68 replies to this topic

[caterpillar2]

Do the buses have a place for luggage?

[tozmervo]

I was wondering the same thing looking at the photos, but it looks like there is plenty of room in the front to hold your luggage next to you. I would reckon that also makes the buses more flexible and faster to load/unload, as opposed to having dedicated rack space.

[ontap]

tozmervo, on Aug 21 2009, 07:20 PM, said:

I was wondering the same thing looking at the photos, but it looks like there is plenty of room in the front to hold your luggage next to you. I would reckon that also makes the buses more flexible and faster to load/unload, as opposed to having dedicated rack space.

Yes, there is dedicated rack space for luggage as you enter the bus.

[dubone]

InitialD, on Aug 21 2009, 11:53 AM, said:

The frame of the shelter, with lighting, walls, banner, and public art to be added:


Google map of the route with each stop listed.

Does this mean the service starts soon?  It looks like a really good idea to provide tourist-friendly transit service to the airport without a massive investment.  I hope they do extend this on a few routes.

Also, is it official that they will be using 77 between Trade and Morehead?  I think it is a good choice, but just wondering.

[InitialD]

dubone, on Aug 22 2009, 10:33 AM, said:

Also, is it official that they will be using 77 between Trade and Morehead?  I think it is a good choice, but just wondering.

Yes, that is the route they had on display at the meeting.

[The Escapists]

Yeah, when does service start? I need it a week from today...

[InitialD]

The Escapists, on Aug 22 2009, 12:40 PM, said:

Yeah, when does service start? I need it a week from today...

Sorry, not for another month at least.

[Spartan]

Until CATS comes up with money to relocate the power pole at Morehead & Cedar, the service will not run down Cedar Street. I hope they are able to maintain headway during rush hour.

[InitialD]

Spartan, on Aug 23 2009, 01:55 AM, said:

I hope they are able to maintain headway during rush hour.

It almost looks like they never get off the ramps.

[queensguy06]

This line might not have been the place to test it out, but I certainly hope in the future both rail and bus stops in Charlotte incorporate 'smart' stops.  In this month's issue of Popular Mechanics there is a small article about San Fran's new bus stops that include solar panels in the canopy which powers WiFi, electronic signage, and ad space that helps pay for the cost of the stop.  In addition to several other energy saving techniques, the solar panels pump any unused electricity into the city's grid.

[tozmervo]

I wonder if the message boards (especially the one at Ashley Road, mid point on the route) will track the buses real time or just show pre-programmed times - ie, the scheduled bus time. Hopefully the former. That would also indicate that the door is being opened to CATS creating something like Chicago's CTA Bus Tracker.

[WestCoastNC]

This is great news.  I normally take the #5 to the Airport so having a faster bus route there will be great.  I'd happily pay more $1.50 for a faster route.

[southslider]

I always take the #5 TO the Airport.  It's FROM that's often the problem.  I've run like a crazy man through the concourse before from an arrival just so I wouldn't miss a bus running only at one-hour headways.  But even worse still, if you just missed it, you can't go back through security to sit in one of those comfy rocking chairs or even use a BofA ATM for cab fare.  And while there's a bench for the employee shuttle that comes every 10 minutes or better, there's no place to sit for the hidden CATS stop behind the bushes.

Will the Sprinter finally have a decent stop at the Airport that treats CATS patrons as nice as those waiting for employee shuttles, rental car shuttles, and taxis?  And will there be signs that list that among the "Ground Transportation" options?

[tozmervo]

They've launched a Sprinter page - http://www.charmeck....TS/sprinter.htm - with a start date: Monday, September 14.

[tozmervo]

Anyone tried the big green bus yet? Was wondering how the service is going.

[norm21499]

the bus looks nice.....i know that much lol

[uptownliving]

tozmervo, on Oct 6 2009, 08:06 PM, said:

Anyone tried the big green bus yet? Was wondering how the service is going.

Rode it for the first time tonight. It is very nice compared to a regular CATS bus...and the extra isle width makes it a lot easier for rolling luggage. It is a little bit quicker getting out there since there is less stops...plus having it go through Gateway Village is a big plus. Since it is brand new the bus ride is smoother and the hybrid engine is quiter than the normal diesels.

They still have some work to do:

- They moved the #5 Airport bus in the CTC from Bus Bay F to Bus Bay V. However their online CTC maps still show the old location. I had a short 5 min connection time at the CTC so when I saw that the #5 was not in Bus Bay F like I was expecting I checked the monitors and it showed Bus Bay V...however the map next to the monitor does not have Bus Bay V labeled...luckily as an experienced bus traveler I remebered they have a "Bay" outside the terminal on Brevard St. Luckily I guessed right and the Sprinter was there waiting for me. If CATS wants people to ride this bus then they need to do the simple stuff like keeping their website and maps at the CTC updated.

- Also the bus stop at the Airport has not been upgraded to the Sprinter style shelter yet. :-(

So overall a nice improvement but they still have some details to finish up.

Edited by uptownliving, 11 October 2009 - 09:39 PM.

[southslider]

uptownliving, on Oct 11 2009, 11:38 PM, said:

Also the bus stop at the Airport has not been upgraded to the Sprinter style shelter yet. :-(

And it won't be, according to Jerry Orr, despite long ago providing a shelter for his employees' shuttle.  But since both CATS and the Airport are City departments, I'm thinking the City Manager or Council need to remind Mr. Airport Czar for whom he really works.

[ontap]

southslider, on Oct 12 2009, 09:10 AM, said:

And it won't be, according to Jerry Orr, despite long ago providing a shelter for his employees' shuttle. But since both CATS and the Airport are City departments, I'm thinking the City Manager or Council need to remind Mr. Airport Czar for whom he really works.

I believe the reason for not installing the new shelter is the fact that construction is about to start of the front of the airport and the shelfter will have to be removed soon.  Easier just to leave the old one there until construction is finished.

[tozmervo]

It was getting a little buried in HSR/Gateway discussion over in 2030, but CATS has applied for a $15m grant to fund new Sprinter service that would run from Beatties Ford down Central to Albemarle. It would basically be a streetcar precursor. It would service limited stops every 20 minutes. Local service would be revised to alternating 20 minutes. That means Sprinter stops would have service every 10 minutes throughout the day.

Every time I've wanted to take CATS to the University area, I've wished for something like this. Route 11 takes nearly 40 minutes to do what a car can in 15 (that's an apples to apples comparison, btw). Providing a faster express type route on these corridors could really help make the bus more desirable to a lot of people.

Fun fact: Nashville is doing something similar on one of their busiest routes, but they call it BRT.