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METRO Introduces Swiftline
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 4:01 PM

Mockup of Swiftline bus 

Starting next Monday, commuters who travel between the Texas Medical Center and the Southeast Transit Center will have a faster way to get there.

It's called TMC Swiftline, METRO's newest express service.

The 426 TMC Swiftline will have five stops between the two transit centers, shaving 18 stops that are on the regular local 26 Outerloop/27 Interloop.

It will be eight minutes faster - or 25 percent faster - than the local bus traveling between those two transit centers.

"This is a connection between two of our busiest transit centers, Southeast Transit Center and TMC Transit Center.  We feel there could be some early rider demand between the Southeast Transit Center and the Texas Medical Center, which is such a major employer," said Pat Porzillo, project manager of Swiftline and associate vice president of commuter rail. "This is basically a pilot project to see if we can be successful on the early implementation of this portion, which will eventually become a Quickline."Pat Porzillo

"We see the overall Quickline project between the Texas Medical Center and the Palm Center connecting our Southeast light-rail line and Main Street line as being a great route for connectivity," said Porzillo.

TMC Swiftline will come with new hybrid Orion buses equipped with bicycle racks and security cameras. The 426 Swiftline buses and stations will also be branded with a Swiftline logo.

The TMC Swiftline will operate during peak hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

It will have the following five stops: TMC Transit Center, MD Anderson, Ringness, St. Dominic/Grand (TMC administration building), and SE Transit Center.

We'll conduct a survey the last week of September to see how satisfied customers are. But in the meantime, hop on the TMC Swiftline, try it out - and let us know on this blog what you think.

 

 

Comments

DominicMazoch said:

It should be numbered directional like the 426/27, to match the 26/27.  While you are at it, how about redoing the TCF!

# August 19, 2009 8:25 PM

DominicMazoch said:

No Bugs on this route?

# August 19, 2009 8:26 PM

Barretto24 said:

I'm kinda surprised that METRO had such a quiet opening to this route, considering all of the attention given to the 32 RENWICK CROSSTOWN, 402 QUICKLINE BELLAIRE, and the 217 CYPRESS during their grand openings. I hope that doesn't affect the opening ridership for the first few weeks.

I would like to see this become the "426 QL O.S.T."

# August 19, 2009 8:31 PM

Nursing continuing education said:

Good blog, contains all the online information available (and a little more) in one clear and concise text. Is a great starting point for a successful residency application. I wish I would have found this earlier it would have made everything easier.

# August 20, 2009 7:26 AM

J. Liggins said:

What a waste. The 26/27 could the run in the same time if it wasn't bogged down with extra trip time.  The Swiftline should have been shelved until the Scott St. rail line opened.

We still need better service on the 82/53.  

# August 20, 2009 7:49 AM

ChloeMireille said:

I'm always a fan of expanding service, but I gotta agree with J. This could have waited until the Southeast line was built.

This is probably the low point of this quarter's service changes, because I like that so many established routes are getting increased frequencies during all hours, and not just AM/PM rush.

# August 20, 2009 8:47 AM

DominicMazoch said:

Was on the 53/81/82 on Wens.  That corridor needs Bugs....NOW!

# August 20, 2009 9:18 PM

JamesL said:

Extend the 426 to Hobby Airport and you have a winner! It takes less time to get to IAH than Hobby from the TMC, and the 73 can be a drag. HOU-TMC is a market that METRO could tap much more successfully.

# August 21, 2009 2:07 PM

Steve Palmer said:

JamesL:

From my glance at a map, extending the 426 route to Hobby seems impractical, but it COULD be extended (along any of several possible routes) to the Gulfgate TC, from which one could catch the 88 to Hobby. Of course, depending on the delay between buses, that might or might not be quicker than taking the 73.

# August 21, 2009 3:18 PM

DominicMazoch said:

Well, if you are going to use the 426 number, and part of the former route, hoe about a return of the TCF!  Goes in a loop, so Bugs could never make a wrong turn!

# August 23, 2009 12:28 AM

DominicMazoch said:

SA VIA uses regular buses on the "skip stop" routes.  Basicly SW/QL without fancy buses with not quite those seats, or fancy paint!

# August 23, 2009 12:32 AM

fitnessperson10 said:

extend it!

# August 23, 2009 10:31 AM

J. Liggins said:

Breaking News!

Neopod 3727 was spotted in full Metro livery with passengers on unidentified route but possibly the 102 at 2:10pm along the Northbelt. Pod watchers be advised.

# August 25, 2009 2:15 PM

Domnicmazoch said:

3727 is a reserve unit at Polk.  Used to be out of Fallbrook.

# August 25, 2009 8:24 PM

JamesL said:

Rode the Swiftline today, and it is definitely a concept that should be applied more places. Only complaint is that the schedule is too long; we arrived 2 minutes early despite sitting for a while to lose time at stops along the way.

# August 25, 2009 9:08 PM

DominicMazoch said:

Could METRO have extended the 402 to the SETC?  See how the ridership would be, then put up the Bugs type stops later?

# August 30, 2009 2:36 PM

JamesL said:

Is Quickline getting light rail-like signals? I'm pretty sure I saw some, not yet functioning, at an intersection between 610 and Bellaire TC.

# August 31, 2009 3:35 PM

chef.corey said:

I love the way metro payed special attention to this route just as they did the QUICKline... Including but not limited to: the "wrapped Buses", Hybrid Buses, and nice shelters for stops along the route....

# September 1, 2009 10:44 PM

DominicMazoch said:

JamesL:

Did see th same signal.  I think a Bugs bus could use the right turn lane and go straight ahead while the rest of the traffic is stopped.  Bus can go if the is a lunar "|".

# September 2, 2009 8:04 PM

JamesL said:

The signals at a bunch of other intersections are being worked on, too, so it could be a complete signal system. That, along with less construction, will shave a good deal more time off the QL schedule.

# September 3, 2009 12:15 AM

Lorraine said:

It would be nice to read the physical address of where the Southeast transit center is located especially for those who are unfamiliar with public transporation, but are interested in finding out options to reduce their commute.    I work in the Texas medical center and am eager to learn more about this new commute, especially when 288/518 are so commuter conjested.  I would enjoy seeing more focus driven marketing for this project through various channels or the areas that would benefit from this transportation reducer.   I would also like to offer help share if this new transportation reducer is of value to those in the medical center. It may benefit my friends, peers and my boss. The possibilities are endless!  

# September 9, 2009 9:13 PM

JamesL said:

SETC is at Old Spanish Trail and Scott (actually Scottcrest, but Scott is within a block). Local buses from areas Southeast of downtown stop there, and the 426 makes for a fast connection to the TMC. The TMC also enjoys Park and Ride service from the Gulf, Southwest, and Katy freeway corridors, as well as Missouri City.

# September 10, 2009 2:02 PM

Andrea said:

Love this route. This is a gift to people working at the TMC McGovern campus (old Nabisco building) on Holcombe.

# September 15, 2009 8:51 AM
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