TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; question for you

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: As the day begins, we have a question for you, transit-related: Later this morning, we’re scheduled to sit down for an interview with Metro Transit general manager Kevin Desmond, as the county steps up its campaign contending that Metro is in the fight of its life, facing more cuts if the Legislature doesn’t take some steps to help alleviate its funding crisis. Is there a question you would ask him if you had the chance? If so, post it in the comment section – we’re going to do our best to get to as many reader questions as we can. P.S. Whether you have a question or not, you’re invited to speak to a County Council committee next Tuesday – details here along with a way to comment online if you can’t be there in person.

7:48 AM: As noted in comments, there’s a crash on the eastbound bridge. If you haven’t left yet – alternative routes, or waiting, would be a good idea.

7:56 AM: Because of the crash, SDOT has switched the views on the bridge cameras – the one atop this story usually looks eastward – here’s the one that usually looks west:

8:20 AM: Eugene says in comments that the scene is clear; hard to tell from the cameras, and there’s been no official announcement. Also in comments, Trickycoolj warns that Holden is backed up in Highland Park – a popular alternate access to get to northbound 99.

8:59 AM: Shortly after that last update, SDOT did tweet that the crash scene had been cleared. The backup always takes longer to clear but we’re hopeful it’s getting back to the “normal” slowness now.

East Coast Cynic May 8, 2013 (7:28 am)

Just heard on komo tv news that 2 eastbound lanes are blocked on the west seattle bridge:(:(

West Seattle since 1979 May 8, 2013 (7:33 am)

There was an accident in the far right lane of the West Seattle Bridge. 2 fire trucks and an ambulance. I couldn’t see what happened – – I hope everyone is ok.

Christie May 8, 2013 (7:38 am)

ask them to keep the 113 route – it will impact alot of people in white center/west seattle in getting to downtown – including myself – without this route i will have to go back to driving to work and i do not want to do that.

JW May 8, 2013 (7:41 am)

On 116x and traffic is backed up from bridge to WS Produce. Not sure why. Unusual this time of morning.

Stacy May 8, 2013 (7:44 am)

There was a two car accident at top of the bridge about 7:30. Fire trucks were just arriving and positioning themselves.

Iggy May 8, 2013 (7:44 am)

West Seattle is fast becoming what they used to call an “Urban Village,” which should be welcoming to folks of all ages and abilities. Yet, Metro continues to disenfranchise seniors and those with frailties in favor of limited-seating, limited-stop transit such as Rapid Ride. I have much anecdotal evidence that seniors in West Seattle are back in their cars in order to get to doctor appointments, shopping, and other events. QUESTION: Has Metro done any formal studies about age discrimation on its West Seattle routing and equipment? A related issue is that several Rapid Ride stops (2nd and Seneca, Westbound stop on Fauntleroy at Morgan Junction, Westbound stop at Myrtle) are not safe for seniors as the curbs are too low or on a curve and the Rapid Rides don’t pull in close enough and the drivers often do not (or only grudgingly) use the kneeling bus function. QUESTION: Has Metro considered making it mandatory and automatic for drivers to use kneelers at stops such as 2nd & Seneca or Westbound at Morgan Junction?

Tony Tschanz May 8, 2013 (7:48 am)

Why are the late afternoon 56x buses returning empty towards downtown (to metro base) instead of picking us up and dropping us at SODO station? Sometimes what could be a 10 minute trip turns into a one hour trip from Alki including waiting fir the next scheduled bus and roundabout way of the 50. This is not asking one penny of additional cost to metro, but vastly improved service by just being smarter.

That doesn't look good May 8, 2013 (7:50 am)

The traffic camera has been turned away from the accident scene.
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The camera shows waiting drivers getting out of their cars. That looks like it may be awhile for this accident to clear.

WSB May 8, 2013 (7:55 am)

I’m switching to the other camera, which also isn’t on its usual view, but at least shows something …

Eugene May 8, 2013 (7:55 am)

All clear now.

WSB May 8, 2013 (8:17 am)

Eugene – are you in a bus or carpool that passed the scene, or … ? No official reports yet of the crash clearing, though usually they are pretty quick about saying that. And the traffic cam hasn’t been restored to its usual angle yet. Thanks.

Fed up May 8, 2013 (8:13 am)

Another beautiful day in the neighborhood.

trickycoolj May 8, 2013 (8:15 am)

Long lines on Holden to turn left to go down Highland Park Way hill. Backed up to 14th.

Erin May 8, 2013 (8:20 am)

ALthough I doubt he will answer specific route questions, I do wonder why they are considering decreasing service on a route that access South Seattle Community College, route 125. This bus is always full during peak hours, with many people standing. This route and the 128 are the only ones that service South Seattle Community College, and the 128 does not run downtown, so 125 is used by many people.

They have already cut some of the routes, while adding more to the 120 route. The 120 is always half full while 125 is full to capacity, and they want to decrease service on this? Doesn’t make sense to me.

Jay May 8, 2013 (8:21 am)

Just passed and there’s still one car plus two SPD cars at the top of the bridge.

Fed up May 8, 2013 (8:47 am)

Seattle does a great job managing growth.. Just look at the bridge commute in and out of WS.

Amanda May 8, 2013 (8:53 am)

Cutting routes and reducing service might be the solution to Metro’s current funding gap problem. But in the long term, this does not benefit the Citizens or Metro. Question: What does Metro see as a long term solution to their financial problems? How can we help as citizens to facilitate those solutions?

WSB May 8, 2013 (8:59 am)

Re: the bridge crash – SDOT did tweet that it’s cleared, and by now hopefully the extra backup is easing too …

Mike May 8, 2013 (9:01 am)

40 minutes from Admiral Way to S. Lk Union, arriving at 8:45.

Thomas May 8, 2013 (9:04 am)

The 120 commute on was quicker than normal thanks to the added northbound bus lane on Delridge Ave.

ws born & bred May 8, 2013 (9:06 am)

Maybe a question for the City rather than metro but is there any way to tie increased transit to new housing developments? I.e. not allowing new condos to spring up on every corner without increased transit to keep up with growing population demands. There are very few ways in and out of West Seattle and when we all drive it takes longer to get a short distance to downtown than if you live in Auburn or Puyallup. Increased population should warrant increased transit. Make the condo developpers pay.

DTK May 8, 2013 (9:23 am)

Please ask Mr. Desmond how soon we can look forward to riding on top of overcrowded busses. You know, like in Bangladesh?

Thomas May 8, 2013 (10:03 am)

Please ask if the additional project resources directed toward the 120 route indicate an effort to channelize that route (similar to the Rapid Ride channelization carried out).

Fed up May 8, 2013 (10:35 am)

Amen Ws born & bred!

feeling great and healthy May 8, 2013 (11:21 am)

Bike ride to downtown was great and uneventful as usual. Thank gosh after last weeks events.

Took only 15 minutes. Everyone playing nice. Join us on the trails if you can! Have a great day…!

olv65@yahoo.com May 8, 2013 (1:23 pm)

WSB re ‘Question for you’: I hear that Metro has $800 million in the works for new buses. If I remember correctly, Metro has bought new buses within the last 5-10 years. If this is accurate or somewhat accurate, why can’t the $800 million or part of that be applied to some of the routes?

WSB May 8, 2013 (1:34 pm)

Thanks, Olv. I’ve completed the interview – more than an hour, all on video, and will be processing it later. We did talk at one point about buses since someone here had asked about whether old buses were sold too cheaply, and Kevin Desmond said they are routinely driven at least 12 years, to 350K to 650K miles, and then auctioned off with little value other than collector’s items or scrap.

Michael May 8, 2013 (1:57 pm)

Here is a copy of the email I sent to Metro today after one of the drivers from the C line was loading passangers and had me leave my set more than one time to different seats as the bus that the pole blocking the pathway and he wanted me to move to far back in the bus so the windows turn into strobe light type things to me. My understanding of the ADA is that the driver has no right to requrie me to disclose what my disability is yet the driver today seemed to act as if he had that right!!!!!
Kevin,
Today I had one of your drivers ask me to move so I did and then he told me that wasn’t good and wanted me to move even more
towards the back of the bus and I tried to let him kow because of my medical problems that I couldn’t do that he said he needed my
seat for another person whom was also disabled. So what I’m asking is why do I have to tell your drivers what my disablility is as
to me that is not ok with the ADA as they have no right to ask that only that I tell them I’m disabled. told the driver I have
epilepsy and I can’t sit to far back on the bus as the windows turn into strob lights which isn’t good for me. To me I find his
actions to be totally out of line. It was the C line bus #6020 at about 1:10 PM going west bound from the Alaska jct. I had Just
walked the 2 blocks that we the disabled that live south of the Alaska Jct becuse there is nolonger bus service there for us that
live south of the Alaska Jct. I was carring my shopping bags full and stuff too. Once again the drivers of the C line seem to feel
that they are GOD and can choose what they want to do to riders or not do.

Sue May 8, 2013 (2:16 pm)

Iggy, I’m not a senior, but definitely relate to your question re: the low curbs/kneeling of buses. I have knee mobility issues, and even though I work at 2nd/Seneca, I cannot get off the bus there. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been told that the driver “doesn’t know how” to kneel the bus, or at that particular stop it’s still too high even if it is kneeled. Instead I have to get off the next stop and walk back. I actually get anxious when I take the bus to a stop I don’t know, because I don’t know what the curb situation will be. I had originally heard that the benefit of the Rapid Ride would be that the curbs would be flush with the bus, so you could just walk out. That happens at almost no stop I’ve taken it to.

Iggy May 8, 2013 (2:36 pm)

Michael and Sue, My heart goes out to you both. To me it seems that the “C” line is definitely the problem for older and disabled riders. There might as well be machines driving the buses. In my experience, on all the other routes in the city (even the dreaded 7 or the crowded 128), the drivers communicate with the passengers and accommodate with patience and good humor.

anonyme May 8, 2013 (3:18 pm)

I was on Michael’s bus, and this is definitely NOT the scenario I witnessed.

The bus is poorly designed. There is a pole that intrudes in the only area where a wheelchair can be accommodated. The wheelchair was massive, and passengers in the entire first section of the bus had to move so that the chair could turn into the slot. Boarding the bus right behind the wheelchair was a woman with a large walker; with the wheelchair in place (as well as the pole) this individual could not access seating. The driver politely asked Michael if he could move down a few seats until all of this maneuvering was completed. He was never asked to go to the back of the bus. He is not visibly disabled. He stormed off of the bus and began shouting at the driver from the sidewalk. The driver was doing his utmost to be respectful and helpful while dealing with multiple customers with disabilities. He tried to get Michael to re-board and take his original seat, which was now cleared, but Michael refused.

I, too, have an ‘invisible’ disability. I do not expect others to psychically intuit my needs with no communication whatsoever. This driver was not at fault in any way. If anything, he should be commended for his calm under fire. This isn’t always the case, but it certainly was this time. It would be a shame if this driver were to be disciplined for doing a good job.

anonyme May 8, 2013 (3:28 pm)

I hope that Mr. Desmond reads all of the comments attached to the cartoon story on Metro cuts. I doubt that he will, or that it will make a bit of difference. Customer needs and opinions seem to be of little concern to Metro. The level of decision making is absolute crap. I also second what Iggy had to say about discriminatory service. Our wrath should not be wasted against drivers, but horrible management at Metro. Something tells me Mr. Desmond doesn’t really want to hear that particular truth…

Metro Conspiracy May 8, 2013 (4:19 pm)

anonyme:

BS.

You are one of those riders who wants a one seat ride from your place of residence to where you happen to be going. And back again.

We all do.

Wahhhhh.

anonyme May 8, 2013 (8:15 pm)

Conspiracy: That particular reality (much less the expectation) in regard to service never existed and never will, nor have I ever heard anyone make the kind of demand that you’re spewing. There’s a huge difference between a one seat limo ride AND NO DAMN SERVICE WHATSOEVER. There’s a lot of BS for sure, and it’s being propagated by shills like you. This is a faux conspiracy, Metro.

Jeff H May 9, 2013 (2:39 pm)

Anyone interested in riding a bike to downtown can contact West Seattle Bike Connections. We’ll help you get to downtown in less than 30 minutes…any time of day, regardless of traffic conditions.
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http://westseattlebikeconnections.org

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