This blogspot was just a temporary location while our new home was being built.
Please come see what we've done with the place.
Visit us now at : www.theserialrider.com
Thanks for coming and we'll see you soon!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The "Catch Us If You Can Plan"
The snow this week in Lexington caught most people off guard. Normally, the snow around here is the soft, light, melt-in-30-mins-of-good-sun-type-snow. This time it was packable, make-a-snow-man-type-stuff.
On Monday, LexTran went into "Snow Plan" though I think it would more fittingly named "Catch us if you can Plan". The busses begin running on these bizarre routes. They sometimes ride streets that they normally do not, so some of the "Snow Plan" routes do not have bus stops on them. So the bus must be flagged if you want on.
This is a huge safety risk. Take for example a street with no curb in some portions and also no sidewalks in other portions. Dangerous!
Many cities like Atlanta and Washington, DC had to cancel public transportation mid-day during storms and let riders stranded to get home as best they could. So the fact that LexTran tried to keep up is commendable.
HOWEVER, the question that must be asked is how is the public notified that busses have gone into "SNOW PLAN" and how do people know what the heck that even is. With all the empty advertising space on LexTran, why not print up some cards that explain the "SNOW PLAN" and where to get a copy. I've never gotten one when I get routes and schedules from downtown. I only found it online. More rider education is due and more feedback is required to make improvements to the "Catch Me If You Can Plan" of LexTran.
On Monday, LexTran went into "Snow Plan" though I think it would more fittingly named "Catch us if you can Plan". The busses begin running on these bizarre routes. They sometimes ride streets that they normally do not, so some of the "Snow Plan" routes do not have bus stops on them. So the bus must be flagged if you want on.
This is a huge safety risk. Take for example a street with no curb in some portions and also no sidewalks in other portions. Dangerous!
Many cities like Atlanta and Washington, DC had to cancel public transportation mid-day during storms and let riders stranded to get home as best they could. So the fact that LexTran tried to keep up is commendable.
HOWEVER, the question that must be asked is how is the public notified that busses have gone into "SNOW PLAN" and how do people know what the heck that even is. With all the empty advertising space on LexTran, why not print up some cards that explain the "SNOW PLAN" and where to get a copy. I've never gotten one when I get routes and schedules from downtown. I only found it online. More rider education is due and more feedback is required to make improvements to the "Catch Me If You Can Plan" of LexTran.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Yellow train going to China Town? Uhhh-Nope!
In this hilariously sad story out of Atlanta, MARTA officials ignored the warning of thier "diversity" officer who told them that it would be a bad idea to name the train going into a predominately Asian community "Yellow".
After national media attention, it is now being changed to "Gold", reportedly the most cost effective rememdy.
The sad piece to this entire thing is that MARTA has someone on board who has the job of thinking about race all the time and they just ignored them. I want to know how this came up in a meeting and no said, "Maybe you're right." Who the hell thought this would fly?
This is a waste of taxpayers money on so many levels...the wasted salary of the diversity officer...the reprinting of signage and schedules...the PR campaign to get out of it....way to WASTE Atlanta!
After national media attention, it is now being changed to "Gold", reportedly the most cost effective rememdy.
The sad piece to this entire thing is that MARTA has someone on board who has the job of thinking about race all the time and they just ignored them. I want to know how this came up in a meeting and no said, "Maybe you're right." Who the hell thought this would fly?
This is a waste of taxpayers money on so many levels...the wasted salary of the diversity officer...the reprinting of signage and schedules...the PR campaign to get out of it....way to WASTE Atlanta!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Government moves at the speed of people...
I heard this before but did not believe it until I experienced it for myself.
This blog has not been around very long but has attracted some really high profile readers who have messaged me at theserialrider@gmail.com and follow me on Twitter at @serialrider
The list includes politicians, LexTran representatives and local activists and bloggers.
I was so proud to see that LexTran finally joined the Twitter movement and is now offically posting as @Lex_Tran
By no means can I take all credit for this. However, I do know that this site and Tweets have exposed the dialogue that is going on regarding transportation in this region. And that is never a bad thing....
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Open Letter To LexTran - Website Updates
February 5, 2010 (late Friday night)
Ms. Barnett,
I am the author of www.theserialrider.com and wanted to bring to someones attention that some of the bus schedules posted online at www.lextranonthemove.org are out of date. Specifically the 2S and 3S have been updated as of Dec. 2009 but online the last version is from August 2008.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
The Serial Rider
Response: Though I did not get an email response, when I went online on Tuesday, February 9 I was pleasantly suprised to see an updated 2S schedule that was effective FEBRUARY 8, 2010. Whoo-Hoo! That is a same day response in my book since I'm sure Ms. Barnett was not working over the weekend.
Way to ride LexTran!
Ms. Barnett,
I am the author of www.theserialrider.com and wanted to bring to someones attention that some of the bus schedules posted online at www.lextranonthemove.org are out of date. Specifically the 2S and 3S have been updated as of Dec. 2009 but online the last version is from August 2008.
Thank you for your attention to this matter,
The Serial Rider
Response: Though I did not get an email response, when I went online on Tuesday, February 9 I was pleasantly suprised to see an updated 2S schedule that was effective FEBRUARY 8, 2010. Whoo-Hoo! That is a same day response in my book since I'm sure Ms. Barnett was not working over the weekend.
Way to ride LexTran!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Information on the Bus Stop Challenge
Found this information about an artist competition:
Art in Motion, in association with Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association, the University of Kentucky and LexTran, is offering a $2000 design prize/commission for design of a unique transit shelter to serve LexTran riders and University of Kentucky students. The shelter will serve both as bus stop with seating and shelter for riders and as public art that incorporates living plants.
The shelter should provide visual stimulation that draws the eye away from the surrounding electric utility lines and poles.
Professional architects, engineers, landscape designers, sculptors and artists are eligible. Students under the supervision of relevant professionals are also eligible.
A cash prize of $2,000 will be awarded for the winning design. The prize will be awarded to the selected winner upon delivery of detailed construction drawings of the winning design and completion of shelter fabrication. The selected winner shall be responsible for reasonable communication with chosen fabricator needed to ensure correct interpretation of design drawings and successful fabrication of design.
The total budget for materials and construction of structure and planting is $17,500
But I was thinking: On one hand I like any idea that brings seating for riders. But on the other hand, I don't know if I want to have people coming by snapping pics of the bus stop and me on it LOL. Great idea though...way to go Art In Motion!!!
Art in Motion, in association with Aylesford Place Neighborhood Association, the University of Kentucky and LexTran, is offering a $2000 design prize/commission for design of a unique transit shelter to serve LexTran riders and University of Kentucky students. The shelter will serve both as bus stop with seating and shelter for riders and as public art that incorporates living plants.
The shelter should provide visual stimulation that draws the eye away from the surrounding electric utility lines and poles.
Professional architects, engineers, landscape designers, sculptors and artists are eligible. Students under the supervision of relevant professionals are also eligible.
A cash prize of $2,000 will be awarded for the winning design. The prize will be awarded to the selected winner upon delivery of detailed construction drawings of the winning design and completion of shelter fabrication. The selected winner shall be responsible for reasonable communication with chosen fabricator needed to ensure correct interpretation of design drawings and successful fabrication of design.
The total budget for materials and construction of structure and planting is $17,500
But I was thinking: On one hand I like any idea that brings seating for riders. But on the other hand, I don't know if I want to have people coming by snapping pics of the bus stop and me on it LOL. Great idea though...way to go Art In Motion!!!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
LexTran will drive groups of senior citizens on request...and other news.
In the January 2010 LexTran Newsletter posted here online, a convient program for seniors is outlined and the public is invited to share the information.
"One of LexTran’s communi ty out reach programs, LexConnects provides groups of senior citizens with transportation for mid-day social outings. Service must be scheduled in advance and a minimum of 10 riders are required to reserve trips. This service is offered Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 1pm. Rides are only fifty cents each way for riders 62 and older, and service may be scheduled by calling 225-CONX."
Other interesting information included:
Picture of newest bus drivers
Information on trolleys, which hit the streets in April
Upcoming staff birthdays-if you know your regular drivers name you can check here to suprise them on thier birthday!
"One of LexTran’s communi ty out reach programs, LexConnects provides groups of senior citizens with transportation for mid-day social outings. Service must be scheduled in advance and a minimum of 10 riders are required to reserve trips. This service is offered Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 1pm. Rides are only fifty cents each way for riders 62 and older, and service may be scheduled by calling 225-CONX."
Other interesting information included:
Picture of newest bus drivers
Information on trolleys, which hit the streets in April
Upcoming staff birthdays-if you know your regular drivers name you can check here to suprise them on thier birthday!
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