metro

(Above photos by Simon Oh.)

Yesterday was a whirlwind of activity at the Southern California Transit Forum, a huge conference with over 350 attendees, including politicians, transit managers, coach operators, union representatives, lobbyists, and transit advocates. I'm still trying to digest it, but if I could describe my impressions in a few words:

• Transit staff get it. They know what needs to be done to address the massive bus cuts. The CEOs of Metro and OCTA know what's politically practical and feasible.
• Politicians don't get it — and if they do get the transit funding crisis, it's not a hot topic on their radar. They continually made references to how great foreigners think Orange County's freeways are, made up lots of inside jokes, and talked about shiny projects like California High Speed Rail while photos of happy, smiling patrons on the bus and train flashed in the background.
• There are few practical solutions left. OCTA and Metro are preparing rounds of massive cuts. Most politicians and staff are resigned to let the cuts happen because California state cuts are likely to happen. Instead, they're looking to do a statewide initiative to protect local funds, and more county-wide initiatives.

Photos, video, and more after the break. (Edit 1: Added CAHSR video below.) (Edit 2: Added OCTA's recap video below.) (Edit 3: Added Simon's photo above.) read more→

At the Southern California Transit Forum right now. This is a huge event. Metro and OCTA are here. 

You can watch the forum live online at Chapman University's site.

and follow the Twitter feed at #TransitForum at http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23TransitForum

Will be updating TransitRiderOC as the day progresses.

Chapman University, OCTA, Metro, and other organizations are hosting a summit to address the transit funding crisis that's plaguing your system. If you're into politics and community organizing, please attend! I'll try to make at least the afternoon portion of the program (I will be there in the evening for sure).

It's Friday, February 5, 2010, 8am-5pm, at the Paul and Daranne Folino Theater, Chapman University. Metrolink's Orange County Line and Inland Empire-Orange County Line stops at the nearby Orange Station (and they're giving away tickets to this event). OCTA lines 54, 56, and 59 run nearby. RSVP for the transit forum by Feb. 1 to Peggy Wandelear at 714.560.5939 or pwandelear@octa.net.

For the OCBC Luncheon: reservations required; as seating is limited. Cost: $15.00 per person. RSVP with the OCBC.

Why is this important? Watch this YouTube video:

Here's the invitation sent out by Will Kempton, CEO of OCTA: 

TransitRiderOC Foodies is a new feature devoted to delicious dining while on public transit. Got a suggestion or want to write a review? Post your ideas in the forum!

I got a chance to hang out in Downtown Long Beach with a friend along OCTA Route 60, and he highly recommended Bouchees Bistro, a place that serves what the Orange County Register calls "ridiculously cute" "dream burgers". I'm naturally suspicious of pricey burger joints — especially when such burgers can be had for a few bucks at In-n-Out — but hundreds of Yelp! reviews heap accolades upon Bouchees, so I had to try it out.

It was very empty when we entered during their early open hours (they get crowded later in the day) and it's located conveniently next to 5th St Station where OCTA's Route 60 also stops. The waitstaff were friendly and attentive, and we got our food very quickly.

Their parmesan and herb french fries mixed with sweet potato fries come with delicious home-made ketchup that features a unique hint of Indian curry. Their sweet potato fries did remind me quite a bit of those at Irvine's Veggie Grill (at University Town Center, where OCTA routes 59, 79, 175, 178, and 473 converge). We gleefully munched on them but soon enough, the grand prize came...

Oh! Those mini-burgers. My friend Jim wanted to try more than one, so he got their special (a blue cheese burger with dijon mustard) along with his favorite, the applewood bacon and chipotle cheeseburger. I sank my teeth into that one, and, well, you'd be surprised: one mini-burger can be pretty filling (three make a meal). The pint-sized creation topped a delicious angus sirloin beef with crisp lettuce, tomato, and grilled onions.

I got greedy and (since I was up since 4 am in the morning) wanted to try their breakfast as well, so I got a regular-sized Southwest Panini for just $7.50. These were flat, grilled sandwiches stuffed with soy chorizo, pepperjack, and jalapeño salsa. I found them a bit watery after awhile, but it was still delicious. And since it wasn't made with meat (like regular chorizo), I was spared the saturated fat and calories.

If you ever find yourself in Long Beach, hop aboard OCTA route 60 and give Bouchees Bistro a try. Meals range from $7 to $23, but as you can see by my Southwest Panini, that's more than enough food for a hungry man. More info on Bouchees Bistro at their website. On OCTA route 60, get off at either 6th St/Long Beach Blvd (near the Metro 5th St Station), or 7th St/Elm Ave.

read more→

Don't know what to get your transit-riding friends for the holidays? Want to convince folks at work that riding transit can be cool? Get them some transit-related gifts!

OCTA has a lot of corporate-logo merchandise such as beanies, visors, water bottles, canteens, squishy stress buses, and even cute teddy bears. I've found most of this merchandise for cheaper than even general stores — the water bottle in my pic came to about around $4. You won't be able to buy these items online; you'll have to stop by OCTA's main headquarters at the OCTA Store, 550 S Main St, Orange, CA during weekdays. I'm sure they have plenty of items in stock.

Los Angeles Metro store has much more trendy apparel, Christmas ornaments, and large toy replicas of their buses. Metro sells posters with beautiful artwork that makes the thought of riding transit pleasant. However, their higher quality products translate to a higher price. The Los Angeles Times even featured the Metro Store a few years back: "Wearing a Los Angeles Metro T-shirt is 'completely counterculture, ... Because L.A. is car culture.'... Enthusiasts say part of what makes transit systems interesting in London, Berlin, Paris and New York – and why people want to buy merchandise from those places – is that they were marvels of their time when they were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries."

New York MTA's Transit Museum Store sells cool station signs, toys, drinkware, and more. If you happen to visit New York, stop by their museum!

Happy shopping! read more→

Bravo! has a bright future ahead of it. OCTA's already talking about adding 6 additional rapid bus lines and 3 or 4 bus rapid transit or light rail lines to northwestern Orange County. Both OCTA and Los Angeles's Metro want to improve transportation between Los Angeles County and Orange County. read more→

Public transit — especially in Santa Clara County — suffers a very negative image because it's billed as a form of transportation for the disabled, the impaired, the poor, or the senior who gave up driving. It's billed as difficult to use. It's billed as “ghetto” and unsavory. Though there are lots and lots of factors that make transit very unattractive, let's focus on one thing: does it look sexy? read more→