Dear Al Gore & all those people who keep telling us that driving cars causes global warming,
An inconvenient truth of a misplaced vehicle led to Houstonist riding the bus to work yesterday instead of driving. Turns out that things were a bit more convenient that our assumptions about the use of mass transit in car-centric Houston. So, we thought we'd share a bit of our experience with you in hopes that other non-mass transit riding type folks, a.k.a. most Houstonians, would realize that METRO riding kicks ass.
The trip was cheap and easy. METRO's Trip Planner plotted out our options for the 11-mile trip downtown including stop locations, bus names and departure times. For a buck, the one-way fare, we got picked up two blocks from the house and dropped off three blocks from the office. Sure, the 45 minute trip took about three times as long as driving, but we didn't have to contend with morons who are trying to drive whilst yapping on their cell phones, putting on make-up, reading the paper, swatting the kids, eating breakfast or any combination thereof.
Mr. Gore, we can't promise that busing into downtown everyday will become a regular deal since we like the flexibility offered by driving. But, we'll pledge to ride METRO when we've got some time to spare and our conscience starts to eat away at us for killing the planet. We would like to suggest that you might reach people a bit more quickly, particularly the self-absorbed, if you change the spin from "save the planet" to "you don't have to drive in traffic when you're hungover."
Sincerely,
Houstonist
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Photo: flickr user j-a-x.
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Dear Houstonist,
I had a not so similar experience not so similar experience with the Metro Bus System a few months back. However, I will chalk that up to not being aware of the "METRO Trip Planner"
Thank you for the wonderful information.
Signed,
Newly informed potential Metro riding person who lives inside the loop and works outside the loop
The Metrorail is the fastest and easiest way to get around downtown. Coupled with the downtown tunnel system, running just about any errand (save stuff like Bed, Bath and B.., Wal-Mart etc) on foot is possible. I reorganized my shopping, banking, workout and post office preferences around the rail line in 2003. I barely spend any money on gas anymore and absolutely love it. - David
Jason, you should write for the Metro blog.
Speaking as someone who has used METRO for the past three and a half years and has been screwed by:
- Late and early buses.
- No warning system for delayed buses.
- A "help line" that lies about the status of late buses ("It's running late" when it never ran at all).
- The removal of standby buses, resulting in further delays for buses with broken-down routes.
- The "Stop And Shriek" police of METRO Police when a bus driver has an unruly passenger, even if the unruly passenger has already left.
- Impatient bus drivers, who fail to signal turns or run red lights.
- Handicapped individuals slowing down commuter routes instead of using METROLift.
- Drivers forbidden to use alternative routes during heavy construction on freeway segments.
I think your one day's experience is an aberration.
-ls METRO IFOC
Laurence, thanks for the input. I recognize that one day is not even close to a normal sample. I was hoping to encourage folks to try it at least once to see for themselves.
Jason