New Transmilenium System

poco says on Apr 29, 2006, 23:35:

A stitch in mime saves nine I haven't actually tried it out but it looks dumb and it'll probably take longer for me to get around than the old system

I have not seen the Transmilenio in Bogota. However, all the information available shows it is a successful proven concept and has made it possible for the workers of Bogota to reduce their travel time and expenses.

The greatest problem is the system lacks perfection. I don’t understand why Bogota didn’t “save up� so they could “do it right�. Maybe it was that 30 year interim period that forced action? Or maybe it was money? Transportation wasn’t all that bad was it? I think Bogota was onto something using the "mimes" to fix traffic problems,, Expanding that system to include unicycles and rubber noses for everyone needing transportation would not only have worked but brought cheer to the populace.

I believe the routes you refer to are new lines that expand upon the existing system. The entire system is scheduled to be completed in 2016 but I’d imagine it will always need a route expansion. Maybe monorails, trains and subways are in Bogotas future. We can only hope because if not life will be difficult.

I can find no information about any “basic� change to the system.

I have found some “complaining� and attribute this to the users inability or inexperience to understand how it works. Most notable was a comment by a “rich� person that found it confusing and recommended a cab or,,, heaven forbid,, had to wait !!! in line !!!

This is a new bus system introduce in Bogota in recent years. In some routes you see this big and comfortable buses where you have to queue and wait. Otherwise Rich and middle-class Bogotans move around with their own cars.

Virtual Tourist

This was funny reading,, the system was NOT contrived for “tourists�, it was designed to move the citizens of Bogota. I’d almost bet that even the poorest have learned how it works and don’t require “instructions�.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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thur says on Apr 30, 2006, 02:23:

Well... When I looked at the maps, I thought one had to change buses more, but it doesn't seem that way. Not too much change in the routes the buses take, mostly it's just a numberchange. It looks pretty difficult, but I guess once at the busstop it all falls into place. Especially when I looked at the old maps it was much more difficult to know which numbers go where.
Greetings,

~Sights & Sounds~
www.pbase.com/thur

- www.pbase.com/thur

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Gator says on Apr 30, 2006, 08:29:

haven't actually tried it out but it looks dumb and it'll proba

Don't knock it unless you have tried it. A new section opened this week down to Suba. Many, many countries have copied are, are planing to copy. Average speed is almost 35 kmh. Apparently those of you who don't live here or don't know Bogotá do NOT realize the vast improvement. The lines for the "old" buses, especially during rush hour, were unbelievable and when the bus stopped it was survival of the fittest.

Gee, you have to line up and wait (usually only during the rush hour)-that never happened to us in NYC, DC or Caracas on their Metro.

"SIC FRIATUR CRUSTUM DULCE. OBESA CANTAVIT."

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

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poco says on Apr 30, 2006, 12:44:

More money, more buses and safer (slower) operation? Damn i dont know why they changed it....maybe i just need to get used to it...but it seems im waiting longer for buses now...well see how it is during the work week..but first impression is horrible.

This should prove interesting. I’ll ask some Colombian users what they think when I return.

Is horrible limited to waiting for buses? There might be several reasons although it should be easy to ask locally or research the system to determine why the extra wait.

Offhand I’d say the local government must be “messing� with the system IF it is worse. I’d also bet that 500,000 per day might be expected to suffer to accommodate 100. I also see “activists�, attorneys and possibly nude protesters getting involved and as usual they will have no regard for the people actually using the system. Get ready for a rate hike.

Tricking with any system by the ignorant and misinformed usually leads to unpleasant and unanticipated consequences, particularly if politics and money are involved.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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juanalejo says on Apr 30, 2006, 18:44:

?? May I ask what is so complicated about the new system? Am I missing something. The new codes are so much easier than before, you hardly have to look at the map anymore, you simply decide which area of the city you are heading to, look at the letter code in that area and hop in a bus that has that letter code. Before you had to actually look at the map to know if number 70 or 80 were heading in your direction. Now if you are heading to Suba you know a C bus will go your way, and with that idea you find the C area in the stations. Or did I get it wrong. And no I hope we do not get trains in the future, the versatility of the TM system, where you hardly have to transfer into different lines as the buses can mix and match into the different lines, plus having the express and super express buses, which I have only seen in a metro system in NYC(but is a costly option of building double lane subways), does make your journey so much easier.

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miamimike says on Apr 30, 2006, 18:53:

Many Of Us here in Miami Wish they Would get That Dumb System The Traffic Engineers and Planners in Miami think that much of Bogota's TM System that it has been seriously considered as a Low Cost Alternative to alleviating Miami's Traffic Congestion.If it didn't have Merit, I wouldn't think cities such as Miami would be taking a close look at it! Bring it on!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Rubiazo says on Apr 30, 2006, 19:29:

i think eventually the Av Caracas portion of the line will have to be replaced/augmented with heavy rail, at least part of it. But the nice thing about the current system is they will have PLENTY of data and know just what to do before undertaking anything prohibitively expensive and screwing it up.

I vastly prefer bogota's system even in its early stages to what we have in NYC. We have a lot of real out of date tracks signals and rolling stock in very poor condition, and incompetence reigns from the token booth gorillas to the idiots driving the trains to the people scheduling service changes and then forgetting to tell anybody!

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dtapia says on Apr 30, 2006, 19:54:

misunderstanding The TM is great, I love it. I am going to name my kid TM in celebration of it.

Some things get on my nerves. Price mostly, when you are chibchombiano $.50 adds up.

The new system isn't complicated, it just takes longer for me to get where I want to go. It will help many, great for novatos, etc.

Some of the quick routes don't help me out as much as the old quick routes, but that is fine I will still be able to have some shortcuts.

The TM is a microcosm of life, you can learn a few things there; como hechar codo; how to juke people out running, trying to make a bus; how to slow one's heart rate down to a minimum in an attempt to conserve available oxygen; etc.

Again I am not downing the TM system in general, no way, without it Bogota loses major prestige, rather I am being a selfish rolo and bashing everything that does not suit me 100%. When you take the TM everyday and you know like the back of your hand and they change all of a sudden, you get a little angry. It's human.

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Rubiazo says on Apr 30, 2006, 21:45:

My gf is like the only Bogota resident alive I know of who absolutely HATES the TM and wishes they would just go back to the busetas. I love her very much but I think that on this particular issue she has lost her sanity :p

I'm certainly dreading re-learning everything the next time I come there. Of course now I will be staying in Modelia so instead of being near the TM I will be near the CONSTRUCTION :P

When that av El Dorado line comes in I will be SO happy. I'm a cheap cheap bastard and really hate paying those fucking cabs that stupid high fare from the airport. :)

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poco says on Apr 30, 2006, 21:50:

Plop, plop, fizz, fizz Oh what a relief it is Some things get on my nerves. Price mostly, when you are chibchombiano $.50 adds up.

It's about $.38 at todays exchange rate,, see,, you are making money. What ever happened to those thinking it was going to 2,000 ?

2380 today,, not far from my projected 2,550 at years end. Crap, I've got all my money in Dollars,, NO WAIT,, that is good,, is it not?

PLENTY of data and know just what to do before undertaking anything prohibitively expensive and screwing it up.

You're forever the optimist.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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poco says on Apr 30, 2006, 22:11:

Lemmings couldn't have a better plan Look at Houston, Texas, the 4th largest city in the U.S. with essentially no mass transit to speak of

We’ve got that cute little new train line going through the medical center,, we have neat “old timey� buses that take you from the remote court house parking lot so you can do jury duty (free), then they cruise downtown looking for transients.

Now that I think of it,, we do have a lot of buses,, they’re always stopping by the curb and blocking traffic, belching sooty toxic black smoke and making peoples faces black. Awful, plus where will all the "destitute" sleep if we don't build more highway bridges and overpasses?

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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poco says on May 1, 2006, 08:14:

Waiting until the cows come home,, maybe longer I think I need to go to one of those sessions where you can address the mayor directly, in public. Ya wanna go poco?

I’m reminded of the bird flying south for the winter. Started his flight in early winter, his wings “iced up� and he landed in a fresh pile of toasty warm cow shit. He warmed up and started singing. A cat heard the noise and ate him. Moral, If you are warm and happy, even though it’s in a pile of shit, keep your mouth shut.

People were snug and warm living in a pile of crap. Now they are making a lot of noise. I’d rather have a plan and lay low.

Regular gasoline in Colombia was about $2.25 per gallon early this year,,, add the income disparity with the U.S. of,,, 4 times the relative cost, or more? You have gas at a relative number of $10.00 per gallon. No wonder they drive 90 and 100cc motos that get 90 miles per gallon and are POOR (possession wise). It is not a surprise the Transmilenio system is absolutely necessary. Bicycles and walking, that’s all many can afford.

When gas climbs to $6.00 per gallon,, then you’ll see some action. I’d welcome the cost increase. I truly believe the U.S. should tax gasoline MORE and not give "tax rebates", now thats a stupid idea.

People don’t change until a situation becomes SO PAINFUL THEY NEED TO CHANGE. Hell, gas should be $8.00 in the U.S. That would spur alternate sources. Who knows,, maybe the U.S. might also copy Brazil’s model for not only mass transportation but for alternate fuels like ethanol.

The price quoted on the net was $5.00 + per gallon in Norway, one of the richer per capita oil nations. A friend thought it might be $7.00. Read about Norway in the CIA FACT BOOK. The best national agenda I’ve seen. Bet they have mass transportation.

Working against a bad plan would be time better spent.

Something is going to happen and when it does the Transmilenio will be the best model for U.S. cities.

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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Rubiazo says on May 1, 2006, 21:02:

I say the F word around kids all the time. What's anybody gonna do, fucking shoot me for it? It's just a word.

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kernow62 says on May 2, 2006, 11:17:

Damn Poco, I agree, I think gas should be taxed a lot more too. Richest nation on earth with no streetlamps and roads falling to pieces. It seems that some Americans (not panicky are they) are already selling their blood to put gas in their SUVs, ha ha

Can you imagine, standing behind the smelly transient who has just spent all day sleeping on the trolley bus thingy that circles the city, to give blood so that you can sit in your big SUV, stuck in traffic.

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Neonovo says on May 2, 2006, 13:43:

Pics and three stories of and on the Transmelino... I have pics of the transmelino here, here, and here..

I rode it often and it was a great experience.

Next time I will actually attempt to "interview" some of the characters I saw: An old man, suddendly started bemoaning "la inconsideración..." of the occupiers of the seats clearly marked for special needs, like ladies-with-child, or handicaps. He would blurt out mini-speeches about the state of the country, and how youth was going to hell, etc, etc, etc,...I told my companion the old geezer should be running for prez, he would straighten out the country in a jiffy.

Another time another old geezer saw me taking pics, and he seemed kind of friednly, so I said something like "para my albúm" and he started with "This piece of shit tansportation ain't worth the cost of the tokens; it was obsolete before the first stone was laid; if you ever go to London, Paris, or NY, there you'll see a REAL transportation system...and on and on...until I blurted out a loud laugh. Couldn't help it, but he remainded me of so many other colombians I've known. I just wished I could have videoed this dude.

Another time I saw two youg girls (probably around 20nish) carrying a blind-infant, not 6 months old yet, and as I had my expecting wife-to-be with me, it was even sadder. I also heard some very interesting conversations between young people (discussing thier U-days, full of hope for the future. I saw so many people dressed to kill, with the latest and greatest fashion. Just taking pics of these characters would be a treat.

Paz
Neonovo

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Rubiazo says on May 2, 2006, 14:57:

I'd tell the old guy to shut his fucking mouth, and he can take the NY system if he wants it. Shit here is crumbling and staffed by incompetent monkeys. The TM is IMO superior in almost every way!

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