Comments on: News Roundup: New Station Edition

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:50:19 +0000

The other major LRV makers are Bombardier, Siemens, Kinki Sharyo, CAF, and Alstom. Given the number of trams they’ve sold and have on-order I suspect Siemens, Kinki Sharyo, and CAF are all set-up to comply with the “Buy American” requirements. While Bombardier hasn’t sold many LRVs in North America recently they have a number of US and Canadian facilities that could be used to assemble any LRV order from LACMTA.

There is some bad blood between Siemens and LACMTA over a previous LRV order so I’m not sure they would compete for any new bid. Actually this may prove a problem for a replacement order as LACMTA has gotten a reputation as being difficult to work with for rolling stock vendors.

By: alexjonlin

alexjonlin — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:13:08 +0000

Wow that’s some cool news.

By: confirming the not so obvious

confirming the not so obvious — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:54:52 +0000

“a much needed kayak platform” When there is a low angle sand beach on either side of Don Armeni park?

By: Tim F.

Tim F. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 03:35:34 +0000

nope that padding is only southbound. same as eastbound into spokane. theres no padding leaving spokane westbound.

schedule going east:
seattle: 4:40
edmonds: 5:12

schedule going west:
edm: 9:10
sea: 10:25

schedule going east:
ephrata: 9:42
spokane: 12:32

schedule going west:
spk: 2:15
eph: 4:22

By: Andy Walker

Andy Walker — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:59:53 +0000

If I am not mistaken, that extra 30-32 minutes is the schedule padding for the entire trip (from Chicago in the case of the Empire Builder). Check out the eastbound vs westbound times between Seattle and Everett on that train.

By: Mike F

Mike F — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:36:43 +0000

Just a reminder – because The Seattle Times note forgot to mention it – that the water taxi begins year-round service next spring from its much-improved dock at Seacrest Park. Improvements to the “temporary” dock at Seacrest Park, including a practical and much-needed kayak platform, are budgeted at nearly $2.4M, by the way.

Next spring should also see necessary modifications and improvements completed to the “temporary” dock at Pier 50 that serves the water taxi, and which will also be a base for sea and route trials for Kitsap Transit’s prototype low-wake passenger ferry. Kitsap Transit, the King County Ferry District, and the Port of Kingston are working together on the dock modifications. The Port of Kingston is planning for passenger ferry service to downtown Seattle by the end of 2010, using its own low-wake boat. (Presumably the Port intends to join the ORCA pod when it launches service.)

By: Mike Skehan

Mike Skehan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:34:12 +0000

This just seems wrong Tim. Scheduling a 1 hour trip that can be made in less than half that time, then giving BNSF a bonus to meet a really easy time point. If the trip normally can be done in 28, schedule it for 28 and penalize BNSF for making you late. Not the other way around.

By: Mike F

Mike F — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:02:23 +0000

Terrific photo! And if anybody is in the Belltown neighborhood and wants to check out a cool temporary installation by Dan Corson (Blue Lights Over Duwamish, Beacon Hill Station's Portals and Space Forms, etc.), Grotesque Arabesque will be at Suyama Space through December 18.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:35:18 +0000

Thanks guys, I’m flattered!

By: Tim F.

Tim F. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:58:44 +0000

we don’t leave early. if we arrive at a station early we have to wait to our regularly scheduled departure time. however there is padding time before terminals so for instance the empire builder gets over an hour to get from edmonds to seattle when the actual running time is something like 28 minutes. if you want though we can just sit north of north portal and not get you anywhere early.

By: barman

barman — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:20:54 +0000

Being early is just as annoying as being late, in my opinion. I expect my train to arrive at the time advertised, no earlier and no later.

By: Erik G.

Erik G. — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:53:38 +0000

Um, what American manufacturer? There are none making the type of vehicle LA Metro needs.

By: W. K. Lis

W. K. Lis — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:47:06 +0000

An example of a “transit-adjacent development” can be seen at this link at http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/10/29/eyes-on-the-street-the-gateway-center-pedestrian-maul/ where a new mall was built beside subway lines and buses, but ignores them. They have about about 2,800 parking spots wasted, because most customers arrive by transit or walk. However, the entrances are through the parking lot or beside roads leading to the parking lot.

Make sure that that “transit-oriented development” actually allows pedestrians and transit users to have friendly access.

By: arthur

arthur — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:12:04 +0000

What a cool pic! I hadn’t even noticed the little boat passing under the trestle right as the train crossed.

By: Jeff Welch

Jeff Welch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:39:27 +0000

Wow – I recomment that link. You can practically count the pine needles on the trees in the background.

By: Jeff Welch

Jeff Welch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:38:05 +0000

Hey – thanks!

By: Oran Viriyincy

Oran Viriyincy — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:26:12 +0000

Yes you can! Download the original photo, all 4272 x 2848 pixels of it. Hi-res, indeed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomictaco/4056985824/sizes/o/in/pool-624040@N24/

I love it when public art creates more works of art.

By: Jeff Welch

Jeff Welch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:03:39 +0000

That really is a gorgeous photo – wish I had a hi-res version to make into my desktop.

By: Jeff Welch

Jeff Welch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:02:39 +0000

Sounds like Los Angeles dodged a bullet on that one. Here’s hoping they find an American manufacturer.

By: Jeff Welch

Jeff Welch — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:01:34 +0000

On the “sketchy bus stop” article – aren’t bus stops SUPPOSED to be near where people live and shop?