News to me, and more pessimistic than I’d like. The flexibility of bus service, not requiring as much expensive fixed infrastructure, seems like an advantage. Why couldn’t a McDonalds work as a...
News to me, and more pessimistic than I’d like. The flexibility of bus service, not requiring as much expensive fixed infrastructure, seems like an advantage. Why couldn’t a McDonalds work as a stopping point, if it’s a convenient location?
But obviously that doesn’t work for the really big bus terminals like in New York and San Francisco.
I could see a McDonald's or wherever not wanting to deal with that. Would a business want people essentially loitering around, using the restrooms, taking up tables and seating, with all their...
I could see a McDonald's or wherever not wanting to deal with that. Would a business want people essentially loitering around, using the restrooms, taking up tables and seating, with all their luggage? Potentially even handling security of the riders? Do these restaurants need to be open 24/7 for riders passing through? In addition, the riders may not even buy anything from the restaurant. I'm imagining some money would have to exchange hands here, but I still wonder how much a fast food joint would want/require for it to be worthwhile.
To me, it makes sense to use existing train stations or even airports (particularly landside areas). In my city, we have a nice Union Station because we still have Amtrak service (though Amtrak does not own the facility). Yet the local Grayhound terminal, while still in the "urban core," is outside of the the city center. And not really around a lot of services. It's also far enough away from Union Station (2mi/3.2km) that few would make that walk, especially with luggage. Plus it's old and is one of those on the list for possible closure. Why not make Union Station a true multimodal hub?
Of course, not all cities have these existing facilities. Certainly not smaller cities and towns. Would a police station work? Those are usually staffed and open 24/7. At least it'd be provide security and restrooms and maybe some seating areas, though maybe not food and drink.
I imagine it would be too big a crowd for a McDonalds if there were more than one bus at a time. A reliable source of customers is an advantage for a restaurant, though, and being near rest rooms...
I imagine it would be too big a crowd for a McDonalds if there were more than one bus at a time. A reliable source of customers is an advantage for a restaurant, though, and being near rest rooms is a good spot.
I'm not sure a bus terminal needs to be open 24-7? It depends on the schedule.
There are restaurants in airports, major bus terminals (like Port Authority in NYC) and even some rest stops on the Interstate. The restaurants are likely not open 24-7. I assume they pay rent, which helps pay for the facilities.
Even if there isn't a bus arriving at all hours, people will often need to wait for their next bus requiring a place to sit and stay during the time as much as possible. That's the 24/7 piece....
Even if there isn't a bus arriving at all hours, people will often need to wait for their next bus requiring a place to sit and stay during the time as much as possible. That's the 24/7 piece. Some people just don't have anywhere else to go at all.
Exactly. It's the same reason airports are open 24/7, even if all restaurants and shops are closed, even if there are no red-eyes coming in or going out. Travelers need a place to hang out,...
Exactly. It's the same reason airports are open 24/7, even if all restaurants and shops are closed, even if there are no red-eyes coming in or going out. Travelers need a place to hang out, because it's not always feasible to go to a hotel. I once stayed at 12hrs HKG airport because that's just how long my layover was; I got in at like 11pm as all the shops and restaurants were closing. Did the same in Seoul for like 14hrs once (at least that was mostly during the daytime when things were open).
I was disappointed when the private bus terminal in my city was shuttered to accommodate a new sports arena. The building was nothing special, but it was at least a respite from the elements. The...
I was disappointed when the private bus terminal in my city was shuttered to accommodate a new sports arena. The building was nothing special, but it was at least a respite from the elements. The new location is inconveniently located and has no shelter, no seating, and poor signage. It is also detestably loud—near an interstate overpass and an arterial roadway.
Technically, the bus station is being demolished to make way for a mixed-use affordable housing tower, which is nice. But they could have kept the bus station and built the tower in one of the other 5+ parking lots within a 1-block radius.
It’s a shame that dedicated bus terminals are not considered an essential part of the public transportation network. Train stations are: it’s a strange double standard. If nothing else there ought to be better infrastructure to accommodate buses in major train stations. I wouldn’t have minded my bus terminal closing if they relocated to our well-connected train station, but they didn’t bother. Too hard: would require changes to traffic patterns. Let’s just have everyone suffer in the cold instead. What a decision.
News to me, and more pessimistic than I’d like. The flexibility of bus service, not requiring as much expensive fixed infrastructure, seems like an advantage. Why couldn’t a McDonalds work as a stopping point, if it’s a convenient location?
But obviously that doesn’t work for the really big bus terminals like in New York and San Francisco.
I could see a McDonald's or wherever not wanting to deal with that. Would a business want people essentially loitering around, using the restrooms, taking up tables and seating, with all their luggage? Potentially even handling security of the riders? Do these restaurants need to be open 24/7 for riders passing through? In addition, the riders may not even buy anything from the restaurant. I'm imagining some money would have to exchange hands here, but I still wonder how much a fast food joint would want/require for it to be worthwhile.
To me, it makes sense to use existing train stations or even airports (particularly landside areas). In my city, we have a nice Union Station because we still have Amtrak service (though Amtrak does not own the facility). Yet the local Grayhound terminal, while still in the "urban core," is outside of the the city center. And not really around a lot of services. It's also far enough away from Union Station (2mi/3.2km) that few would make that walk, especially with luggage. Plus it's old and is one of those on the list for possible closure. Why not make Union Station a true multimodal hub?
Of course, not all cities have these existing facilities. Certainly not smaller cities and towns. Would a police station work? Those are usually staffed and open 24/7. At least it'd be provide security and restrooms and maybe some seating areas, though maybe not food and drink.
I imagine it would be too big a crowd for a McDonalds if there were more than one bus at a time. A reliable source of customers is an advantage for a restaurant, though, and being near rest rooms is a good spot.
I'm not sure a bus terminal needs to be open 24-7? It depends on the schedule.
There are restaurants in airports, major bus terminals (like Port Authority in NYC) and even some rest stops on the Interstate. The restaurants are likely not open 24-7. I assume they pay rent, which helps pay for the facilities.
Even if there isn't a bus arriving at all hours, people will often need to wait for their next bus requiring a place to sit and stay during the time as much as possible. That's the 24/7 piece. Some people just don't have anywhere else to go at all.
Exactly. It's the same reason airports are open 24/7, even if all restaurants and shops are closed, even if there are no red-eyes coming in or going out. Travelers need a place to hang out, because it's not always feasible to go to a hotel. I once stayed at 12hrs HKG airport because that's just how long my layover was; I got in at like 11pm as all the shops and restaurants were closing. Did the same in Seoul for like 14hrs once (at least that was mostly during the daytime when things were open).
I was disappointed when the private bus terminal in my city was shuttered to accommodate a new sports arena. The building was nothing special, but it was at least a respite from the elements. The new location is inconveniently located and has no shelter, no seating, and poor signage. It is also detestably loud—near an interstate overpass and an arterial roadway.
Technically, the bus station is being demolished to make way for a mixed-use affordable housing tower, which is nice. But they could have kept the bus station and built the tower in one of the other 5+ parking lots within a 1-block radius.
It’s a shame that dedicated bus terminals are not considered an essential part of the public transportation network. Train stations are: it’s a strange double standard. If nothing else there ought to be better infrastructure to accommodate buses in major train stations. I wouldn’t have minded my bus terminal closing if they relocated to our well-connected train station, but they didn’t bother. Too hard: would require changes to traffic patterns. Let’s just have everyone suffer in the cold instead. What a decision.