Comments for Life as Edward Jensen

Comment on This is 2010 by Edward Jensen

Edward Jensen — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:29:09 +0000

Thanks, Tony, for the information. I’m more okay with the single-car trains on days with reduced ridership (Sundays with no sports in Downtown Phoenix), holidays (Christmas Day), etc., but not during rush hours. It seems like, around 5.20pm at the Van Buren/Central Ave station, there’s a one-car train heading westbound. It’s packed already, and it gets even more packed at that station. The ridership is clearly there.

[steps off soapbox]

Comment on This is 2010 by Tony Arranaga

Tony Arranaga — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:36:19 +0000

According to a METRO spokesperson, the transit agency saves $600,000 per year on the single car trains. That’s not per car, that’s per year. A single car uses half of the propulsion power, in addition to the maintenance savings (less cars to service). The METRO spokesperson also tells me the agency ‘will employ single cars based upon the demand. So on Sundays, which are typically are lower ridership days, you’ll see single cars in use.’

From a rider’s perspective the dollar amount looks rather small compared to the overall budget which I’m assuming is in the tens of millions. I guess these days you have to cut corners wherever possible? Maybe advertising on the station platforms and on trains will help offset some of the operating budget and we’ll see two car trains on a regular basis. Or better yet.. more daily riders!

Comment on The State of What? by Si

Si — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:06:57 +0000

Edward,

I have to agree with you. I was hoping there would be less of an ASU/CityScape focus and more of a rally to bring people from around the Valley downtown. I was also hoping to hear a convincing argument for people to move downtown and more promotion of local business.

Comment on Sick of sustainability by Khamis

Khamis — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:16:40 +0000

There is a lot I want to type into this comment field right now, but I can’t take the energy to do so. I think you’re views of organizations like PETA are both accurate and flawed to a degree. Maybe we could meet up sometime next week in the evening time to just chat about this topic over coffee at Fair Trade. I think that’d be great. Also, I took those sustainability classes that you’re going through last year.

Comment on Know Your Resources! by Tom Avery

Tom Avery — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:58:30 +0000

This could be a sad teachable moment. Depression is a bad thing. You can’t just talk your way out of it. There should be a ASU wide campaign to encourage the community to take part in depression screening. It can help to ID that you have it or a loved one has it. There are things that can help. I am afraid that I have lost friends to depression.

Comment on Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop? by Khamis

Khamis — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:59:37 +0000

David has a point. Maybe a limited selection of items on sale through the internet and transit stores could work to bring in a tiny bit of revenue, which would make staffing of the transit stores a little more sustainable financially…

Amyann, the light rail is brilliant, and it is not ridden just by a niche group, tons of regular transit users ride it, as well as first time transit riders. I just argue that it’s inappropriate to invest in a gift shop when tourism is down and transit and city funds are extremely drained. The central Phoenix East Valley Light Rail system was one of the best investments this metro region has made during my life time. It might viewed as an initial step towards moving in the right direction, and just since we’re behind should we attack our timing? No, it needs to be applauded for what it is.

Comment on Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop? by David SB

David SB — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:10:00 +0000

I think a gift shop of some type would be a great idea. As I commented in response to your recent post on Facebook, I recently saw a model of a METRO light rail train on display at the Tempe Town Center and asked the staff if I could buy one for my daughter. I was told that none were for sale. That was not only disappointing news for me, but a lost revenue opportunity for the transit agency. Maybe a full-time dedicated gift shop is not financially feasible, but a limited array of merchandise could be sold both online and at staffed transit centers like the TTC and Central Station.

Comment on Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop? by Amyann Freberg

Amyann Freberg — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 01:01:25 +0000

I agree with the first commenter. Who would want to buy that stuff? Just because you do not use other modes of transportation really does not mean that the light-rail is brilliant eddie. There are many other modes of transportation, such as the bus system, biking, walking, carpooling, that you never talk about. Also many cities exceed our humble beginnings at trying to be earth friendly. Overall, the light-rail will probably be an expensive, tax payer charged debt increasing project that only a localized group of Phoenicians can appreciate.

Comment on Where’s the METRO light rail gift shop? by Khamis

Khamis — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:28:18 +0000

Does Portland’s TriMet MAX light rail system offer key chains? No. Phoenix isn’t NYC and if we want our transit system to be viable we wouldn’t use precious city or agency funds to start focusing on such a thing… because people would likely not buy that kinda stuff, tourism is really down here and it likely wouldn’t succeed at making any sort of profit… when the city is seriously considering cutting back hours or headway for METRO the last thing we need is some gimmick like this.

However, plenty of private businesses (think the t-shirt design shops in Tempe) have come up with little memorabilia for METRO opening, and if there’s interest maybe they’d do more… also how about getting creative, or local artists who maybe worked on the art installations of the stations to do some one-of-a-kind or limited run of trinkets, sculptures or other art..

Or trying to make something yourself!

I’m sorry – I’m just not buying the idea of a Central Phoenix gift shop, and I worry that it would further justify those detractors who say the whole system is in fact one big novelty/amusement park attraction. But I understand your yearning for LTR memorabilia, such a desire is a valid U.S. / consumer reality. The lapel pins that the board of directors for METRO have are awesome…

Comment on The Barrett Honors College Cross-Campus Progressive Dinner! by Rail Life

Rail Life — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:28:13 +0000

Ed, it is cool to see the great job you guys do in connecting the students together.
Have fun!