Old PRCo route numbers-car requirements

[John Swindler]

>Donald Galt replied to Bill Vigrass comment (I can't think of another 
>reason that makes any sense.  Maybe it was just an error.)
>
>Don't think so. Six cars are likewise allowed for Library Street (10-minute 
>peak hour service over a round trip route of 1.4 mi,) and four for Corey 
>Avenue (quarter-hourly over 1.3 mi.) There's something going on here that 
>we don't understand. Whether peak hour through service or ?????, I don't 
>know.
>
>
>

Considering the accuracy of route vehicle requirement reports submitted by 
current transit operators to PennDOT, errors are a possibility.  But also, 
how were pieces of work put together and where/when were maximum load 
points.  In other words, a schedule department problem, and what you see in 
the Arnold report is their solution.

The answer probably lies in records saved at PTM, and as Ed L. has 
previously commented, anyone really curious is welcome to research the 
files.

However, it was before my time, but didn't 81-Atwood run through to downtown 
Pittsburgh during rush hours, but only was a shuttle to Oakland during the 
off-peak?  If so, why?  Well, probably to provide additional capacity along 
the Forbes/Fifth corridor during peak hours.  Off-peaks, Atwood riders could 
transfer to less the full cars operating along Forbes/Fifth.  But during 
rush hours, that extra capacity didn't exist.

Likewise, what was purpose of Corey Ave. and Library St.?  Take mill 
employees from their homes to the mills.  Single car shuttle during most of 
the day would suffice.  But what happened at shift changes?  Again, just a 
guess, but I suspect the records might show extra trips to the mills, not 
only in Braddock, but what about Homestead and E. Pittsburgh?  You can still 
see that today in Erie where EMTA runs extra buses over their routes to GE 
plant at shift change, and SEPTA and Altoona put extra buses out as school 
trippers.  When one looks at peak headways, cycle time, and vehicle 
requirements, it doesn't make sense unless one knows the both the existence 
and purpose of the extra trippers.

Again, this is just a guess.  The real answer might lie in the route card 
files at PTM.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com