2015-12-31
Vae Viator70 2015-12-31
Vae Viator70
From your Mole, to all who see this in hopes that you will have a:
¡Prospero Año Nuevo!
Bonne Année!
С новым годом!
Happy New Year!
My resolution for 2016 - your Mole resolves to work diligently to solve the irritating problems with the warping of this blog's format by forces unseen which produce ORANGE paragraphs, too small font etc. He will do this by using HTML5, where necessary to product the effects he wants without the undesirable side effects. In fact he has already started! The super script 70 in Vae Viator70 in the title above the 2016 graphic and in the sentence just above, is produced by HTML5.
Please bear with me and wish me luck as some things may not be quite so easily accomplished :-)
My resolution for 2016 - your Mole resolves to work diligently to solve the irritating problems with the warping of this blog's format by forces unseen which produce ORANGE paragraphs, too small font etc. He will do this by using HTML5, where necessary to product the effects he wants without the undesirable side effects. In fact he has already started! The super script 70 in Vae Viator70 in the title above the 2016 graphic and in the sentence just above, is produced by HTML5.
Please bear with me and wish me luck as some things may not be quite so easily accomplished :-)
America's Worst♪
When politicians involve themselves in technical matters, expect failures.
The photograph below documents the situation at the Maxella AV and Lincoln BL stop on the BBB number 3 Line. It is the sort of “work” one would expect from the LACMTA. They taped or caused to be taped shut the aperture in the plastic pipes associated with power poles. These pipes continue to be used as improvised trash cans. BBB N.B. The stop still needs a trash can!
BBB Maxella Trash Fix???♪
Su Topo will include this comment in every post with the above until BBB corrects the problem. For quite awhile BBB has been charging for inter-line transfers, reversing the long-standing policy of free transfers to other BBB lines. This presents the BB as less friendly to its ridership than in years past.
Why a trash container is needed♪
The photo above shows exactly what people will do when a trash container is not provided. They will jury rig something. What they did, in this case, is rip off the tape which covered the plastic pipes at the base of the utility pole and stuffed their trash into the pipe, nice, huh?
City of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus
(Photo: www.bigbluebus.com)
The man pictured above could ensure that trash containers are installed along BBB routes with a simple three-line memorandum.
White Line Incursion Series
Su Topo uses video to highlight the problem of scofflaw drivers endangering Metro bus passengers yet, no authority seems to want to take ownership of the problem. The issue is not unique to the particular site documented by your Mole, but is illustrative of a general problem. Your Mole encourages you to report similar problems to the appropriate agencies in your area(s) and hope that you will have better luck than he. In the youtube.com videos linked below one can see exactly what happens when the policing agencies fail to enforce traffic laws.
The video(s) linked below document the important fact that a never- ending stream of vehicles fail to use the lane as required by law.
Neither are the policing agencies active when it comes to protecting us by bringing these obvious and frequent traffic law violations to an immediate halt. The LACMTA is derelict as well, in that they fail to use the near hourly proof of the violations captured by the on board cameras, mentioned here, and discussed at length in the posting of 2012-05-31.
Please see this VIDEO of a convoy of vehicles cross the solid white line and cuts off a Line 111/311 bus.
In the following VIDEO we see further instances of scofflaw drivers, cutting in front of Metro 111/311 bus(es).
In the following VIDEO we see further instances of scofflaw drivers, cutting in front of Metro 111/311 bus(es).
In this VIDEO we can see an Airport auto rental shuttle driver ignoring the law and endangering bus passengers.
Airport auto rental shuttle drivers, if shown in the above videos, are all Class-B operators and should know better; but often they don't care and neither does the LACMTA and any of the policing agencies which have jurisdiction in the area.
Thanks to www.youtube.com for their excellent video support!
Please carefully note that in some videos, pedestrians are pinned to the curb by the vehicles that cut in front of the bus —as a result these pedestrians are illegally denied the right-of-way. Which right-of-way would be unchallengeablely theirs IF, and only IF, Mr. Washington would review su Topo’s simple solution (vide infra) and implement it.
In spite of the potential for these violations to occur several times per HOUR, I have never seen a police presence at this location. One would think that with a bus schedule taped to the dashboard one of the several policing agencies would have made some arrests by now. Unless they have "more important" work to do than protecting bus passengers.
La Taupe feels that it is appropriate to dedicate these video(s) to ALL the agencies that should be protecting us. So, they are dedicated to (1): Airport (LAWA) Police, (2) the L.A.P.D., (3) the L. A. County Sheriff’s Department and (4) Mr. Washington who is the current CEO of the LACMTA.
Su Topo has recommended a simple solution to the problem. That is, have the 111 Line buses pull up to pedestrian crosswalk, stop there stop and discharge passengers. Doing so eliminates the space in front of the bus which the always-in-a-hurry scofflaws use to cut in front of the bus. But, with the LACMTA nothing is simple. Although the solution could be implemented with nothing more than a memo to the 111/311 Line drivers, it is a task for which the LACMTA so far has proved to be inadequate.
Metro's Flag♪
At sea, a vessel in distress will fly its' flag upside down. It is only right that, given the dysfunctional LACMTA, we should fly Metro's flag in that manner.
In this section it is su Topo's intention to call your attention to situations which he has observed that highlight the "LACMTA Way" of doing things.
Go Metro app♪
Does it work or not? I just updated the app. I activated Location Services and Wi-Fi and my location was correctly established. Yet, the display informed me, that no buses were found? Creating new releases of a product which apparently has stopped working for some of us makes trying to access schedules through Go Metro a stultifying experience. I will do further research and heave the details for you next month.
One of the Reasons Why Buses Will NEVER be on Time♪
Your Mole is 100% in support of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). However, in terms of efficiency there has to be a better way to transport the wheelchair-bound. While I have not performed an extensive study, I can comment on the in the time it takes to board and secure (more on this later) the typical passenger and his wheelchair, x passengers can be boarded.
Would that the LACMTA ever make improvements that would raise their service to the level of mediocrity, this is an area that could use some scrutiny.
As su Topo thought about the problem, he quickly saw that boardings could be simultaneous —as they are they are in some foreign countries. In those countries, the rear doors often have fare collection equipment installed. At minimum a TAP station could be installed at one of the rear doors in buses . That way only cash passengers would have to wait for the wheelchair and its occupant to board.
I have a great concern with the lack of safety when drivers give wheelchair passengers the option of being secured, i.e., strapped in place. Many if not most decline, placing the rest of us at risk in the event of an accident. If every wheelchair-passenger asked to be secured the buses would run even later than they do now. Sooner or later an accident will occur and a heavy wheelchair will become a dangerous projectile.
We can depend on the LACMTA NOT to make incremental improvements in their processes –if indeed, they recognise and document such processes and establish best practices. Improvements and maintenance are areas in which they are far below habile.
Another solution would be to have all wheelchair passengers transported by van.
In addition to wheelchairs there are a suprising number of other mobility aids; “scooters”, shopping carts, baby strollers uses as shopping carts etc., etc. Plus a number of “recyclers” and their garbage bags full of often leaking containers.
Other passengers, who walk with at aid of a cane demand the time-consuming lowering and raising of the ramp
Other passengers, who walk with at aid of a cane demand the time-consuming lowering and raising of the ramp
Oh, and importantly, this is the “system” to which, the LACMTA thinks that, people will flock. WRONG2 ! La Taupe would wager that few would abandon their cars and continue commuting for longer than a week when they experienced the actual, as opposed to the hyped, conditions on buses.
I noted an additional area that the LACMTA could easily correct. But first, remember when the LACMTA was boasting about how they could give buses preference at stop light by signal change? I do remember that boast! What ever happened to that plan ─
Anyway, on 2015-12-27 as my bus was attempting to exit the LAXCBC we had an almost interminable wait as vehicle after vehicle streamed west on 96th| holding us in the exit driveway. The same happens often when attempting to enter the LAXCBC - the bus is held in the turn lane until the light at Jenny St turns red for the West bound traffic, but even then the south bound traffic on Jenny begins its right turn up 96th St and ewe get to wait some more.
The real solution is to establish signals so that the incoming or outgoing buses can remotely operate then and leave the LAXCBC promptly. I'm sure that will happen in ... 2715 or later.
An homage for her "contribution" to L.A. transportation.
Your Mole would like the former head of LAWA remembered for her "contribution" to Los Angeles area public transportation. She was quicker than her contemporary, the former bus driver and former head of the LACMATA, to implement the lucrative FlyAway service and discouraged all attempts, however feeble, to bring other modes of transportation to LAX.
Too, we should memorialize her attitude vis-à-vis public transportation directly to LAX in following the transportation direct-to-airport access pattern used by many, if not most, world-class airports, to wit, "Any time you go under the airport, it is fraught with problems, ..." [hardly a get it done attitude!].
**
The Mole reads the papers and other things, obviating the necessity of your doing so.
Some of this month’s articles serve as excellent examples of what happens when you have a large traffic choked city with transportation organized by the LACMTA that doesn't understand the meaning of RAPID TRANSIT. As you read my overview and the detailed articles, please keep in mind the many reasons for DISAPPROVING ANY additional funding for the “quick to promise” slow to deliver LACMTA.
The Los Angeles Times reports (Nelson) that the Expo Line (Phase 2) has suffered its first accident. "The light-rail train struck the left side of the truck's cab, and the force of the impact forced the trains wheels off the track, ...[a] Metro spokeswoman ... [said]". The way the preceding report is expressed, it seems to this Mole that the train operator was at fault.
The Long Beach Post (Rivera) informs of us of a crime on the Blue Line. The report is accompanied by a cell phone video which clearly documents the alleged assault and robbery. Nice coverage from Ms Rivera :-), who is appearing on these pages for the first time.
AM NEWYORK features a piece (Harshbarger) on the ongoing Second Avenue Subway (SAS) project. The Second Avenue Subway is the first major expansion of the New York City Subway system in more than 80 years.But they haven't forgotten how to do it! So Topo will wager that they will have it pretty much on track soon. You can find more information about the SAS at the MTA's site. Which page itself has LOTS of informative links.
The Los Angeles Daily News tells (City2) us about another SNAFU that occurred when testing the Expo Line extension in Santa Monica. I'll quote only this "At least one driver got out of his vehicle and walked to the tracks to ask a law enforcement officer what was happening." That is so often the story with the agency which I critique :-).
The Los Angeles Daily News informs(City) us about the Silver Line (It's a Bus Folks!) express. It offers one-seat, now isn't that amazing for the LACMTA?, between San Pedro and Downtown Los Angeles. With a $2.50 fare , it seems to include a 75¢ surcharge. It is too bad that the LACMTA's experience with "better" bus service doesn't translate to rapid transit rail!
The Los Angeles Daily News reports (City 3) Not a statistic that screams for for desired leadership. For some nice coverage, early this year, please see this Los Angeles Daily News piece. It is a nice analysis, although, su Topo believes that redesign may help, however the real answer for a city the size and traffic volume is true Rapid Transit!
Metrolink is in the news again (Weikel) "According to Metrolink, two couplers on passenger cars and the cow-catcher of a cab car at the front of the train broke in the collision with a heavy-duty pickup truck and trailer that strayed onto the tracks at a grade crossing." Metrolink is headed by a name that has often appeared in these pages, Art Leahy.
Please read the work of all these hard-working reporters cited herein. Where possible, links are provided in "Works Cited",below.
«Toute nation a le gouvernement qu’elle mérite.»
Joseph De Maistre (1752-04-01~1821-02-26)
[Every nation has the government it deserves.]
Merci Bien à http://evene.lefigaro.fr/ pour la citation.
Ars longa vita breva
Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot (1796-07-16~1875-02-22) produced beautiful work. Here is his The Church of Marissel, near Beauvais. A search of google.fr using "cortot peinture" as a search argument had lots of returns. Please, also, view his Femme Lisant.
Thanks to wikimedia.org/commons... and to google.fr for their linkage.
¿Musica?
Jean-Philippe Rameau (1683-09-25~1764-09-12) - compositeur français et théoricien de la musique.
Here is his des Indes Galantes.
Perhaps an encore? Then let's listen to his Platée, La Folie !
And again, I'd like to thank www.youtube.com for the musical contribution.
Metro Area – Lower your expectations!♪
The Mole rides again, so you don’t have to be constantly reminded that there is not much security in and around Metro operations.
All dates are ISO8601 format, times are expressed in the 24 hour system.)
Not much left!♪
2015-12-06 I'm at the LAXCBC. If I need to be reminded that there is no security here, I just look at the bike skeleton shown above.
Just Relax♪
There are often men like the one shown above. He hogs the bench and prevents those waiting for a bus from taking a seat.
No sooner do I press submit and they reply that it it NOT their area and I should submit it to someone else ―which I translate as, locate the proper agency and then spend another thirty minutes and report it to someone else. Another high performing county agency ¿es no? But surprise, I'll just let the above be the report and message them to pass it on to the responsible agency, which is what a high performing agency would do without being asked.
If they can create a website that can display an address on the proper map, they can automatically transfer the report to the proper agency in the most expeditious manner. An rational person would agree with the preceding statement,especially when public safety is involved. Instead of saying, in effect, it's not our responsibility.
Further, the website is constructed is illogically. The location of the problem should be the very first thing asked on their website. That way they could make a quick determination as to whom the report should be sent. Then, if is not a LACO signal they could/should ---and this is a great example of being user friendly--- display the various modes of contact information for the responsible agency. That is the manner in which a first class agency does things! I have LOTS of systems experience and what I propose is not only reasonable it would demonstrate that they are part of the solution.
I hope that they find my comments germane and actionable.
I encourage all my readers to report all broken traffic signals. So I have constructed a Google search argument for you here. You can fine tune this to suit your needs by replacing "Los Angeles" with your city, e.g., El Sereno etc.
Have fun and keep yourself and other pedestrians and bus riders safe!
Button, Button ...♪
2015-12-06: I try to cross Rosecrans BL at Hawthorne BL from the south-east corner. As shown above, the button is missing. It is a busy intersection and no fun to cross without an operating pedestrian crossing signal. Dutifully, I report the problem on County of Los Angeles website. Which site I found after some effort. I write a clear report and even include the photo above along with a suggestion that they stencil contact information for out of service pedestrian crossing signals etc., on the light standard which supports the signal.No sooner do I press submit and they reply that it it NOT their area and I should submit it to someone else ―which I translate as, locate the proper agency and then spend another thirty minutes and report it to someone else. Another high performing county agency ¿es no? But surprise, I'll just let the above be the report and message them to pass it on to the responsible agency, which is what a high performing agency would do without being asked.
If they can create a website that can display an address on the proper map, they can automatically transfer the report to the proper agency in the most expeditious manner. An rational person would agree with the preceding statement,especially when public safety is involved. Instead of saying, in effect, it's not our responsibility.
Further, the website is constructed is illogically. The location of the problem should be the very first thing asked on their website. That way they could make a quick determination as to whom the report should be sent. Then, if is not a LACO signal they could/should ---and this is a great example of being user friendly--- display the various modes of contact information for the responsible agency. That is the manner in which a first class agency does things! I have LOTS of systems experience and what I propose is not only reasonable it would demonstrate that they are part of the solution.
I hope that they find my comments germane and actionable.
I encourage all my readers to report all broken traffic signals. So I have constructed a Google search argument for you here. You can fine tune this to suit your needs by replacing "Los Angeles" with your city, e.g., El Sereno etc.
Have fun and keep yourself and other pedestrians and bus riders safe!
¡Muchas Gracias!
Schedule File Naming Convention♪
Six months have passed since I first suggested that the LACMTA name their online schedule files so that they can be easily identified. The process demands that an organization establish "naming conventions", but they have done nothing. But Mole, do they read your postings? :-) The LACMTA's inattention to detail keeps them holding at perhaps, fifth rate. These postings are peppered with reasons why I so rate them.
The LACMTA lacks a proper approach to inspection of facilities, rolling stock and buses. Case in point: on 2015-12-21, I rode in car number 213B in which the left side longitudinal seat wouldn't lock down. For the inattentive rider it can present one with a jolting stop and I wouldn't rule out injuries either. I have noted this fault in other Green Line cars in the past.
But the LACMTA bus contractors are worse, specifically MV Transportation which cannot be slotted any higher than ninth rate. You can read the many reasons why riding an MV Transportation bus can be twice as bad as a comparable Metro bus, in these current pages and in those archived.
2015-12-22 @13:30 on board a northbound 40 bus: The bus pulls into ITC and only the front door is opened. The driver allows a young woman to enter and ride without paying or tapping or using a transfer. Then immediately leaves trapping about six passengers who were expecting to debus. She stops and explains that "... since nobody rang the bell they can't get off ...". Although she could have safely let everyone off the bus, she refuses to do so and forces them to ride two blocks across Manchester BL and walk back to ITC. She probably can't parallel park her bus either. And may very well have held passengers against their will. Isn't that kidnapping?
The LACMTA lacks a proper approach to inspection of facilities, rolling stock and buses. Case in point: on 2015-12-21, I rode in car number 213B in which the left side longitudinal seat wouldn't lock down. For the inattentive rider it can present one with a jolting stop and I wouldn't rule out injuries either. I have noted this fault in other Green Line cars in the past.
But the LACMTA bus contractors are worse, specifically MV Transportation which cannot be slotted any higher than ninth rate. You can read the many reasons why riding an MV Transportation bus can be twice as bad as a comparable Metro bus, in these current pages and in those archived.
2015-12-22 @13:30 on board a northbound 40 bus: The bus pulls into ITC and only the front door is opened. The driver allows a young woman to enter and ride without paying or tapping or using a transfer. Then immediately leaves trapping about six passengers who were expecting to debus. She stops and explains that "... since nobody rang the bell they can't get off ...". Although she could have safely let everyone off the bus, she refuses to do so and forces them to ride two blocks across Manchester BL and walk back to ITC. She probably can't parallel park her bus either. And may very well have held passengers against their will. Isn't that kidnapping?
Big Blue Bus using NextBus♪
2015-12-25: After a great Christmas day with friend which ended with a perfect meal, they drop me at a Westchester bus stop at my assistance. I note that BBB is now using NextBus without the likely cost in maintenance the the LACMTA incurs because of the unnecessary (and the structurally incorrect) renaming of the system as "Nextrip". The usage instructions can be better seen if you click on the photo in order to see an enlargement (tow clicks may be required). They have the specificity so lacking in the LACMTA's work. BBB may not put trash cans where this Mole would like to see them but, the did a workman like job on the roll-out of their NextBus implementation.
Less security more damage♪
2015-12-29: La Taupe assist a Brazilian couple negotiate their way through Los Angeles' transportation "system" to their hotel in Hollywood.
It is sooo difficult to get the whole bus near the curb!♪
No Security at the LAXCBC!♪
2015-12-29 afternoon @ LAXCBC: I see a hotel bus park and wait and wait. For what? His break to end?? The LACMTA badly need to improve signage e.g., add the words "If you enter here and don't belong, you WILL be cited! The could also use a security cameras on the entry/exit and send the offenders a citation by mail. How could the use the money? Build some public restrooms!
2015-12-30 at Aviation Station. I see a Gardena bus and ask the driver for a schedule ―he is busy with a passenger and my bus is about to leave so I say thanks anyway and run for my bus. The Gardena driver is not far behind me, he catches me and hands me the schedule. Su Topo is impressed! The GMBL is now GTrans and the schedule is more detailed than prior ones. I plan to ride GTRANS in the near future so.lease, watch for my report. In the meantime please visit their site. This points one to the Gardena homepage, please peruse the page for other links.
2015-12-31 09:00: This Mole is spending part of New Year's Eve day board a south bound 232 Line bus from LAXCBC. In addition to all the usual NOISE on an MV Transportation contracted bus, this driver (70509): talks on his cell phone while driving; sings; and engages in a continuing soliloquy interspersed with beat box sounds!
Ear (and Eye) to the Rail
Transit as unseen and unimagined by the LACMTA
The LACMTA (Subordinate to LAWA)
Presents
Every Which Way But Right!
OR
Four (OR Five) Seats to LAX!
OR
The LACMTA Tries Again; Asymptotically to LAX!
OR
Metro is the worst way from Center to an Airport, LAX, that is!
Cautionary Note: Those employed by the LACMTA or LAWA should NOT view the following video(s). The speed of the train(s), the fact that they neither share the right of way nor stop at stop lights, because they are truly rapid transit, will likely make you dizzy, nauseous, confuse and frighten you.
With a population of less than four and a half million, making it less than one-fourth the size of Los Angeles, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire has a great plan for a modern RAPID TRANSIT system! You can view their plan here it is presented dans la langue française - but the pictures tell the story perfectly!
No matter what the size of their populations the plans and projects of others seem to leave the LACMTA standing with their collective mouths agape in amazement.
Please see the video of Côte d'Ivoire's project here.
As always, thank you to our host, www.youtube.com and to the downloader, IVOIRTV nett.
Cosmology
The telegraph.co.uk publishes (Randall) an article about higher dimensions. viz.,
dimensions greater than 4, when one counts time as a dimension are difficult to think about. However, a Telegraph article (Randall) is eminently readable and I commend it to you. We are similar to the flat landers described therein except we have their visualisation problem compounded by 1 or 2. You can read more about the Flatland supplemented by an academic analysis thanks to the author,
Suzanne Fox Buchele of the analysis and Southwestern University, here.
You can also see videos about Flatland here. Videos are available but, please be aware that they will offer to sell their products to you.
Fare Box Score Box and related Lists of Shame
I.D. Numbers of buses with Out of Order Fare Boxes: Direction Line, etc
East bound 117 Line Bus# N/A (2105-12-24 @ 10:25.);
East bound 117 Line Bus# N/A (2105-12-24 @ 10:25.);
x x xxx Line Bus, #xxxx(xxx-xx-xx@ xx:xx);
x x xxx Line Bus, #xxxx(xxxx-xx-xx@ xx:xx);
Note: No or few entries above do not necessarily mean all fare boxes are in operation.
I.D.Numbers of Distracted Drivers: xxxxx (i);
None included here, but observations of a minor nature may be included in the main posting;
Codes: (i) Extended conversation(s) with passenger(s) or (ii) cell phone call(s). Frequently, details can be found in the text above, (ii*) cell phone call(s) which are aggravated by some other action, (iii) Self-distracted. Codes (ii*) and (iii) will ALWAYS be explained in the posting.
I.D. Numbers of Buses Defaced by WhoIs stickers: xxxx;
~UR or +UR = (+UR) whois sticker and the ugly residue left after passengers partly remove the sticker. (~UR) = Only the ugly residue left after passengers almost completely remove the sticker. +L = an old (legacy) sticker black letters on a plain white background –these are the original form of the defacement.
* Another reason for displaying the operator's ID on the internal display and the headsign.
ID numbers of Buses whose Head and Tailsigns disagree: Not noted xxxx/xxxx;
Format is Bus number followed by Headsign number/Tailsign number.
ID numbers of Buses without Braille signs: xxxx;
METRO drivers Lack of Basic Technical Skills Report
The format is Driver number F[{Y/-n/+n}] C[{Y/N+/-}]. Meaning of F if Y the driver stopped with the Bus stop “flag pole” somewhere between the bus front door frames. A negative number, e.g., -3 is the approximate distance in metres (think yards dear readers) between the nearest bus door vertical frame member and the flag pole signifying that the bus stopped short of the flag. A positive number, e.g., +3 (metres) is the approximate distance between the nearest bus door vertical frame member and the flag pole signifying that the bus stopped past the flag. The value for C[{Y/N}], “Y” tells us that the driver stopped within an easy step from the curb to the bus, “N” means it was NOT an easy step from the curb to the bus. It is this Mole's belief that an average experienced good driver should be able to control his bus so as to position in near the curb and with the flag pole slightly to the front of the bus.
I.D. numbers of drivers who are unable or unwilling to position their buses parallel to the curb, a short step from the curb and/or equidistant from the vehicles exits. At the present time (2015-10-31)there are too many drivers to name, whose skill at parallel parking is deficient .
XXXXX F[+0] C[Y]; F[+7], C[Y]; xxxxx F[Y], C[Y]; xxxxxF[Y], C[Y]; N.B. distances are in metres, think yards.
13 metres is this is MORE than a 40 foot bus length. nnnnn* = Contract Driver
I.D. numbers of drivers who are almost guaranteed to give you a Rough and Jerky (R& J) ride: xxxxx;
I.D. numbers of drivers who will give you a potentially life-threatening ride: XXXXX(J)date; XXXX-XX-XX(-);
Codes: S = not wearing seat belts; J = bad judgment (unsafe driving practices).
La Taupe's Abréviations
ADADO = Automatic Destination Announcement (on) Door Opening. This feature is installed on many buses and operates on extremely few. Another “money down the toilet” LACMTA investment. La Taupe that this is intended for the visually impaired because people who can see can read the “head signs”.
ASAS = Automatic Stop Announcement System the GPS (Global Positioning System) driven mechanism for generating audio for the upcoming stops. N.B. Because of the low power (read weak) processors used in the on-board stops may be too close to identify stops separately. This is known as a granularity problem. Then too, if the driver operates the bus at speed above the speed limit you will find the system “back announcing” stops which you have already passed. I find that this will NOT keep some drivers from complaining “that you didn’t signal (ring) in time”. They don’t understand their relationship to the system and how, by driving faster than the GPS computer, they can bias it.
BART = Bay Area Rapid Transit – Please note the use of the word “Rapid” because it is a word we almost never hear in Los Angeles.
BBB = Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus
CHSRA = California High-Speed Rail Authority, which is the equivalent, in more
ways than one, of the LACMTA.
CC or CCMBL = Culver City (Municipal) Bus (Lines)
CCTC = Culver City Transportation Center this is the place formerly known as FHMTC = the Fox Hills Mall Transportation Center (Sepulveda& Slauson)
FFE = Full Fare Equivalent (presently $1.75)
GTrans (Gardena transit?) formerly GMBL = Gardena Municipal Bus lines
ITC = Inglewood Transit Center
LAWA = Los Angeles World Airports.
LAXCBC = the LAX City Bus Center.
OCTA = Orange County Transportation Authority.
OOS = Out Of Service.
Rapid Transit = does not compete for right of way, that is, it will not run at grade unless it has EXCLUSIVE DEDICATED USE of the right of way).
R&J = Rough and Jerky [ride].
TT= Torrance Transit.
T1= the normal type of driver/staff.
T2= is the non-stop talker type of driver/staff, on the phone or to passengers,
T3= the uncommunicative type of driver/staff, sometimes surly.
WLATC = the West Los Angeles Transportation Center (Fairfax & Apple)
Su Topo’s Disclaimer and apologia
Your Mole always attempts to write an easy-on-the-eyes page using text input. Blogger.com however, has other ideas and will often not stay with a single font type or point size, produces extraneous spacing and etc. I wish I had time to debug the HTML which they produce, it is NOT the straight text which I pasted into the form, but I don’t. Therefore, I apologize on behalf of Blogger.com for the changes which they make, of which I do not approve. Sometimes, what I see, thankfully you don’t, is 24 point type –it is giant and other times they swallow my text, although it still seems to be there. In fairness to them, things seem better, although this is partly because I do understand which of their “features” do the most damage to me and consequently do not use them. Communicating these problems to them, for me, is something like having teeth extracted without the benefit of anesthetic, actually it is less fun than that. By their design, there is no simple e-mailing them with "Please look at my say, posting of 2009-06-28, it is weird!” I have been submitting feedback and experiences slow but positive progress. Until all issues are resolved, lo siento. [Addenda 2014-07-31]: Things have been much better lately. There is a more responsive feedback system now. [Addenda 2015-08-22]: Recently, even the "Feedback" mechanism has failed to submit problems.
[2015-12-31] The feedback section disallows screen shots which show problems with the "final posting", such as, orange sections which cover blocks of text and change the font size. All it would take is allowing and attachment. But, ...
[2015-12-31] The feedback section disallows screen shots which show problems with the "final posting", such as, orange sections which cover blocks of text and change the font size. All it would take is allowing and attachment. But, ...
I like blogger.com very much, and IF things ever normalise, I will consider deleting this "Disclaimer and apologia" section.
Your Mole’s Copyright Statement
All photographs and original written materials are copyrighted © 2007~2016 by LAmetroMole. ♪Clicking a photo will often* present you with an enlargement (sometimes successive clicks will further enlarge the photo). *This feature is dependent upon the Internet browser which you use and possibly other factors.
FAIR USE NOTICE
This site contains or provides links to copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, sustainable development, environmental, community and worker health, public disclosure, corporate accountability, and etc. We have often included relatively brief quotes from articles and etc., sometimes in addition to a simple link, because we have found that links frequently go "bad" or change over time. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without fee or payment of any kind to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes and to those who access the site via any and all other channels. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Music or other recorded material on this site, or referred to by this site are copyrighted by their respective artists and are made available here for evaluation purposes only. Please support the artists you like by buying their commercial CDs, MP3s and downloads.
Your Mole’s Conflict of Interest Statement
This is to certify that I, the blogger who is known as the LAmetroMole, with respect to this blog, except as described below, am not now nor at any time during the past year have been, nor is it my current intention to ever be:
1) A participant, directly or indirectly, in any arrangement, agreement, investment, or other activity with any vendor, supplier, or other party doing business with any of the entities about which I have written, which has resulted or could result in personal benefit to me.
2) A recipient, directly or indirectly, of any salary payments or loans or gifts of any kind or any free service or discounts or other fees from or on behalf of any person or organization engaged in any transaction with any of the entities about which I have written.
Any exceptions to 1 or 2 above are stated below with a full description of the transactions and of the interest, whether direct or indirect, which I have (or have had during the past year) in the persons or organizations having transactions with any of the entities about which I have written. there are no exceptions. Date: 2009-06-24 S/LametroMole
Works Cited
City News Service. "Metro’s new Silver Line Express to speed travel between San Pedro and downtown L.A.". Los Angeles Daily News . Dec. 14, 2015. Web. http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20151214/metros-new-silver-line-express-to-speed-travel-between-san-pedro-and-downtown-la
City2 News Service. "Metro Expo Line train tests stall Westside motorists, jam traffic". Los Angeles Daily News . Dec. 10, 2015. Web. http://www.dailynews.com/business/20151210/metro-expo-line-train-tests-stall-westside-motorists-jam-traffic
City3 News Service. "Tracks reopen after Metro Blue Line train kills man in southeast Los Angeles". Los Angeles Daily News . Dec. 10, 2015. Web.http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20151210/tracks-reopen-after-metro-blue-line-train-kills-man-in-southeast-los-angeles
Harshbarger, Rebecca. “Second Avenue Subway opening next year could be delayed, independent review says”. www.amny.com. Dec. 14, 2015. Web. http://www.amny.com/transit/second-avenue-subway-opening-next-year-could-be-delayed-independent-review-says-1.11228801
Nelson, Laura J. “Metro Expo Line test train strikes truck and derails in Santa Monica”. Los Angeles Times. Dec. 10, 2015. Web. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-expo-line-test-train-crash-20151210-story.html
Nelson, Laura J. “Metro commuters evacuated after smoke fills tunnels in
downtown L.A. station”. Los Angeles Times. Dec. 15, 2015. Web.
smoke-tunnels-20151215-story.html
Randall, Lisa. “Why I believe in higher dimensions” www.telegraph.co.uk/. Jun. 2005. Web. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3341260/Why-I-believe-in-higher-dimensions.html
Rivera, Stephanie. 'VIDEO: Long Beach Woman Arrested for Alleged Attack and
Robbery on Metro Blue Line". Long Beach Post. Dec. 15, 2015. Web.
http://lbpost.com/news/crime/2000007759-video-long-beach-woman-arrested-for-alleged-attack-and-robbery-on-metro-blue-line
Vartabedian, Ralph. “California Democrat withdraws support for the high-speed
rail project”. The Los Angeles Times. Dec. 8, 2015. Web.
http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-bullet-cracks-20151209-story.html
Randall, Lisa. “Why I believe in higher dimensions” www.telegraph.co.uk/. Jun. 2005. Web. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/3341260/Why-I-believe-in-higher-dimensions.html
Rivera, Stephanie. 'VIDEO: Long Beach Woman Arrested for Alleged Attack and
Robbery on Metro Blue Line". Long Beach Post. Dec. 15, 2015. Web.
http://lbpost.com/news/crime/2000007759-video-long-beach-woman-arrested-for-alleged-attack-and-robbery-on-metro-blue-line
Vartabedian, Ralph. “California Democrat withdraws support for the high-speed
rail project”. The Los Angeles Times. Dec. 8, 2015. Web.
http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-bullet-cracks-20151209-story.html
Weikel, Dan, "Metrolink train cars that derailed in Oxnard had flawed parts, confidential report finds.". Los Angeles Times. Dec. 16, 2015. Web. http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-adv-metrolink-report-20151216-story.html
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# posted by LAMETROmole @ 10:00 
