[PRCo] Re: Portland Green Line

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

________________________________
From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 11:34:37 AM
Subject: [PRCo] Re: Portland Green Line

Suggest taking a ride on the new electric mass transit 
vehicles assigned to 66, 59 and 75 in Philadelphia.  
Driver can pull up to a curb, passengers can walk 
straight onto the trackless trolley and to a seat without 
having to climb any steps.  And then compare with 
boarding a light rail vehicle in Philadelphia.

First encountered a low floor car in Ghent.  Would 
have preferred a LRV, but had to admit that the 
low floor car was easier and quicker to board.  
>From a safety island, there is no need for ramps 
or lifts to handle wheelchairs.

To link back to Pittsburgh, just compare a high floor 
steps with a low floor car.  
PTM has 4145 and 4398 for this purpose.

Cheers

John

________________________________

Mr.Swindler;

I don't live under a rock;  I live in the real world.
Philadelphia must be way behind the curve;  I have
often ridden low-floor buses here in the west.  I know
the concept.  Is it really 'quicker?'  Schedules are
the same.  Yes, it is 'easier,' but how hard is it to climb
3-stairs?  The majority of those who complain are making
a mountain out of a mole hill.  Additionally, those who
vociferously complain are the most capable and able bodied;
those who really need such service are generally very
quiet while working with what is available.  Again, those who
vociferously complain about 3-stairs are often doing so
for the sake of complaining.  There is a very fine line between
ease and laziness isn't there.

I have not paid attention to details inside the bus but there
appears to be much less room.  Because the floor is low
front seats over the wheel wells are missing;  other seats may
be missing as well.  People themselves don't move any 
faster; they often queue and move very slowly.  Some have
to stand and assess conditions in the whole bus before
clearing and allowing others to move.  I submit there is a
much bigger problem with people being unprepared and
unwilling more than being unable.

The subject line says Portland;  on the Lrvs a ramp deploys
to the island for wheelchairs.  If a wheelchair passenger
onboard does not alert the operator to the desired stop
in advance then the operator must recycle the doors to
deploy the ramp.


 Phil
Without  a   'coast'   but  not  a   'cause.'


________________________________
> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 7:38:45 PM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Portland Green Line
> 
> Low floor is the way to go. Gets rid of ramps, lifts, and people climbing steps. 
> ________________________________
>
>
>
> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:58:49 -0700
> From: pcc_sr at yahoo.com
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Portland Green Line
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> 
> 
> Mr.Swindler;
> 
> 
> Getting rid of people does get rid of most safety concerns.
> Your comments have been made as frequently as I have stated:
> 
> "The point I made which hasn't been addressed is the
> side impact issue isn't it. After such a collision there
> shall be more people come under the ADA law won't
> there."
> 
> Is this another of many examples of history repeating?
> We rave about one feature while openly ignoring obvious
> concerns. We 'jump on board' feeling 100% safe, even 110%.
> Then the accident happens; we rant: 'why didn't 'they' see
> this problem?'
> 
> Yes; these low cars eliminate ramps and lifts but at what cost
> in both $$$ and $afety?
> 
> 
> Phil
> Without a 'coast' but not a 'cause.'