A few days ago Joleen and I decided to just up and take a trip to Tacoma, try to grab lunch with a few of my past coworkers from my work at the Corporate Headquarters of Labor Ready.  We got up at the head ache inducing hour of 6:15am so we could board the #9 for Union Station.  We both got ready and went to board the bus.

The first #9 that arrived was about 2 minutes late, with an actual arrival of 7:21 instead of 7:19am.  The bus however was so packed that we decided, since the #9 frequency is AWESOME, that we'd wait for the next one.  So we backed away and waved the absolutely packed #9 away after the others waiting at 21st & Powell boarded.  All 6 other people waiting boarded and off went the bus.  At 2 minute early, the next #9 arrived.  The actual arrival was 7:23 and it wasn't to arrive until 7:25am.  But at this point we didn't care, we boarded and actually got two out of the last 3 seats.  One other person who had just walked up filled the other seat.  The bus then took off for downtown.

Along the way we stopped 3 times to pause for more than a minute.  The bus driver kept getting us ahead of schedule and we'd have to wait.  After a shorter than expected ride of 28 minutes we arrived at Union Station and went to acquire possession of our Amtrak Cascades Tickets.

We got our tickets, waited about for a short time, and when the train arrived we boarded.  Amtrak Cascades #500 departed on time and...

...I'll continue the story of the trip later in the entry, for now I'm going to review the bus route changes proposed...

Bus Route Changes

I really like the #6 changes.  I could imagine myself using this line more.  The downtown connection never really seemed all that logical anyway.  This #6 route change also provides more north south service, something that is needed.  It isn't the locations I'd like service, but it would definitely improve the north south logistical picture some.

I like this change, but make sure to check out what I state below - it's super dooper obvious.  But this connection point I really like.  I however do not like that it doesn't just come right downtown.  I do understand they'll need to reduce the number of buses eventually downtown, and the MAX really does have better throughput for this, but I'm not convinced this will help ridership on a bus that isn't always that busy to begin with.

I really like this idea, of it connecting to the Yellow/Green line MAX like this.  I like the connection point.  However, as stated with the northern #10 route, I'm not really sure it will help ridership too much.

The #10 Obvious Point...   If they did this, I'd hope that they become the #10 and #11 or something instead of two routes with the same number.  They're physically disconnected at this point!!!!   I really don't like the disparity between northern and southern routes, but many have the same number.  It doesn't make good sense from a riders perspective, can be misleading, and especially confusing to people that are visiting or don't ride regularly.

Nope, no, negative.  This is not a good route closure.  Put it back on the mall like...

Yeah, now this is the #14 route that I know and love!  The change at the beginning of the construction caused such an uproar that it really should go right back the way it was.  This is the route people like, they use, etc.  It is good for ridership, it is good for business along the line, it's just good all around and a solid route to run.  Bring it back!!

The #35 route is pretty useful, and has solid ridership.  However I'm not sure if this change would be that useful.  Already the stretch shown is a completely screwed up route - but it isn't TriMet's fault, it's ODOT for putting the Interstate right through the friggin' middle of the blasted area.  It's bad enough they evicted a bunch of people for the Interstate and probably even forced railroads and other businesses from their property, but it makes it nearly impossible for the route to be utilized fully through this area.  In summary, this change I honestly can't say would be better or worse than the current route.  In both scenarios you have vast areas that cannot safely get to the stops that exist, or would exist under this route change.  The only real solution for the southern section here for livability, pedestrian mobility, and other things of that nature - i.e. the good things in life - is to simply destroy or completely move, cover, or otherwise obfuscate the Interstate through here.

Amtrak Cascades #500

...and now back to the trip of today...

...we immediately headed out through north Portland.  We were making great time through the rail yard and then slowed to a stop to wait for some river traffic.  Thanks Lincoln, once again you have stopped modern progress of passenger rail - I say this because, he's the right of way giver to the river traffic.  But anyway after a 8 minute wait for river traffic, we pulled off and headed through the north Portland cut.  Again we made great time but then came to a stop on the Columbia River Rail Bridge waiting for, you guessed it.  More river traffic!  Blagh!  After another 8-10 minute wait we pulled over the bridge and into Vancouver, Washington.

The station stop, as usual, was busy and relatively short.  Train #500 departed a few minutes late at this point and scooted across the countryside.  We made Kelso only a few minutes late and on through to Centralia.  In Centralia I believe we were only down about 2-3 minutes.  We departed Centralia and arrived in Olympia on time.

One odd thing that occurred on this trip was a stop that wasn't scheduled, in the middle of nothing really.  The train blew it's horn and began slowing somewhere north of Centralia.  When the train stopped, a BNSF crewman detrained and jumped in a truck.  I dread that I get the guy in trouble if this is against operating procedure, but I just thought it funny.  I personally don't know what the rules of the railroad are when it comes to personal drop offs.  However, it really didn't cause us to lose much time.  Maybe a minute, we did however make that up into Olympia.

Tacoma

We rolled into Tacoma no more than 5 minutes late.  After the familiar 3 long block walk up to the transit center Joleen and I sat down to wait for the streetcar.  We saw one turn onto Pacific Avenue, which appeared strange.  After a few minutes the other streetcar appeared, turned off of Pacific Avenue and headed our way.

We boarded the streetcar and the driver changed ends of the car.  We then rode back to the other end of the streetcar were we walked the last few blocks to Matador.  A great lunch was had as had been had in the past.  Matador, now with a second location on NW 23rd street in Portland is a great place to eat.  Their drink selection is also top notch, with whiskeys and other assortments.  After lunch with Eric P & Tom Puleo, Joleen and I headed for Cutter's Point.  Cutter's Point is, at least that I know of, a local coffee shop in the north west.  The location that we've stopped at dozens of times before is right across from Union Station (it really isn't Union Station anymore, now just law offices).  The streetcar practically stops at the front door of the place.

After a sugary sweet white mocha the last streetcar was taken back to the Amtrak Station.  With barely 15 minutes to go, we took a seat and waited for #507 to arrive.  On time, as usual, the #507 arrived, we boarded with a kind greeting from the Conductor, and off we zipped.

The Always Late Race at Tacoma Station

Before our train #507 arrived the north bound #506, as often is the case, arrived late.  I don't think train #506 arrived on time a single time the 36+ times I boarded a south bound train for Portland during my year and a half stint at Labor Ready Corporate Headquarters.  I'm not sure how Amtrak and BNSF manage to do this, but train #506 is late about 90%+ of the time into Tacoma almost exactly in conjunction with the on time arrival of the south bound #507.  Why is it, that the north bound can consistently be late at almost the exact time every day, but can't keep its schedule?  BNSF?  Amtrak?  Any answers from you guys?  I have my guesses, but I'm not going to dwell on the silliness of this scenario.

The remainder of the trip was enjoyable and calm, as train trips are, with the sun setting in the west over the hills of Washington.  The grassy fields and think forests interspersed with small towns here and there.  Overall, another great trip, another fun round, and a decent day in Tacoma with good peoples and good food.  Simply, a good day.