Comments on: Link Leaving International District Station

By: Oran Viriyincy

Oran Viriyincy — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:47:40 +0000

You better believe it. I’ve seen it happen many times in the past month. People do it despite the huge markings on the pavement with a walking person in a slashed red circle and the constant announcements. The platform is not high enough to discourage jaywalking. All the other stations have little fences between the tracks.

The difference is trains can’t stop as quickly as buses (even with emergency brakes?).

By: Bernie

Bernie — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:01:41 +0000

My perception in the DSTT was that the trains were every bit as noticeable without the bell as the buses in hush mode. Buses have been running for years without a bell entering the station and leaving the platform. The bell leaving the platform really seems silly. Are there really people that cross the ROW in the tunnel?

By: John

John — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:58:54 +0000

Buses were by no means reliable in the snow this past winter… I know because I used the bus to get to work so I could drive a bus! Bus drivers can’t use the excuse “my bus never came” as an excuse to be late, or miss work.

By: John

John — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:50:32 +0000

3-minute headway is theoretical at this point, but I beleive to be possible if the trains aren’t competing with buses. One bus loading a wheelchair at the platform will throw the train schedule right out the window.
I do know that it will be approximately an 8-minute ride from UW Station to Downtown Seattle, with one stop in between at Capitol Hill Station.
The bells used entering the station are to warn passengers on the platform, “hey dummy, a train’s coming, so stand back”! The trains are very quiet just running with no audible warning. Two-bells is the signal operators are required to use before any forward movement of the train.

By: Matt Jones

Matt Jones — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:21:30 +0000

Yes its very unfortunate that they are eliminating the 194 run. I take 194 4-10 times a month to and from Seatac and its works extremely well for me and my employees. It is true that luggage is a pain and its often crowded sometimes SRO even (this could be remedied with a different seating layout and overhead bins, but the frequency, comfort and speed are still good. 194 should still run–perhaps not as often–as it would still be THE fastest public transit option to your airport check-in. The walk from the seatac LINK terminal to your check-in or security combined with the additional transit time on LINK will realistically add an additional 15 minutes onto the journey vs. the direct 194 drop off in front.

I am a huge supporter of LINK–I want it built all over the place, both bridges, all the way to Snoho, down past Tacoma, etc.,however eliminating the #194 (which I imagine has an extremely high farebox recovery rate) is a mistake. Once people learn that a ride into Seattle via LINK is above 30-45 minutes they start thinking shuttle or taxi service. I’d be very interested in learning more about the cost of retaining the full-time #194 service.

By: Mathew"RennDawg"Renner

Mathew"RennDawg"Renner — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:38:04 +0000

I work at night. I know all buses to where I work. I know all alternatives. My bosses said if you did not come to work because of the snow we would be fired. I know all routes. The 194 is the best for me. Shortest commute.

By: Brian Bundridge

Brian Bundridge — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:42:44 +0000

What time do you go to work in the morning? There are a lot more choices if you are in the morning/rush hour commute times. it is also expected that the 577 and 594 will be stopping at Kent – Des Moines Road as well.

Have you looked at alternative buses? Used the trip planner? I know transfers suck, trust me, I hate them, but there are alts out there.

By: Mathew "RennDawg" Renner

Mathew "RennDawg" Renner — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:03:24 +0000

Link Light Rail is a longer commute to where I go. So I will have a longer commute so Sound Transit can creat the impression that more people chose light rail as there main soures of transportation.

By: Mickymse

Mickymse — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 18:55:10 +0000

I know transfers suck, RennDawg, but as long as frequencies are matched up properly you should be guaranteed a faster and definitely more time certain commute to and from work.

By: Mathew "RennDawg" Renner

Mathew "RennDawg" Renner — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 04:58:30 +0000

I ride the Route 194 from Kent/Des Moines to Seattle for work. I like being able to ride one bus to work and home again. Now I have to ride the bus to the airport then get on light-rail. I can ride other buses to Seattle but I will still need to make a transfer. I just do not see the point of getting rid of the 194 and the 174. I thought this was supposed to be about choices. But, it is really about Sound transit making light-rail usage look bigger.

By: Jojo

Jojo — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 02:49:51 +0000

Yeah I was wondering if it was just the video that made it more high-pitched. Phew!

By: Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:15:40 +0000

I know, I love the sounds. There’s just something about that electric whine…

By: Tim Whittome

Tim Whittome — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:48:39 +0000

Looks and SOUNDS awesome!
Thanks

By: Tim Whittome

Tim Whittome — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:47:19 +0000

That’s an odd choice to make – I think you will find Link to be more comfortable and have more room for your luggage than the 194. The 194 has done stellar service down the years but it is crowded and there is no room for luggage, plus the stop at SeaTac Airport isn’t exactly the most inviting. The new Link Station will be more obvious and inspiring to travelers than the huddled masses would admit to outside the international terminal baggage claim area.

By: Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:32:28 +0000

Thanks Oran, and Thanks for the amazing videos.

By: EvergreenRailfan

EvergreenRailfan — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:23:06 +0000

They even have a controversial extension under construction, the North Shore Connector, first phase(barely funded, but under construction) will get it to the area around Heinz Field, the goal is the airport. (I have been following it on KDKA Radio(oldest commercial radio station in the US(Started 1920), and one of three East of the Mississippi with call letters beginning with a K)

By: Adam B. Parast

Adam B. Parast — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 19:54:50 +0000

Oh Vuchic how we love your book.

By: lazarus

lazarus — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:10:15 +0000

I think they are concerned about crowd and traffic control, not riots or crime.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:39:43 +0000

I’ve never been to Pittsburgh, but I understand they have a light-rail subway too.

By: Another Andrew

Another Andrew — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:35:16 +0000

I don’t understand why they would need a huge police presence as it opens. No one’s going to be harassing other passengers, vandalizing cars, or robbing people when the trains are picked with curious train riders. I’m pretty sure these activities on transit systems go on during times when ridership is sparse.

Are the police concerned about preventing a riot or crush of people trying to be the first to ride Link?