When is Houston:

1.  Going to GET on Google?

2.  Going to get some mini-hybird buses?  (Ya'll were expceting artics!)

3.  Going to get buses that are built for the heat of Saudi Arabia?  (Stronger A/C and electrical systems.)

Higher up front costs, but easier to maintain.

Back on track (topic!)

I don't mind and have used transit in other places:

NYCTA

PATH

Tri-Met

VIA (San Antionio)

SEPTA

Island Transit

RTA of Nueces County (Corpus Christi)

AC Transit (Oakland, CA)

MUNI (SF)

BART

Sometimes you can get the local flavor of things if you can get closer to the locals.  (OK, no smell or avian jokes!)

What irony.  People are so addicted to cell phones.

What if the Mayor decided the cell phone traffic was too heavy, and instead of allowing the market to expand cell service, Houstonians were encouraged to use say, METRO pay phones, mostly located in the Main Street corridor.

Few would put up with that, yet they fail to realize that is what is happening to our vehicular mobility.

Instead of focusing on rubber-tired solutions, METREAUX is playing Monopoly with our sales tax money, wanting to decimate five major thoroughfares with 18th century-style vehicles, tethered to a sparking wire.

How appropriate, a Friday the 13th ground breaking for an extension to the "NIGHTMARE" on Main Street.

So much for learning from history.

Five bucks says Royko sits at home all day thinking of these absurd responses...I am not a cell phone lover either, but pay phones! Maybe we can use the Post Office and they can mail us directions. Otherwise we could always bring back the telegraph.

Rokyeaux,

        ROTFLMAO!!!!  No offense but that was lame.  Do something else with your life and maybe---JUST MAYBE---I'll be a little nicer around here (like that'll ever happen with you).  HA!

Dominic,

       You said this, "2.  Going to get some mini-hybird buses?  (Ya'll were expceting artics!)"

Yup---they was but now Chicago CTA is getting 'em.  YES, there ARE "mini" hybrid buses running around.  I haven't heard of anybody getting 30' (or even 35') hybrid buses from New Flyer but Orion and Gillig can produce such a small hybrid bus model.

Royko #2,

"Otherwise we could always bring back the telegraph."

Why not, they will "fit" with the recreation of the early 1900's version tram.

Mr. CoLLins,

Thank you so very much for your suggestion, although I very much enjoy commenting on METREAUX's propaganda blog.

Is that the kind of tolerance you would want to have your whole entire life?  The only way you'll see me whine and complain is if don't get what's strongly recommended (artic buses, two-car trains, etc.)

If this blog is just merely for propaganda purposes, they why---OH WHY---are you commenting here then?  Whatever ideas you may have is NOT helping much, thanks!  Had to put that in here somewhere.  HA!

I love reading all these comments.  You guys are great.  I know I can count on the blog comments to provide me and my day with, at least, a few smiles and chuckles.  Now all I need is to make some popcorn for this entertainment.  

Lunk,

    With what Mr. Roykeaux likes to say that gets under my skin, my day will be most happy when he STOPS whining about the world and learn how to help it.

Mary,

Are there any plans on Houston Metro getting Google Transit?

Thanks,

Paul

Honestly, nothing bugs me more than someone talking non-stop on the bus on the way in or out from the P&R. Seriously, get some manners!

I have no desire to hear you talk, laugh, or speak about little Billy being sick. I prefer to sleep or read a book in peace. Take the cell phone talking off the bus or at least keep it short and sweet!

Lunk,

You may have missed my gracious offer, to arm wrestle Mr. Wilson at the UH-D Patio, for a favored Charity.  If I were to lose, I would stop posting on the METREAUX propaganda blog.

Now, that would likely be entertainment!

Realistic,

Next time i am on the bus, i am going to talk.

If you want to sleep, don't try it on the 56-Airline Limited!

Realistic, it's just not gonna happen.  This is America, where people reserve the right to spit on sidewalks, leave seats reclined all the way back on P&R buses, and share their personal problems with the world via cell phone - sometimes in more than one language.

Realistic said:  "I have no desire to hear you talk, laugh, or speak about little Billy being sick. I prefer to sleep or read a book in peace. Take the cell phone talking off the bus or at least keep it short and sweet!"

I agree with you 100%!  In other words, I 2nd the motion.  Who cares about what you talk about?  I also prefer to ride the bus in peace but all that YAPPING on the dang cell phone is getting too _______ ridiculous!

Keep in mind that ANYBODY can ride METRO and if the wrong type of person hears your personal info that doesn't need to made public, you're a sittin' duck!

I'm a little confused — you keep posting about these great online transit services like Google Transit, HopStop, and now these mobile maps, but Houston isn't included on any of them. If anything, your posts are raising our expectations. Could you please do a post on Metro's plans to integrate with these services? Maybe an interview or web chat with the technology folks? I'm sure many of us would appreciate it. Thanks!

I agree with Metro Rider, when is Houston's Metro system going to embrace technology such as supplying schedules, route maps to Google Maps (whether it be on a mobile phone or via your computer)?

Is a mobile version of www.ridemetro.org available? This would also help.

Technology really does assist in getting people to use public transport.

Particularly given that both Austin, TX and Dallas, TX public transit systems support Google Maps transit feature.

See: http://www.google.com/transit