tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862444008740250372.post1109013613209123697..comments2024-02-01T04:37:41.878-05:00Comments on Cap'n Transit Rides Again: Transit riders' priorities, environmental priorities and the priorities of transit managersCap'n Transithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17057887736728828646noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862444008740250372.post-11104669433720580242010-06-08T16:57:57.251-04:002010-06-08T16:57:57.251-04:00Cap'n Trasnsit - I think your basic points are...Cap'n Trasnsit - I think your basic points are sound. However, I think there are two additional factors:<br /><br />1. The media only has limited room for news and the details of bus service improvements (due to the relatively local nature of bus routes) is generally not going to be covered in large metropolitan media sources. Broadcast media does not have the time and print media (where it has not disappeared) has an ever shrinking news hole. <br /><br />In addition, many transit reporters do not understand transit. For examply, my agency recently had some service cuts on both rail and bus (budget cutbacks). The transit reporter for our largest daily spoke of " seven trains and three buses being cut". What the agency was doing was cutting seven train TRIPS and three bus ROUTES (actually more than 20 bus ROUTES in their entirety (but he missed the additional information in the press releases which, I believe, was purposely obfuscated by the agency.<br /><br />2. The agency (and I work for a large one serving multiple counties and municipalites) can either choose to manage the politicians or let the politicians manage it.<br /><br />For example, when I first joined the agency, it was very proactive. For every capital project and every service change, either a meeting was held with key elected officials (mayors, county executives, state legislators) prior to information about the change being released to the public and media OR a letter went out to these officials detailing the changes and offering a follow up meeting, if desired. All newly elected state officials were offered a transit briefing about projects and services in their districts. Media releases on service changes were detailed, specifically indicating which municipalities were impacted by the service change and how, to assist otherwise copy desk editors and reporters in preparing a news item.<br /><br />Then there was a change of top executives and the approach changed. Rarely were elected officials briefed in detail or informed by letter of service changes in their jurisdictions. Press releases might mention the route impacted by a service change; but simply say "go to website" for details. And the agency took the approach that we needed to "appease" elected officials instead of doing proper transit planning in a way that managed taxpayer dollars well.<br /><br />With either approach, staff below the top levels tried to develop the best service and maintenance practices within the available budget and with proper concern for the taxpayer's contribution. However, the approach at the top had a significant impact on the outcome.busplannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02927124679758449424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862444008740250372.post-85658255971262304862010-06-05T15:39:28.398-04:002010-06-05T15:39:28.398-04:00APTA doesn't care because most of its members ...APTA doesn't care because most of its members don't care. And its members are mostly state DOTs and other organizations that happen to run transit but its not their priority. Most of the big city operators who do actually care about this stuff often get overshadowed by the massive base of little guys in the organization. You might have noticed that Sadik Kahn has an org that caters to city transportation officials, this is a reason why. http://www.nacto.org/Pantograph Trolleypolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17833159138533550544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5862444008740250372.post-10313264937368633512010-06-04T09:09:59.833-04:002010-06-04T09:09:59.833-04:00I'm recently retired from NYCT after nearly 37...I'm recently retired from NYCT after nearly 37 years of continuous service. And yes, many mid-level and senior managers at NYCT drive to work, including the President of NYCT, who travels in a chauffeur driven SUV. In fact many are given TA cars so they can drive, rather than take their own trains or buses! The reason given is many of these people are on call 24/7 and may need to respond to an emergency. This is, in large measure, a crock, as there are many low level managers and supervisors "on the ground" on duty who can respond to the rare emergency.capt subwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238954255206457928noreply@blogger.com