http://www.manifestdensity.net/2008/07/14/the-emerging-bus-nonconspiracy/ Just another WordPress weblog Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:04:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.manifestdensity.net/2008/07/14/the-emerging-bus-nonconspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-1372 Tom Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:09:07 +0000 http://127.0.0.1:8888/?p=605#comment-1372 I think you have to look at the specific bus drop-off locations to determine if they're an unfair imposition. In many cases they're not: the corner of 5th and H, for instance, has no businesses on it -- the bus blocks the side wall of a restaurant, but that's it. There's no pedestrian traffic to speak of, and the sidewalk's a good fifteen feet wide. Apex bus runs from a similarly desolate stretch of I Street, if I remember correctly. It's the newly-arrived companies that are causing problems, I think. Bolt Bus has a pickup spot in Dupont. Another line -- DC2NY? -- has people queueing directly in front of Matchbox. We shouldn't rule such locations out automatically, of course. Those buses' riders are getting use out of those public spaces. The utility they're deriving shouldn't be ignored: the fact that someone has to say "excuse me" to get into Matchbox doesn't automatically trump the fact that someone else is able to enjoy cheap, convenient transportation. But it may be appropriate to look for more spots like the 5th and H location (where the company that takes me to Philly, New Century Travel, is based). There are plenty of underdeveloped blocks in Chinatown -- it ought to be possible to acommodate everyone. I think you have to look at the specific bus drop-off locations to determine if they’re an unfair imposition. In many cases they’re not: the corner of 5th and H, for instance, has no businesses on it — the bus blocks the side wall of a restaurant, but that’s it. There’s no pedestrian traffic to speak of, and the sidewalk’s a good fifteen feet wide. Apex bus runs from a similarly desolate stretch of I Street, if I remember correctly.
It’s the newly-arrived companies that are causing problems, I think. Bolt Bus has a pickup spot in Dupont. Another line — DC2NY? — has people queueing directly in front of Matchbox.
We shouldn’t rule such locations out automatically, of course. Those buses’ riders are getting use out of those public spaces. The utility they’re deriving shouldn’t be ignored: the fact that someone has to say “excuse me” to get into Matchbox doesn’t automatically trump the fact that someone else is able to enjoy cheap, convenient transportation.
But it may be appropriate to look for more spots like the 5th and H location (where the company that takes me to Philly, New Century Travel, is based). There are plenty of underdeveloped blocks in Chinatown — it ought to be possible to acommodate everyone.

]]> http://www.manifestdensity.net/2008/07/14/the-emerging-bus-nonconspiracy/comment-page-1/#comment-1371 Jake Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:42:45 +0000 http://127.0.0.1:8888/?p=605#comment-1371 I actually think it's a good idea to put the "Chinatown Bus" operators down in L'Enfant Plaza. It's the bus operators who are getting a free ride by using the public sidewalks and streets of Chinatown as a de facto bus depot, and a real drag if you live, have a business or want to use the sidewalks near one of the loud, smelly buses idling on the street for hours at a time. Not to mention the customers who use the sidewalk as a waiting room. How would you feel if a bus operator decided to use the area outside your apartment, place of work, or business? The L'Enfant spot is a good compromise. It has fewer impacts on neighbors (because there aren't as many) and is still centrally located and convenient. I actually think it’s a good idea to put the “Chinatown Bus” operators down in L’Enfant Plaza.
It’s the bus operators who are getting a free ride by using the public sidewalks and streets of Chinatown as a de facto bus depot, and a real drag if you live, have a business or want to use the sidewalks near one of the loud, smelly buses idling on the street for hours at a time. Not to mention the customers who use the sidewalk as a waiting room. How would you feel if a bus operator decided to use the area outside your apartment, place of work, or business?
The L’Enfant spot is a good compromise. It has fewer impacts on neighbors (because there aren’t as many) and is still centrally located and convenient.

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