[Transit] article for Crosscut on how to ride transit, etc.

[Doug Trumm]

Beyond needing sustainable revenue, I think talking points to emphasize
could include

   - The top things people want in order to choose transit is quality
   service: frequent, reliable, fast, convenient. Ridership is lagging because
   we aren't delivering sufficient frequency and quality. Safety is a factor,
   but nowhere near those core service quality issues, as Commute Seattle
   survey showed decisively
   <https://www.theurbanist.org/2023/04/03/fast-frequent-transit-would-drive-ridership-rebound-commute-seattle-survey-shows/>
   .
   - Local DOTs aren't providing enough bus lanes and transit priority to
   keep key bus routes from being mired in traffic.
   - Part of the obstacle to bus lanes is business opposition, as seen
with Route
   40 improvements
   <https://www.theurbanist.org/2023/03/30/as-route-40-upgrades-head-toward-construction-business-opposition-persists/>.
   Many businesses believe parking or an extra car lane will provide better
   customer access than rapid transit and better walkability will, but plenty
   of evidence suggests the opposite.
   - The ridership loss from lacking frequency/reliability is casting doubt
   on fleet electrification investments. The bigger climate benefit is to get
   more people to ride transit rather than having a small amount of people
   ride electric buses.
   - We need to hire more bus drivers, but the regional housing crisis
   makes it hard for people to afford to live in the region even with a solid
   working class union wage. We need to do what it takes to recruit enough
   drivers and long-term that definitely means getting a handle on our housing
   crisis.

I'm glad it worked out with Jazmine! Thanks for coordinating.

*Douglas Trumm*, *Executive Director *
Pronouns*: he, him*
The Urbanist <http://theurbanist.org/> | 320.237.4771




On Wed, Apr 5, 2023 at 10:04 AM Katie Wilson <katie at transitriders.org>
wrote:

> Awesome, thanks Doug. I suggested that to Andy and it sounds like he’s
> doing a ridealong with Jazmine tomorrow.
>
> Andy also asked me: "Do you have time for 30 min phone interview this week
> about Metro service cuts or other concerns you have about Metro or Sound
> Transit? Or if there's some you think would be better to talk to let me
> know.”
>
> I can do this if needed, and would talk mostly about how the agencies
> (especially Metro) need to figure out sustainable long term funding to
> expand transit service… but if someone else in this group who’s been
> thinking about these issues in more detail is interested in doing this
> interview, or if you have ideas for people who would be good, please let me
> know. And/or if you have points you think I should make if I do the
> interview, let me know that too!
>
> On Mar 15, 2023, at 1:08 PM, Doug Trumm <doug at theurbanist.org> wrote:
>
> Jazmine Smith might be a good fit.
>
> *Douglas Trumm*, *Executive Director *
> Pronouns*: he, him*
> The Urbanist <http://theurbanist.org/> | 320.237.4771
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 9:57 AM Katie Wilson <katie at transitriders.org>
> wrote:
>
>> Hey folks, I’m asking Andy whether he’s already found someone and what
>> the timeline is on this, but if he still needs “a frequent commuter,
>> perhaps someone who doesn’t own a car” to ride along with and interview—
>> anyone interested?  Or in talking with him about gaps/service declines?
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>> *From: *Andy Engelson <andyengelson at gmail.com>
>> *Subject: **article for Crosscut on how to ride transit, etc.*
>> *Date: *March 10, 2023 at 4:40:34 PM PST
>> *To: *Katie Wilson <katie at transitriders.org>
>>
>> Hi Katie,
>>
>> Hope you're doing well. I've been asked by my editor at Crosscut to write
>> a brief "how to" feature about getting around on transit (buses, light
>> rail, ferries, etc.). It's intended for newcomers to the Seattle area, and
>> I'm thinking what I'd like to do is spend a little time riding with a
>> frequent commuter, perhaps someone who doesn't own a car. I'm also hoping
>> to use the story (though my editor doesn't know this yet) to talk about
>> either gaps in the system or how/if service has declined in recent years
>> (but also to highlight what's good in order to encourage new riders).
>>
>> Wondering if you have thoughts of someone who might be a good fit for a
>> ride-along and interview. I'm ruling out some obvious folks like Ryan
>> Packer (who I freelance with at PubliCola) and Anna Zivarts, who wrote
>> several op-eds for Crosscut in the past. Would also be interested
>> in interviewing someone else if needed who can address about the
>> gaps/service declines and what org like yours are doing to push for better
>> service.
>>
>> Let me know what you think... no need to get back today, next week is
>> totally fine.
>>
>> Andy
>>
>> --
>> Andrew Engelson
>> andyengelson at gmail.com
>> Freelance editor & journalist | Seattle | he/him
>> 206.455.3623 http://andrewengelson.com/
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Transit at transitriders.org
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>>
>
>
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