Public Transit Stories from the Blogosphere

A few anecdotes of the challenges involved with large-vehicle transit systems, culled from a quick search of Internet blogs, and some brief comments on how they are addressed by personal rapid transit.

- Chris

http://www.livejournal.com/users/feedle/93646.html
Feedle is uncomfortable with the night time activity near the station while waiting for a train.

PRT response:  At non-peak hours, the PRT system would have vehicles waiting in the station for passengers, rather than forcing the passenger to wait for the vehicles. So no waiting in possibly threatening areas.

http://willisgirl.blogspot.com/archives/2004_08_22_willisgirl_archive.html
Gail Willis keeps a running tab of her transit experiences. This week the bus runs late a few time and people are seen running for the train.

PRT response:  Personal rapid transit is designed to run on the user's schedule with a fleet large enough to provide little or no waiting. You can't miss a PRT ride - if you are few minutes later than normal getting to the station, the system still serves you as quickly as everyone else. You will just arrive at you destination a few minutes later than you normally would.

http://willisgirl.blogspot.com/archives/2004_08_01_willisgirl_archive.html
Crowding on the bus and train during Gail's trip to work.

PRT response:  Every person or party traveling together gets their own PRT vehicle for their private use during their trip. While a given PRT line will become busier with more vehicles, each person still has the same amount of personal space during their trip.

http://willisgirl.blogspot.com/archives/2004_07_25_willisgirl_archive.html
Gail misses a train due to the varying driving habits of the operators

PRT response: With no drivers, the PRT system should have a consistant perfomance. If you are late getting to a PRT station, you just take the next PRT vehicle in the queue. You are not forced to wait an extra 10 or twenty minutes for the next bus or train.

http://www.livejournal.com/users/fragiletender/133281.html
Fragiletender has a frustrating time selecting transit routes and schedule to get the Kidlet to and from school.

PRT response: A PRT system doesn't have any routes or schedules to consult! Every PRT station provides direct, non-stop service to every other PRT station in the network, on demand when you need it. You might even build a station AT the school to eliminate some of the street crossings.

http://oxmckennaxo.blogdrive.com/archive/19.html
KeNnA gets to help train the bus driver.

PRT response: No drivers to train. The PRT control system configures the vehicle's trip.

http://www.soapboxblog.com/stars/archives/001222.html
Not only is M. Luminous' bus late, but everyone gets harrassed by a drunken passenger.

PRT response: See above for the lateness issue. As for the drunken passenger - it will be very hard for him harass anyone or pick a fight when he has his own private vehicle for the duration of the trip.

http://www.himay.info/2004/09/i-tied-my-bandana-around-my-hair.html
Jamie's bus is late, but then has to deal with traffic lights, construction, and slow-boarding passengers.

PRT response: For the lights and construction - three simple words: Full Grade Separation. Get that transit system out of way of of the other activities so it can do its thing. Since the PRT vehicles pass every intermediate station without stopping, the worst a slow boarding patron can do is delay the few people using that particular station at that particular time. So she can't hold up an entire bus load of people while she finishes her little chit-chat.

http://simpleeasycon.modblog.com/?show=blogview&blog_id=289025
The bus stops running at 9pm. Too bad its 10:00!

PRT response: With no drivers to pay, and the ability to use only the capacity needed at that time of day or night, the personal rapid transit system can provide twenty-four hour service. Oh, and there is plenty of room in the vehicle for the user's bike also!

http://thebadderthebetter.com/index.php?p=91
Amy is skipped by the bus twice - until a driver notices that she is cute.

PRT response: The PRT fleet is sized so that there is little or no waiting at a PRT station. If there isn't a PRT car waiting for you when you get there, one should arrive within a minute or so. The control system doesn't care how cute you are or aren't. After all, even the the not-so-cute deserve good transit service.

http://www.urbanoutback.com/2004/09/bus-is-not-my-friend.html
Urbanoutback - waiting for the bus, but can't go get a burger or the bus might arrive while your gone.

PRT response: Go ahead and get that burger. The PRT system will take you to your destination when you want to go, not when some transit schedule says you should leave!

http://vtatales.blogspot.com VTAGirl notes some of the challenges riders have with stopping the bus, boarding the train, and keeping their gum to themselves.

PRT response: Since the PRT trip is non-stop to the user's destination, the bell-ringing woman can relax. The PRT vehicle will pull into her station and stop with no assistance from her. The slow-boarding party can take their time. The PRT vehicle won't start until they have boarded, gotten seated, and pressed the button to close the door and start their trip.

PRT trips are taken by individuals or groups of friends riding together by choice. If one of your group is smacking their gum, go ahead and smack 'em - they are your friends after all!