4114, I think

Fun ride home yesterday on the 66S. We boarded with a young man wearing a chef's coat and Jim asked where he worked. The man told us he served as sous chef for the caterers at the Phoenix Civic Center. I asked if he applied to appear on “Top Chef” and he said no, but he came from New York and worked at 'kraft, Tom Colicchio's flagship restaurant. For the curious, Colicchio serves as head judge on “Top Chef”, a reality competition show on Bravo where 15 chefs compete for a large cash prize and all the publicity a fledgling celebrity could ever desire.

This young man and I chatted until he got off the bus. He graduates in May from ASU with a BA in nutrition, school paid for by his employer, Marriott. His next step includes the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He seemed quite passionate about his chosen career and, if enthusiasm counts, will enjoy success. How nice to spend time talking with someone so positive - how nice to enjoy a chat on the usually quiet bus.

Bus trivia note – At the Tempe Transportation Center, routes 62 and 66 share a shelter. While waiting for the 66 yesterday, the 62 pulled in, the driver got out, went around to the front of the bus, did something and the door closed. He sprinted for the restroom and Jim, an even more curious person than me, went to the front of the bus to see how the driver closed the door. He reported back about a little door which opened to reveal a button inside. I asked Jim to open it again and took today's photo. When the driver returned, he again went to the front of the bus and opened the bus door using the hidden bus door button. I think I have seen drivers close/open the doors manually - must work like DVD drives - the preferred method uses the button, but pushing gets the job done, too.

unusual ride

Night before last we enjoyed an unusual ride home. My co-worker, Jim, and I arrived at the Tempe Transportation Center, 66S shelter, about 5 minutes prior to the scheduled bus arrival. We waited, and we waited, and we waited. We watched as 2nd, 3rd and even 4th versions of other buses came and went, but no 66S. Noticing a transportation supervisor, we approached him to ask the status of our bus. At 15 minutes late and counting, we wondered if we missed the 4:44 or if traffic had things backed up. As we walked over, the supervisor asked if anyone was waiting for the 66. We acknowledged that we wanted it and he apologized, pointing behind us to Stadium Drive and a bus - the 66S (star #1 on map). Apparently, the driver got confused and didn't enter the transportation center drive, so we didn't know or see the bus sitting there. We boarded and things went from odd to unusual. The usual route (purple on the map) takes the 66 out of the trans center, east on Stadium, then south on College, then west on University, then south on Mill. Stops occur on University and Mill that usually generate quite a few riders.

Since the bus faced the wrong direction on Stadium, we didn't expect her to whip a u-turn; however, it seemed she could go up and through the trans center to get herself back on track. Instead, she went west on Stadium/5th St, then left on Mill (red route on the map). By ignoring University, she abandoned riders at 2 stops. While traveling south on Mill, she did stop at 6th St and, amazingly, a woman got on the bus. The woman came to the back, sat down, and Jim asked if she wanted the 66. We all knew she didn't since the 66 never stops there. She said, “no, isn't this the 65? I want the 65.” Jim told her it was the 66, then yelled up at the bus driver that we had a wrong passenger. The driver made another unscheduled stop at 7th St, discharged the disgruntled woman, then proceeded south on Mill, driving past the bus stop in front of the CVS pharmacy at the corner of Mill and University, where the 66 usually picks up numerous passengers.

The driver yelled at us for telling her about the incorrect passenger and each time she approached a stop (legal or otherwise) she hit the horn. In 3 years of bus riding, I never experienced a driver blowing the horn when approaching a stop. Once she blew past the CVS stop, things settled down a bit and I think she only had one more stop near-miss. While not quite as fun as the time the substitute driver and I took the residential detour, this ride presented a variety of experiences for a 26 minute ride.

4143

Rode the 8:36am 66N again. SRO occurred, mostly due to an electric wheelchair that boarded the bus at Rural and Baseline. The big event of the day involves my big mouth. About halfway through the trip, a young woman got on the bus with a very unusual hairstyle. At first I thought she wore feathers, then it seemed more like bad bed hair, gathered on top of her head. She reminded me of a character, Honey, in the movie, Notting Hill. A bit later in the ride, I looked over and noted her reading allure magazine - quite a disconnect considering the hairstyle. Rolling Stone or Mother Jones, perhaps — definitely not allure.

The driver missed the stop and much hustle and bustle ensued when she finally did bring the bus to a halt. I got off along with Jim, my neighbor and co-worker, and as we walked toward our building, I asked if he saw the girl on the bus with the unusual hair. That didn't clue him in, so I described a bit and he remembered. I proceeded to comment about her reading allure magazine when, she suddenly walked past us, turned, smiled and said, "that's me!" How desperately I wanted an invisibility cloak at that moment. All my preaching about good manners and civility! How could I display such impolite and discourteous behavior! Jim nicely tried to help cover with a comment about the unusually early trash pickup, but too late - the words lingered in the air and my feet filled my mouth.

Lessons learned — need to keep my observations to myself or at least look behind me before I speak. Bad karma start to the day.

4143

Took the 8:38 AM 66N again today. Yesterday's passenger count bordered on the slim-to-none; but today we enjoyed a full house (bus). Guess lots of folks added Monday to their spring break days. Today belongs to St Patrick but few passengers sported green garments. One woman wearing a green sweater did, however, leave a not-so-Happy-St-Patrick's-Day impression.

She boarded the bus, cellphone mashed against her ear. To her credit, she realized she couldn't put money in the farebox and talk at the same time, so she told the person on the other end of the line (cell?) that she needed to hang up and would call back “in a minute”. Fare paid, she plopped down on the front seat, placing a large purse on her right and a softside lunch bag on her left. An older gentleman already occupied part of the seat and she managed to fill the remains. While not huge seats, 3 people can fit and she, and her paraphernalia, took up space for 2. Once ensconced, she flipped open the cell phone and resumed the conversation. Holding a big coffee mug, she crossed one leg over the other (blocking the aisle), sat back and settled in for a fine chat.

The bus kept stopping, more passengers boarded and the aisle filled. This woman remained oblivious to her surroundings and, even after ending her phone conversation, did nothing to make more room on the seat for anyone currently standing. I understand some people have personal space issues and don't like getting 'too close', but for a short bus ride - give me a break! This age of rude, narcissistic, self-absorbed people gets more and more tiresome. We need Miss Manners!

Feet are made for walking

MFebber here, still using public transport, just not writing recently. Between work angst, family moves and spring allergies, blogging took a back seat. Most of all, the route/schedule changes from the light rail opening had me trying different transport combos to see what fit best. The irregular schedule and change kept me off-balance and messed with the writing rhythm. Settled down to regular 66 riding, so hopefully regular writing returns, too.

Two young high school aged girls preceded my arrival at the stop this morning. They danced around, talking and laughing in that inimitable loud, screaming teen fashion - an amazing display of energy so early in the morning. The bus arrived, everyone boarded and I wondered at the two girls' destination - Marcos de Niza High School, one-half mile west on Guadalupe; or, Tempe Union High School, about 5 miles distant at Mill and Broadway. After we passed the next stop, they rang the bell and departed at Marcos de Niza.

Not to complain, but why didn't they walk the rest of the way to school? They made it to the bus stop from somewhere and only needed to perambulate one more half-mile - 2,640 feet, 880 yards, twice around the track! Laughing and talking, they would have been oblivious to the passage of time and distance. Sadly, kids today don't seem to consider foot travel as transportation. They did take the bus, which beats door-to-door in a car, but such a beautiful morning, 60 degrees, sunshine - and they waited and rode the bus for a half mile. Saving their feet for dancing, I suppose.

Bus 6140/Car 137A

No mood for blogging recently as the university "disestablished" our college. We received notice of an "important meeting" a week in advance and then last Tuesday (yes, they scheduled this during the inauguration . . . ) the meeting provided some details of the disestablishment and people learned who lost their jobs. Uncertain how things might shake out, I felt quite stressed waiting for the news and, although spared for the moment, so awful to share the heart-breaking experience with colleagues told to turn in their keys, take their stuff and leave. Bleak days indeed.

Today I met a friend for coffee at the Einstein's at the corner of Rural and University. In pre-light rail days I just got off the 81N at the corner and walked over for coffee. Now, I take the 81N to the Apache train station, transfer to the train and then get off at the Apache/Rural station and walk over to Einstein's. A bit more maneuvering, but completely manageable. Lots of passengers on the train - too bad for the people who claimed it would never be used.

Today's image comes from an article in the New York Post about Citigroup's purchase of a $50 million corporate jet. Citigroup received some $45 billion in taxpayer bailout money, so I'm thinking that makes this jet a part of our public transportation system. Hoping to go to the UK and Germany this summer, wonder if Citigroup might fly me across the pond?

video time

Last week I finally rode the light rail home for the first time. The hallmark event included an on-train delay due to an accident that occurred on the track. Well . . . just learned the wreck involved a westbound light rail train and a pickup truck.

Found this article from the East Valley Tribune's website, complete with video of the accident as seen from the camera on the train. Interesting view.

Apparently a malfunction caused the gates to rise prematurely and the bozo driving the truck ignored the flashing lights and large silver train to his left and dashed across the track. I never understand why people sit in front of those crossing gates and accelerate like a dragster as soon as the arms begin to raise. With a suspended operator's license, Mr. Truck Driver obviously gives little attention to driving rules so expecting him to look before crossing a rail track? Probably a bit of a stretch.

Finally, if you don't care for accident videos, check out the left hand column of the article - Most Viewed - there's a link to a video titled "Mesa leases 80 goats to eat weeds" - good stuff.

assorted

Whew! It took until yesterday for me to ride home using the light rail. Free rides and football bowls through Dec. 31 kept the trains packed and virtually un-rideable. I put a trip together yesterday afternoon and probably won't do it again.

I boarded at the Tempe Transportation Center, the train took off, cleared the station, got to University and stopped. The track curves a bit and, being in the last car, we could see police lights on University. After a couple of minutes, the train driver announced that an accident on University blocked the tracks and we must wait until it cleared before continuing. What kind of odds put an accident smack over the light rail tracks? Phoenix/Tempe/Mesa/Scottsdale/Glendale/etc., etc., etc., contain thousands of really bad drivers, so what a surprise - not. Anyway, it happened and we spent 15 minutes in situ, waiting for the accident to clear. Uneventful for the rest of the rail ride, I got off at Apache and walked over to the bus stop to catch the 81S. About 10 other people did the same thing - pretty good numbers for ASU's winter break time. We waited and we waited and 20 minutes later, the bus showed up. In all, it took me one hour to get home - a good 30 minutes longer than usual. While I wouldn't expect accident delays every day, the bus wait seems pretty typical and pretty pointless. Guess the 66S gets my homeward bound business.

This morning I used the 81N/light rail combo and took some photos of more Apache/McClintock station art.

Light rail - hooray!!!

Happy holidays and merry new year to all.

Today began light rail's first regular operation schedule. Many bus routes changed, including the 81. It no longer takes the loop through ASU, just runs north and south, staying on McClintock which becomes Hayden in Scottsdale. To use the 81 to go to work, I need to transfer to the light rail at Apache . . . which I did this morning, much to my own delight. Great fun, but not the quickest route. I think it adds about 10 minutes coming and will find out what it does going home in a bit. The 66 remains the most "convenient" but for the moment, I want to ride the train!

You can watch a little Ken Burns-style slideshow of my light rail pictures - it's 39MB, give or take.

been awhile

Can't seem to find inspiration for bus blogging - guess creative flow can go on vacation.

Decided to check in, however, and comment about an ongoing bus announcement that makes no sense. Bugging me for months, I let it go until my son and I recently took a bus home from a basketball game and when he heard the announcement for the first time, his instant reaction mirrored mine - what the ...?

The announcement plays at least once or twice every bus ride. Recorded in a man voice, it says:

"Attention passengers - the farebox will issue passes only with a paid fare. The operator cannot override the farebox."

Huh??? To ride the bus, a passenger must produce either a pass or the money to buy a one-way trip or a day long pass. A simple procedure, it doesn't require a great deal of explanation. So what gives with the ongoing announcement, advising people, already on the bus, of what they need to gain access to the bus?

Hello???? We passed muster, we crossed the Rubicon, we are the choir - why the sermon? Riding the bus 10 times a week, I get to see a lot of driver/boarding passenger interaction. Occasionally, someone tries to work a free ride - asking the driver to take them to the next corner or claiming a lost pass. The drivers appear empowered to judge the ride-worthiness of potential passengers and doesn't that seem sufficient? What purpose does this announcement serve? Does it remind drivers of an obligation to demand payment or pass? Does it warn existing passengers not to attempt to ride without money or pass? If we're on the bus and can hear the announcement, haven't we figured it out?

Oh well, not earth-shattering, barely blog-worthy, but I feel better for mentioning it.

#6421

Rode the 7:57am 81N today along with a minimum number of riders. Guess the new low gas prices encourage driving; however, ASU's parking space deficit remains the same so not sure where the cars end up.

Aromatics filled the bus today - whew! A woman got on and her smell preceded then followed her. I believe every bath and beauty product she used smelled of fruit or flowers and the cumulative effect almost knocked me over as she swept down the aisle. One must wonder if she suffers headaches and asks herself, why?

Just as my olfactory system began to recover, a young man boarded and I swear the air actually rippled from the waves of cologne/after-shave emanating from his person. Why does anyone need to use scent by the gallon? Alternative to bathing perhaps? He sat across from me, making escape from the intense aroma nearly impossible. Sanctuary does not exist on a bus. When we got off the bus at College, he walked down the street in front of me and the smell lingered, a half block away.

At least I think it came from him . . . might be infused in my hair and clothes - oh my.

#6625

Took some vacay time - out-of-towners and memorable events - back to status quo. Caught the 7:57AM 81N at Guadalupe and McClintock. No energy for a morning walk, so will probably take the 72 home to get mileage.

At Southern, a woman stepped on the bus holding a large Starbucks coffee. Her grip indicated a full cup and since a Starbucks sits quite near the stop, logic dictates she probably just made the purchase. The driver told her she couldn't bring the coffee on the bus, only hard cups allowed. She just stood there, looking at him, then looking at the coffee, then looking around the bus, then back at him, etc. She did a couple of 360s and then stepped off the bus, walked over to the shelter and tossed the cup in the trash can. She got back on the bus and sat down - all without saying a word. She looked dazed and confused - perhaps not enough coffee yet consumed to help her evaluate what just happened. I completely understand why they discourage paper and light plastic cups of drink on the bus -- a sudden stop, an extra clench on the cup and the spillage scenario unfolds. It crossed my mind that maybe the driver could mention the next bus picks up in 15 minutes - give the drinker-rider an option?

Anyway, we travelled on and a couple of stops later the coffee-toting woman engaged in conversation with another passenger. From what I overheard, I could tell she rides the bus regularly - giving advice to the others about connections and routes. Certainly seems she would know about the bus cup rule. Of course, a lack of caffeine might result in early morning brain confusion and absentmindedness - like forgetting the no paper cup rule. You can't drink coffee from a paper cup on the bus, but you need to drink the coffee to help remember that you can't drink coffee from a paper cup on the bus ... a bit of a catch-22.

Saw my friend Devesh at Wildflower last night - he works in downtown Phoenix and I asked if he used public transport. He advised he didn't include the bus in his transportation plan; however, he does read the blog (hi Devesh!). He did show me his bus pass. Good intentions - perhaps we can win him over to a bus-light rail combo in the future.

#6242

Caught the 7:57AM 81N today and what a great surprise when boarding. The driver wished me happy halloween and told me to grab some candy from a bag perched on the front window ledge. So unexpected -- totally appropriate for halloween.

The dean's office scheduled a halloween potluck for today, so I made my usual deviled eggs - not the easiest item to publicly transport to work. Because of the egg balancing act, I opted not to wear my costume (nose and glasses) so the driver didn't know how much I really appreciated his halloween commemorative.

Here's a link to a great Pumpkin Carving Simulator

A sincerely spirited halloween to all!

#66.....

For reasons unknown, I stayed undercover too long this morning so I only walked as far as the 81N stop at Guadalupe and McClintock. It turned out well as we got one of the new, tube-like 6600 buses. I boarded and quickly realized I almost owned the bus - the third rider on, only two fellow passengers! Sat down and retrieved my camera for the rare opportunity to photograph a long row of empty seats. Turned out OK.

The seats didn't stay empty for long - two quick stops passed before other riders joined up. Morning riders on the 81N consist mostly of sleep-deprived students who nap or study while riding. Not too exciting, but then what do I bring to the party? Preferring the role of "l'observateur", I certainly don't initiate conversations. Oh well, who needs excitement in the morning?

#4152

Well it took a ride home on the 66 to bring some fun back to bus riding. Caught the 4:50PM 66 southound at the corner of Stadium Drive and College Ave. The 4PM to 6PM 81 southbound buses all run very late (sometimes not at all), so if I leave work in that time window, the 66 provides a more reliable alternative.

I got on the bus and waited as the driver's switched out. The new driver announced he was new to this route and asked us to please be patient. For the most part, he did a great job -- only a couple of near misses when people wanted off at the more obscure stops.

By midway down Rural, I remained the only passenger. We neared the Guadalupe-Rural intersection and instead of getting into the left turn lane, he kept the bus in the right turn lane. Fortunately, the light turned red and we stopped. I moved to the very front of the bus, saw him looking left and right and he said, "I think I turn here . . ." I told him he did indeed need to turn, but left, not right. He looked down at a map and concurred. Once the light turned green, he moved forward and waited in the intersection until he could safely proceed south.

We discussed doing a cloverleaf in the shopping center parking lot, but he said it was too crowded for a safe detour. He continued south on Rural and took a left at the first residential street. He told me not to worry or panic, he was just getting us back to Guadalupe. I told him I wasn't worried at all - I enjoy a great adventure. Poor guy couldn't know my true delight at this unexpected "food" for the blog. We curled around in the neighborhood and finally found a cross street that joined Guadalupe. He asked me about the next right turn and I told him only left turns until he made it back to Guadalupe and then he could turn right.

I got off at my stop and wished him well on the rest of the route. What a fun ride home!

72N - 6100 something

Trekked to Rural and Guadalupe today and caught the 72N, 8am version. I could see a crowd on the bus and thought about waiting 5-10 minutes for the 66 northbound. Unknown forces propelled me onto the 72 and I got a front row seat! Knitting currently occupies my busy-hands obsession, so I whipped out my bus project and, needles clacking, enjoyed the ride.

Nearly SRO when I boarded, the bus got more crowded as the ride continued. Just after crossing Baseline, a wheelchair added to the mix -- Sardine City! I like that the bus gets so full. Not sure if the crowded buses reflect ASU's ongoing parking space reduction efforts or higher fuel costs - whatever, nice to see all the could-be-drivers riding instead. Gasoline prices are down, probably so the elephants look good before the election.

Took a picture of the Guadalupe/Rural stop - note the shopping carts piled behind the shelter - I really do think some interesting research might be done on the migratory habits of the American shopping cart.

Back on the bus blog

No posts since August - bad blogger. The semester started, work got crazy busy - no time for writing and once home, who wants to look at a computer screen some more?!? Just this week things seem more settled and bus blogging returns to my radar.

In a feeble attempt to add some daily exercise, I now try to walk and pick up either the 72 or 66 bus at Guadalupe and Rural. A mile from home, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the stop - time depends on shoes and weather. If I don't muster the energy in the morning, then I ride the 72 in the afternoon and walk home from the same intersection. I could take the 66 in the afternoon and accomplish the same thing; however, the route goes within 1 block of home and I find it difficult to get get off the bus before necessary. Possessing a serious OCD need for direct path travel, my brain just won't accept early disembarkation without cause - I know, I know, walking constitutes cause, but my brain won't go there yet. Stay tuned, the walk might overcome the obsession.

#64 something

Once again on the 7:57am 81N and still quite benign. Memories of great rides on the 66N haunt me and I think I might try using that route for my "to work" leg to see if it harbors more interesting events than the 81N.

Today's route wasn't totally without interest. We had a driver-in-training with the regular driver in the role of trainer. The newbie handled the bus very smoothly, only questioning when and where to stop. As we moved west on University, I heard the trainer tell the trainee to pull over at the Chompie's sign, he needed a restroom break. Chompie's is a local deli, known for excessively large sandwiches, great soups and specialty deli breads. The menu reads like a Seinfeld script, including my favorite - the chocolate babka (both Seinfeld and bread).

Not previously aware that the drivers used Chompie's as a break stop, I wondered if perhaps passengers could get off, accompany the driver into the deli and make purchases while he took care of his business, What a lovely customer service idea! We could even phone our orders in as we approached the deli (a good use of cell phones on the bus) and thus avoid schedule delays. A champion plan and I think Valley Metro should give it full consideration.

Silly girl.

"B" is for bus

Just checking in. See today's image for a list of 'b' words that describe bus rides lately. Heart-stopping, adrenaline-pushing events are not necessary, but the quiet and calm of recent trips provides nothing to observe and upon which to comment. As fuel prices leveled off, and even declined a bit, the rush of eager new riders subsided; I knew that eventually people would adjust their spending habits to accommodate the weekly trip to the gas station. No new shoes for the baby, hon - we gotta buy gas!

Oh well, it is summer in Arizona and as July moves into August, lots of people take out-of-state vacays, seeking relief from the pressing heat. No one's around to ride the bus and brighten my blog.

Tap - The Conclusion

When last I wrote, I hoped to resolve the tap issue on the bus ride home. An epidemic of farebox flu must have swept the fleet as the farebox orifices were covered with duct tape. Leaving for Georgia the next day, my research went on hold until this morning.

Took the 7:57AM 81N today and when I got on the bus, I "tapped" the flat side of my pass against the orange reader and, as expected, nothing happened. I then put it flat against the reader and held it for a count of 3. The green light went yellow, 1, 2, 3, then went back to green and the all clear sounded. I feel vindicated - absolutely no tapping occurred. The reader required a full scale laying on of the card to assess and accept my pass.

Thus ends my whine about the instructions printed on the back of my bus pass. Oh well, with summer heat, a paucity of riders, even lighter traffic, I needed something, buswise, over which to grind my mind.