This is what I love about the web, if you have a pet issue and you are looking for other like minded individuals that are concerned about the issue, create a message group about it. It’s as simple as that. Specifically, the latest in connecting virtually is a group of concerned community members about the proposed bus stop around Lum School. There is a brief history about the placement of the bus stop and where the bus stop is now proposed. This issue is now making its way to the City Council, who will be hearing the issue, according to this information, on March 6. I’m a little confused as to what this means:
The City doesn’t want to tangle with the schools so let’s let them know that this is important to us.
But I will just chalk it up to passion about the issue.
I just have a few thoughts about the issue that came up while reading the documentation on the group, first there was this document which was entitled: Problems with Proposed Bus Stops. So a few things struck me about this, some of the arguments are a little…contradictory. On one hand, there is the contention that the bus stop will be unsafe because when the bus pulls in, it will block visibility. On the other hand, there is the contention that there is no demand in the area so why put in the bus stop in the first place. People, it can only be one or the other. If it is true that there is no demand in the area, then the bus will simply not stop at that stop and continue on its route as usual. Buses don’t stop at every stop, they only stop when (a) there are people waiting at the stop or (b) someone indicates that they want to stop by signalling. Thereby, not blocking visibility.
When I first started riding the bus a long time ago, I used to have a lot of anxiety about pulling that signal. I was always afraid I would pull it too soon, or too late and then I would miss my stop. But I digress.
The bus is going to drive down Otis any way, as former bus rider, bus drivers are the most competent drivers out on the road, in my opinion. Have you ever seen a bus driver navigate the sharp turns in Alameda? It’s pure poetry. That document also talks about how terrible the other drivers are, but I don’t know how that extends to the buses. Personally, when I am behind or next to a bus, I am generally more careful, not less, as a driver. But maybe that’s just me.
And another thing, the stops used to be there, while it was a good thing to remove the stops to address concerns that they were a safety issue. If the Police Department says today that there is not a safety issue, are we to disbelieve the entity in this city charged with overseeing the safety of all citizens?
I’d love to know how many people are out there that have enough time on their hands to complain about a bus stop.
Comment by edvard_sloan — February 26, 2007 @ 11:32 am
I think they have a good point about not putting it directly in front of the school. As opposed to high schools, and even middle schools where kids come from a greater distance, I can’t imagine that anyone other than staff or faculty might be riding the bus. However the group also seems to be opposing the bus line to be located anywhere along there between Grand and Southe Shoree Shoppinge Centere, because they can’t imagine anyone in their neighborhood riding the bus. As good an argument for transit oriented housing (and a prime example of the opposite) as I have seen.
Comment by notadave — February 26, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Hi Lauren. There is indeed a little inconsistancy on the site because info is coming from different sources. Different sets of neighbors, crossing guards, and parents see it a bit differently. As Lum parents, we had to do a little crash course as INDEED we don’t have time to keep up w/ Transit Meetings, so we were unaware until one day before the City Council was going to hear it (it’s since been moved to tonite.)
The day we found out about it was the same day we thought we were going to lose our middle school. As my wife joked: Great, they’re going to take away our school but give us a bus stop so we can send our kids to the other end of the island.
The unintended consequence of this mission to get everyon is buses is: many the families that walk/ride bikes to school feel they are being forced into their cars since an already dicey crossing is being made less safe. Why the Police Dept changed their tune on the safety here is the biggest mystery….
Comment by Jack Boeger — March 6, 2007 @ 9:31 am
One more comment, if I may:
You say the bus won’t stop if nobody is riding it. Well, won’t it stop when people are standing there right next to the crosswalk? Of course we are there, waiting for our turn to cross 4 lanes of traffic. So why wouldn’t the bus stop? How can the bus driver figure our intentions, since bus riders and crosswalk-users share the same (proposed) space.
Anybody w/ a shred of common sense who visits during morning commute can see that this is a very bad plan. Some things are worth fighting for,,, even when it’s something as seemingly petty (and well-intentioned) as a bus stop.
Comment by Jack Boeger — March 6, 2007 @ 10:35 am