Via Orphan Road, I read this post from Matthew Yglesias about having realistic expectations for what a stimulus package do. My response below the fold. Continue reading “The Real Take Away from the Stimulus Plan”
Photo of the Day
Gearing up for inauguration, the DC Metro has put Obama’s face on Metro cards.
Southeast Seattle Service Changes
Comments about the first round of proposed Southeast Seattle service changes have been incorporated into a new proposal that should appear in Rainier Valley mailboxes over the next few days. Key changes from the previous proposal:
- The 7X and 34 express services have been partially restored. I guess Metro listens after all!
- Rather than send every 48 to Rainier Beach, all route 8s would be extended to cover MLK to Henderson St., while all 48s would terminate at Mt. Baker station.
- There’s been further resolution in service frequency; notably, service on the 9 and 39 (which would become the 50) would get considerably better.
What happens next is another round of public comment, followed by a King County Council decision by this spring.
For those of you just joining us, the changes from the status quo are after the jump.
News Round Up: HSR, Viaduct and FTA
- India is looking at high-speed rail now. Will America be the last place to get HSR?
- Art Agnos, the San Francisco mayor who choose the surface-transit option to replace their version of the Alaskan Way Viaduct, says we should do the same thing here. Via the Seattle Weekly.
- The West Seattle Blog has some great information on four transportation projects for that part of the city: the Spokane Street Viaduct, the Alaskan Way Viaduct, West Seattle Rapid Ride and the potential Metro Route 50.
- The traffic turtles that were destroy on city streets due to snow plows, may not be replaced until after the winter’s over, and the stripes that have disappeared won’t be back until the rain is over, probably some time next week.
- One hand giveth… The DC Metro is being extended to Dulles Int’l Airport after all, thanks to a change of heart by soon-to-need-a-job FTA chair Mary Peters.
- The other taketh away… Chicago will not get the $153 million in federal funding it was hoping to get for its four planned BRT lines. I am really interested to see how different cities do BRT.
Why We Don’t Need a Parking Maximum
by BEN WOOSLEY
A few months back, Erica C. Barnett of Slog and our own Andrew called for parking maximum mandates for new construction in Seattle. Now, I can understand the appeal of parking maximums. After all, parking-induced sprawl ranks with pollution as one of the worst effects of cars. But I’m more than skeptical of such maximums – not only does the evidence show we’re making good progress without them, I suspect they’re downright counterproductive to the mass transit cause. Surprised? Read on…
Follow-up: Partial Holiday Service
Now that we’ve all had a chance to vent about it, I chatted with Metro’s Linda Thielke about this week’s surprise cutbacks in service.
Our speculation about causes was basically correct. As a cost-cutting measure in 2009, Metro was going to cut back during the last week of the year, when ridership is historically pretty low.
With the beating the buses took last week, though, it was clear they were going to need to pause at some point soon. Given that this is one of the lower-ridership weeks of the year, they decided to bring the change forward to 2008, despite the short notice.
Frankly, I would have made the same decision. Unfortunately, the announcement was largely lost in the hoopla about the snowstorm. Although I think they could have done a better job giving it prominent play on the Metro website, it turns out the changes were announced as early as Dec. 23. Part of the problem, of course, is that a lot people gave up on riding the bus last week and so didn’t have the opportunity to see the alerts.
A timeline of the news releases that Ms. Thielke made is below the jump. Part of the blame, as always, falls on our local media, who mostly chose sensationalism about the storm over information readers and viewers could have actually used. But I still wish Metro had thought to pass it on to lesser outlets like The Stranger and STB, who reach fewer people but do a good job of covering transit information for people truly dependent on the bus.
As for me, I wish I’d taken the time to poke around the Metro site last week, while snowed in. My apologies to the readership.
News Roundup
Kitsap Transit raises fares, cuts service, including all buses on Sunday.- Bellevue is getting a free downtown bus shuttle in 2010 with 10 minute headways. It’ll be branded as a Bellevue shuttle, so add it to Metro, ST, and RapidRide that’ll be serving that area.
- In case you hadn’t heard, snow is coming. Chains on buses, snow routes, the whole nine yards. Given how the bus system is likely to do tonight, light rail really can’t come soon enough.
- Hertz launches a car-sharing service in New York, London, and Paris, to compete with Zipcar, Enterprise, and U-Haul, of which only Zipcar operates here. Competition is a good thing.
- Local Democrats are trying to nudge Ron Sims out of running for a fourth term. We’ve had many problems with Sims over the years, but the man is committing to delivering the maximum amount of bus service.
- Not really news, but Matt Yglesias continues his war on free parking:
Here in DC, for example, we turn our parking meters off and have free parking downtown on Saturdays. People like convenient parking spaces. They’re valuable. And when you set the price of a valuable commodity at zero, you get parking shortages. Which is what we have on Saturdays in key retail corridors. Perversely, the stated reason for this policy of guaranteed shortages is that it’s supposed to encourage people to come downtown to shop.
Same goes for Sounder Parking, by the way.
Image from Flickr contributor Chris Moucha.
Tipping Point
A month or so ago, I couldn’t help but feel that our nation was approaching a sort of transportation tipping point, where the momentum was finally moving in the direction of re-envisioning person transportation from meaning just cars and airplanes. It was hard not to, with most transit measures passing nationwide, and the California High Speed Rail Proposition passing as well. I was worried a bit, though, with the House passing a $14 billion bailout that our leaders weren’t necessarily paying attention. The Senate seems to be set to stall the bill, but probably not because they feel the changing winds.
Continue reading “Tipping Point”
Suburban Revival Story
Wednesday’s “All Things Considered” on NPR had a piece about a suburban revival transforming a DC suburb called Tysons Corner. Tysons Corner was developed from farms about forty years ago into a sprawling, car-oriented suburban nightmare, and with DC MetroRail planned through that area, urban planners are working to reinvent it. This description of driving around the area (about 3 minutes in) reminds me of the sort of places in our area I really hate, particularly Southcenter.
The whole story in general reminds me of Downtown Bellevue, which was never quite the suburban nightmare as Tysons Corner, but has been transforming into a proper city for the past few decades. Well, at least the downtown is transforming. I think that Link could have a similar effect on communities in our region, though I wonder which stations are going to transform the immediate area. Lynnwood, Tukwila, Northgate? Which areas do you think will be most re-invented by Light Rail?
Capitol Hill Station Discussion on KUOW
I missed this, so sorry for telling you a day late, but they were talking about the Capitol Hill Station construction on KUOW. You can listen to the whole conversation in the podcast. It’s pretty interesting, and everyone seemed pretty satisfied with the community involvement that Sound Transit is taking part in with the Capitol Hill. There’s also a good discussion on transit oriented development, and what will be done with the staging area after construction is finished.
The funniest part for me is how Steve Scher seems to wish there was some contentious issue that was dividing the Capitol Hill community leaders and Sound Transit, but is unable to find one. It does seem that Sound Transit has learned from building the first line through the Rainier Valley.
New Look Pioneer Square Station
This is what the Pioneer Square Station entrance on 3rd between James and Cherry looks like now:
What would look like if Norman Foster’s Civic Square Tower is built? Go below the fold to find out.
Continue reading “New Look Pioneer Square Station”
Canada Delaying Amtrak Improvements
According to this Op-Ed in the Province, the work to improve the track between the border in Vancouver by creating a passing track in Delta, BC was completed six months ago. However, the Canada Border Services Agency has imposed new costs on the service, and that has delayed progress the service improvements. Let’s hope they can get their act in shape, the last time I took Amtrak to Vancouver it took hours and hours; any improvement would make the trip much more pleasent.
Viaduct Replacement Options
WSDOT has this site detailing eight options for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement. The plans differ pretty remarkably, from a “low capital” surface-option with little built to deep-bored tunnel, and even a covered four lane elevated structure, with a sky-bridge and development underneath the roadway. Definitely view the plans, and check out the interactive flash map.
Each option seems to include either the Alaskan Way Viaduct or the “Central Streetcar” line on First Avenue, with the exception of option ‘d’, the new elevated highway. I don’t actually know if any of these options include funding for these transit improvements. Option ‘e’ is doubling down on the viaduct, with a truly massive, super-structure on the waterfront. I’m partial to ‘b’, the surface-transit option.
Which do you prefer? What is the worst? Let us know in the comments.
H/T to the estimable Gordon Werner.
Rock and Roll Train
Sounder to AC/DC!
AIG’s troubles hurt transit systems, including Metro
Update, see below
I never expected the financial crisis to have such a direct impact on transit, but according to the Washington Post, transit agencies could be forced to come up with billions in cash due to AIG’s failure and take-over by the fed. Apparently, some transit agencies are leasing equipment from banks, and AIG has been providing insurance that the agencies will make their payments. AIG’s takeover triggered a clause in the contracts that allows the banks who own the leases to demand immediate repayment, and many of them need the money to stay solvent due to the credit crunch. Double-Whammy. Weak, and AIG spent how much on lavish parties and excutive retreats?
Here’s how WaPo describes the deals :
In a once-common practice that the IRS has ended, many transit agencies entered into arrangements in which they sold equipment such as rail cars to banks. The banks then turned around and leased the equipment back to the transit agencies.
Both sides benefited. The transit agencies were given a large sum of money up front, which could pay for various infrastructure upgrades. And the banks were able to rely on frequent lease payments while also writing off taxes on the depreciating property.
The deals were approved by the Federal Transit Administration, which promoted the lease agreements, transit agency officials said.
…
AIG, which collected fees paid by Metro and other transit agencies, guaranteed that lease payments to the banks would be made on time. But AIG’s financial problems have triggered a clause that allows the banks to demand their money all at once.
More than 30 agencies have entered into the deals, including King County Metro, though I don’t know exactly how big the problem with Metro is. I’ll get back to as soon as I know.
Update:
The metro mentioned in the article is DC Metro, sorry if that is confusing. But KC Metro is affected, according to this site, as is Sound Transit.
Update 2:
According to Rochelle Ogershok at KC Metro, Metro no longer has any of those AIG deals, which is very welcome news. I was worried about nothing.
Endorsements
As in the primary, STB is endorsing candidates and initiatives for the November general election. This is officially a non-partisan blog, so we’ll be evaluating candidates based on their attitude toward transit.
Strong Endorsements (Strongly pro-transit)
Sound Transit Proposition 1: YES
I-985: NO
U.S. Congress, 1st District: Jay Inslee
U.S. Congress, 6th District: Norm Dicks
Washington State Attorney General: John Ladenburg
10th District Senate: Linda Haddon
21st District House: Mary Helen Roberts
41st District Senate: Fred Jarrett
44th District House, Position 1: Hans Dunshee
47th District House, Position : Geoff Simpson
U.S. President/Vice President: Barack Obama/Joe Biden
Lukewarm Endorsements (Transit-neutral, but far better than their opponents).
Governor: Christine Gregoire
Secretary of State: Sam Reed
41st District House, Position 1: Marcie Maxwell
41st District House, Position 2: Write-in
Supporting arguments after the jump. Admin is listed as the post author, but in fact this is a collective effort.
Continue reading “Endorsements”
Some things “Bad” are quite Good
by BEN WOOSLEY
So I was reviewing the new Sound Transit site Andrew pointed out, and it reminded me of a thought I had earlier, which is loosely, and with tongue in cheek, that “everything bad is good.” Specifically, the transit life includes a few attendant concerns which some would scoff at, but which I revel in. For example, rarely I’m on a schedule or on the edge of a knife and it’s necessary for me to run to catch the bus. Some would say “what trouble,” but I know I don’t run nearly enough, and every bit helps. Then, and at the vast majority of times when I don’t have to run, I, like Sumit, very much appreciate my walks.
Likewise, someone with limited interests might be frustrated with 30 minutes or an hour of transit time, which would otherwise be consumed with focus on the bumper ahead of you, but I, like Pat and her “golden hours,” revel in it. I haven’t come close to exhausting the different concerns I’d like to investigate. For example, aside from reading I’ve been known to watch feature films in 20-30 minute increments. To me this is a treat: something which calls back to the days of the serial radio broadcasts, where instead of hearing “listen next week to find out…,” I get to wonder throughout the day what’s in store, until I return.
I definitely detected this seemingly optimistic attitude in the videos I saw: in Sumit’s walk, and in Pat’s “me time.” Does this mean that transit is particularly fit for the optimists? Or rather that, as Esther says, “We can make our lives as easy or as difficult as we want,” with us on the easy side (given our circumstances)? For what it’s worth, the other Pat‘s initial, temporary reticence, his concern before he knew enough to be won over, seems to support the latter.
Lakewood Putting the Screws to Sound Transit
The News Tribune is calling out the City of Lakewood for renegging on a deal the city had with Sound Transit whereby the Lakewood would patrol and maintain the new train and bus station in Lakewood. The station opened last week but the Sounder service won’t reach Lakewood for at least another two years and – according to the News Tribune – Lakewood has decided they won’t pay for the patrols after all. The News Tribune’s editors put it better than I ever could:
Sound Transit has lived up to its end of the bargain … The agency also agreed to add millions of dollars to the project’s cost by agreeing to build a multi-story parking garage instead of a much cheaper surface lot.
That garage won’t be sitting empty until Sounder arrives in 2011 or 2012. Sound Transit is adding express bus service to the Tacoma Dome Station where passengers can catch Sounder trains, as well as 20 trips to an existing route between Lakewood and Seattle. Those services begin Sunday.
Lakewood is gaining a transportation hub at a critical time when commuters hit by high gas prices are taking a new look at mass transit. The key to getting people on buses – and eventually trains – is providing easy connections. Lakewood Station fits that bill.
Prop One Polling Well
According to this Survey USA poll, 49% of voters are “certain” to vote yes, and 65% are certain or leaning toward yes. Awesome! I think it must be that sexy Yes Campaign website.
Via Hat Thief, photo by Bejan from Orphan Road.
Elsewhere in the Times
Sunday was a good day for transit stories in the Times, beyond the Bus Wrap story. First, this blurb in the local section:
While bus ridership usually dips during the summer, Metro’s numbers actually went up, said King County Executive Ron Sims in his blog.
He said ridership numbers topped out in July at 400,457, a 9.9 percent increase over last summer.
Then, nationally syndicated columnist Neil Pierce has another pro-transit, anti-asphalt op-ed. We like to complain about the Times a lot, but they continually run this guy’s pieces, and I’m grateful for that. This piece talks about efforts to design cities more for pedestrians and less for cars. There’s a reference to Seattle and the viaduct controversy, as well as a description of the tension in Washington, DC between the commuters who drive there and the people who actually live (and walk) there. Luckily, the city appears to be considering the interests of its actual residents rather than those who use it for just a job:
Some commuters are grumbling about Washington’s moves; a spokesman for AAA calls the District of Columbia “the most anti-car city in the country.” But city officials say they’re just intent on reclaiming Washington’s streets for the people who live there, creating a walkable, bikable, transit-oriented metropolis.
Good for the District, especially since there are excellent rail transit options from virtually any direction into the city.