BRT “advocate” Michael Ennis, of the anti-transit WPC, thinks bus drivers are paid too much; whole story starts with year 2000 to avoid any mention of 1999’s I-695. Nor does KING5 mention WPC’s history as a right-wing, anti-transit thinktank.
New York City considers tearing down a waterfront freeway, without replacement, not because it’s structurally unsound but because it’s the right thing to do.
TCC assesses the state of the legislature. The House is getting better, but the Senate is a disaster. As for this session, “virtually every bill transit advocates supported (…) died.”
Amtrak Cascades ridership increases 16.7% over six months, highest in the nation.
Wheelchair lifts on ST coaches (574, 590-594) recalled, not every bus will serve wheelchairs.
Montlake activist (and STB commenter) Jonathan Dubman says a wider 520 is OK if it means light rail. The Council is moving toward the Mayor’s position, too.
I spend a lot of time learning about – and talking about – what rail transit does to connect and improve communities. It spurs new development, it improves public health and increases the number of people on the street, it helps combat climate change, it helps communities form – there’s a long list. Sometimes these things seem clear to many of us, but often we have trouble articulating them in a way that helps others make these connections.
There are many tools available to us to help – from blogs to books to classes – but few are as powerful as direct, in-person explanation from a human being. As such, I can’t recommend Rail~Volution enough – not only is it a set of presentations and seminars about exactly what most of us want to see and how to get there, it’s also a chance to mingle with people who are making things happen. It’s even split into three sections for people with different amounts of existing knowledge and different interests.
In October, Rail~Volution is in Portland, as John mentioned in the news roundup. I’ll almost definitely be going, and I suspect Adam will as well. If you want to geek out about rail transit for a whole weekend, this is the place to be. Registration opens soon – we’ll remind you when it does.
Transportation for America has done a poll that shows a vast majority of Americans want more transportation funding, including for rail, and 59% think that public transit is a better solution to congestion than building more roads (38%).
David Brooks: “The daily activities most associated with happiness are sex, socializing after work and having dinner with others. The daily activity most injurious to happiness is commuting.”
Are we going to get a new federal transportation bill this year?
Sound Transit bus ridership up ridership up 3%, in contrast to other local bus agencies who have lost riders. Sounder ridership down 11%.
Sound Transit 2010 Service Implementation Plan published. Projects 26,600 Link boardings in a matter of months, but apparently ST doubts its own estimates because of the recession and Link’s headway and fare policies. No word on if the projected boardings taking these factors into account are available.
Highways destroy cities, or at least decrease their population.
Bremerton ferry was once again down to one boat due to the M/V Kitsap having a cracked hull, discovered during a maintenance inspection. The route is back on a two-boat schedule with the 90-car M/V Sealth on the Bremerton run and the 34-car M/V Hiyu on the Pt. Defiance – Tahlequah route.
Seattle’s traffic ninth worst in US. The methodology for these studies is always shaky, and of course the solution can always be spun as more roads, more transit, or better land use. Or, we could just destroy local jobs and raise gas prices.
Teen in White Center unconscious after an altercation on the bus.
Beacon Hill station closed for hours Saturday, apparently due to a communications system problem. Communications with the media and the public were atrocious, as the link indicates. At least shuttle buses were up and running.
Optimism about Eastside Commuter Rail. I don’t understand simultaneous support for B7 and ECR; do people really think diesels and light rail will operate on the same track?
Seattle City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw says nice things about BRT over light rail, doesn’t prioritize trolleybus expansion. Money quote: “we need to have our cars… we have to be able to get around.”
FTA now looking at local financial commitment more, cost-effectiveness less. I think this once again is good news for Sound Transit, and probably not so good for crisis-ridden Metro.
Well none of us were able to make it to the press conference this morning but here are some news clippings. [Update from Sherwin 5:34pm: The Seattle Channel has full video coverage of the event here.]
From what I have gathered it was an interesting showing of elected officials from all level of government, something very unusual. It appears that there are divergent opinions among those advocating for something besides the A+, i.e. better transit connections for some, narrower footprint for others, less traffic for others, but the fact that House Speaker Chopp, Senator Murray, Rep. Pedersen, Mayor McGinn and City Council members Licata and O’Brien were all in attendance is interesting never-the-less. Stay tuned.
Coverage from those that actually get paid to report below the jump.
The NTSB is wrapping up its investigation of Metrolink’s 2008 Chatsworth disaster. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen aren’t too happy about those inward-facing cab cameras, though.
M/V Walla Walla departing from Edmonds on a sunny evening - By Brian Bundridge
Here is ferry roundup!
M/V Sealth still out of service after damage to the vessel’s engine output shaft.
WSDOT is offering ride vouchers for those disrupted during the Port Townsend/Keystone closure.
Gov. Gregoire congratulates Port Townsend students for new vessel name class for the 64-car ferries: the Kwa-di Tabil Class, which means “little boat”
M/V Chetzemoka is progressing swiftly. Todd Shipyards are installing windows, doors, lighting and other accessories on-board the vessel currently. The Chetzomoka is scheduled to start service this Summer once six weeks of crew training and sea trials are completed.
Speaking of new ferries, the first 144-car ferry is scheduled to start construction next year.
Ever wondered what boat you are going to get? Or perhaps you have one of interest? Check out the WSF Vessel Watch
Have you pondered just what happened to your ferry and why it isn’t in service? You can see when your vessel is scheduled for maintenance by checking out this page
Did you know that WSF also has ferry service in Eastern Washington? The little known Martha S has been making trips across the Columbia River since 1948. The free service runs from 6am to midnight, every day and takes about 10 minutes to make the crossing
Did you know that there are several other ferry systems around Washington State? Exploring some of these operations could make for a fantastic vacation this summer!
Did you know that all ferries shares something similar to diesel locomotives? The Super Jumbo Mark II vessels for example use the same high powered engines that EMD uses in their SD70 series locomotives. The Super Jumbo Mark II however has 4 engines, producing 4000HP each.
