Buses, Trains and the Media

Is there real danger on the bus from unruly teens?

Anyone who has taken the bus more than a few times has probably encountered obscenity-spewing, rough-housing teens who are either unaware that they're annoying others or don't care that they are. In some cases, they seem to enjoy the discomfort of fellow passengers.

Generally, they are ignored. Or, more accurately, put up with. Few people riding the bus want to take the risk of confronting them. Although the odds that a rebuke will lead to a physical conflict are relatively small, the reward is not great enough to justify the risk. Or is it?

Are these unruly teens actually dangerous? Or have we been brainwashed into believing that they are? I suspect that they're less dangerous than they appear, but do you want to be proven wrong in close quarters with fellow passengers who likely will not back you up?

Two men recently wrote about disturbing experiences on the bus involving teenagers. One of them described his nemesis as "the public rapper." The other described his three foes as "no older than 15, hissing, snarling... a general hindrance for everyone going about their everyday life."

The two men responded differently. The first, who had his 2-year-old daughter with him, asked the rapper to "watch your language, please." The other sat silently as the teens "menacingly taunted the poor bus driver."

You can't judge either of them for their actions, can you? The situations were quite different. Again, I suspect that we exaggerate the danger of unruly teenagers. But you only have to be wrong once to regret your decision for a long time.

Until next time.

Steve

Serphing the Internet can be disconcerting

I just learned about a website called Serph.com that allows you to "track buzz in real time." For example, you can type your name into the search box and get a list of pertinent blog postings, YouTube videos, websites, etc. that are percolating on the Internet.

It sounds better than it performs, though. I typed in "Steve Hirano" and got the following:

There were actually a few more listings, but none worth including in the image.

The first listing, My Favorite Car, is a blog that lists blog postings about cars. I happened to write a blog posting called "Travel decisions - car, plane or motorcoach? - are getting more complex" that was included in My Favorite Car on May 31.

The next two listings refer to YouTube videos that have nothing to do with me, beyond the fact that the lead guitarist is named Steve (Chang) and one of the tags is Hirano.

Finally, the last result apparently refers to a blog posting that I wrote called "Do looks really matter that much?" on April 9. It discusses the importance of a person's appearance in their career success. Strangely, the blurb on the Serph page touts the posting as a "great read"; however, the link goes to a directory of plastic surgeons, with no mention of my blog. I'm guessing that the website, celebsurgeon.com, has found a way to market itself by linking to as many sources that mention "plastic surgery" as it can. I'm discomforted by the fact that my blog posting is being used this way, but there's not much I can do.

So, how important is it to use sites like Serph to "track buzz" about you or your organization? I would say that it can't hurt to occasionally feed your name into the Search box, but I wouldn't spend too much on it because the results can be relatively useless and, sometimes, disconcerting.

Until next time.

Steve

Dying to be surveyed by a mortuary -- or a transit system?

People may be dying to get in, but funeral homes apparently want to poll them before they arrive.

I received two surveys today in the mail -- one from White & Day, Rice, McCormick & McMillan Mortuaries; the other from Fukui Mortuary (careful with the pronunciation!). Each one-page survey offered the same set of six questions regarding funeral planning. They obviously were created by the same marketing firm.

I normally don't open junk mail from funeral homes, but the fact that two letters arrived from different mortuaries on the same day made me curious. Was there something they knew that I didn't? I was relieved to discover that they were merely trying to gauge my desire to, among other things, "reduce the stress of last-minute decisions" and "confirm [my] wishes regarding public or private family viewing."

They also offered to provide a free estimate on funeral planning and to send a free copy of "Life's Passages Portfolio" for filling out and returning the questionnaire. Like most people, I don't enjoy confronting my mortality and will not be responding. But, honestly, I think the survey is a great idea. It's short, non-threatening (except for the fact that it's about death) and could entice some people into preparing for the Great Beyond (not a bad idea, really).

Transit systems should take note. Isn't this the perfect time to ask residents of your service area about their public transportation intentions? Wouldn't it be nice to know at what gasoline price point ($4, $5, $6, $7, $8, $9, $10) they will start using your system, if they're not already? And for what purpose . . . commuting only, off-peak day/night/weekend travel, etc.? If they don't plan to use your service, it might be nice to know why not. Also, since fare hikes seem to be in vogue, it might be good to ask their opinion about your fare structure. As gas prices go higher and higher, your fares become more and more reasonable to people who are ditching their cars and taking the bus or train.

This type of data could help transit systems "reduce the stress of last-minute decisions." Dying and running a public transportation system aren't so different, are they?

Until next time.

Steve

Automobile status just isn't what it used to be

It was ironic, to be attending a public transportation meeting and listening to an attendee talk about his recent purchase of a Cadillac Escalade. The luxury SUV cost him $70,000, which, as the salesman apparently pointed out, means that he probably isn't too concerned about the rising price of fuel.

My first thought was that people are free to purchase any vehicle they desire, no matter the consequences.

Then I thought, but this guy works in an industry that promotes public transportation and all of the attendant benefits to the environment, economy and general welfare of the citizens.

Is it hypocritical for him to run out and buy a gas-guzzling SUV (12 mpg in the city) when he earns his living through the public transportation industry? Or is it just a case of bad timing? Had he done this eight years ago, no one would have noticed or cared. Now, however, you are being judged by the car you drive, but not in terms of its cost or status, but by its fuel mileage and impact on the environment.

Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, has been hectoring Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's transportation deputy, Jaime de la Vega, for several months because he drives a Hummer. In his latest jab Lopez has some fun exploring the difficulty de la Vega will have if he decides to sell the giant SUV.

Which made me think about the Escalade and its low fuel economy and rapidly deteriorating value. Everything has its price, doesn't it?

Until next time.

Steve

Are your websites ready for prime time?

Every day I read fresh articles from around the U.S. and other parts of the world about the migration of car-driving commuters to buses and trains because of high fuel prices. And then I wonder how many people wanted to make the conversion to buses and trains but didn't because they didn't know how to get from Point A to Point B using the local transit system or because they were intimidated about riding the bus or train.

Which brings me to the point: Transit systems need to make sure that their websites are easy to use, properly updated and useful. If they don't have automated trip planners, they should at least supply timetables and maps that would allow a novice to chart a course from home to the office. Or wherever. And they should also supply instructions on using the system, e.g., which door to use to enter and exit the vehicle, how to pay your fare, rules about eating or drinking on the bus/train, how to signal a bus operator that you want to get off, etc.

I suspect that many transit system websites are getting more traffic than ever before, with most of the action from new customers. If you don't have a section on your website called "First-Time Riders," "How to Ride," "Getting Started" or something to that effect, you probably should create one. And it should include a Frequently Asked Questions section addressing common concerns that first-time riders have.

If you have the wherewithal, and funding, to create an online video that illustrates how to use the system, that's even better. People are much more likely to watch a video than, say, read a downloadable brochure. Take advantage of the Internet's ability to deliver images, sound and graphics. Although the video should be professionally produced, it doesn't have to be award-winning caliber. It just needs to address the questions that first-time riders have in a straight-forward, informational manner.

I know budgets are tight, but record-high fuel prices have created a fantastic opportunity to win new riders to your systems. You don't want to miss this chance. An investment in your website now could pay significant dividends down the line.

Until next time.

Steve

I left my car in San Jose

I'm happy to report that my trip to San Francisco to attend the APTA Rail Conference was successful, not so much from a marketing standpoint (I was there to promote TransitTalent.com), but from a transportation standpoint.

In my previous blog posting, I discussed my rationale for driving to the Bay Area rather than flying or taking an intercity bus. It's normally cheaper to drive than fly, but sky-high gasoline prices are cutting into the margin. I chose to drive to San Jose, where I stayed at my parents' house and used public transportation to get to and from San Francisco.

I took Caltrain (commuter rail) in both directions and supplemented it with a short ride on the Muni train. It was a simple, stress-less way to travel. When it works efficiently, public transportation is a fantastic, feel-good alternative to a car, as many thousands of people around the country are discovering each day.

The 350-mile drive to and from San Jose wasn't bad either. I went to the library before my trip and checked out a couple of books on CD (Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach" and "The Cell" by Stephen King). That made the 5-hour drive more bearable and helped to keep my speed down (I wasn't in as much of a hurry to get to my destination!). The books also helped to keep me awake, which is always a good thing when you're driving 70 mph down a long, straight, boring stretch of highway.

Until next time.

Steve