Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets

[thelakelander]

Wow....

Senator Alan Hays has filed Senate Bill 158, which seeks to prohibit buses from stopping on public streets.

The complete bill is one single paragraph:

“Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a bus, other than a school bus, may not be stopped in such a manner so as to impede, block, or otherwise restrict the progression of traffic on the main traveled portion of a roadway while the bus is loading or discharging passengers if another reasonable means is available to safely load or discharge passengers.”

As Orlando Sentinel columnist Lauren Ritchie tells it, Hays is bent out of shape after driving on Bay Street in Eustis behind a LakeXpress public bus when it pulled toward the side of the road to pick up and discharge passengers. But the bus wasn’t completely off the road, and Hays couldn’t go around it.

As a result of this episode, the head of the county’s bus service and the director of transportation planning for the region were summoned to Hays’ office. The pair said Hays was blustering and visibly angry as he told this story to illustrate his desire to keep transit buses from stopping on roads to let passengers on and off.

The two public transportation advocates figured the senator was just blowing off some frustration.

But, no.

“He was very agitated, so I just listened,” said Dottie Keedy, Lake County’s director of community services, which operates the public transit system. “He said he wasn’t going to take it anymore, and if I didn’t do something, he would.”

Hence SB 158.

full article: http://www.saintpetersblog.com/senator-alan-hays-does-not-want-buses-stopping-in-streets

[If_I_Loved_you]

Wow....

Senator Alan Hays has filed Senate Bill 158, which seeks to prohibit buses from stopping on public streets.

The complete bill is one single paragraph:

“Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a bus, other than a school bus, may not be stopped in such a manner so as to impede, block, or otherwise restrict the progression of traffic on the main traveled portion of a roadway while the bus is loading or discharging passengers if another reasonable means is available to safely load or discharge passengers.”

As Orlando Sentinel columnist Lauren Ritchie tells it, Hays is bent out of shape after driving on Bay Street in Eustis behind a LakeXpress public bus when it pulled toward the side of the road to pick up and discharge passengers. But the bus wasn’t completely off the road, and Hays couldn’t go around it.

As a result of this episode, the head of the county’s bus service and the director of transportation planning for the region were summoned to Hays’ office. The pair said Hays was blustering and visibly angry as he told this story to illustrate his desire to keep transit buses from stopping on roads to let passengers on and off.

The two public transportation advocates figured the senator was just blowing off some frustration.

But, no.

“He was very agitated, so I just listened,” said Dottie Keedy, Lake County’s director of community services, which operates the public transit system. “He said he wasn’t going to take it anymore, and if I didn’t do something, he would.”

Hence SB 158.

full article: http://www.saintpetersblog.com/senator-alan-hays-does-not-want-buses-stopping-in-streets

Holy Cow what a true fool this senator Alan Hays is.

[Cheshire Cat]

Oh my goodness, Lord help us all.  Another goofball on the Senate!  Ban buses on the streets from stopping and starting.  I am going to laugh rather than cry.  lol

[Overstreet]

So he is using his public office to  conduct  a personal vendetta?

[carpnter]

While this piece is legislation is going way overboard, bus drivers are some of the most inconsiderate drivers out there.  I cannot tell you how many times some bus turns right on red while I am crossing the intersection, improperly merged into traffic from an on ramp, made an improper lane change, or pulled back out into traffic on a street without even properly signaling all of which required me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting the bus. 

[acme54321]

It's not kicking busses off of public roads, just preventing them from stopping in the main travel lanes.  Basically it's forcing the transit peope to provide bus pullouts.  You can't deny that busses stopping all over the road are annoying and can snarl up traffic at busy times.

[RiversideLoki]

He really hates getting stuck behind the bus more than anyone I've ever met.

[cline]

pulled back out into traffic on a street without even properly signaling all of which required me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting the bus.

By law, you have to allow room for the bus to get back into the flow of traffic.

I read this story the other day.  This guy is an embarrassment.

[tufsu1]

It's not kicking busses off of public roads, just preventing them from stopping in the main travel lanes.  Basically it's forcing the transit peope to provide bus pullouts.  You can't deny that busses stopping all over the road are annoying and can snarl up traffic at busy times.

but here's the problem with bus pull-off lanes....during busy times, how does the bus get back into the traffic flow?

[acme54321]

It's not kicking busses off of public roads, just preventing them from stopping in the main travel lanes.  Basically it's forcing the transit peope to provide bus pullouts.  You can't deny that busses stopping all over the road are annoying and can snarl up traffic at busy times.

but here's the problem with bus pull-off lanes....during busy times, how does the bus get back into the traffic flow?

Look at the post above yours.  It's written on the side of the bus.

Plus, we all know those drivers have no issue with just pulling out into traffic without much care.

[simms3]

Is it April Fool's yet?

[Dog Walker]

Are they petulant children before we elect them to public office or do they become petulant children because they are in public office?  Inquiring minds want to know!

[Lunican]

Can't we just make it illegal to ride in a vehicle with 3 or more unrelated people?

[Dog Walker]

Hey, let's pass a law requiring that all State Senators ride public transportation everywhere!

[carpnter]

pulled back out into traffic on a street without even properly signaling all of which required me to slam on my brakes to avoid hitting the bus.

By law, you have to allow room for the bus to get back into the flow of traffic.

I read this story the other day.  This guy is an embarrassment.

For me to allow room I need to know that the bus is ready to get back into traffic by the driver using the turn signal.  Me allowing room does not mean I have to stop and wait for the bus to complete its loading and unloading when it is not in a travel lane.  I've let plenty of buses back into traffic when they signal they want to merge back into a travel lane.