Nickels to employees: Take bus

 

Mayor proposes giving all city workers free passes by 2009

Mayor Greg Nickels has proposed giving all city employees free bus passes by 2009 to encourage use of transit as a means for reducing the air pollution that causes global warming.

"This is a great incentive to get people out of their cars and using public transit," City Councilman Nick Licata said.

"This is a great step forward."

If the council approves Nickels' legislation, the city will double its employees' transit pass subsidy next year to $30 per month, more than half the $54 cost of a one-month PugetPass good for $1.50 trips at peak times within one zone.

In 2009 and 2010, the city would cover that pass' cost entirely, even if the rates increase. The program is expected to cost $1.1 million over the next three years; the city has been contributing $15 per month to the cost of its employees' bus passes since 1993.

City Councilman Richard Conlin, chairman of the council's Environment, Emergency Management and Utilities Committee, called the proposal a great investment at a relatively modest cost.

"It's really putting our money where our mouth is in terms of our commitment to transit and the environment, and to easing traffic congestion," Conlin said, indicating that the council would likely not vote on the matter until early next year.

Currently, 2,600 of the city's roughly 10,000 employees are issued transit pass subsidies; the program now costs about $150,000 per year, mayoral spokesman Marty McOmber said.

Using mass transit can slash the carbon dioxide produced by a commute by more than 75 percent, according to the Sightline Institute, a Seattle-based non-profit that promotes sustainable growth in the Pacific Northwest through policy research.

Sightline found that the average car produces about 1 pound of carbon dioxide per trip mile.

"Taking the bus is one of the most climate-friendly ways to get to work," said Sightline spokeswoman Elisa Murray, who hailed the proposal as a "really positive thing" for city employees and the larger community.

"It's healthier, and it's safer. Taking the bus is more than 10 times safer than driving a car" -- which results in a fitter working environment, fewer accidents, fewer lost workdays and increased employee productivity, Murray said.

Sightline encourages development in neighborhoods along transit lines and believes public transportation should be made so convenient and affordable that people would naturally choose to use it rather than driving a personal car.

"I began taking the bus to work because the city made it so easy," said McOmber, who commutes to City Hall from Ballard.

Sightline recommends that employers decrease their workers' parking subsidies and use those funds to offer bus and other public transit passes.

The city's proposed bus pass subsidy came about during October negotiations with the union, which like Nickels favored the move, McOmber said.

The city is seeking to extend the practice to its non-unionized employees with this legislation, as it has with other past policies.

The subsidy will not be extended to city police officers, who can already ride transit for free, and firefighters, whose irregular hours and workplace locations make taking the bus more difficult, McOmber said.

The city also provides free bicycle parking, lockers and showers to encourage employees to commute by bike and will pay for up to 40 miles of cab fare per year for workers who, when pulling overtime, stay too late to bike or bus home.

The city encourages employees to car pool, van pool and occasionally telecommute, and provides discounts to Flexcar users. This story is from seattlepi.nwsource.com

 

Friday, 07 December 2007

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WCU alumni provide bus trips for students

 

Sometimes it feels like there is nothing new and exciting to do in West Chester. There are only so many places you can go in the town before it becomes mundane, especially if you are an upperclassman and have been living in this town for a few years.

Although the University provides opportunities and events for the students, there has never been an opportunity quite like the one that West Chester University students stumbled upon.

A few years ago, two WCU students contemplated ways to change this feeling of redundancy. Their solution was creating bus trips to various venues including Cosimo Restaurant and Wine Bar, Beat Street Station in Manyunk and McFadden's in Philadelphia.

Many of these trips have themes such as their "Philly Gear Party," "Dress to Impress," "Black and White Party" and their most recent "Halloween Costume Party." For the low price of $20, students who are 21 and older are entitled to the round trip bus ride, promotional gifts and admission ticket.

Fourth-year student Dave Murray and alumnus Nick Vecchio are the creative minds responsible for these trips. As a result of their creativity they were able to turn an idea into a successful business known as Vivrant Productions.

They specialize in private-themed parties and organized group banquets. Vivrant Productions has now had 15 bus trips for WCU students alone, all in which have sold out. Their trips's immense popularity has helped them pick up sponsors such as "Luxury Limousine," "Culinary Deliveries" and "Bud Light."

"The bus trips started because everyone was complaining about doing the same thing all the time," Vecchio said. "As a result, we have created a successful company, and now we can compare ourselves to big promoters in Philly."

Their goal from the beginning was simple: to be able to provide students with a night of memories escaping the monotony of West Chester. Fourth-year sociology major Lindsay Emmons has attended multiple bus trips and plans to attend more in the future.

"Going uptown to West Chester, bars can get old, so it's nice to have the option of going somewhere new and not have to worry about transportation," Emmons said.

Alumna Jenn Farruggio looks back at the bus trips with fond memories.

"One of my favorite trips was the 'Black and White' themed party because we were able to dress up, and it was an opportunity for everyone to hang out together," Farruggio said. This story was posted on http://media.www.wcuquad.com


Alumni Tower Photo from catamountsports.cstv.com

Friday, 07 December 2007

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Limobus lets riders party in style

 

Mark Blanton and Todd Jackson have created a “nightclub on wheels.”

With the holiday season heating up, they’re staying busy ushering partygoers to and from events — with a bit of partying along the way.

Their business, Absolute Limousine Service, features a “Limobus” complete with music, videos and neon lights.

It’s a far cry from a taxi, and a bit more flashy than a typical limousine. “Why drink and drive when you can dance and ride?” is the company’s motto.

It’s the type of bus that is popular in Charlotte, Raleigh and larger cities with lively nightlife.

Blanton is Jackson’s uncle, and the two men are neighbors in Fayetteville. They started Absolute Limobus in May 2006 and say it is popular with the young crowd who don’t want to risk driving after drinking.

Jackson was introduced to the idea in Charlotte a couple years ago when he rode the “Ragin’ Uptown” party bus. That sparked the idea of a similar business when he returned home.

Several months later, Jackson teamed up with Blanton, who is 51.

“He loves limos and I loved the party bus,” said Jackson, who is 35.

In addition to the Limobus, the company owns a Lincoln Town Car stretch limousine. “A lot of people want the more glamorous look with the stretch limo,” Blanton said.

The company caters to adults going to parties, restaurants, clubs, weddings and other events. Other customers include parents hauling their children to birthday parties, and senior citizens and church groups heading to lunch outings or on trips.

“Kids have the best time of anybody,” Blanton said.

The fee for the 13-seat bus or limo is $100 per hour, with a four-hour minimum.

Blanton is the sales manager for Powers-Swain Chevrolet Co. He owned a dark blue Cadillac limo for his personal use in 1989-90. He’s also president of a local Corvette Club.

“Mark is the type of person who would rent a limo once a month if he could,” Jackson said.

Jackson works for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated. He’s the one who found what would become their Limobus: an old purple and gray bus on Legion Road.

Jackson and Blanton bought the 1996 Ford diesel van in April 2006. They refurbished it with a new grille, a coat of gleaming white paint, a new interior with a DVD player, and gadgets including a video camera, programmable stereo, neon rope lights and a cooler. In all, they spent about $15,000 fixing up the bus. This story is from www.fayobserver.com

Friday, 07 December 2007

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