j.33

13 minutes ago, Houston19514 said:

December or January?  That's insane.  The took delivery of the first of these in February, so we're talking 10-11 months between taking delivery and putting it in to service?  How can it possibly require that long?

Your guess is as good as mine. I am just quoting what one of the representatives said. Seemed like a long time to me too. 

METRO has the bus on display right now in front of City Hall from 10am-2pm (4/19/23). Expected to hit the streets in Dec or Jan (but they can't confirm anything so that could change). They said they're having to do a lot of testing and it is taking way longer than expected to receive the batch of 20 units. 

1 hour ago, TacoDog said:

What project is this for?

It is the completion of the sidepath (so bikes and pedestrians) along Post Oak. Sidepath will run from Memorial Dr to Old Katy Rd. It currently ends at IH10, so the bridge will be the final link. 

hmm the title of the article is confusing. It sounds like METRO and BCycle are no longer in agreements. So it is not really a transition to METRO, but it is how the nonprofit is able to survive with not being able to reach an agreement with METRO. 

"The nonprofit that operates the BCycle system of bikes available for checkout at kiosks around the city, “has been unable to complete a partnership agreement,” with Metropolitan Transit Authority, bike share board chairwoman and interim CEO Maya Ford said in an update. Specifically, Ford said Metro has confirmed it would not provide any of the $500,000 transit officials approved to transition bike sharing into the transit agency’s operations." 

@JClark54 Pg 25 of the document: 

METRORapid University Public Meeting Presentation (resourcespace.com)

According to public works, the stop signs were illegally placed. The City never installed them. I wonder who did though. 

@jessicauVery valid frustration. I would suggest submitting a suggestion to METRO at the specific intersections you would like to see a crossing. 

Link to comment here: Home  | Submit comments to METRO | Customer service | Houston, Texas (ridemetro.org)

New crosswalk markings are kind of in a weird space. The city recently changed their standards (I believe they want marked crosswalks at every signalized intersection and unsignalized if there is 1/4 mile gap), but it depends on which public works employee you get. Some employees will put in the request, but others will do the 20 pedestrian count (which is extremely outdated). That means they sit there (usually at a random time in the day when there is not a lot of pedestrian activity) and count. If they reach 20 pedestrians in the hour, they'll put it in the system...if they dont, they'll say does not meet recommendations. At that point, I usually email the council member representing the district the intersection is in, and then they'll see what they can do. In these cases above, if 311 does not prove to be in your favor, I would consider emailing the Houston Park Board since they are connections to the Bayou Greenway Trail Network. 

Hmmm correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like they wont be entire houses. Instead, it sounds like it could be more like an apartment style with multiple units (1 or 2 beds) all being listed on AirBnB or VRBO separately. So its like a hotel, but not. Thus, the concern of these giant house parties wouldn't be a reality since no one would throw a huge party if they were in a unit the size of a Marriot hotel room. 

5 hours ago, samagon said:

where the Harrisburg HHA consideration is a good location, this is a bad location. sure it's on a comfort bike lane, and there is bus service, but TXDoT is about to shut Polk down going into downtown, so what's the future of bus service on Polk going to look like? the location is half a mile from the closest LR station, and access to grocery stores is even more bleak.

METRO tends to make very minor changes when it comes to things like a road closure. They'd probably just have it take St Emanuel/Emancipation to a street that will cross 59. I could not see them eliminating the bus routes along Polk. Additionally, there is that Kroger .7 miles away (6 min bus trip) east of the site.  

oooof hope someone 311'ed the signs damaged

33 minutes ago, mfastx said:

I think the user I was responding to wasn't talking about transfers, but rather the P&R Buses operating within the BRT right of way. Perhaps I was mistaken though. I am aware of the current and proposed transfers the new BRT lines would offer. 

Ahhh okay. My apologies. 

14 minutes ago, mfastx said:

Metro has no plans to interconnect the P&R buses with BRT.

There are multiple park and ride routes that allow transfers with the Silver Line today. The 292 (Southwest Fwy Corridor) connects to the Silver Line at Lower Uptown TC. The 298 (Katy Corridor) and 214/216/217 (Northwest Cypress Corridor) connects to the Silver Line at Northwest TC. Additionally, you would have the Gulf Corridor (routes 244, 246, 247, and 248) connect to the University Line at Eastwood TC, and hopefully the 236 (East Fry Corridor) at Denver Harbor TC and the 255, 256, and 257 (Eastex Corridor) at Tidwell TC. 

1 hour ago, cspwal said:

The original Metro next plan had something called "westheimer signature service" in it. This could be part of that implementation.

 

Westheimer Signature Service would utilize the 59 HOV to Greenway Plaza (exiting at Edloe). 

Bus Route Improvements | METRONext Moving Forward Plan Investment | Houston, TX (ridemetro.org) (you might have to click "learn more" to see the section about signature service. 

I attended the meeting last night. The only thing that seems to be coordinated with METRO is the placement of bus stops (farside vs nearside) and the bus stop pads/shelters (I believe they are being built to BOOST standards). 

BRT works wonderfully when it is part of a network. The Silver Line is missing out on that right now. With those who are worried this will be like the Silver Line, keep in mind that the Silver Line is still incomplete. Right now, the purpose of the Silver Line is just for Uptown, which had decent transit demand pre-COVID, but the office district has struggled to bounce back with remote work with COVID. Additionally, the route it replaced, the 33 Post Oak, went further south into Gulfton terminating at Bellaire TC, so it was a great frequent route connecting Gulfton (Bellaire TC) to Northwest TC. The Silver Line misses out on those riders with most having moved to the 20, 49, or 309/310. 

Here is how the Silver Line will be a GAME CHANGER.....METRO is in the design process for two extensions: 1) the Inner Katy to Downtown (currently known as Inner Katy BRT), and 2) an extension further southwest through Gulfton terminating at Hillcroft at Beechnut (known as the Gulfton Extension). Both of these extensions would connect the Silver Line to more destinations and more riders and more frequent bus routes. This is when the Silver Line will flourish. 

Luckily for the University Corridor BRT, it already has multiple destinations, so it will get the riders. It will also connect to the Silver Line, which will benefit the ridership on that corridor as well. It will also connect to all three rail lines. It will also connect to SEVEN Metro facilities (park and ride/transit centers). I really do have faith in the University Corridor BRT and all I can say is trust the process and be ready to ride it when it is ready :). 

Seems like there might be some miscommunication. Public works was sent out over the weekend is response to someone requesting stop bars. This was the resolution by the public works agent: 

"Resolution :
64. Referred for further investigation

Close Comments :
3/13/23 After completing a field check it was determined that the requested markings are not needed due to this not being a four was stop. The two stop signs that are in place on the EB & Wb legs of this intersection have been installed illegally."

Additional info: "3/13/2023 10:43:44 3/13/23 After completing a field check it was determined that the requested markings are not needed due to this not being a four was stop. The two stop signs that ar e in place on the EB & Wb legs of this intersection have been installed illegally. They both need to be removed as this is a safety hazard. We will be closing this request at this time"

- for those who want to track it, it is case number: 12535054-2300795359

But now apparently stop bars and crosswalk are going in? This could be a TIRZ project that the city is unaware of/failed to acknowledge? We will see if the stop signs and stop bars stay. It will make the intersection safer, so I do hope they make it work! 

12 minutes ago, samagon said:

there's a lot of good reasons for this, primary being that when developers see very permanent transit (and tracks in the ground vs curbs on the street are a bit more permanent), they are going to invest in high density that takes advantage of that permanent transit solution.

Apologies if I am misinterpreting your comment, are you saying rail would spur more development than BRT because tracks are more "permanent" than curbs and paint?

BRT will look just as permanent as rail does with dedicated lanes, curbs, and distinct stations. Take a look at all of these cross sections and renderings: 

METRORapid University Public Meeting Presentation (resourcespace.com) 

8 hours ago, 004n063 said:

One thing I've noticed with the HHB and Nicholson crossings is that most cars yield to cyclists (even though they have the right of way)

If I recall, the new signs being installed at these crossings are "STOP for bikes and pedestrians", so technically, they are supposed to yield to cyclists. I can't 100% confirm, but I'm almost certain 11th St has the signs.  I'm going to try to ride it again tomorrow and will check. 

And for all of you who are wanting a new METRO Rail Station, this could be the event to share your support for it ;) 

For those who live, work, and play in EaDo, there is a Particpatory Budget Workshop this evening at Shell Stadium (formerly BBVA). It is an open house style so I believe you can come whenever. Linking more details to the event below. 

From TIRZ 15: 

"Please join TIRZ 15 on Tuesday, February 28th at any time between 5pm-7:30pm at Shell Energy Stadium (formerly PNC Stadium) for a participatory budgeting exercise.

What's participatory budgeting?

Participatory budgeting is a strategy to prioritize public funds in partnership with the public (YOU!) Each attendee will be given $10 million dollars in (play) money to spend on real projects identified through the TIRZ 15 Mobility Plan. Each project will give you information on the cost, benefits, and anticipated challenges to help you make informed decisions. Following the exercise, the TIRZ 15 Board of Directors will review your preferences for how to spend the money. In other words, you are helping us make real decisions!

The exercise will be relevant to anyone who lives, works, or visits East Downtown. We’ll be promoting the event via email, yard signs, postcards, and social media. Please help us get the word and enhance the democratic process in East Downtown by inviting your friends and neighbors.

As a special treat, attendees will be given a behind-the-scenes tour of Shell Energy (formerly PNC) Stadium!"

East Downtown Participatory Budgeting for Transportation Tickets, Tue, Feb 28, 2023 at 5:00 PM | Eventbrite

Metro's first electric bus has arrived in Houston for agency testing (houstonchronicle.com)

First one has arrived, but it'll be some time before they serve riders and METRO branding is put on them. 

6 minutes ago, TacoDog said:

I don't see anything on the map... 

Click "Proposed HC" in the layers, then it shows up