Seahawks fans this week are miffed (and rightfully so) after finding out they no longer have Metro shuttle service on game day. It seems a new federal regulation prohibits public transportation agencies like King County Metro Transit from providing shuttles if a privately owned agency wants the job. Trouble is, the Seahawks passed on the $20 per passenger bid offered by a private operator, saying it was too expensive. So now fans have no shuttle service at all. One couple told KING 5 that instead of paying $12 for a round-trip for two, they expect to pay more than $50 for gas and parking per game at Qwest Field. Ouch.
Seahawks fans lose Metro shuttle service
Seahawks fans this week are miffed (and rightfully so) after finding out they no longer have Metro shuttle service on game day. It seems a new federal regulation prohibits public transportation agencies like King County Metro Transit from providing shuttles if a privately owned agency wants the job. Trouble is, the Seahawks passed on the $20 per passenger bid offered by a private operator, saying it was too expensive. So now fans have no shuttle service at all. One couple told KING 5 that instead of paying $12 for a round-trip for two, they expect to pay more than $50 for gas and parking per game at Qwest Field. Ouch.
Holy cow! Is this in the name of the "free market?" Getting the government out of our lives? Some things are best left alone. Too bad the very people who pushed for this aren't in there bidding and gobbling up every single game and event-say shuttle route Metro ever provided at a reasonable cost.
Multiply this unhappiness across the nation, where people will have to get into their cars and drive (ga$, pollution, congestion) to get where they have gone before by mass transit . . . and you have one heck of an obnoxious image of how we expect to reach energy independence, cleaner air, and our goals of increased ridership on public transportation.
Well thats it then. No games for me this year. Being able to take the bus and avoid the parking fee and traffic nightmare is a key factor in me deciding to see the Seahawks. My guess is, the Seahawks will catch a lot of heat about this and we'll have a solution relatively soon once they find out how many people feel the same that I do. Until then, the seat from my couch at home is just fine.
What is the Mariner's arrangement with Sound Transit and is effected by this decision?
Sound Transit 522 (express downtown to Lake City, Woodenville) fails to materialize for evening departure (~4:30-6:00) one time in four (average twice weekly downtown commute) over a 60-90 minute period. Arrives in the non-accordian size with squeeze the standing room only...and lots of middle aged white people in Mariner's jerseys. Sitting in my seat. At least one of them anyway.
"It wasn't like this yesterday..." I mutter, hoping for englightentment though not strident enough as to admit ignorance. Circumstances; from thigh on thigh distance (and thigh on hip, knee askew butt,...) a grimacing, heavy, and very neutral voice; "Mariner's game."
"My tax dollars at work." Somehow slips out, too quickly catch, more audible than I would have wished, and a glare at the nearest (sitting) couple with regulation insignia that was...not forgiving. Fortunately surrounded by commuters of more substantial stature, with likely more summers than my two months, wilted fans (not accustomed to mass transit, lose a close one, lose in the third inning?).
Its a long ride, my scoleosis is acting up, I hope some of you are getting off before we hit I-5, or at least you and your niece? Daughter? If you're that young at heart why not surf the isle?
The driver's were courteous, patient, frazzled, stressed, seemed embarrassed-as though they would have felt relieved to offer a simple apology (and were constrained, though I miss-read people more often than anywhere close). One quietly saying to themselves something like '...this bus is so far behind' every minute or two for forty minutes. Unexpectedly calming mantra.
Not that this is an uncrowded bus, or that there were not other routes, other options. Not that there were five or six less SUV's on the road, that this was not something new to me...But that it happened once, and I forgot. Forgot much too quickly to see remember to check for Mariner's have a weekday afternoon game.
More grateful for a seat, a seat that is not so hard as metro, and that little angst I indulged in when watching a (televised) Mariner's defeat is...absent.
I will be pitutng this dazzling insight to good use in no time.
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