46 responses so far ↓

• 1 Mike Perry // Jul 6, 2011 at 6:30 pm

  Cutting #5 service makes no sense. I ride it and it’s is typically well-filled. Fares may not pay the full cost of the service, but they probably come closer to doing so than on many other routes. Cutting #5 and #28 is even more ridiculous, since people who take one can’t switch to the other. They’re also hitting #358, which has stops on the other side of us. Do they want to make Phinney/Greenwood into an island, devoid of regular bus connections?

  This could be what is called the “Washington Monument Ploy.” Faced with budget cuts, bureaucracies target services that are the most used and best liked to create an uproar that they hope will end the budget cuts or, in this case, to get us to vote for that tag tax.

• 2 Neighbor // Jul 6, 2011 at 6:47 pm

  Like we didn’t see this coming when McGinn got elected?!? Just wait until street maintenance disappears throughout North Seattle, and we’re left with bike- and pedestrian-only promenades. You laugh, but that is our hippie mayor’s vision for this city.

• 3 Mike Perry // Jul 6, 2011 at 7:00 pm

  It’s even worse than I thought. I looked at Metro’s list. They’re totally eliminating #82, the night owl that follows part of #5′s route downtown in the wee hours. It’s about the only way to catch an early morning bus to the airport or early day surgery on Capitol Hill. I know. I’ve used it for both.

  It’s also a necessity for those unfortunates without cars who need to get through downtown to somewhere else for their early morning, poorly paying jobs. What will happen to them?

  All this is a city that:

  1. Spent billions on two little-used sports stadiums. We have the driest baseball season in the country, yet we put a movable roof over that stadium. Cities that get genuine gushers of thunderstorms during their games didn’t do that.

  2. Spent $800,000 replacing a small drainage pipe under a street in my former Lake City neighborhood to make it ‘salmon friendly.’ I talked to the city engineer on the project and she found the waste disgusting. A hundred yards after that pipe, the inches-deep, two-foot wide stream ends in a dry-in-the-summer mud hole that collects runoff from downtown Lake City. I doubt there’s ever be a salmon migrating down that pricey pipe. That’s a fruit of our Save Our Salmon fad in the 1990s.

  3. Plans to spend many hundreds of millions more for a tunnel rather than replacing the Viaduct with another Viaduct. And that’s if there are no cost overruns. If not, add billions more. And we never got a chance to vote on that one.

  Seattle isn’t merely penny wise, pound foolish. It’s wasting billions on vanity projects and tightening up like Ebenezer Scrooge when necessities like buses or school books are involved.

• 4 Ep // Jul 6, 2011 at 8:46 pm

  This makes me sick. It also makes me want to move.

• 5 Greenwood // Jul 6, 2011 at 9:15 pm

  Just feels like extortion. Pay $xx more on car tabs or we slash bus service. How bout a bike registration fee or special sales tax on bike sales and parts to cover all these stupid bike lanes and cover some of the bus service cuts.

• 6 Greenwood // Jul 6, 2011 at 9:23 pm

  $100 f@CKING dollars more a year. Insane. I vote no.

  http://publicola.com/2011/07/06/what-the-80-license-fee-will-get-you/

• 7 Keely // Jul 6, 2011 at 9:39 pm

  You didn’t mention reductions to the 48 and 358, which means (with the 5 and 28) that every major route through our neighborhood would be reduced. As a regular bus rider this is saddening. For the 5, 48, and 358 their usefulness rests on their frequency. The 28 only runs every half hour as it is, a a reduction would make it impossible.

  One of the reasons I moved to greenwood over eight years ago was the bus access. These possible cuts will make our neighborhood hard to reach, hard to get from, and reduce the neighborhood to a distant suburb.

• 8 Mike // Jul 6, 2011 at 9:51 pm

  Well since Whopper isn’t here yet let be the first to pleed that they not cut the 5. I’ll pay whatever fees you want Mr. Constantine, just don’t make me ride the 358 with the unwashed masses. Riding the 5 conveserves water and saves salmon since you don’t need to shower when you get home.

• 9 evanb // Jul 6, 2011 at 11:22 pm

  THIS is why we need a citywide transit authority and not a county based one. I’d be much happier paying more in car tab taxes knowing that my money supported transit in dense areas like the seattle metro area – instead of subsidizing long haul routes out in the suburbs of king Co.

• 10 Tahomajim // Jul 7, 2011 at 3:53 am

  I agree Mike. The 358 is filled with scummy types.
  I prefer the 358 route as it’s faster to downtown. The riders that make me ill on that route.

• 11 Whopper // Jul 7, 2011 at 6:40 am

  The 358, the ‘Methadone Express’!

  I believe Metro will threaten to shoot a puppy next if we don’t cough up more money for them.

  Vote no.

• 12 Whopper // Jul 7, 2011 at 6:57 am

  Enjoy life on the 358:

  http://358daysonboardbus358.blogspot.com/

• 13 Susan Mullen // Jul 7, 2011 at 8:20 am

  I live in Greenwood and I don’t drive. I’ve been riding Metro ever since it was Seattle Transit. I would like to suggest that the surcharge or fee be passed on to those of us who use the bus, and our employers if they subsidize ORCA cards, not to drivers. I mean, if a driver *wants* to cough up some money and give it to Metro, fine! But the last thing I need as a bus rider and pedestrian is getting *more* dirty looks from car drivers.

• 14 Stupid Hippie // Jul 7, 2011 at 8:26 am

  That’s crazy Susan! Buses should be free for the people, like in Cuba. Did you know Cuba has free healthcare too?

• 15 Keith // Jul 7, 2011 at 10:12 am

  What’s interesting about the comments – first the Mayor and the City have nothing to do with these cuts. It’s the county. Second – the cuts are system wide, everywhere you look there are cuts, not just the 5/28/358 that serve our area, and last these are not threats by Metro, it’s what they have to do since there is no current funding (thank you Tim Eyman)

• 16 Whopper // Jul 7, 2011 at 10:35 am

  (thank you Tim Eyman)

  Don’t you mean thank you 2/3 of Washington State and 56% of King County who opposed new taxes increases in 2010, during the middle of a recession?

  Again, these are idle threats. next they’re gonna threaten to shoot puppies to scare you all into coughing up more for their poorly run business.

  How about a reduction in Metro’s driver’s salaries, currently second highest paid in the nation? Put that on the table, and I’d be game for paying an extra $20. Both sides give a little; it’s called being moderate.

• 17 justin2020 // Jul 7, 2011 at 11:19 am

  so, it shows that both 26 and 28 local routes would be cancelled? does that mean there will be no direct service from downtown seattle to “downtown” fremont? guess you would take the 17 and walk across the bridge. for some reason the 17 is not being affected at all. wow – bummer. and yes, i wish the city had our own district to self fund our routes.

• 18 The Norwegian // Jul 7, 2011 at 1:03 pm

  To all you people out there putting all of YOUR hopes/dreams on government providing everything: I told you so. This is no different that government unions taking our tax $$ to keep them in cushy jobs with huge benefits. They produce nothing while taking from the producers to maintain their status. Metro(s) never operate at a profit. Never. Why not go after a “new revenue stream” and hit these wonderful cyclists where it hurts, in the form of “biker-ed” followed by mandatory license plates? Seems the jihad on vehicles and their drivers will never end. Welcome to socialism. Welcome to the nanny-state. Welcome to nearly 30 freaking years of 1 party control of WA state. Democrats: they’ve got what it takes to take what it is we have. Wake up people and stop doing what “they” tell you to do. What is it next week McGinn?

• 19 Greenwood // Jul 7, 2011 at 2:02 pm

  Norwegian be crazy.

• 20 Rob // Jul 7, 2011 at 2:06 pm

  hey folks don’t just gripe here – there is a link in the article to the county website. Send your comments to them. Also show up at the meetings – the only thing the council understands is large groups of people showing up at meetings. Apparently they don’t realize we don’t all work days so we can’t show up at their evening meetings.

  Get out there and make your voices heard where it counts – not just on this blog.

  And you can all send Tim Eyman a thank you for this mess – he lives in Mukilteo and probably drives his car everywhere.

  The No 5 can be packed in the middle of the day as well as standing room only during the commuting hours.

  The 358 seems to be full all the time day or evening.

  Help – tax all of us, not just car drivers, the $20 to keep our buses on the streets. They can add it to our utility bill.

• 21 Anon // Jul 7, 2011 at 8:53 pm

  Whopper, that 358 blog is hilarious (and depression as shit).

• 22 Patrick // Jul 7, 2011 at 10:26 pm

  The 5 could definitely be modified to increase efficiency. Consider that it has three stops both north and southound in the 1/4 mile from 85th to 90th.

  If Metro needs to cut costs and they DIDN’T consider modifying this route, that would probably be a mistake. Nevertheless, we should watch and weigh in on whatever they propose.

• 23 R Roush // Jul 8, 2011 at 6:24 am

  These cuts are necessary and King County is experiencing them far later and less than Pierce County or Snohomish County transits. Both of these agencies are making far more draconian cuts to service.

  It’s the result of transit agencies relying on sales tax and having to base their service on this revenue source. We’re not spending money so no sales tax. It’s not anyone’s fault, and it does indeed hurt.

• 24 Keely // Jul 8, 2011 at 1:14 pm

  Whopper, that 358 blog is racist and offensive.

• 25 Whopper // Jul 8, 2011 at 5:43 pm

  Racist? Since when are crackheads, tweakers and hobos ‘races’?

• 26 Keely // Jul 8, 2011 at 9:28 pm

  Never said any of those are races. But read something like the 6th post down, “358 southbound the Tijauna Express” and tell me that’s not racist.

• 27 Whopper // Jul 8, 2011 at 9:52 pm

  Is that racist? No….

• 28 Keely // Jul 9, 2011 at 9:03 am

  Wow.

• 29 Whopper // Jul 9, 2011 at 12:10 pm

  How is it racist?

• 30 Tahomajim // Jul 9, 2011 at 4:41 pm

  Are people from Tijauna — Mexico — a different race?
  How many races are there? Don’t include/mention brown or red people, that IS racist.
  Nationality does not signify race.

• 31 Keely // Jul 9, 2011 at 9:26 pm

  Read the post. I am not referring to the title of it, and i think you know that. Focus solely on the reference to Tijauna is diverting attention and analysis from the content and an easy way to avoid having to either acknowledge or defend it.

  Throughout the blog, and especially apparent in that post are an enormous amount of racial assumptions, stereotypes, and hatred. If you can’t see it I doubt I can explain it to you. Personally, I don’t care to take the time with a stranger who, I know from their attitude on this blog, has no interest in listening. I can only suggest you really look inside yourself and ask why you are okay with it. Why is it humorous to you? Are you, honestly, okay with characterizing and hating other people based on your assumptions as a result of their (perceived) race? Is that really the world you want to live in? For that matter, do you really want to, or enjoy, living in a world full of hatred and bias towards those who are less fortunate and/or have problems that may be foreign or scary to you? Can you momentarily put yourself in their shoes?

  I’m not even suggesting what might be assumed, that we need to put money into supporting the people we are talking about (that is a different discussion). I’m simply suggesting we treat everyone in our world with the decency and respect we would like to be treated with ourselves, and that it is offensive when people do otherwise.

• 32 Tahomajim // Jul 10, 2011 at 6:50 am

  Keely, If you’re asking me to re-read the posts I have.
  They’re not my posts nor my thoughts and I read learned logic in most posts.

  Regarding (I’m paraphrasing here) living in a world full of hatred and bias… and “put yourself in their shoes?”
  My answer to that question is an emphatic YES, I live with it everyday and have most of my life. It has taught me to have a thick skin and never loose my cool. I turn about, move on, and never forget.
  People over 50 are set in their ways just as they were as teenagers. Teenagers change, those over 50 rarely do.

• 33 Keely // Jul 10, 2011 at 8:49 am

  Tahomajim, I am asking you and Whopper to explain how the content in that Tijauna express post is not racist and offensive, rather than focusing just on the title.

  In re people over 50, I’m sorry you feel that way. I see people over 50 growing and changing everyday, so I know your statement isn’t universally true.

• 34 Tahomajim // Jul 10, 2011 at 9:20 am

  Keely, do not ask me to explain Whoppers posts.

  I repeat my post, nationality does not signify race. So Whoppers Tijauna …….. to me…. is not racist.

  Family, neighbors, co-workers, people over 50 rarely change their ways. Some do…. it’s the lack of change in the other 90% that confirms my post.

• 35 Keely // Jul 10, 2011 at 11:41 am

  Tahomajim, this is ridiculous I am not asking you to explain Whopper’s posts. He linked to http://358daysonboardbus358.blogspot.com/

  I said that blog is racist and offensive.

  He asked how hobos and crackheads are races.

  I said they are not, and pointed to a post that is racist, titled “358 south tijauana express”

  He asked how is that racist
  You chimed in about the reference to Tijauana not being racist

  I suggested assessing the content of that post on the 358 blog rather than focusing on the title.

  If it sounds like I am asking you to defend Whopper, it is only because you posted in defense of his position that it is not racist.

  I have reiterated several times here that that is not my concern, the CONTENT of the referenced post is. I only quoted the title to point Whopper to the appropriate post.

• 36 Keely // Jul 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm

  Anyway, back to *this* post, bus cuts. Though I know cuts are highly likely, and are proposed all over the city, I think it would be a real shame to reduce every single route in the neighborhood.

  I have submitted a comment through the link since I cannot go to the meetings.

• 37 Tahomajim // Jul 10, 2011 at 12:19 pm

  Keely,

  I think you and Whopper are both off base….

  You are reading between the lines and making assumptions that may not be accurate. You’re exaggerating the definition of racist.

  This is my last post on the subject.

• 38 Whopper // Jul 10, 2011 at 3:19 pm

  “explain how the content in that Tijauna express post is not racist and offensive”

  Ahhh, the typical PC BS: prove it’s not racist! Since, as everyone knows, it’s only the charge of racism that matters.

  You’re the one who has failed to show it is racist.

  BTW last time I was on the #15 on St Patricks Day my wife called it a ‘Paddy Wagon’ because of all the drunks. Is she a racist?

• 39 Keely // Jul 10, 2011 at 6:23 pm

  Ah. The typical racist BS.

  Point of note, when I said I was asking to explain it I was misrepresenting my original response. I apologize. I don’t care for you to explain why you think it is not racist. I asked you to ask yourself why you think that post is okay. And etc, I’m not going to rewrite it out.

  And when your wife referred to the bus as a paddy wagon on St Patrick’s Day she was using an ethnic slur, albeit one, of many, that our culture seems to find just fine.

  I don’t know if your wife is racist, I’ve never met her. Just as I don’t know whether the author of that 358 blog is racist. I do know that much of what he or she writes is racist.

• 40 Keely // Jul 10, 2011 at 6:28 pm

  Sorry, there was no need for me to turn your phrase back on you Whopper. I don’t know if you are racist either, I just know you linked to that blog. My concern is the fact that something like that is considered humorous rather than offensive, not who you are. So, apologies.

• 41 Stupid Hippie // Jul 10, 2011 at 7:47 pm

  “she was using an ethnic slur”

  Luckily the Irish have a sense of humour.

• 42 Jenc01 // Jul 10, 2011 at 7:49 pm

  How about the three of you get each other’s email addresses and have your pointless argument elsewhere? All three of of are super annoying and way off topic.

• 43 Jenc01 // Jul 10, 2011 at 7:50 pm

  Haha, thanks Stupid Hippie. As an Irish lass, I couldn’t agree more!

• 44 Julie // Jul 10, 2011 at 7:55 pm

  If you want to complain about the 358, you don’t need to go off topic. It already blows by stops full, is standing room only. Because it is so crowded, stops take longer than they should and it gets behind schedule. I don’t know how they could cut this further. As it is, I stopped taking it when the trip from Phinney to the stadium went over an hour. I can drive it in ten minutes.

• 45 X // Jul 16, 2011 at 9:10 am

  (Here’s another post on ‘racist’….)
  ‘Rude’ or ‘unkind’ might seem like a more accurate description than ‘racist’, but when it is rude/unkind on the basis of race or ethnicity, then ‘racist’ also fits, if you define racism as acting ‘…on the basis of race or ethnicity’.
  If ‘ethnicism’ meant acting ‘…on the basis of ethnicity’, then you might have a word that is a better fit… but ‘racism’ may be the closest word available to describe what you mean in this case (since ‘rude’ and ‘unkind’ lack a key component of your observation).

• 46 R // Jul 16, 2011 at 9:18 am

  FYI, Here’s an attendance report on the July 12, 2011 open forum (http://www.phinneywood.com/2011/07/12/metro-transit-meeting-tonight-on-proposed-bus-service-reductions/) on this topic:

  ~400 people signed in, of ~700 that went through the security screening, of ~1000 who showed up intending to attend.

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