City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Cedric Collins — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:04:39 GMT

Nice but why that late into the year for the start of this service?

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Royko — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:40:02 GMT

This adds nothing to METREAUX's hollow promise, made seemingly so as to dupe voters to approve the 2003 "Solutions" scheme, to INCREASE bus service 50%. Instead METREAUX, overall, has slashed critical bus service to the poor, minority, elderly, and handicapped bus transit dependent riders throughout the service area.

I have asked to view the annual report to the NTD that Mr. Wilson sent January 29, 2008, which I believe will document that bus service again declined in FY2007. I believe the bus transit dependant riders are the victims of the urban rail-centric policy adopted by the Urban Rail Robber Barons now running METREAUX.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Dominic Mazoch — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:14:09 GMT

I have ridden the 2, and I think there are more than 12 stops between BW 8 and the TMC TC

Personally, there is enough service to run the QL service all day long, especially if the artics are removed.

And why not run the QL with the stuff you are using NOW. Then when the buses andf stations come on line, timing on both 2's would be read

82 needs QL big time!

Now, why is QL not being considered for the 56 Airline Limited?

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Shawn — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:28:46 GMT

When I first saw the news about the new QL buslines that were to start in August, I thought that it was great. I wonder if they will add a QL to the 85 Antoine Ltd. that route is always crowded and there's never enough buses to service the many passengers that ride it everyday. With the new QL buses, are the going to change the existing routes or just eliminate some of the stops to allow a shorter wait time for passengers? Will they still stop at most major intersections?

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Dominic Mazoch — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:46:09 GMT

Actually, I don't think VIA in San Antonio would mind if you called the QL servise "Skip Stop", for that tells you EXACTLY what the route is doing. Example: the 92 Fredricksburg Road route stops at every stop, while the 91 only stops at major intersections, the Crossroads TC, and junctions with bus routes

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

ChloeMireille — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:35:12 GMT

Maybe the Quickline service can be the "New" express routes, charging $1.50.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Mary Sit — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:17:28 GMT

Steve Palmer,

The bus you were riding was one of the buses we retrofitted and converted to a hybrid vehicle. When we were retrofitting, we experimented with different interior configurations, such as the carpeted walls and high-back seating.

The Signature buses will include special interior designs and seating unique to the Signature fleet, as the name implies.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

J. Liggins — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:59:11 GMT

I guess what was once old is new again, eh?

You guys tried this before, remember: the 402 - Bellaire Flyer which traveled from downtown to Sharpstown using slightly modified RTS buses (2136-2150). I doubt extending the route to Ranchester will make much of a difference, though perhaps having it run from the TMC to Highway 6 ALL DAY for a small premium would have much better results.

Also, rolling out one paltry quick line makes you all look like amateurs who are scared to take risks on anything other than costly light rail. Odd, seeing as how Metro is BUS COMPANY and not a railroad. Rolling out service on Westhiemer from Downtown to Highway 6 and QL service between the major airports (with branches to other destinations) would have shown you have confidence and willing to put muscle behind the concept.

The airport idea may be iffy, but if any of you have ridden the 82 - Westhiemer, you know the route is in desperate need of that type of service.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Dominic Mazoch — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:31:50 GMT

Another idea would be to break some of these routes into two routes. Example: Bus service on Airline Drive. The 24-Airline/Enid runs north to Northline Mall. North of there, the 56 Airline Limited runs to Greenspoint. Between Northine and Downtown, the 56 runs IH-45, via HOV if that facility is open.

Service on the Memorial works the same, with the 70 and 131.

I think routes like the 25-Richmond, 2-Bellaire, 4-Beechnut, and the 53/82 could be restructured likewise.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Dominc Mazoch — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:17:27 GMT

Now, are the QL buses going to be New Fliers? Never Mind....

My question is: Why are the RTS so expensive?

And our sister service to the west, VIA, seems to be moving away from RTS. That was their bus from about 1979....

And are the new Orions going to be any better?

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Mary Sit — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:26:17 GMT

Dominc Mazoch,

Here's an answer from Andrew Skabowski, senior director of maintenance:

"The company that produced the RTS model shut that plant down around two years ago, and the bus is no longer being built. A second company attempted to revive the model with no success. For all intents and purposes, the RTS brand is dead.

"QL buses will be New Flyer hybrid buses.

"I do not understand the other question. Will the Orions be better than what? Better in what perspective?"

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

J. Liggins — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:19:24 GMT

Mary, you should devote a blog to the RTS. It'd bring the hits.

I'm kidding, sort of, but not really.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

J. Liggins — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 06:11:19 GMT

No problem Mary. Despite the terrible three hour odyssey I endured on the bus ride home, the prospect of discussing the RTS brings a smile to my face. The breakdown of bus 2869 today after a sudden loss of air pressure just reminds me of how far Metro has regressed since the demise of those buses.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Dominc Mazoch — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:33:13 GMT

Orions vs. New Fliers is what I was talking out.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

LESLIE H KERR WITH METRO TASK FORCE GROPUP FOR ADA — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:03:56 GMT

WILL ALL THESE BUSES MEET ADA GIDELINES THAT ARE SET BY METRO SO THAT SOME ONE IN A WHEELCHAIR WILL BE ABLE TO RIDE THESE BUSES WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS WHEN IT COMES TO TIEING DOWN A WHEELCHAIR AND IF THESE BUSES MEET ALL GIDELINES THAT ARE SET BY METRO WILL THE TASK FORCE GROUP GET TO SEE THESE BUSES BEFORE THEY ARE PUT ON THE STREET AND GIVE THIER OK ON THE BUSES.

re: City's First Signature Bus Service to Launch in August

Cedric Collins — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:00:55 GMT

Dominic,

"2. Bad: THE SEATS! Did NF copy something from the military prison at Gitmo? So hard, they define tortute! Hope the QL's have something more humane."

Huh? Sorry to add insult to your injury but there are other TAs with this same type of restyled New Flyer bus and their seats (the way they look) are the same. I personally don't care how the seats are, just as long as I'm able to sit down---at my favorite spot on the bus, of course.

"3. Ugly: Sorry, the smiley fron end is no match to the fron of an RTS!"

No offense but even I don't care how the bus looks like, just as long as it performs as it supposed to be. Also, the front ends of the old style New Flyers we have are too dull-looking and I'm more in favor of front ends of the new, restyled models.