august948
-
Posts
3,857 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
8
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Posts posted by august948
-
-
Do you ride the metro bus to work?
Do you take a metro bus to specific activities on your leisure time? Like, say, the Rodeo or an Opera?
If you do, how do you like the experience? If you don't, why don't you?
For various reasons, neither metro bus or rail service fits my needs. So, when I do take either one I have to make a specific effort to do so. That said, about a year ago I had a work day on my hands with no real work to do so I tooled around inside the loop on various buses and the llght rail. Had a good time, saw a lot of stuff, but also spent a lot of time cumulatively waiting on buses and the train and walking to and fro between stops and destinations. That's ok if I've got the day to kill, but not so much if there are things that need to be done (besides quaffing liters at Bar Munich). I'm going to try it again once the new service is implemented to see what the improvements are like.
-
132 is axed, so I'm trying to figure out how I get from Rogerdale at Harwin to Westheimer and Dunlavy at 8 PM at night. I guess I will have to bring bicycle and ride to 82 Westheimer, or ride to the 152 Harwin flyer.
I'd guess the ride south is safer, traffic-wise from Rogerdale @ Harwin to Bellaire than going north, although they have improved Rogerdale with sidewalks north of Harwin. Could you take 2 to the red line and then 82 back to Dunlavy?
-
A relevant piece from the NYT.
The short version: rail is far more expensive than bus service yet no faster, but rail lines continue to be built because bus service is perceived as inferior.
Noooooo! Say it ain't so. All we need is better bus service and good marketing? All that money wasted on rail.../EndGloat
-
Don't lump the collective into a single opinion breh but can someone give me a tldr of whats going on i'm way to high to read the rest of this shit.
-
Metro board approves major changes to bus system...
The Metropolitan Transit Authority board on Wednesday approved the most sweeping overhaul of Houston's bus service in decades.
The new system, expected to take effect in August, will shift from a downtown-focused, hub-and-spoke design to a broader network that resembles a grid pattern. The changes will not affect park-and-ride service.
Approved in concept in September, the plan has undergone revisions to allay concerns about how it would affect certain communities, particularly in northeast Houston.
Metro plans a public education campaign to acquaint riders with the new system over the coming months.
-
This is a project that can help change that paradigm and help initiate real reform in parking policies here in Houston by the very fact of it's existence it would need to have it's parking capacity reduced in order to facilitate the proper layout of the station and the surrounding complex that will inevitably crop out around.
It should be utilized as a helpful nudge in a proper direction for the city (which btw is the direction it is going, but needs a major project like this to help solidify its trajectory).
Is it so hard to ask to bring the conversation from the minute particulars and hypothetical details and elevate it to something that is more conceptual and big idea in nature? Is that really so hard. It isn't real yet! By bringing in constraints such as parking requirements, sizes, blah blah blah you are already encasing it in a rigid box. Break the d a m n box! Look at this project in the lens of not 5 years out but 10 to 15 years. You put it out in the suburbs and I guarantee you it will die!
The suburbs are an ever flowing and fickle beast that expands and contrasts and in Houston's case at extreme levels. The station though is a permanent thing. It can't migrate like the Houston population does in the suburbs. That's why its best to put it in a very well defined urban landscape. One that will embrace it and treat it as an essential element. In the suburbs it will become a fad and then die just as quickly as it started.
Believing that this will change the paradigm, or even anything close to it, or the current trends is just short of ludicrous. If oil goes to $300 or $400 per barrel before electric cars become a practical solution, then maybe, just maybe, you'll see a real paradigm shift. Reducing parking capacity is just going to lose ridership. There is no upside to it.
A nudge in which proper direction? Toward a compact, high density city surrounded by bucolic farmland? Do you really see that happening here, in Houston? Is HSR just the thing to tip the balance?
Which parking policies do you anticipate being reformed in order to make a downtown station work? If there was a real issue on space I'm sure the city would grant a waver for any particularly cumbersome requirements. I don't see that doing anything for odd parking requirements inside the loop that insist on minimum number of spaces. Is there some other parking ordinance in desperate need of reform besides that one?
Constraining for pedestrian access vs vehicle access is just as much of a box as vice versa, perhaps more so.
I'm not sure what you consider the suburbs, but from my perspective any location along the loop isn't really suburban in the sense we're talking about. Now if you were to put it at I10 and Grand Parkway, that would really be suburban and too far in the other direction to be optimal. It's about 5 whole miles from downtown to the loop on the west side. That's not really that far unless you are planning to walk.
As for a boost, how about the boost light rail/brt plans might get if the HSR station is on the west loop?
Not that it's terribly relevant, but what part of the Houston suburbs is contracting?
-
2
-
-
I don't think that's the question here. It's where you can get the greatest benefit for an acceptable cost, not just the lowest. Capital costs are already high enough that the normal dynamics of operating a business are relatively skewed - a critical mass of ridership is by far the most important goal here, much more than marginal reductions in those capital costs.
Agreed. I should have said "greatest economic benefit" instead of lowest cost as that doesn't capture the revenue stream. So, the question really becomes where do you get the greatest ridership since costs are relatively easier to pin down.
-
I think some of you fail to understand that HSR should be positioned so that it benefits the pedestrian and not the car. Position it so that there are multiple ways of accessing the terminal...not just from your car. The bigger idea is connecting HSR to other modes of transit from walking, biking, other rail, bus, and yes even cars.....not a sea of parking lots. HSR should be reliant on those who will use it most meaning those who don't want to step in a car at all. It's not meant to be a curious side attraction for suburbanites or shackled to the car as if it depended on it.
I also find it insulting that those who oppose the Downtown location think that we only favor it because it "looks cool". That idea is simply ludicrous and makes it easier for you to ignore the genuine advantages a location in downtown can bring.
Can I actually hear an argument for NW that doesn't revolve around the easy use of ones vehicle....because I have news for y'all that isn't the target audience for this service! If you can honestly give concrete examples or evidence in how NW is a prime location then please do so, but I will challenge you to do so without the car as a crutch.
I'm not sure I understand why HSR would necessarily be pedestrian oriented. Light rail maybe, but not HSR. HSR is going to replace car and airline trips between Houston and Dallas. Those aren't trips that generally include a large pedestrian element, unless you coun't slogging from one side of the terminal to another. If you make it inconvienent for car commuters you are going to get less usage. If we we're a densly packed city where a majority of of the HSR users lived and worked nearby, then I could see the arguement, but that's clearly not the case here nor will it be in any conceivable future. It really isn't any different from the airport model except that an airport requires a much larger footprint so no one it their right mind would advocate putting one downtown. It is possible for HSR to have a station in downtown, but will Texas Central find it worthwhile to spend the extra dollars to get it there when a location further out works just as well? I doubt it.
Also, the location of the line is limited by the practicalities of the row and engineering peculiar to rail travel and HSR travel in particular. That leaves only a few spots for a station open to valid debate. The question is, where do you get the greatest benefit for the lowest cost.
-
1
-
-
Um downtown is convenient to 45, 59, 10, and 288.
Unfortunately, getting there on those roads isn't terribly convienient for most people in the metro area. And no, the solution isn't a collapse of the suburbs forcing everyone to pack insde the loop.
-
1
-
-
Because his banner says he lives near Westchase....how convenient. Yeah, he isn't being selfish at all...
That was a joke.
I guess, though, it's more or less the same as folks who live inside the loop and support this or light rail or any other transit project inside the loop but who could care less about the I10 widening a few years ago or expansion of the Grand Pkwy.
-
So you do or don't want the station in downtown August? Lol at city centre.
I don't care either way, so I'm not rah-rah about a downtown station, per se. What I'm saying is that it makes more sense to put a station outside downtown given the realities of Houston's current and future development. Ideally, perhaps, they should have a two stations, one in downtown and one someplace like NW mall. But, since it's a private venture, cost is going to be very relevant and I'd rather they do the NW mall location than try to overextend themselves to put it downtown. That can be done later once the line proves profitable.
-
Apparently there isn't quite as high of a demand as previously thought of... Forbes and a few other publications spell it out (I'm way too lazy to post them right now). There is perception that engineers are wanted everywhere. Houston supposedly has the highest concentration of them anywhere in the US? I think we have the highest concentration of "engineer-like" degrees, not engineers themselves. I'll wager LA and NYC by virtue of having more people have more engineers? But that's me being obstinate.
That said: I fully expect engineers/geologists/
phyicistsphysicists/others with degrees get let go with this round of layoffs. Roughnecks and roundabouts (and whatnot) will also (or already do) find themselves laid off. The bigger issue is why, and why so suddenly? I still maintain that oil/gas companies have failed to properly protect themselves from something like this. I mean we're not talking about an alternative energy source discovered overnight - we're talking about overproduction - years of it! And there were/are people sitting high up in offices atop towers that said it would happen and did nothing.That's my issue. And in 10 years it will repeat. Only in Oil/Gas does this seem to happen again..and again...and again...and again...and again...and again...
*I can't spell for a durn today!*
In 10 years there will be a new crop of top managers in place. When they see profits and bonuses go through the roof, they push it harder to make more for investors and themselves. Frequently, they are near the end of their careers and can take a cushy retirement when things eventually go south. Short-term management thinking was old news back the '80's when I was in business school.
-
Because it's a city center to city center train that's what the company want and it makes sense for anyone with a shred of common sense. Have you even been to Denver harbor or northwest mall recently?
Since most people will be driving to and from the terminal, like they do at the airports this will compete against, easy access to the segment of the population that will be using this is more important. Now if what you really meant was city center to city centre, then I'm down with that.
-
In other news, assuming my theory has any merit...
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/business/russia-ruble-interest-rates.html?referrer&_r=1
Basically, Russian economy is in collapse, so if this was the goal of Saudi Arabia, it appears they're succeeding thoroughly.
Of course the downside to economic chaos in a major power like Russia is that Putin may try to wag the dog by stepping up aggression against the Ukraine and others.
-
There's a difference between pie-in-the-sky conceptual maps and proposals, especially from government agencies spending other peoples' money, on the one hand, and real-world proposals from people spending their own money, on the other.
Further, FWIW, there is a lot more to it than just dividing the average travel time by the number of additional track miles. First, you apparently failed to include any time spent at your proposed intervening stations. So add another 10 minutes, minimum. The larger issue is the slow-down and speed-up time required to make those intervening times. Believe it or not, the trains will not be able to stop on a dime when traveling at 200 MPH, nor will they be able to accelerate back to 200 miles instantaneously when leaving each stop.
And let's face it, the population numbers you posted for those intervening stops are pretty inconsequential compared to the 7 MIllion + that will be at each end of the line.
It doesn't have to be an either/or. The Shinkasen runs both point-to-point and station hopper services.
-
From the article above....
The world's energy markets will change dramatically around 2020, when North America shifts from being a major energy importer to an important fuel source for the world's middle class, according to Exxon Mobil Corp.'s annual energy forecast.
The Irving-based company predicted that global energy demand would by grow 35 percent by 2040, driven by 2 billion additional people and the rise of energy-hungry middle classes in developing countries. Continued growth in North American and supply growth and gains in global efficiency are critical to meeting the future's energy needs, the report concluded.
So what this tells us is that the long-term forecast is higher demand and thus prices. There will be fluctuations...there always are...and we're in one of them now. But that's short-term. Long term is bullish.
-
1
-
-
BP to restructure as oil plunge hits revenues
London (AFP) - British energy giant BP on Wednesday announced a major restructuring of the company's operations faced with sliding revenues from plunging oil prices.
BP said it would take a restructuring charge totalling about $1.0 billion (800 million euros) over the next year "as part of its wider ongoing group-wide programme to simplify across its upstream and downstream activities and corporate functions".
It added it would provide further details in upcoming earnings statements. Reports say BP could cut jobs as part of the restructuring plan.
Why stop there? It's a short article. Here's the rest...
The company has been hit hard in recent months by plunging oil prices, which have collapsed by more than 40 percent since June to strike five-year low points this week.
It comes after BP -- which was devastated by the catastrophic Gulf of Mexico oil spill in 2010 -- has been forced to sell off billions of dollars of assets to meet the clean-up bill.
"We have already been working very hard over these past 18 months or so to right-size our organisation as a result of completing more than $43 billion of divestments," chief executive Bob Dudley said in Wednesday's statement.
"We are clearly a more focused business now and, without diverting our attention from safety and reliability, our goal is to make BP even stronger and more competitive.
"The simplification work we have already done is serving us well as we face the tougher external environment. We continue to seek opportunities to eliminate duplication and stop unnecessary activity that is not fully aligned with the group’s strategy."
As you can see, and as has been pointed out, BP has been working on a restructure for the last 18 months. Far before oil prices tanked.
-
2
-
-
Repairing leaded glass windows is possible, but its not easy at all. It's a difficult task that requires a high level of skill. If you are not comfortable repairing the window glass yourselves you should call a window repair specialist. Windows Repair Las Vegas can repair all kind of windows.
Lol...is a repairman going to fly out from Las Vegas to fix the door? Or do you have to deliver it to sin city yourself?
-
Eartha Kitt - "Santa Baby"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFMyF9fDKzE
Others have done it but none can compare to the original. Worst of all is Taylor Swift's pop-isized version. It's like a girl doing a woman's job.
-
This is from people in those companies. I'm not gleeful but a lot of people are in denial about the major impact the oil price will have on Houston and this is tangible evidence of its effects.
I heard a rumor somewhere that Victor Trevino was completely innocent...and then he pled guilty. So you never know about rumors...whether they will turn out to be true or false. Usually it's best not to pass them around because then you look like a complete fool when they turn out to not be true.
-
Rumor is 40% of shell back office jobs to be cut
-
1
-
-
How low can oil go? Exxon CEO says it's prepared for $40 crude
Dec 3, 2014, 12:05pm CST
Just shows that these companies are prepared for these type of situations.
I'm sure they are. The top leadership in the oil industry were junior employees when the bottom fell out in the 80's. It's kind of like how Vietnam affects the thinking of senior military officers today.
-
Bp has announced forthcoming layoffs.
I googled BP layoffs and came up with this...
Cancellation of a maintenance contract with KBR in Decatur, Alabama, resulting in 131 KBR employees cut.
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2014/11/post_205.html
Sale of some assets to another oil company in Alaska, 275 jobs cut. Mind you this was announced in September and it'd be my guess negotiations on the sale had been going for some time.
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2014/09/15/bp-plans-alaska-layoffs/
and this...
"BP expects to downsize as it creates new U.S. onshore business"...but, it's from MARCH (well before the price drop) and mentions how BP was hurt by the Horizon disaster.
For a company with 84,000 employees worldwide, the above are just normal business fluctuations.
-
1
-
-
It's certainly not the greatest, or even as good as it once was, but it's still the best way I've found to scan local headlines so far. Anyone have other recommendations?
Texas Central Project
in Transit
Posted
If you want to do pie-in-the-sky theoretical discussions on the future of transport in Houston, you should start a new thread and set the ground rules. You can't just expect everyone to tip-toe around your opinions and then throw your hands up when you are challenged on them.