Happy New Year!
First ride of the new-year!
I did find out how the Minneapolis Light Rail has their fee system modeled. It's totally an honor system with people buying tickets at ticket kiosks on the train platforms. It looks like the Phoenix system will work the same way. In fact, the same Light Rail Director from Minneapolis is heading up the Phoenix system now.
I took a later ride because it’s a light work week. There was more business riders and fewer students. That makes sense as most schools are off this week. Interesting observation is that most of the business riders were late to their bus stop. I fall within this group but I can’t stand being late. So I am usually early. Anyway, I don’t know what it means. Perhaps business riders have flexible schedules so that it doesn't matter exactly when they arrive at their desk. I have to think about this some more.
Light Rail
OK, It's been a while but I haven't been able to ride the bus for a couple of weeks. I did have a chance to ride the light rail line in Minneapolis, MN. This is a pretty short run but it's their first since Minneapolis and St. Paul had a trolley system. The line runs from the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis. Anyway, I was staying a few blocks from a downtown station so I skipped the rental car and used the rail and bus system.
The rail was pretty nice - very clean - very new. The fare was only $1.50 and included bus transfers.
I lived in MN when light rail was first approved. The thought back then was that there wouldn't be enough rides to make it worth building. At the same time the state of MN was adding lanes to several highways in town to reduce auto traffic. This was counter productive as making it easier to drive would only reduce reliance on public transportation. Why not take two freeway lanes and drop in a light rail system.
Big laugh! I rode on Monday and Friday afternoon and it was about 60% full. I also rode Wednesday evening with the same results. So there!
The fare collection is pretty loose. I purchased a ticket each time but was never asked to show it to a conductor. Perhaps the theory is that the line is so restricted that a rider will have to take a bus to get to their final destination and that's where they catch up with the fare.
OK, not bus related but still...What's the point of air travelers taking a window seat when they know they can't make the trip without going to the bathroom! I was on the aisle or middle seat this trip and had to let the window seated person both times. Both times they asked if I minded...well yes I do. Move over and give me the window!
First Ride
10/18/06 - $2.09 gallon
We only have one car this week due to some body work. So, I have been relying on the bus to get around. Well at least to and from work. I am doing the 100% routine. No park and ride - just my feet and the bus. I have a one mile walk to the closest pick-up (156E) so that's not bad. It's real nice right now with the weather, stars, and smells of the Arizona morning.
Picked up the 56N @ 6:28 AM and started my real ride in. Rider-ship is not down. It's changed a bit now school is back in session but, it's still pretty good.
I helped a woman today that was on her first ride. She was trying to figure everything out. I think she did alright. It reminded me of one of my first rides where I couldn't figure out the side door 'open' button. I had never had to open the door on my own so I just stood there. An awkward moment later...another rider helped me push the button.
Gas Prices Lowest yet!
10/17/06 - $2.09 gallon
Gas keeps coming down and the DOW keeps going up. This has to have something to do with upcoming elections. We'll see. It is nice to have options on your transport mode. I can keep both cars gassed up and still take the bus. The ride in was pretty full - there's no way to tell that gas prices are down.
Ride home was interesting. I had a late meeting so I had to start home around 5 PM. There's a whole different set of characters. I noticed more business and less mall travelers. That makes sense.
Super Angry Guy
10/14/06 - $2.45 gallon
Started right on time today. Did lonely penny experiment #3. My prediction...someone will sit on it… Someone sat on it.
The 56N was running fast so I was able to transfer to the 30W and make good time today. I stood next to a guy that was starting to get agitated on his cell phone. Let's call him "Super Angry Guy." He got off with me at my stop and carried his cell conversation into the QT. As you might guess, he was well on his way to super angry status. It didn't help that the QT was busy and people were cutting in front of him. That's what you get when you're on a cell argument and not paying attention. As Super Angry Guy was leaving he burst into a yelling match on his cell. It was so stupid that the whole place erupted with laughter and he just left. That was fun. Just think if he would have gotten into a fight with his cell phone.
So I start making my way to the office and Supper Angry Guy is out in front of me walking my way and turns down my street. I didn’t see where he works but there is s good chance I will see him again. Let’s hope so.
I almost forgot, Supper Old Guy still has that scooter!
Not much to say on the way home. I was tired and dozed off a few times.
Just Stuff
10/11/06 - $2.49 gallon
Started a little late @ 5:45. Wow, 5 riders this morning. In fact, it filled up pretty good today. Super Old Guy got on today. This guy must be 80. I suppose he could be 30 and a Crack addict. I think he's just old. He got on today with a Razor Scooter - carried not ridden. I have no idea what he was doing with the razor. He could have been riding to and from the stop. I see a broken hip in his future if he is riding.
School has started - ASU and High School students have replaced the mall riders.
10/07/06 - $2.59 gallon
Started late @ 5:48. only 2 riders.
I started Lonely Penny experiment # 2 and got the same results. A large woman sat on the penny without even looking at what she was sitting on. She got off a few stops later and left the penny. Another guy took the seat and flicked the penny out of the way. That was the end of experiment for the day.
I got to ride a dual bus on the way home. This type of bus bends in the middle and is pretty long.
The Lonely Penny
9/31/06 - $2.59 gallon
Regular pick-up @ 5:44 and only 3 riders. It's starting to get darker in the morning. I started the “Lonely Penny” experiment today. Here is how it works... I leave a shiny penny on a bus seat. Then I sit back to watch who bothers to pick it up. Today one of the regulars looked at it and I could tell, he was thinking about it but didn't pick it up. A couple of stops later, a short large mother with two kids looked at it then sat on it. My prediction is that the lonely penny has no value. I originally thought of this experiment when I found the penny on my seat. I didn't find any value in it so I left it on the seat next to me and started the experiment. I have hundreds more at home so what's one more? Perhaps, the penny is just one more piece of nothing.
Transferred at 6:23 and caught the Red Line in to work.
Bus Journal Archive
8/24/06 $2.76
To: Pick-up @ 5:46. 3 riders. Arrival - 6:23. Caught the #30 @ 6:24. Logged in @ 6:40.
From: Caught the 30E at 3:36 and the 56 @ 3:52 running late. Dr. Zuess hat guy was on the bus. Guy w/super mohawk. It was orange and black and very stiff.
8/11/06 $2.87
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 3 riders. Arrival - 6:21. Caught the #30 @ 6:22. Logged in @ 6:35.
From: New Schedule! Caught the 30E at 3:38 and the 56 @ 3:44. The 56S. Has been using a mid-size bus.
8/7/06 $2.89
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 4 riders. Arrival - 6:23. The 6:23 #30 arrived late so I took it @ 6:27. Logged in @ 6:40
From: New Schedule! Caught the 30E at 3:38 and the 56 @ 3:44.
7/14/06 $2.94
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 3 riders. Rode a short bus today. This should be coesy and was with a few standing.
Arrival - 6:22. The 6:23 #30 left eariy so I caught the 30 @ 6:38. Logged in @ 6:45 at the Sheraton for a morning meeting.
From: Caught the 30 @ 3:22. Arrived at Priest and University early (3:24). Caught the 56 @ 3:46. The 3:29 never showed! The stupid, drunk, idiot from 5/12/06 was on the bus.
7/13/06 $2.94
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 3 riders.
Arrival - 6:24. Caught the Red @ 6:28. Logged in @ 6:45.
From: Late meeting - caught a ride with David H.
7/6/06 $2.89
To: Pick-up @ 6:43. 0 riders. I saw a pelican fly over in Guadalupe. Looked like a Brown or juvinenile White.
Arrival - 5:20. Caught the #30 @ 5:21. Logged in @ 6:40.
From: Missed the #30 @ 3:10 (it never showed). Caught the next one @ 3:26. Missed the 56 @ 3:29 (it was running late). Caught the 56 @ 3:37. had a crying kid and the mother never lifted a finger. They got off in Guadalupe.
7/6/06 $2.85
To: Pick-up @ 7:14. 4 riders. None of the usual riders today because this was a late bus. The driver was not confident driving through the 48th St. construction cones so proceeded to slolem through them from Warner to Eliot. Tough ride.
Arrival - 7:50. Caught the #30 @ 7:50. Logged in @ 8:05.
From: Missed the #30 @ 3:26. Caught the next one @ 3:42. Caught the 56 @ 3:59.
Pretty normal ride home.
6/29/06 $2.89
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 1 rider. None of the usual riders today.
Arrival - 6:22. Missed the #30 @ 6:22. Caught the Red Line @ 6:?. Logged in @ 6:35.
From: Caught the #30 @ 3:26 and then the 56 @ 3:45. Pretty normal ride home.
6/27/06 $2.91
To: Pick-up @ 5:42. 1 rider. None of the usual riders today.
Arrival - 6:22. Caught the #30 @ 6:22. Logged in @ 6:35.
From: Caught the #30 @ 3:26 and then the 56 @ 3:29. Pretty normal ride home.
6/14/06 $2.91
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 5 riders.
Arrival - 6:18. Caught the #30 @ 6:27.
Logged in @ 6:40
From: Caught the #30 @ 3:29 and then the 56 @ 3:50. The 3:44 was missing. This was a bonus day! Stupid fat guy in stupid top hat and medical cane was at the stop. An old crazy lady was also at the stop and wouldn't quit talking. Finally a large lady and her 5 kids got on at broadway. She kept them in control by slapping them on the forhead. At one point, she went right down the line and popped each one on the head. I guess she couldn't figure out which one was misbehaving.
6/9/06 $2.97
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 6 riders.
Arrival - 6:18. Caught the #30 @ 6:20.
Logged in @ 6:29
From: Caught the #30 @ 3:28 and then the 56 @ 3:44.
6/1/06 $2.99
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 5 riders. There was a homeless man at the stop making his own cigarette w/filter. He also had a cell phone. It was nice to sit for 40 minutes. It was relaxing. I do not miss the drive in traffic!
Arrival - 6:20. Caught the #30.
Logged in @ 6:35.
From: Caught the #30 @ 3:28 and then the 56 @ 3:44.
5/25/06 $3.05
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 5 riders. Arrival - 6:29. Missed the #30.
Logged in @ 6:40.
From: Caught the #30 @ 2:56. Was able to catch the 56 right away. Pretty empty ride.
5/25/06 $3.05
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 4 riders. Arrival - 6:26. CAUGHT the #30 @ 6:26 - it waited. Logged in @ 6:33.
From: Shortly @ 3:28, picked up the 56 at 3:44. A guy took a piss at the Priest and University stop.
5/19/06 $3.14
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. 5 riders. Arrival - 6:20. CAUGHT the #30 @ 6:21. Logged in @ 6:35.
From: Picked up the #30 East Shortly @ 3:27. Missed the 3:29 at Priest. Picked up the #56 @ University & Priest @ 3:44.
5/18/06 $3.14
To: Pick-up @ 5:43. Only 5 riders. Arrived @ University & Priest @ 6:20 but missed #30 - left early. Logged in @ 6:45.
From: Picked up the #30 East Shortly @ 3:27. Jack also @ the stop. Missed the 3:29 at Priest. Picked up the #56 @ University & Priest @ 3:44. Was able to sit.
5/15/06 $3.14
To: Drove to 48th @ Channdler. Pick-up @ 5:43. Only 4 riders. Arrived @ University & Priest @ 6:20 but missed #30 - left early. Logged in @ 6:46.
From: Picked up the #30 East Shortly @ 3:25. Jack also @ the stop. Picked up the #56 @ University & Priest @ 3:32. Was able to sit.
5/12/06 $3.05
To: Drove to 48th @ Channdler. Pick-up @ 5:43. Only 5 riders. Arrived @ University & Priest @ 6:20 but missed #30 - left early. Logged in @ 6:29.
From: University & Priest @ 3:44. Got on the #30 West by mistake and missed the #30 East shortly. Had to hoof it. Was able to sit. One guy wouldn't shut-up and his friend slept. What an idiot!
5/5/06 $3.09
To: Walked to 48th & Fry. Took too long. I could take the ALEX at 5:48 AM but this also takes a long time. Walked from Univ. & Priest to work.
From: Took #30 to #56 S. @ Priest. Bus broke down @ Southern but a new bus followed quickly. 15 minutes late. Took ALEX to Fry. This took too long.
