Comments on: Sunday Open Thread: Metro de Santiago Smart Card Ad

By: downintacoma

downintacoma — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:28:31 +0000

The Schengen Agreement defines the open borders in the EU. It would be nice, but I just don’t see that happening here.

It would, however, be nice to have some way of speeding up border crossings. If the rail conductors in New York can charge my credit card on-board, then border officers ought to be able to clear my passport on-board too.

By: Michael Ragsdale

Michael Ragsdale — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:16:48 +0000

(getting sick images of…)

Uh, maybe I should shut-up

By: Michael Ragsdale

Michael Ragsdale — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:14:11 +0000

If it were me, I’d have an Issaquah – Bellevue line (S. Bellevue P&R or Downtown Bellevue, just somewhere), and you’d transfer to East Link to the DSTT.

Granted, I’ve only been to Issaquah just once (a round trip ride on a 554 just to see it) so I don’t know what demand would be

By: Dave Honan

Dave Honan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:38:24 +0000

The US has over 200 BILLION tons of recoverable coal reserves, and our annual consumption is about 1.2 billion tons (Trains Magazine, April 2010, p32) — we certainly don’t need Canada’s resources anytime soon.

By: Max

Max — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:36:59 +0000

That project was part of the 1996 package. As in, the voters voted for it.

Every city has its own needs and transportation challenges. Newcastle is a city built on the cul de sac and a “bypass” highway (405). In other words, the transit demand is fairly minimal. So, a scaled down transit zone like the one ST designed is quite appropriate.

There is one compelling reason as to why ST should NOT have built the project: Newcastle Mayor Sonny Putter. Who literally is a putz when it comes to transportation. He’s one of Kemper Freeman’s freeway guys, dead set on keeping Newcastle in the automobile stone age.

By: Mike Orr

Mike Orr — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:56:06 +0000

East Link trains are going to Northgate. Supposedly the DSTT and Northgate tunnels will be full after ST2 is implemented, so Issaquah Link trains would have to go elsewhere. One option is a shuttle train to South Bellevue or downtown Bellevue. I wonder if a lower-cost streetcar would be adequate, since there’s no large city beyond Issaquah.

By: John Bailo

John Bailo — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:55:20 +0000

“First, you’re just making things up. You aren’t quoting actual verified numbers”

I’m quoting numbers that someone posted here in the comments section a few days back. If you’re not a regular you might want to go back and read the prior posts before jumping in and assaulting me.

By: John Bailo

John Bailo — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:53:48 +0000

How many times a week do you ride Sounder?

By: VeloBusDriver

VeloBusDriver — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:45:54 +0000

That image is a little sexier than the actual “Transit center” I drove through last week. I figured they blew some money on that thing but $4 Million? Dang… Next time I drive the 219 through there I’ll stop and take some pictures. It’s not like I actually drive any passengers around on that stupid route. (Grrrr… Grumble…)

On the other hand, there was talk of adding 15 minute service to the 240. If East Link actually services South Bellevue P&R, Newcastle residents could use the 240, or a new faster route, to access East Link.

By: Mad Park

Mad Park — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:14:39 +0000

And I thought it was only my slightly “sick” mind that noticed this…

By: VeloBusDriver

VeloBusDriver — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:06:09 +0000

I’m starting to see people do some strange things to “Tap” their ORCA cards. On that thought, People, PLEASE do not put your ORCA card in your front pocket. When you “Tap”, it looks pretty obscene…

By: VeloBusDriver

VeloBusDriver — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 19:03:23 +0000

Sam, for once I agree with you. I really wish ST & Metro would crack down harder on fare evasion. The people who don’t pay their fares are the ones who cause most of the problems. Metro shouldn’t be looking just at lost fares – they should also be looking at cleaning up the garbage and graffiti and fixing the ripped seats that go with many of the fare evaders. Give me some training and a button to notify the police that I’ve got dirtbags on my bus and I’m happy to push it!

That said, most of my passengers do pay their fare – I sure don’t agree with John’s assertion that “half” are scofflaws. Maybe on some late night version of the 358, 7, or other “problem” route. Most do pay…

By: alexjonlin

alexjonlin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:18:10 +0000

I’ve seen them issuing tickets several times on Link… Where do you and John Bailo get your facts from?

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:49:28 +0000

Fare evaders know that KC has a policy of not prosecuting fare evaders. The decision has been made that taking up the time of police officers, judges, public defenders, court personnel, and prosecutors over $2.00 just isn’t an effective use of resources.

I disagree with this policy as the type of people who evade the fare are more likely to be the kind of people to cause problems for other passengers, including theft and assaults, not to mention fare evaders are more likely to have outstanding warrants for other crimes.

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:57:14 +0000

John Bailo:

First, you’re just making things up. You aren’t quoting actual verified numbers.

Second, for the sake of argument let’s say your 1 in 7 checks on Sounder is a fair estimate. The price of a fine is more than 7 times the price of a ticket, so if someone is avoiding paying the fare every time, eventually it’s going ot catch up with them.

Third, I’ve taken Sounder, and even on days with low ridership (holidays) I see at least a dozen people at Auburn Station alone using ORCA.

Please, for God’s sake; if you’re going to make an argument at least educate yourself on the facts.

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:52:20 +0000

One of the issues with Sound Move was simply finding enough projects to fund in order to balance out the spending in other sub-areas. Newport Hills is probably something like that and an attempt to swing a few votes in the area.

However now that the transit center is there it might see more use, or it could remain a white elephant. Longer term it’s likely to see much more use in the future as East Link comes on line, Newcastle increases density, etc.

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:32:59 +0000

They’ll probably do something similar to whatever they do when it comes time to connect the East Link tracks to Central Link. (at least I assume they’ll have to install switches, I haven’t seen any stub switches there)

I’m not sure it would even require a couple week shutdown, probably more like a few days.

By: Chris Stefan

Chris Stefan — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:24:14 +0000

It might happen. After all Canada’s urban rail systems have been known to buy from companies other than Bombardier. But VIA Rial might be a bit of a stretch.

Still at this point I’d be shocked to see any contributions toward Cascades service from either the BC or Canadian government.

By: Mathew "RennDawg" Renner

Mathew "RennDawg" Renner — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:08:44 +0000

We cannot have a border like the one between Germany and France because we are a sovereign nation that is not part of a loose commonwealth like the E.U. We have the right to protect our borders.

By: Brian Bundridge

Brian Bundridge — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:53:07 +0000

John Bailo, I would love to know where you got your information from.

Sounder conductors are no longer permitted to check tickets. Security or Fare Enforcement will be checking tickets (as they were daily, on my train until I changed schedules)

If you don’t have a ticket, you get fined and have to get off the train, pay the fare and wait for the next one (or the 578 connector)