE TO THEM!  What if there was more than 3 inches?  Let's say---6---no wait---8 inches?  What if we had similar weather problems like TS Allison?  Do you think buses can run through those waters?  NO!

Derrick said:  "It is still not quite clear to me, after watching an interview with Mr. Oistad, if METRO expects us to tap our Q cards again at rail platforms after transferring from bus to LTR.  The cards remain "valid fare items" for 2 hours after tapping them the first time on the bus anyway, so why bother?"

ChloeMireille said: "You have to tap every time you change buses. The LRT is just another bus. No difference."

Royko said:  "I beg to differ.  Buses run rings around rail!  Buses enjoy far greater utility and versatility over steel-wheeled vehicles tethered to a sparking wire.  When the tram craters, or when there is 3+ inches of accumulated storm water in the streets, METREAUX must call in the buses to rescue the hapless tram riders."

ChloeMireille, thanks for your input.  But I am still not convinced.  Why?  LRT differs from buses (that's the only point I sort of agree with Royko, but for different reasons).  LRT uses a different fare collection system (or rather, I should say, fare validation system).  On the buses the bus drivers do the job of checking all passengers pay their fare.  On the train law enforcement officers randomly check whether all riders are in possession of so called valid fare items.  I do not think they will fine me, if they discover I paid my fare on the bus 2 hours (or less) before.  So my question is really addressed to somebody knowledgeable at METRO:  Does it make any sense to tap my Q card at the rail platform after transferring from the bus (assuming my trip will last less than 2 hours)?

Royko, I didn't realize you are such a great supporter of bus transit system.  I always thought you are anti-public transportation, while you are just anti-rail.  Good news to you:  think all the money you have paid in taxes for METRO was spent on purchasing new buses (METRO gets 100 new buses every year).  Or , even better, consider making a donation to METRO (in that case you will need to make sure none of your money is spent on "steel-wheeled vehicles tethered to a sparking wire") and try to establish a new bus route named after you (in that case you probably would wish the new route does not cross any of the new proposed light rail corridors).

Derrick,

I accept the notion that we need a minimal public transit "safety net" for Houston, and it should be with rubber-tired vehicles.

Having said that, I abhore the enormous waste, fraud, and abuse associated with unelected and seemingly unaccountable bureaucracies, such as our beloved METREAUX.

I think the money spent on the new buses came from the FTA program funding.  METREAUX receives 2/3 of it's revenue from the "WINDFALL" sales tax, so I do make forced donations to the transit agency.

I fear if they did name a route after me, it might be the new one, where all fixed routes terminate at the DTC, and the platform will be under the Lee. P. Brown building.  Since the road to HELL seems congested, METREAUX will likely float bonds to hire Siemens to build an extension to that destination.

The METREAUX promotional flyer likely will be titled:

BAZAN - Destination Hell

Roykeaux said:  "BAZAN - Destination Hell"

WRONG!  You should instead write a book (that I hope never becomes a best seller) entitled, "METRO---All things they did WRONG for Houston"---or something like that.

Need help on a title for Mr. Roykeaux if that doesn't stick.