I'm a fan of public transit

Regarding the Station Square derailment on Sunday 8/5/18 in Pittsburgh

http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2018/08/05/Freight-Train-derails-Pittsburgh-Station-Square-South-Side/stories/201808050144

There was a recent photo essay in the Guardian, posted on FB by others, about the "melancholy" jobs of Pittsburgh parking lot attendants (Search 'melancholy isolation'). It started with these words: "Given Pittsburgh’s poor public transport, many commuters choose to drive. Tom M Johnson photographs the city’s parking attendants in the confines of their booths." A commenter to that article described the Light Rail system as "going nowhere."

Now we have the reality of an awful lot of nowhere and nobodies being affected for a long time. I did not respond to that comment, but as someone who has used the Pittsurgh transit system consistently since the 1980s, and who recognizes its drawbacks, I really dislike the Guardian article's description of the public transit system as "poor" and of the commenter's description of Light Rail as "going nowhere."

I'm not up on the funding, though I have read that a lawsuit over fees that the PA Turnpike must pay to Port Authority and SEPTA is delaying some revenue, but I can't help but think that anything that gets more cars off the road is worthwhile.

I agree that travel by bus with various transfers is time consuming and draining. (Would I do it to get from South Hills to Oakland? No, not now. On the 44U express, though, I most definitely would have. That route is history, unfortunately, as is the PATrain). But I'd appreciate a discussion of how that is less time-consuming and draining than sitting in endless traffic jams of one car, one person. 


One advantage of the transit system here (and elsewhere) is the East Busway and the Light Rail operate outside of car traffic. There are problems (disoriented driver on the EBA), and near disasters, (like Sunday's on the LRT), but in general, they serve well to keep a few more cars off the road. And I always appreciated the time to read, study or just watch the passing scenery without having to focus on the traffic around me.

 There is a giant rabbit hole of laws passed by Congress adressing transportation funding, starting with Ice Tea, (at least in my memory) but it's hard to figure out what they have to do with double stack trains (fewer trucks on the highway. Sounds good, but what about safety?)

(Written but someone who hates to drive.)

In which I meet Gerry, Bear and Edie (and miss 2 trains)

Here is how the day started: Yep. That's what I saw at the T station. Missed the 8:36. Figured I'd wait for the 8:55 instead. What the hell.

I had part of the paper, a magazine and a book. Dropped the paper and the book onto the wet pavement, picked up latter trying to figure out how to dry it without wiping it on my: hands, coat, skirt, stockings. No worries. A young woman in jeans and a jacket saw me holding the book between (figuratively) thumb and forefinger, marched over, grabbed it and said, "I'm wearing work clothes. Here." Then she swabbed it across her jean-clad thighs. What a sweetie! (Though I was kind of embarrassed.)

Pittsburghers are nice that way. (Oh, and a gentleman also picked up my newspaper. Seriously, I was not only late this morning, but a total klutz. And I wasn't even carrying coffee.)

So.

Finally Downtown, and even though I am looking forward to having a closer stop once construction of the North Shore connector is done, I will miss getting off at Wood Street. Because walking from there, I get to see this cool, white terra cotta-tile clad building on Liberty Avenue (left and detail at right). Interviewed (very badly) for a job there once, long ago. Still like the building.

The day hums along. I work. Drink coffee, go to the gym, work some more and ask my boss if I can leave a bit early to start my weekend. (Off Friday, woo hoo!).

Passing the Fairmont, I spot Edie, the hotel's canine ambassador, inside. I've been a wanting to meet her, so in I go. Edie proves elusive, trotting off to meet guests having drinks, including Gerry (pronounced Gary, she tells me) and Bear (true names, seriously). Gerry works for the Pittsburgh Public Theatre. Bear has very long hair and looks like an actress. Gerry says I look familiar and then we all agree I look like Tina Fey.

I had followed Edie to their little lobby nook, we exchange pleasantries and find that my friend Sharon is a mutual acquaintance.

Edie wanders off and I say my goodbyes to G & B and a staffer offers to take my picture with Edie.

Aren't we adorable!?

However.

My little diversion means, again, at the end of the day, I arrive at a train station only to see the caboose (figuratively again) disappearing into the distance.

That's OK. I got to meet Edie and Gerry and Bear.