TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Stormy Tuesday

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
7:12 AM: Windy and wet but no other trouble so far this morning – take extra care and time. A “special weather statement” remains in effect, warning of slides now that yet more heavy rain has fallen on already-saturated ground.

12:27 PM UPDATE: The Klahowya is out so Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferries are on a two-boat schedule TFN.

4:01 PM: Trouble reported with the California-Fauntleroy signal. Avoid the intersection.

LATE-NIGHT NOTE: Both the signal and the ferry are fixed.

RichWSeattle December 4, 2012 (9:55 am)

9:16a C-line at Fauntleroy/Alaska standing-room-only. After the next two stops we were packed to the doors. Another uncomfortable and arguably dangerous commute.

Iggy December 4, 2012 (3:29 pm)

Yep. I was on the same 9:16. I missed the previous bus by seconds (WE NEED A PUBLISHED SCHEDULE !!!!!!!!!!!) and had to wait close to 20 minutes for that one. The only seat was in the back of the bus, so when we got to 2nd and Seneca, had to fight my way on the hill (bus is very steep) to the front of the bus. People weren’t letting me through. Driver grudgingly put the kneeler down. It’s fine for Metro to unofficially say that older people should sit in the front, but when bus leaving West Seattle is standing room, and when you get carsick unless you sit facing forward, I am often forced to sit in the back of the bus and go through the situation at 2nd & Seneca. The buses are too big for that stop. Oh that I were 25 or 35 or 45 or even 55 and could leap around. This will be my last posting on this topic, since I know I sound like a whiner and keep repeating myself. However, I also feel that I am an advocate for all the older folks who probably don’t even use the blog and have same difficulties on the RR C. I am fine on all the other buses, where you can interact with the driver and not be scared of falling. I am not disabled, by the way. Just am older. Amen. And thank you for listening.

Lynn December 4, 2012 (4:37 pm)

The hill at 2nd and Seneca is way too steep to safely and easily exit the bus. I also am older and after getting injured falling while exiting the bus in July, I am now considering different commuting options. And forget about older people getting seats when the bus is full. Only occasionally do I see a younger person give up a seat to an older person. They are usually glued to their phones and other devices.

circuitous December 4, 2012 (4:39 pm)

@Iggy, I hope you don’t follow through on your threat to stop posting. Your comments are valuable and eye-opening to this spry 45-year-old. You are indeed an advocate for older folks and don’t sound like a whiner to me.
It’s amazing and disheartening to me how many younger people see an older, pregnant, or visibly disabled person and do not offer their seats. A person who appears to need a seat should never have to ask for one. It is good for all of us to be reminded that we need to treat less-mobile folks with respect – this means offering seats/moving to the back so those who need to can stay near the front, seated.

Jane December 4, 2012 (5:28 pm)

These crowded buses are dangerous. I had rotator cuff surgery a week ago and tonight makes 3 commutes when no body has offered up a seat to a girl in a sling. Instead people just stare into their smartphones like they don’t see you and I end up standing and squished.

Jeff Switzer, King County Metro December 4, 2012 (5:55 pm)

@iggy I sent your note along to the transit planners. Thanks for the details. It helps them to better track your concerns about that route and location. Keep ’em coming.

Bus rider December 4, 2012 (7:08 pm)

I empathize with you Iggy, Lynn and all the others. I have sent comments to Metro about always kneeling the bus at 2nd and Seneca. Keep on advocating for all of us. Thanks.
On other things that metro could do, maybe they could add enforcement at the west bound on-ramp to 99 to non-bus vehicles that are using the bus-only lane and also vehicles that don’t yield to the bus. So many don’t.

West Seattle since 1979 December 4, 2012 (8:04 pm)

Iggy, please don’t stop posting, and thanks for advocating for those of us who are less mobile.

JRR December 4, 2012 (8:15 pm)

I would like to offer the following to those who need a seat: Ask. Ask someone to get up. Yes, you shouldn’t have to. But unfortunately, sometimes people are too busy staring at devices (myself included) to know if someone needs a seat.

I know it’s hard for Seattle-folk to speak up, but we need to work together if transit is to work for everyone. And this includes being assertive.

[A couple years ago at this time, I was giantly pregnant, so I know first-hand how clueless and seemingly rude transit riders can be. But I never had anyone deny me a seat if I asked for it.]

Sorry, comment time is over.