Written by Seattle Times columnist Charles Brown received the following question about junked-up busses in Renton. Has anyone else noticed this on the Renton 111 route?
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Q&A | Why junked-up Renton buses?
Seattle Times staff reporter
Talk traffic to us
Q: Does Metro Transit overtly assign better buses to some routes than to others?
With a discriminating eye, Renton resident Cherise Thompson senses discrimination. Thompson frequently takes Metro’s Route 111 from the Renton Highlands Park-and-Ride lot. “Over the last year, I used to commute to Issaquah … and grab a bus there,” she said. “My perception is the Renton Highlands routes receive all the junked-up, graffiti-filled buses, while Issaquah receives the brand new coaches.”
It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Issaquah gets nicer buses for reasons other than what the Metro spokesperson outlined. However, it probably has more to do with Issaquah riders throwing a fit when a “dirty” bus appears on a route, rather than some sort of socio-economic conspiracy against Renton. The lesson here is that people in Renton need to speak up about the condition of the buses and demand better, or things are never going to change. All it takes is a phone call or a letter to Metro.
here’s where to direct Metro bus complaints and compliments
Metro Transit Customer Service – 206-553-3060
Transit Police – 206-684-2761
Metro Graffiti Hotline – 206-684-1800
Metro General Manager, Kevin Desmond
201 S. Jackson St., KSC-TR-0415
Seattle, WA 98104-3856
206-684-1619 phone
206-684-1778 fax
Re: here’s where to direct Metro bus complaints and compliments
Good advice, about complaining. Kevin makes a good point, that this is probably complaint driven. Thanks to whoever posted the phone numbers…was that Kevin too?
Re: here’s where to direct Metro bus complaints and compliments
Nope, wasn’t me, but yes, thanks to that person!
Re: here’s where to direct Metro bus complaints and compliments
Nope, wasn’t me, but yes, thanks to that person!
King County’s always played favorites…
Compare the construction 405 Above Bellevue VS 405 below Bellevue – we poor Renonites won’t even get sound barriers. Never mind the fact that the snobs on Mercer Island got to *BURY* 1-90 in a fake tunnel.
The way Seattle has treated it’s sothern citizens is appalling – a holdover from the race red-lining that shafted the blacks in Seattle.
Re: King County’s always played favorites…
Yes, I’ve always wondered how Mercer Island got such a sweet deal with I-90. Even Seattle has the convention center and freeway park to connect downtown with First Hill. Downtown Renton, on the other hand, is completely bisected by 405, and whole Sunset/4th/3rd/169 interchange situation is terrible. We certainly could’ve benefitted from a “lid.” Imagine a nice park at the base of Renton Hill, or a sunken freeway down by the community center. One can dream.
One more reason to elect Marcie Maxwell to the state legislature!