Smoke elsewhere

See, I’m not one to enjoy inhaling second hand smoke… especially at places that explicitly state that it’s against the law to smoke there.  TriMetiquette reader Kevin sent me a note a couple of days ago which reminded me to write about this problem:

“This afternoon when I was waiting for a train at the 82nd Ave stop I saw seven people smoking cigarettes. Where is the enforcement? Things like this are a constant problem on the system. Tri-Met complains so often about money but ignores chances to collect fines.”

So when I’m waiting for a bus or a MAX train, if you feel the need to smoke, take a look around.  See those signs that say, “No Smoking”?  Please do have the courtesy to abide by the rules and, if you need to smoke, go smoke somewhere else.  If you’re not a “rule follower”, then please, do respect your fellow human being and realize that not everyone enjoys the sweet smell & glorious effects of second hand smoke.

Believe it or not, smoking on MAX, buses or streetcars or at bus shelters, MAX stations or transit centers can result in a fine up to $250 and / or exclusion of being able to ride TriMet.

Please do keep this in mind.

Bus Line 35 adds an additional bus in the morning; Line 15 riders cry

If you ride bus line 35 – Macadam in the morning, you might start experiencing lighter loads.  TriMet is adding an additional bus to help facilitate the crowding for that bus line in the morning during the week.  This new addition is will start on Monday, October 27th.

While this is definitely good news, I’m hoping TriMet does the same for other (line 15!) bus lines (line 15!) that get insanely crowded (line 15!) in the mornings (also line 20!).

I’m also wondering just how much this will help.  I would love to hear any regular line 35 morning riders’ impressions when this new bus is dispatched.  Wondering how effective adding one additional bus truly is.  I’m guessing it’ll definitely help but not sure how much it will.

Any morning regular bus riders take a line that gets extremely busy?  Drop a comment and I’ll make sure to let TriMet know of this post to perhaps include your line in any additional bus discussions they may have.

Interview with Andrew Wallace, creator of the iPhone app PDX Bus

If you have an iPhone and you need to see Portland public transit arrival times and schedules, the PDX Bus application is for you.  Simply put – it’s the slickest form of a “transit tracker” for TriMet on the iPhone.

I had the chance to ask Andrew Wallace – the PDX Bus developer – some questions about his iPhone app including if he has any plans for future apps. (more…)

TriMet’s Respect The Ride = rules to ride by

How dare you, TriMet, concoct a new page on your site around basic rules to ride by.  I mean, many of them sound like (gasp!) some of the public transportation riding etiquette tips I’ve posted in the past!  Why… that means:

(Wax on) If you follow proper public transit riding etiquette…
(Wax off) then you’re most likely following the rules.

Let’s go over the rules TriMet posted on this new page of theirs:

1) Valid and Correct Fare Is Required.  Well, we’ve certainly covered enough personal stories about individuals having hard times obtaining proper fare…

2) Move For Seniors and People With Disabilities.  Covered this in the past too!

3) Don’t Threaten or Intimidate Riders or Operators.  Duh!

4) Don’t Be So Loud to Disturb Others.  Covered this and I think it’s super important to hit on.  While having someone’s music blast out loud or an individual be disruptive and yell and holler and such isn’t so much a huge disturbance, it definitely makes everyone around them not enjoy their ride.

5)  Don’t Block the Aisles or Doors.  Gone over this.  I typically get off the bus on a stop that’s about two stops before the “mass exodus” and it’s incredibly hard to get past those two / three people who like to stand near the rear exit door.  My wife has told me numerous times about how she woudl board MAX and there would be people just standing by the door, not moving inside even though there was plenty of space.  We’re in this together, people!

6) If You Bring a Pet, Keep It In A Carrier.  Indeed.   The only exception to this rule is during May when the Doggie Dash event happens.

7) Keep Food Or Drink In Closed Containers.  Oooh I see this one a lot.  Someone chompin’ down on a Whopper on the MAX.  The only closed container they’re keeping that food is in their tummy!

The end of the page goes into the No Smoking law about no smoking on MAX, buses, streetcar as well as MAX stations, bus stations and transit centers.  While I haven’t hit on that, I see so many people smoking at the 102nd MAX station right before getting on the MAX.  I’m guessing these people are blind and can’t see the “No Smoking!” signs posted there… but that’s a whole different story.

In any case, those who follow proper transit riding etiquette or those who are making the ride easy for all of us (as well as following the rules!).  Godo page, TriMet… way to sum up the six months’ worth of blogging I’ve done in one convenient web page 

Transit Beer #2 recap

Attended Transit Beer #2 last night and it was great to put some faces to the big Portland public transit bloggers out there.

Props to Julian @ PDX Pipeline – a Portland Sustainability blog for coming along.  Played some bones beforehand at the previously-Holiday Inn bar.

Thanks to Adron for setting it up – if you haven’t looked at his Transit Sleuth blog, then you’re missing out on a very informative & well-written blog about Portland and Northwest public transit issues.

Met the legendary Al M last night as well.  He’s a great asset to the Portland public transportation blogosphere.  He’s a really nice guy… likes to take video.

Bob Richardson was there.  Didn’t chat much with him (he was on the opposite side of the table) but seemed like a very knowledgable guy.

Also met Jason McHuff, an extremely passionate individual when it comes to public transportation.  Check out his Flickr page – has a lot of TriMet photos on there.

Jason Barber was there as well, another extremely passionate and knowledgable guy.  Very interesting guy and easy to talk to.

In any case, I have to say Transit Beer #2 was a huge success and has a very solid group of passionate Portland public transportation bloggers coming together and talking about everything public transportation (among other topics).  Will definitely be attending Transit Beer #3…