5 ms·

I'm a firm believer that we need to get the private busses out of the express lanes. In Seattle it is really bad, all of the Microsoft and Amazon busses crossin

I'm a firm believer that we need to get the private busses out of the express lanes. In Seattle it is really bad, all of the Microsoft and Amazon busses crossing east west have destroyed demand for quality public transportation across that corridor. Every day going to work I drive the same route as a Microsoft bus, the current alternative is three busses for 90min best case. This is also the only HOV Lane in the state that is 3+, further limiting carpooling incentives, which I have a hard time not believing stems from lobbying from the companies that run these busses.

Zanni 7y ago
Why? Private buses are solving the same problem as public buses--taking cars off the road and reducing traffic. You could make them unpalatable, but I'm guessing most Microsoft and Amazon employees will revert to cars before public buses, which makes traffic worse for everyone, including you.
- btashton 7y ago
  And incur the extra 15-20min of drive time each way? I doubt that.
iso1337 7y ago
You do realize that if you get rid of those busses then the traffic will be even worse right? Even if all of those people end up carpooling, they'll occupy way more space in the HOV lane. The real solution should be to expand the number of HOV lanes.
- btashton 7y ago
  My point is they have effectively become restricted public transportation where there was demand for a viable real public transportation. This has made it so the average person no longer has an option. These routes are not viable for both a public and private option. Everyone coming from the West side to work at my office both drives and is a short walk from a Microsoft bus pickup.
- tengbretson 7y ago
  > The real solution should be to expand the number of HOV lanes. Haven't you heard that increasing the number of lanes makes traffic worse?
  - coding123 7y ago
    I think (and may be wrong) they meant conversion of lanes to HOV, but not actually increase lanes.
edoceo 7y ago
Around 2000 there was a bus that went from downtown Seattle out through the MS campus via 520. I was confused when that line was dropped, it was awesome and nearly the same commute time from LQA

Zanni 7y ago

Why? Private buses are solving the same problem as public buses--taking cars off the road and reducing traffic. You could make them unpalatable, but I'm guessing most Microsoft and Amazon employees will revert to cars before public buses, which makes traffic worse for everyone, including you.

btashton 7y ago
And incur the extra 15-20min of drive time each way? I doubt that.

iso1337 7y ago

You do realize that if you get rid of those busses then the traffic will be even worse right? Even if all of those people end up carpooling, they'll occupy way more space in the HOV lane. The real solution should be to expand the number of HOV lanes.

btashton 7y ago
My point is they have effectively become restricted public transportation where there was demand for a viable real public transportation. This has made it so the average person no longer has an option. These routes are not viable for both a public and private option. Everyone coming from the West side to work at my office both drives and is a short walk from a Microsoft bus pickup.
tengbretson 7y ago
> The real solution should be to expand the number of HOV lanes. Haven't you heard that increasing the number of lanes makes traffic worse?
- coding123 7y ago
  I think (and may be wrong) they meant conversion of lanes to HOV, but not actually increase lanes.

edoceo 7y ago

Around 2000 there was a bus that went from downtown Seattle out through the MS campus via 520. I was confused when that line was dropped, it was awesome and nearly the same commute time from LQA