I was in sunny Utah, and had a chance to explore two transit systems. The first one was in Logan. I was attending a conference at Utah State University, and had a chance to take a ride on their CVTD bus system. It doesn't run late, doesn't run on Sunday, but it is free. For the most part, however, you really do need a car out there. Things are just a little too spread out. You could probably get by with a bicycle if you were in good shape, because you are in the mountains, and the roads have a lot of long hills. More to follow after I get back home...
The other system that I tried out, was the Salt Lake City UTA Rail system. Salt Lake also has a very extensive bus system, but I didn't explore it. The rail system is a very efficient light rail system, that basically goes everywhere. You can buy single ride fare tickets, round trip tickets or for $6.25 you can purchase an all day pass, that is good on all light rail trains, buses, and street cars. There is also an express train called the FrontRunner, that is available for an extra fee. I found it to be a great way to get around both downtown, and from my motel near the airport. Also, the train goes to the airport, which is something that Maryland should consider down the road. Yes, you can get from Baltimore to BWI Airport, but how about a light rail from Greenbelt to the airport sometime in the future?
Monday, June 26, 2017
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Changes to Metro...June 25, 2017
If you check out Metro's website, you will see that there are some major changes coming down the pike on June 25, 2017. There are going to be shorter hours, and there are going to be some changes to the bus service. New timetables are being added every day, and from what Metro tells me, most of the new bus timetables should be out by the beginning of next week. Please check out things carefully, so you don't get caught with your pants down.
I am particularly interested in changes in the bus service. Buses are the unsung heroes of the Metro system. I love riding the bus. The bus routes that I use on a regular basis are the E4, J2, J3, J4, H2, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, S2, S4, S9, T2, 70, 79, 80, 83, and 86. For Prince George's County Transportation, I use the 17 bus, but it only runs on weekdays, and doesn't run after 8 PM. In Montgomery County, besides the MetroBuses, I use RideOn bus routes, 1, 5, 11, 28 VanGo, 34, 45, and 55. Starting on October 2, 2017, there is going to be a new RideOn bus service, called the RideOn Extra. You can get information about this new bus service on that website. It's exciting!
The RideOnExtra, is a step in the right direction. Even though I am a huge fan of rail based public transportation, and do enjoy riding DC's MetroRail, bus service, especially dedicated lane with traffic light priority capability, is more than a viable option. If they scrap the Purple Line and expand the bus service from Bethesda to New Carrollton, with the planned stops enroute, and with the hours running until midnight or later, I'm fine with that. Unlike the fine upstanding, college degreed residents of Chevy Chase and Bethesda, I don't have any problem whatsoever, riding a public transportation bus, with those "little brown people," that they love to exploit in the interest of social justice.
I am particularly interested in changes in the bus service. Buses are the unsung heroes of the Metro system. I love riding the bus. The bus routes that I use on a regular basis are the E4, J2, J3, J4, H2, H3, H4, H6, H8, H9, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, S2, S4, S9, T2, 70, 79, 80, 83, and 86. For Prince George's County Transportation, I use the 17 bus, but it only runs on weekdays, and doesn't run after 8 PM. In Montgomery County, besides the MetroBuses, I use RideOn bus routes, 1, 5, 11, 28 VanGo, 34, 45, and 55. Starting on October 2, 2017, there is going to be a new RideOn bus service, called the RideOn Extra. You can get information about this new bus service on that website. It's exciting!
The RideOnExtra, is a step in the right direction. Even though I am a huge fan of rail based public transportation, and do enjoy riding DC's MetroRail, bus service, especially dedicated lane with traffic light priority capability, is more than a viable option. If they scrap the Purple Line and expand the bus service from Bethesda to New Carrollton, with the planned stops enroute, and with the hours running until midnight or later, I'm fine with that. Unlike the fine upstanding, college degreed residents of Chevy Chase and Bethesda, I don't have any problem whatsoever, riding a public transportation bus, with those "little brown people," that they love to exploit in the interest of social justice.
Bonifant Street Garages In Silver Spring
The Bonifant Street garage has been a blessing for me. I like to use public transportation for most of my trips. I have found that by driving from College Park to the Bonifant Street garage in Silver Spring, it allows me to make the majority of my trips on public transportation, with the highest degree of flexibility and selection of services.
You walk out the back of the garage, and you are about 100 yards from the Sarbanes Transportation Center. A huge variety of MetroBuses and RideOn buses service the transit center. In addition, the Red Line and MARC Train also service the transit center, and the purple line, when it ever gets built, will also service the transportation center.
There was an article in the Greater Greater Washington website by Dan Reed: https://ggwash.org/view/61694/silver-spring-could-get-a-big-music-and-sports-venue
I would hate to see those garages go the way of the dinosaur. Yes, I could park in the Wayne Avenue garage, but then it is about a half a mile walk to the transit center. I am handicapped, and have handicap tags on my car. I can park in the Bonifant Street garage for free. At the Wayne Avenue garage, I would still have to pay, up until 9 PM. I work in Bethesda, and usually work until 10 or 11 at night. The J2 bus is a wonderful cross town bus that goes from Montgomery Mall to Silver Spring. It runs until well after midnight during the week, and after 11 PM on Sundays.
In addition, I like to visit a friend who lives in Rockville, MD. My preferred method of travel, is to park in the Bonifant Street garages, take the Q bus to Rockville or to the bus stop on Rockville Pike at the intersection of Hungerford (Rockville Pike) and College Parkway. I can walk in from there if need be, but my friend will usually be available to pick me up there. I can also take the RideOn 45 bus from Rockville to a stop at the end of her condo complex's driveway. Recently, I've been taking my bicycle on the Metro and/or the MetroBus, and riding in from Hungerford and College Parkway. Bicycle is a great gap filler when using public transportation. Try it.
You walk out the back of the garage, and you are about 100 yards from the Sarbanes Transportation Center. A huge variety of MetroBuses and RideOn buses service the transit center. In addition, the Red Line and MARC Train also service the transit center, and the purple line, when it ever gets built, will also service the transportation center.
There was an article in the Greater Greater Washington website by Dan Reed: https://ggwash.org/view/61694/silver-spring-could-get-a-big-music-and-sports-venue
I would hate to see those garages go the way of the dinosaur. Yes, I could park in the Wayne Avenue garage, but then it is about a half a mile walk to the transit center. I am handicapped, and have handicap tags on my car. I can park in the Bonifant Street garage for free. At the Wayne Avenue garage, I would still have to pay, up until 9 PM. I work in Bethesda, and usually work until 10 or 11 at night. The J2 bus is a wonderful cross town bus that goes from Montgomery Mall to Silver Spring. It runs until well after midnight during the week, and after 11 PM on Sundays.
In addition, I like to visit a friend who lives in Rockville, MD. My preferred method of travel, is to park in the Bonifant Street garages, take the Q bus to Rockville or to the bus stop on Rockville Pike at the intersection of Hungerford (Rockville Pike) and College Parkway. I can walk in from there if need be, but my friend will usually be available to pick me up there. I can also take the RideOn 45 bus from Rockville to a stop at the end of her condo complex's driveway. Recently, I've been taking my bicycle on the Metro and/or the MetroBus, and riding in from Hungerford and College Parkway. Bicycle is a great gap filler when using public transportation. Try it.
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