Metro Jacksonville

Community => Transportation, Mass Transit & Infrastructure => Topic started by: thelakelander on March 04, 2013, 11:53:04 AM

Title: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: thelakelander on March 04, 2013, 11:53:04 AM
Wow....

QuoteSenator 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
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: If_I_Loved_you on March 04, 2013, 12:22:10 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on March 04, 2013, 11:53:04 AM
Wow....

QuoteSenator 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
:o Holy Cow what a true fool this senator Alan Hays is.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Cheshire Cat on March 04, 2013, 12:39:17 PM
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
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Overstreet on March 05, 2013, 10:30:32 AM
So he is using his public office to  conduct  a personal vendetta?
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: carpnter on March 05, 2013, 10:36:46 AM
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. 
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: acme54321 on March 05, 2013, 11:07:29 AM
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.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: RiversideLoki on March 05, 2013, 11:09:01 AM
He really hates getting stuck behind the bus more than anyone I've ever met.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: cline on March 05, 2013, 11:09:53 AM
Quotepulled 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.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: tufsu1 on March 05, 2013, 11:10:11 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on March 05, 2013, 11:07:29 AM
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?
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: acme54321 on March 05, 2013, 11:15:50 AM
Quote from: tufsu1 on March 05, 2013, 11:10:11 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on March 05, 2013, 11:07:29 AM
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.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: simms3 on March 05, 2013, 11:27:29 AM
Is it April Fool's yet?
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Dog Walker on March 05, 2013, 11:35:34 AM
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!
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Lunican on March 05, 2013, 11:42:40 AM
Can't we just make it illegal to ride in a vehicle with 3 or more unrelated people?
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Dog Walker on March 05, 2013, 11:47:43 AM
Hey, let's pass a law requiring that all State Senators ride public transportation everywhere!
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: carpnter on March 05, 2013, 11:50:24 AM
Quote from: cline on March 05, 2013, 11:09:53 AM
Quotepulled 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. 
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: diverdan363 on March 08, 2013, 05:31:12 PM
Senator files legislation only when it directly affects him not the taxpayer,
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Dog Walker on March 09, 2013, 10:37:16 AM
Quote from: acme54321 on March 05, 2013, 11:07:29 AM
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.

Funny, I think slowed and snarled auto traffic is GOOD thing.  There is a city in Europe somewhere that was having real problems with accidents in their city center.  They reduced the accident rate to zero by removing ALL traffic signs, signals and road markings.  Traffic slowed to a very cautious crawl throughout the area as no one was sure that they had the right-of-way.  Problem solved.
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: tufsu1 on March 09, 2013, 05:54:49 PM
Quote from: diverdan363 on March 08, 2013, 05:31:12 PM
Senator files legislation only when it directly affects him not the taxpayer,

honestly, thousands of bills get filed each year
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: mbwright on March 19, 2013, 10:30:59 AM
he should have taken a train. ;)
Title: Re: Senator files legislation to kick buses off public streets
Post by: Dog Walker on March 19, 2013, 10:53:50 AM
^ bicycle!