Silver Dude on the Bus by gregraisman

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It has been a Very Busy Summer for yours truly. Most days, the whiteboard on the refrigerator that tracks our household schedule is jam-packed full of planned activities: Summer camps for the girl, lists of chores for the teen, and plenty of, um, fun work stuff for me (including more than a few 6 am conference calls from home, ugh.)

Life has also dealt us a few unscheduled sideswipes — some good, some not so wonderful — so we’ve also had to roll with the punches.

But, while I knew this week’s calendar was still fairly packed (three evening events in a row, for example), I also knew there was a shining beacon of healing light hurtling towards me at 50mph: My kids were leaving for a 12-day camping trip with their father. Kid-free for 12. Whole. Days? Cue the celestial chorus, someone!

(This is where I insert the standard disclaimer. Yes, I adore my children. No, I do not wish them permanently removed from my presence, nor do I lament and/or regret their existence. Really. Yes, that includes the snarky 16 year old. I just need a @5@!$*)@* break already, is all…)

So it was with completely dry eyes that I wished them goodbye at 8 am this morning. Headed back into my house for two more hours of blissful, work-from-home peace.

And then promptly celebrated my completely untethered state by barreling out the door, arms full, rushing to get to that oh-so-important mid-day appointment…and realizing seconds after the door shut firmly behind me that — oh CRAP — the keys were still inside.

The backup set of keys? Probably an hour or so outside of Bend by now. The third and fourth sets? Ditto. So I took a deep breath. Put all of my stuff down — laptop bag, purse, gallon jar of sun tea that just had to go outside right then — and made a few phone calls. Canceled that oh-so-important appointment. Arranged to pick up final set of spare keys later in the day. And jumped on the bus to head to work as I’d planned to after the appointment. Why not? I had cash, computer, and my phone, after all; was a block away from a bus line; and knew my way around, mass-transit-wise (I’d commuted/walked for close to two years before getting my car two years ago.)

By the time I got to work (exactly when I’d originally promised I’d be there, no less), I realized that I was calm. I wasn’t stressed, nor did I feel rushed. Had gotten some fresh air & some sunshine. And I’d still managed to stay in touch with the office, thanks to my iPhone IM/email access.

I also had time to come up with a goal: to give myself the gift of forced unscheduled time while my kids are away. How will I do that? By taking mass transit and/or walking as much as I can over the next 12 days, for starters.

Tonight, I finally got home at 9 pm, after a ramble that took me downtown via fareless square bus, walks to two different destinations, MAX to Lloyd Center, and a slow meandering walk home from there.

But if I’m going to do this more often, I need to think this through a bit more:

• While I divested myself of all the non-essential stuff out of the laptop bag once I got to work, the bag itself, while stylish, isn’t transit-friendly. Need to dig out older backpack I used 2 years ago.
• Note to self: Save all of your change for the bus.
• The bus routes/stops downtown have CHANGED. (Number 14, I’m talking about YOU.) Learn them, please.
• Recommendations for best TriMet iPhone app, anyone? Am betting I’ll need it…
• Culture refresh: watch fellow author A.L.’s Ignite presentation — who knows, I might meet Mr. Wonderful while I’m riding the bus. (Probably not, but…)
• Finally, one should NEVER walk more than a few blocks in flip-flops. Even ones with padding/arch support. (In related news: my feet really, really hurt right now. Where’s the Aleve? I sent it with the kids? ARGH!)

What else do I need to learn/remember? What else would you suggest to help me slip slowly into first gear?

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• July 14, 2008 -- Alleviate my Awkwardness: TriMet Signaling Advice! (3)
• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• March 5, 2009 -- Portland Police citing for jaywalking downtown (1)
• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by dieselboi

TriMet has been very busy the past month with final preparations for the re-opening of the 5th and 6th st. bus mall. Buses will move there later this month with MAX coming in September. As of yesterday, not all of the mall shelters and kiosks were finished, so I know they are getting down to the wire with this project.

Along with ticket machines and fancy new shelters, TriMet has put up new signage detailing what is prohibited in the “area only for boarding, exiting or waiting for a bus or train.” The obvious no no’s are there – no smoking, no skateboarding, and no bike riding. What struck me as odd is the final prohibition – No Rollerskating. Wow, seriously? I honestly haven’t seen a rollerskater in 10 years. Back in the 90’s, the craze was rollerblading and yes, you saw them everywhere, but today? And rollerskates? Are we talking the 4 wheeled while laces ups we had as children? If so, again I have to call shenanigans. When was the last time you saw gangs of rollerskaters disrupting bus and train travelers in Portland? Ooh, ooh, flashmob idea people. Rollerskating pillowfighting Santas with clown makeup.

I’m guessing someone from a different generation than mine put together this display. They still live in an era of big wheels, full size Tonka trucks, light bright and yes, rollerskates. I wonder, maybe the TriMet team was forced to come up with a 4th item for the sign and this is all they could come up with. If you had to fill in the blank for a 4th prohibition, what would you put in? No meth? No chuggers? No puking (that is a serious problem downtown if you didn’t know.)

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In a follow up to Cosmic Charlie’s post, I wanted to comment on Bojack’s blog about jaywalking ticket enforcement downtown. Earlier in the week, a coworker had stated that he’d heard they were going to do targeted enforcement in front of our building on 5th, so be careful. I have yet to see a single officer or citation anywhere along my 5th avenue route to and from the food carts, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Bojack pointed out that just a few blocks away at City Hall, a pedestrian received a $97 ticket for the J.

Jack’s argument is that it may be to bump up the budget. While that may be the case, I would rather think it is a safety step. In the next 6 months, downtown will see a significant change in traffic patterns with the introduction of Green line MAX and the re-introduction of TriMet buses on 5th and 6th. This grand experiment allowing cars, buses and the trains all on the same street could pose challenges to both moving vehicles, bikes and pedestrians. Over the past couple of years, I have chosen to exclusively walk along 5th and 6th because it has been quiet and safe. If you venture down to 3rd or 4th, you run the risk of being tagged by a rogue bus driver who wants to catch that last microsecond of the yellow light. This enforcement may be a subtle way of letting people know that these changes are coming and MAX can’t stop on a dime. (Even though at the speeds they run downtown, I have seen them stop pretty quick in emergencies.)

Keep your eyes and ears open and look around before crossing the street in the next few months. Not only to learn about the changes, but also to save yourself some much needed cash.

Related Posts

• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• July 22, 2009 -- Stepping Into the Slow Lane (1)
• May 13, 2009 -- Pains, Trains and Automobiles (3)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• March 5, 2009 -- I’m walking here!! (2)

In late September and early October, TriMet held public meetings and opened their e-mail inbox to receive comments on a series of proposed route changes that would occur in May 2009. The changes affected a number of routes, however, a lot of feedback (including my own here as well as to TriMet directly) was received about the #6 and #70 routes.

In fact, because of the feedback received, TriMet has decided to postpone changes to those two particular routes until “more information is known about the eastside expansion of Portland Streetcar service scheduled for 2010.”

I learned of this information by noticing a service alert on the landing page for the #6 route. No word on if the other proposed route changes will go forward, so stay tuned.

Related Posts

• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

Following up from last week’s post on the possible route change on the #6 line, TriMet is also proposing changes to the #10, #14, #35, #54, and #56 routes.

This is part of the last phase of the Portland Mall renovation and if these changes are accepted, they would go into effect next May and would return buses to SW 5th and 6th as well as remove some lines from downtown altogether.

The agency will host four public meetings on these changes:
September 30
Multnomah County Building
501 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
6–8 p.m.

October 8
Portland State University, Smith Memorial Building #296
1825 SW Broadway
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

October 8
Grant Park Baptist Church
2728 NE 34th Ave.
6-8 p.m.

October 9
Blazer Boys and Girls Club
5250 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:30–7:30 p.m.

While this information has the potential to affect a lot of commuters, and not just those who commute downtown, it’s not present on TriMet’s home page and the title of the page in the site’s search engine is listed as, “Elderly & Disabled Transportation Plan & Jobs Access and Reverse Commute draft plans,” making it tricky to find.

Plus, would it have killed them to offer a public meeting or two on a weekend? Having said that, if you feel strongly about the proposed changes, make sure to attend a meeting or submit comments to TriMet via e-mail or on their voicemail line.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

On my way home from last night’s OurPDX meet-up, I noticed a sign posted at the #6 stop on NE Grand & E Burnside. I soon noticed they were present at most of the stops as I made my way home.

TriMet has planned three public meetings seeking comments/feedback about possibly changing the #6 line. The proposed route change includes removing #6 line service from downtown and assuming the current #70 line’s route. The new route would run from Jantzen Beach to Milwaukie by way of the Lloyd Center. The change, if approved, would go into effect in May 2009.

So far, there’s no additional information on TriMet’s site about the proposed route change. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• September 16, 2008 -- Just drive, don’t talk (3)
• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• July 22, 2009 -- Stepping Into the Slow Lane (1)

As federal officials examine the cause of the train collision that occurred in Los Angeles last Friday, it looks as if they’re pointing to human error as the engineer may have been texting instead of being attentive and stopping at a signal.

I have to wonder what TriMet is doing to ensure the safety of its passengers in the Portland area. On my morning commute into the office, I saw signs of things that could definitely be improved. In boarding the first bus of my commute, there was a woman standing up front blocking the entry when there were available seats throughout the bus.

Why was she standing there the entire time? She was chatting with the driver. I’ve been on more than enough buses to see that lead to the driver missing requested stops from other passengers or slamming on the brakes too hard because they were dangerously close to running a red light. Perhaps she was another TriMet employee, but she wasn’t uniformed, nor did I see a visible badge.

On the other part of my commute, the driver was chatting on his cell phone without an earpiece. Now, he may have had legitimate business to discuss during that call, but both of his hands should be on the wheel. And, of course, if it wasn’t legitimate business being discussed, the call shouldn’t even have happened. It’s called voicemail.

While there are rules that passengers are responsible to know, who’s checking the drivers? I don’t want it to take a fatal accident.

Related Posts

• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)
• September 24, 2008 -- More on the proposed TriMet route changes (0)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• September 18, 2008 -- Possible changes afoot on the #6 (4)
• August 1, 2008 -- Walk or Bike the Steel Bridge (0)

It’s easy to be jaded when it comes to the Youth of Today. With reports of drug abuse, petty crime, tagging and gang violence bombarding us from all angles, one can lose sight of the good kids.

I spent a lot of time on the bus today. Shortly after boarding I heard a sneeze come from the back of the bus. A young mother and her daughter, a talkative young lady I would surmise to be about four, said “Bless you!”

No response came from the back of the bus. The little girl looked me square in the eye and said, “Bless you!”

“Thank you,” I replied. “I didn’t sneeze, but good manners should always be rewarded.”

This of course made the young girl very proud, and the conversation continued in that vein. “Mommy? What do I say when people cough?”

“You don’t say anything when other people cough. What do you say when *you* cough?”

The little girl thought for a second, and looked over at me. I casually covered my mouth, coughed and said “Excuse me.”

“You cover your mouth and say excuse me!” she proclaimed.

“Very good!”

After they got off, another young mother got on. She had a baby in a Cadillac-sized stroller, and a little boy about five. He was also gregarious, looking out windows, engaging passengers in conversation. Somehow he signaled mom, she got up and went to the front of the bus. She disengaged the garbage bucket next to the door, brought it back and handed it to the kid sitting right in front of me.

“Is he okay?” asked the driver. “Because if he gets sick on the bus-”

BLARFFF!

“-we’ll have to exchange buses.”

The kid hit the bucket with the seasoned practice of an alcoholic morning drinker. The driver looked back in disgust.

“At least he got it all in the bucket, ” I said, before the driver could call dispatch. The bus had pulled over. The driver saw all was well, mom brought the offending mess to the front. There was no discernible smell. The last time I saw a kid puke on a bus, it smelled like a mixture of SpaghettiOs and moldy cat poop.

The driver said, “Just throw everything in the garbage over there. Remember, that’s my last spare garbage can, so let me know if he starts feeling ill again. We can pull over.”

Mom opened windows, the kid sat on his knees in front of his, and the rest of the ride came off without a hitch. On his way out the door, the little man said, “Thank you Mister Bus Driver. Sorry I throwed up.”

“That’s okay, things happen. You have a nice day,” said the driver.

There is hope for tomorrow’s youth. We can put off the end of the world for at least a couple more decades.

Related Posts

• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• July 22, 2009 -- Stepping Into the Slow Lane (1)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• March 5, 2009 -- Portland Police citing for jaywalking downtown (1)
• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)

I’ve been using TriMet since the days of the aluminum-and-orange buses. You’d think I know the ropes. And yet a few niggling things always bother me. Perhaps some advice is needed.

I often wait for buses in locations where several bus lines use the same stop. I have to stand there and wait for my particular bus, while somehow letting the buses I don’t need know that I don’t need them to stop.

Sometimes I am bold enough to wave at them. Sometimes I passive-aggressively turn away and “ignore” the bus so it knows I don’t want it. Sometimes I wave but then feel stupid because the bus stops anyway to let someone off. Maybe a wave is confusing; maybe it looks like I want the bus to stop. Thumbs down seems rude. I want to do the right thing, but I don’t know what it is.

What is the best way to signal a TriMet bus that it’s not the one you want? Something tells me there’s a protocol I should know about.

Related Posts

• July 22, 2009 -- Stepping Into the Slow Lane (1)
• October 8, 2009 -- PDX in Your Pictures: Silver Dude on the Bus (1)
• May 13, 2009 -- No Rollerskating on the new bus mall (3)
• March 5, 2009 -- Portland Police citing for jaywalking downtown (1)
• November 2, 2008 -- Public feedback halts TriMet #6, #70 route changes (1)