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Minnesota Metro Transit: Transit Usability of a Few Features That Work

Once in a while I will take a break from trying to use the unusable and notice something that seems to work in our Metro Transit system. Here is a list of three things that seems to be usable and used in the system, I use them and I notice that others use these features. Of course, even though they are good features there is probably room for improvement.

Limited Stop Bus Service

Limited stop service is on several higher use routes and stops every mile or so compared to local service that will stop on demand at almost every block. I think this is a wonderful and useful feature. Unfortunately, people do get confused and frustrated when they cannot get off, thinking they are on a local service bus, maybe better signs inside the bus would help people know what bus they are on and not surprise them when the next stop is in 6 blocks.

Transit Vehicle Bicycle Racks

On both the LRT and the bus service there are bicycle racks; they seem to be very popular and I use them but sometimes on buses they are too popular and fill up the 2 bicycle spaces available. More buses or more racks? The racks are a cinch to use when you have already used them, but novice rackers are not able to figure out the several steps to put a bike in a rack if there is not a bike already on the rack and the driver usually has to get out of the bus and show them.

Hanging Information Pamphlets on Buses and LRT

There are information and schedule change pamphlets that are hung on the overhead handrails to inform the riding public of changes and announcements about Metro Transit. I see people use them, I have read them myself and actually found them occasionally useful. I called them "hangy things", I wonder what the actual term for them is?

Well, it seems that is all that I can think of and it is a pretty small number of usable items, but hey, at least 3 things kind of work in our transit system.

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