How is your area's mass transit system? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Plantman · #16 07-06-2008, 03:08 PM

I live in Miami, so the answer is, "What mass transit system?" It's a joke.

Skippy · #17 07-06-2008, 03:30 PM

We actually have one in Carson City, but they don't advertise at all. I don't know where it goes, or how much it costs. I just see people waiting at a few bus stops on the main drag, and once in a while I'll see an actual bus. There's also a bus service that runs to and from Reno, but they only run at certain times, and only on weekdays. Needless to say, I drive, walk, or bike everywhere I need to go.

Hatterasguy · #18 07-06-2008, 05:33 PM

I live pretty close to a train station, and its easy to buy tickets. Actualy you can usualy buy them on the train if your running late.

No need to be early, just jump onboard as its leaving.

Metro North has crap cars though, and its run by morons who for some reason can't figure out how to get new ones. But Amtrack is pretty nice, I took one of them to Boston once and it wasn't a bad ride.

LUVMBDiesels · #19 07-06-2008, 06:05 PM

Around here mass transit is total crap. I moved to the area I am living in so that I could be close to the commuter train line going into DC. Guess what?They only run the train four times a day! twice in the morning and twice in the evening! I could not depend on getting one of the evening trains so I would drive 15 miles to another commuter stop that had more service ( one per hour during rush hour and then nothing)
The train (MARC) or Maryland commuter rail uses the same tracks as the CSX freight trains. Guess who gets priority on nthe tracks the commuter train or the 2 mile long slow coal train? You guessed it the coal train. It can take up to 2.5 hours to get into DC and over three to get back. In one case it took over SIX HOURS to go from DC to Bruinswick, MD!!! Lucky for me I wasnot on that train but I heard about it from fellow passengers the next day! I have given up on the commuter train and now drive 50 miles each way to catch the DC Metro at it's last stop. It is at least a 1/2 hour shorter commute although I hate driving that distance when there is a train nearby.

Back up in New Paltz, NY we would take Metro North from the Poughkeepsie, NY station. This was the last stop on the commuter line.

They would run trains every 20 minutes durinng rush hour and run them at hourly invtervals durinng the day. They would go straight to Grand Central Terminal in 1 1/2 hours or about the same time it would take to drive if you did not hit traffic.

Why can't Md get its act together? Since gas prices have gone up service on the train has gotten worse. A lot of the cars were dontated to MARC from the City of Chicago and are in horrible shape without AC or working windows. It seems that the more people want to ride on the train the less they can run on time or have enough cars on them to meet the demand.

Last week they just cancelled the first train from Brunswick, made everybody wait an hour and then sent a SHORT TRAIN (missing 2 cars) down the track as the first run of the day. That was the last straw for me.

Hatterasguy · #20 07-07-2008, 12:26 AM

I just fail to understand how the rail system can suck so much. I mean even NY which by the sounds of it probably has the best commuter rail system in the country has crappy cars, and crap tracks.

Where they not getting money over the years?

These are pretty much government run companies right? So thats got to count for a lot of the sucking.

Plus all the local towns around here are Nazi's with parking. I see the cops come around every morning and if you are not in the right spot, your getting a $70 ticket. Its far worse now since more people than ever are taking the train. You would think the towns would be kind of flexible and understanding given the situation, but nope.

t walgamuth · #21 07-07-2008, 03:46 AM

We have government subsidized bus system here. It is fairly comprehensive but not heavily used. I imagine it is more used now with the price of gas up.

Tom W

pj67coll · #22 07-07-2008, 11:55 AM

Phoenix is nearing completion of a "Light Rail" system that cost billions and which nobody but a few politicians want. Typically you see huge practically empty busses riding around here. You have to wonder what idiot thought that if the buses are mosty empty they'd be able to fill trains that are even more limited in their routs. Nobody is going to get off a train and then walk to work in a 100 plus degrees. Cars will always remain the only real option here.

- Peter.

Dee8go · #23 07-07-2008, 12:16 PM

I like the Metro in Washington, DC, but then I don't have to ride it. I ride it mostly on off hours and then just for recreation stuff. It's clean and seems relatively weell-maintained. Water has always been a problem, though, as Raymr said. Our nation's capital was built on a swamp.

LUVMBDiesels · #24 07-07-2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

I like the Metro in Washington, DC, but then I don't have to ride it. I ride it mostly on off hours and then just for recreation stuff. It's clean and seems relatively weell-maintained. Water has always been a problem, though, as Raymr said. Our nation's capital was built on a swamp.

I agree with the Metro being pretty good although it is limited to the neighborhoods it serves as the lines seem to share tracks. However the MARC and VRE commuter lines just plain SUCK!

The DC area should be the template for things like mass transit, but Congressmen ride in limos not on the Subway

Dee8go · #25 07-07-2008, 01:17 PM

It will have to be a lot more extensive and interconnected before the Metro is really useful. Now, it's okay if you just happen to live near a station and work near one on the other end. If not, you'll spend half your life waiting, changing from one train or bus to the next.

I hope you can sell you NY house and buy something a little closer in, LUVMBDiesels.

Mistress · #26 07-07-2008, 01:41 PM

I think we have the best ever- Metro DC area.

Benzadmiral · #27 07-07-2008, 01:59 PM

New Orleans? Ha.

When I was in junior high, high school, and college (1965-1975), the bus system was fairly good and reasonably priced. I could get nearly anywhere in the city (not the western suburb, Metairie -- different system), with free transfers to a connecting line, in about an hour. And the buses, air-conditioned from 1964 on, ran often during the day, and once an hour between midnight and 6 am. There was even an airport-downtown express; 45 minutes, and you were there.

Nowadays I have no idea where to catch anything, or how much it costs. You have to have exact change or purchase a transit pass, and transfers are no longer free. When she visits my office, Miss Linda rides a bus that runs back of our apartment complex and crosses the bridge, and she connects to the St. Charles streetcar line. But I'm sure it involves a lot of waiting in the heat or rain. (Six years ago there was an express bus on that route for morning and afternoon commuters, and I rode it to a temporary job in the Central Business District. It was vastly easier and cheaper than taking my car, fighting traffic, and paying to park. But the express -- you guessed it -- is gone now.)

In sum, I'd say our transit system, like nearly everything here since about 1977, is khrap.
.

300SD81 · #28 07-08-2008, 01:29 AM

My MARTA ride sunday went ok, expect for the creepy and probably gay guy that sat behind me and kept trying to rub my back... I got off and took the next train, not fun with 2 bags, one of which weights 50lbs and the other being fragile...

Skippy · #29 07-08-2008, 01:43 AM

Creepy people on MARTA, no way

I went to college in Atlanta and used to use MARTA on occasion. No shortage of freaks, weirdos, and real and wannabe thugs. That and it was two bucks and wasn't any faster than driving. Actually, in Mid-Town the best way to get anywhere within a half mile or so was to just walk.

300SD81 · #30 07-08-2008, 01:48 AM

Well, I had to ride one of the lines end to end (North Springs to Airport), so it was significantly cheaper than driving, plus airport parking is killer, and I was flying out and driving back... The guy was asking for my phone number too, I just gave him a fake one trying to shut him up, but that just made things worse. I sat in the car right behind the driver on the second train, seems to be less creepy people in that one.