Comments for Xing Columbus http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com Discussions About Getting Around Columbus, Ohio Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:26:25 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Bruce Rawson http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2518 Bruce Rawson Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:26:25 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2518 My bad, the #6 bus is presently 30 minute intervals, not 20 minute. My bad, the #6 bus is presently 30 minute intervals, not 20 minute.

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Ben http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2517 Ben Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:31:44 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2517 Indeed, #6 would be helpful. Or a tweak on the #96 to take it through the airport on Sawyer Road (looks like "the back way" to get to the airport terminals). I'd take either one! Ben Indeed, #6 would be helpful.
Or a tweak on the #96 to take it through the airport on Sawyer Road (looks like “the back way” to get to the airport terminals).

I’d take either one!

Ben

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Bruce Rawson http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2516 Bruce Rawson Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:34:28 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2516 The point is, by tweaking the east terminus of the very fine route #6 once an hour, or every 1/3 trip, we'd have direct service to the airport, for less than $41M, and we could use the downtown as an airport drop-off. The point is, by tweaking the east terminus of the very fine route #6 once an hour, or every 1/3 trip, we’d have direct service to the airport, for less than $41M, and we could use the downtown as an airport drop-off.

]]> Comment on What are the Benefits of a Streetcar? by locrilideds http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-streetcar/#comment-2515 locrilideds Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:55:49 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1487#comment-2515 Great article, good looking weblog, added it to my favs! Great article, good looking weblog, added it to my favs!

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Ben http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2514 Ben Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:02:16 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2514 It's the usual old catch-22, isn't it? People don't take COTA to the airport because no decent service exists; light rail can't be planned for a route that doesn't show enough ridership numbers. It's an education thing. People in NYC use public transit because having a car is ridiculous (taxis excepted); here, we don't take it because we don't know (or believe) the benefits of using it, where it even exists. I'm generally heartened by the reports that ridership has been up for COTA, at least in '08. Not sure about figures for this year. Maybe riders must agitate for service; but other than a few nutjobs like me, who's gonna do it? It’s the usual old catch-22, isn’t it? People don’t take COTA to the airport because no decent service exists; light rail can’t be planned for a route that doesn’t show enough ridership numbers.

It’s an education thing. People in NYC use public transit because having a car is ridiculous (taxis excepted); here, we don’t take it because we don’t know (or believe) the benefits of using it, where it even exists.

I’m generally heartened by the reports that ridership has been up for COTA, at least in ‘08. Not sure about figures for this year. Maybe riders must agitate for service; but other than a few nutjobs like me, who’s gonna do it?

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by John http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2513 John Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:43:35 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2513 I can't imagine starting light rail service to anywhere if it doesn't already have frequent bus service. If there is a large enough travel market to support high capacity transit such as light rail, there should be buses running at least every 15 minutes in the same corridor first. This is partially why The North Corridor makes some sense as a first light rail line for Columbus. The #1 and #2 are COTA's busiest two routes. There are also other routes in the corridor like the #4, #8 and various express routes. I can’t imagine starting light rail service to anywhere if it doesn’t already have frequent bus service. If there is a large enough travel market to support high capacity transit such as light rail, there should be buses running at least every 15 minutes in the same corridor first.

This is partially why The North Corridor makes some sense as a first light rail line for Columbus. The #1 and #2 are COTA’s busiest two routes. There are also other routes in the corridor like the #4, #8 and various express routes.

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Ben http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2512 Ben Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:36:45 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2512 I would guess that COTA decided (or was urged not) to compete with the shuttle business lobby (assuming there is one). But who would likely go to the trouble of taking a bus, even if it were convenient? Nuts like me, of course (I hope that's a growing demographic! Not nuts, per se, but those with a bent toward environmentally prudent choices); and perhaps lower-income residents (how much overlap is there between this demographic and even occasional air travelers, I wonder). Now that COTA has announced fare increases (starting next year), will that affect the whole question of airport service? Or are the regional transportation planning authorities (MORPC... and... who else?) looking to light rail to serve the airport? Why couldn't COTA serve now, and in addition to any light rail going there? I would guess that COTA decided (or was urged not) to compete with the shuttle business lobby (assuming there is one). But who would likely go to the trouble of taking a bus, even if it were convenient? Nuts like me, of course (I hope that’s a growing demographic! Not nuts, per se, but those with a bent toward environmentally prudent choices); and perhaps lower-income residents (how much overlap is there between this demographic and even occasional air travelers, I wonder).

Now that COTA has announced fare increases (starting next year), will that affect the whole question of airport service?

Or are the regional transportation planning authorities (MORPC… and… who else?) looking to light rail to serve the airport? Why couldn’t COTA serve now, and in addition to any light rail going there?

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by John http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2511 John Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:25:15 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2511 Ben, Your efforts to support transit are commendable. Most people - even transit nerds like myself - would never go to such lengths and times to do so. You've taken a 17 minute car trip and turned it into a bus trip requiring two transfers and over an hour of travel time <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=high+%26+arcadia&daddr=cmh&geocode=FZSfYgIdeFUN-ymZ8T7KH4w4iDEJ1cUuELsoPw%3BFV5SYgIdAEoP-yllcFxUFmI4iDFPAd5Q6S4nFg&hl=en&mra=cc&dirflg=r&sll=39.994405,-82.948445&sspn=0.117834,0.209255&ie=UTF8&ll=39.988827,-82.949181&spn=0.117843,0.209255&t=h&z=13&start=0" rel="nofollow">according to Google</a>. Well done sir. I'm also skeptical of the theory explaining inadequate airport bus service due to a devious plan to maximize airport parking revenue. I think it has more to do with COTA having a hard time competing with the private shuttles, or perhaps COTA just has different priorities than us. Ben,
Your efforts to support transit are commendable. Most people – even transit nerds like myself – would never go to such lengths and times to do so. You’ve taken a 17 minute car trip and turned it into a bus trip requiring two transfers and over an hour of travel time according to Google. Well done sir.

I’m also skeptical of the theory explaining inadequate airport bus service due to a devious plan to maximize airport parking revenue. I think it has more to do with COTA having a hard time competing with the private shuttles, or perhaps COTA just has different priorities than us.

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Ben http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2510 Ben Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:09:21 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2510 John, I'm one of the nutty folks who take COTA to the airport! Yes, it's a pain. I live near the border of C-ville and Old North (High & Arcadia) and have pored over the COTA routes and timetables each time I book a flight. There's certainly nothing convenient about it, but it's doable, if you're willing to spend the time (people use the phrase "have the time," but what they mean is "willing to spend the time." It's a matter of priorities). I typically take the #2 down High St., either to 5th Ave., to catch the #96 across town, or make sure I've got a #2 Main St., and take it over to James Rd. to catch the #92. Even if I can snag a #96, I still have to catch a #92 into the airport, unless I'm willing to "steal" a ride on the Holiday Inn Suites shuttle (which I prefer not to do, even though, in terms of efficiency, my presence on any given shuttle is a bonus!). As mentioned, returning from the airport is... unpleasant-- especially after about 9PM. But I keep trying! I think it's a shame COTA doesn't properly serve the airport. Even if they had full, convenient service to the airport, and it enjoyed high ridership numbers, how much would that cut into airport parking revenue. I mean, really? John,

I’m one of the nutty folks who take COTA to the airport!

Yes, it’s a pain. I live near the border of C-ville and Old North (High & Arcadia) and have pored over the COTA routes and timetables each time I book a flight. There’s certainly nothing convenient about it, but it’s doable, if you’re willing to spend the time (people use the phrase “have the time,” but what they mean is “willing to spend the time.” It’s a matter of priorities).

I typically take the #2 down High St., either to 5th Ave., to catch the #96 across town, or make sure I’ve got a #2 Main St., and take it over to James Rd. to catch the #92. Even if I can snag a #96, I still have to catch a #92 into the airport, unless I’m willing to “steal” a ride on the Holiday Inn Suites shuttle (which I prefer not to do, even though, in terms of efficiency, my presence on any given shuttle is a bonus!).

As mentioned, returning from the airport is… unpleasant– especially after about 9PM.

But I keep trying! I think it’s a shame COTA doesn’t properly serve the airport. Even if they had full, convenient service to the airport, and it enjoyed high ridership numbers, how much would that cut into airport parking revenue. I mean, really?

]]> Comment on $41 Million Airport Interchange Opens by Bruce Rawson http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/41-million-airport-interchange-opens/#comment-2509 Bruce Rawson Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:45:01 +0000 http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/?p=1729#comment-2509 Sent you the list. As you can see, information generally and genuinely reflects nationwide investment in bus service downtown to airport direct. I subsequently found service levels for 21st sized US city, EL Paso TX with two hour airport direct bus intervals between 9AM-5PM. This likely negatively reflects burro traffic from the Rio Grande. I agree COTA #6 Mt Vernon, to VA Clinic on N. James Rd, could be expanded to provide hourly service for the airport rather than the current 20 minute interval on the line. As was said earlier, airports are important to a community. Existing COTA service levels to this airport documents governmental and institutional imposition of automobile economics (car dealerships, repair shops, insurance agencies, 'in situi' retail concerns and parking garages, not to mention that $41M intersection just opened at the airport) on citizens and students who could otherwise enjoy a better life with the personal savings offered by a more robust community option. Sent you the list. As you can see, information generally and genuinely reflects nationwide investment in bus service downtown to airport direct. I subsequently found service levels for 21st sized US city, EL Paso TX with two hour airport direct bus intervals between 9AM-5PM. This likely negatively reflects burro traffic from the Rio Grande. I agree COTA #6 Mt Vernon, to VA Clinic on N. James Rd, could be expanded to provide hourly service for the airport rather than the current 20 minute interval on the line. As was said earlier, airports are important to a community. Existing COTA service levels to this airport documents governmental and institutional imposition of automobile economics (car dealerships, repair shops, insurance agencies, ‘in situi’ retail concerns and parking garages, not to mention that $41M intersection just opened at the airport) on citizens and students who could otherwise enjoy a better life with the personal savings offered by a more robust community option.

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