Buses Are the Backbone of System

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Royko — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:55:58 GMT

For too long, the Lee. P. Brown legacy boondoggle tram was touted as METREAUX's Utopian "Transit Backbone."

Now, seemingly after the FTA Title VI Civil Rights "Findings," the new spin is that BUSES are again the transit system's BACKBONE.

Maybe, if there were a larger shake-up of the BOD's we could effect a lasting change in ill-devised policy.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

P&R Rider — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:30:50 GMT

I rode on a new 5xxx series bus last week on the 265 home bound run and it was nice. Double pane tinted side glass that reduced the afternoon sun heat gain.

And Royko, your one man opposition to the train is admirable but I think that train has left the depot. The time for Houston to have built a light rail system was the 1960's when there was a right of way down the side of old Katy road. It's too bad that the last Katy Fwy expansion could not have included a LRT track down one of the lanes.

As I have opined before, Houston has such a high water table that an underground "subway" LRT would be very expensive to build and maintain to keep the water out. The other option would be a raised elevation Tram which is not as expensive as a subway. The 3rd option was a LRT at grade like we bought which is the cheapest to build and maintain but the worst one for efficiency since they share the road with the cars and people who are too stupid to keep out of the way. The train can't run very fast because it has to stop for traffic.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

coug6666 — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:27:57 GMT

what issue was the rail line experiencing this weekend at the TMC transit center. The rail line slowed to less than 2mph when crossing from fannin to breaswood. Metro officials were parked at the abandoned fire house watching(enforcing) the slowdown. Was there the potential for a derailment that metro refused to share with the public? With the situation in DC(red line also), one needs to know if metro put the riders in harms way unneccesarily.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Cedric Collins — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:42:22 GMT

P&R Rider,

Roykeaux would NEVER---I repeat---NEVER understand the fact that---well---what you said. BTW, I agree with what you said 100%!

Roykeaux,

I don't know what type of brain you have in your thick skull but why the **** would you mention this=>("You would lose your bet.")? Against who? I hope not you because I would be rich right about now.

What I had recently said still stands and I will NOT take it back so what are you talking about?

Instead of whining about what METRO shouldn't be doing, you need to put in some input on making METRO better than what it is now. Thank you!

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Mary Sit — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:12:10 GMT

coug6666 and c,

Last Wednesday's derailment is still under investigation, "and until we know how we can prevent that from happening again, we're goign to keep the trains at a reduced speed," said Reggie Mason, associate vp and chief safety officer at METRO.

Northbound trains are traveling at that intersection at 10 mph, and southbound trains at 5 mph.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

J. Liggins — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:37:01 GMT

Once again Metro has a good idea but poor execution. I love the CONCEPT of the documentaries but the last two have been nothing but shameless self promotion and pats on the back for the current admin.

How are you going to have a documentary about buses and not include the RTS? All I heard was incessant fawning over hybrid technology and "new buses" like a kid looking at the shiniest toy in the toy store. These documentaries have continued to trash pre-rail Metro while making the current Metro look like some Utopian agency. I wonder if HCs superintendent was reprimanded for bringing up the "Rehabs" (the rebuilt 33, 34, and 36xx buses from the 60s and 70s). Fool, those long lasting buses weren't supposed to exist!!!!!!! They didn't run the glorified rail shuttle routes we all know and love today. I weep for the 8 - South Main, I really do. That's a prime example of what rail does to a route.

And Willie, who cares if the bus runs?! Fool, it's a HYBRID and it's SHINY!!!!!!!! You will drive it, like it, and shamelessly promote it when we stick a camera in your face!!!!!!!

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Don G — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:30:02 GMT

Here is the only news reported. Metro seems like it will not publish anything on it on their website.

KTRH SAYS IT WAS ONE TRAIN:

Light rail car jumps track during training

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 | 6:23 AM

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Everything is back to normal on the light rail line after a train car came off the tracks overnight.

The train car was being used for training on the tracks near South Braeswood near Greenbriar when it derailed. There were no passengers on the train car and no METRO employees were hurt.

It took a couple of hours for the investigation and the train car to clear. The good news is the light rail service will be normal today.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=6867077

FOX NEWS, WHICH WAS THE FIRST TO REPORT STATES IT WAS TWO TRAINS INVOLVED:

Light Rail Trains Collide

Updated: Tuesday, 16 Jun 2009, 10:25 AM CDT

Published : Tuesday, 16 Jun 2009, 10:25 AM CDT

DOUG DELONY

HOUSTON - An accident involving a Light Rail train is under investigation after a collision on Tuesday morning.

A train was traveling on Braeswood when it hit the other train and pushed it off the track just after midnight.

No passengers were on board, and there were no reports of any injuries.

The accident was cleared a short time later and had no effect on morning traffic.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/dpp/traffic/090616_light_rail_trains_crash

HERE IS TEXAS CABLE NEWS:

Metro light rail train derails

10:12 AM CDT on Tuesday, June 16, 2009

By Kevin Peters/ 11 News

HOUSTON—A Metro light rail train derailed this morning near the Medical Center, delaying the first set of riders for a short period of time. The incident happened around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday during a training run, according to Metro officials.

No passengers were on board, and no one was hurt.

The southbound train jumped the tracks and hit a power pole. Metro crews worked for several hours to get the rail car back on track and to make adjustments to the electrical lines that power the system. The rail line opened shortly after its scheduled time, which is normally at 4:30 a.m. during the week.

Some early-morning Metro riders had to wait a few extra moments to get into work. At least one Metro police officer gave a few riders a lift in patrol vehicles.

“I need to get to work,” said Medical Center worker Ruth Buckles, who takes the rail line every day. “(But) they’ll understand.”

There’s no word yet on what caused the light rail train to derail.

http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/txcn/houston/stories/khou090616_nlc_metro-light-rail.874a404c.html

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Royko — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 01:53:37 GMT

Again, this was the second reported derailment. The first was in the yard, which went unreported to the public.

You might as well multiply this lunacy X 5, as one can expect the future lines to be rushed to completion, and likely will be as, or more shoddily constructed. Heck it's only taxpayer money the Urban Rail Robber Barons are squandering.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

DominicMazoch — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:22:59 GMT

Wi11ie?

At least the Old Couple TV show had some humor!

All:

Now, I did see something on some leased RTA buses in Corpus Christi. They were some MCI's rejected by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Reason?) But they had 2 roofs. One was the regular roof. The second was a "thermal roof". The second roof keeps the heat out the the coach.

Now, it would cost METRO some $$$$, but how about placing some on some buses (P&R would work best, I think,) and see if it reduces costs.

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Cedric Collins — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:46:21 GMT

Whatever, Royko---whatever! Good riddance to you!

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

wi11ie — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:48:45 GMT

We bought nothing. My sources say all METHRO buses are leased.

Therefore we care for them like a rental car.

wi11ie

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

wi11ie — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:24:33 GMT

J. Liggins said:

And Willie, who cares if the bus runs?! Fool, it's a HYBRID and it's SHINY!!!!!!!! You will drive it, like it, and shamelessly promote it when we stick a camera in your face!!!!!!!

NOPE!!!!

If it's a POD I call them like they are..

Stick a camera in front of me and see if what i say about them EVER makes it to public address.

wi11ie

re: Buses Are the Backbone of System

Royko — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 17:47:33 GMT

The older buses are still included in the "defeased lease" scheme.

Few realize METREAUX took facilities and buses, which taxpayers had already paid for. Then, in effect sold the depreciation to investors for a "lump sum" so as to squander on the Lee. P. Brown legacy boondoggle tram.

Congress banned these schemes in 2005, as they are a clear abuse of the taxpayers.

Just because a practice was not deemed "illegal" at the time, it was not in the best interests of taxpayers, and, it was the initial gambit employed by the Urban Rail Robber Barons, on thier quest to ram unsafe, unreliable urban rail, at-grade, down our throats.