Transit!

Living volitionally without a car since 2005, one learns how/why transit in general, works or doesn't. Well–traveled, it seems that whatever mode of transport was there first, development is built–up around it, then it thins out the farther out. We see this in the US where development gets thinner the farther away from the Interstate exit road; in more rural areas there's only development in the immediate areas around the Interstate/exit.

For rail travel, the destinations are fixed & limited. We humans like to go to new places and try new things (food; shopping; etc.). The fixed rail takes us to the same places always. Even bus routes are limited destinations. So, like any new restaurant that gets lots of business at first, it slows, and if they cannot gimmick themselves along (or are not supplemented by a chain), they close more than not.

But I believe it's mostly about the last–mile issue; you get off at a designated stop (train or bus), and then one must walk it from there; if it's too far, most do not want to do it, even in fair weather. In car–centric places, snow is plowed for the car at the expense of all other forms of mobility.

If the train/tram/light–rail/bus system, was built first, all the businesses are naturally within a walkable distance, say 3 to 4 blocks out, from the rail–line. If car roads were built first they're all over the place; to get to all those spread out businesses by fixed routes is too problematic & limited.

However, if Transit entities understood this, they'd consider last–mile transport primary in their designs and operations; a mini parking space for e–bikes & e–scooters, inside rail/bus vehicles with easy on/off. Currently in the US, buses might have an external rack for only 2 conventional bikes, and that's it; many have none! Most buses and some rail services forbid last–mile devices, some allow them but with very limited space.

In most car–centric places with public transportation as an afterthought, the majority of transit users simply cannot afford a car. Or, only because they're traveling for work into a congested city where it's just easier to use transit than traffic snarls and parking fees. A transit system will flourish, and long–term, once it can nearly or completely replace the need for a car.

I'm currently in the Des Moines Iowa Metro. Between the lines is what I wrote to DART and CC to a few other area voices for non–car transportation in the region; I got no replies from any of them, but then, I did not expect it. I know that the vast majority of humans are pride–conquered and ego–dominated, and as such, they cannot handle any outsider telling them how to do their job. Well, that's their take on it anyway. Thus, they will converse this by pretending to be receptive, even holding public meetings for outside input, but that's where all that input dies.

The first 3 primary routes (the Big 3) for any Metro Transit System, in any Metro, is what all passenger Intermodals deploy; Ames, IA is the nearest, then Iowa City, but there's hundreds more nationally. These share a central Transit location or Intermodal, and from there, frequent city bus service to/from the (main) Airport, an Amtrak Station, and an Interstate Bus Terminal at the Intermodal. The routes coming in/out of any City that does not involve cars; obviously car drivers do not use any of these. These 3 are primary; these are necessary to even begin to consider (or call) it a Metro Transit System. There is no Metro Transit System in Polk County, IA. yet!

All other secondary bus routes are what's called Shopper Buses; these you'll find in cities half the size of DSM Metro. They take people to malls, grocers, and medical districts. Some even serve to take people to/from employment, but that's only possible if they have the needed frequency and employment location prominence. DART is not a dependable to/from employment transport option, though I'm sure some must risk using it for that.

So, I am for the discontinuation of DART, as it is, and to be replaced by an outside Transit Organization that understands how a Metro Transit System operates (again, the Big 3). Another example of the competency of an Intermodal, is the ease of bringing aboard secondary transportation devices such as bikes, and now e–bikes & e–scooters. Most Shopper Buses only have a 2–bike external rack; that's it. Many people use these powered devices in place of a motorized wheelchair, which they do not really need. Let's use me as one example among possible dozens:

I was born in the Summer of 58 (I'm old); but I can walk just fine, for about a mile or so, and then my heart condition begins to cause issues. There's many other similar mobility issues that any compassionate individual assumes will exist. Riding a pedal bike for too long, same problem, plus it hurts my back and butt after some time on it, I bought my peddle bike at the DSM Bike Collective; I don't ride it much anymore, but you will see me buzzing around on my scooter. With my e–scooter I can travel with ease. I do not own or want a car; too dangerous and in too many ways to elaborate on (again, it's all about compassion).

Contacting the City of DSM will not likely produce any ripe fruit; I've tried before and they've proven me correct. They're as shortsighted as DART, who will not allow me to bring my e–scooter on board. (Surely they've got excuses but no logical reason for this: It's all about power/control for the shortsighted). They require they be folded and carried on. Obviously this is too much; I for one cannot carry mine at all, and never do, nor do I ever fold it. So, I cannot utilize DART; this elderly disabled man must ride my e–scooter year–round (burr) because of this. I only rarely DART; just to the places they go.

Evidence? Sure: I make no claims I cannot back–up in a Just courtroom! DART had a booth set–up at one of the Summer Downtown Events, and with my e–scooter, I showed their Reps how I needed to roll my e–scooter onto the bus; they had a bus parked there as a cooling center. I did so just like a wheelchair currently does, so everything is already in place. I parked it in the space for wheelchairs, then folded it down!

But that step would take–up too much time, as some units are not easy to fold, and drivers should not be allowed to leave the protected driver seat area for non–emergencies (by Federal Transit rules, yet to be created/enforced; I'm working on it). The DART Reps nodded and agreed to the logic, but that changed nothing. Again, they do not have anyone in power, with the needed capacity to design–build or operate a competent functioning Metro Transit System; this explains why there's still no such entity in Polk County, IA. But I'm all for a Metro Transit System to come into the DSM Metro; that would be exciting. And usable!

Whenever a non–car traveler (and non–flyer) like myself, needs to go to another city, I go to/from the Amtrak Depot or the Intermodal (DSM has neither), and quickly and easily transfer onto a Metro Transit System Bus (or Tram or Light–rail), with my standing wheelchair (e–scooter), and then out into that city. The last few miles is where I'd use my e–scooter (they're even called last–mile devices), as well as most of the time I'm in that city, with or without the use of their Metro Transit System.

Currently I'm limited to the well–designed larger Metro's (e.g. CO, WA, OR, CA, DC, NY, KC, etc). I love the DSM area, but the people here do not seem to possess the wisdom I'm accustomed to; I'm spoiled by living in designed Metro's where I never had to explain logic to any of them; here it's becoming problematic. (You all can share this freely with anyone, though I doubt it would do any good)!

Visit my commercial–free educational site for more relevant data and links: Micro-Mobile.org

I know, it was a bit rough, but I thought I would test those egos to see if anyone there was humble enough to write back and ask more questions or visit my site and comment about all that is there. But alas, as it is so many times in the world we now live in, ego reigns and doing the best job possible has all but dissolved.