LISA VORDERBRUEGGEN: TIMES POLITICAL EDITOR
As the world turns at BART
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 04/29/2007 03:04:22 AM PDT
BART UNION LEADERS say the transit agency's chief flack, ex-TV newsman Linton Johnson, misses his old job so much that he demands that his staff treats him like a star.
Here's what has Service Employees International Union BART Professional Chapter President Sue Angeli ticked off:
Johnson asked his staff to schedule his dry-cleaning pickups and haircuts.
He issued a department dress code.
He's assembling a TV studio complete with a teleprompter.
And the staff must fill out a "Daily Deadline Task Sheet," which requires his sign-off on every item, even those such as "pick up batteries" and "get key made."
But Johnson defends his management style, saying he's trying to run a professional office and keep pace with technology.
"There's been a complete misunderstanding about what's happening and things got blown out of proportion," he says. "Look, half my staff came from a newsroom environment, the other half grew up in BART. We're learning to work together in each other's cultures."
He says he never expected anyone on his seven-member staff to make his personal appointments; he only wanted his scheduler to put them in his calendar.
The dress code, which says public affairs staff members must wear professional office attire, came about when an employee appeared at a public function in a tank top and drew the ire of an elected BART director.
BART needs a television studio, he says, because the agency plans to put TV monitors
in its trains and stations. Johnson's office must be ready to produce video public service announcements on a variety of subjects, such as security, construction updates and rider safety.
The task sheets, he says, help employees learn how to meet deadlines. BART issues rider announcements via e-mail, iPod and, soon, video: It's the 6 o'clock news, people, not the 6:11 o'clock news.
And all this helps trains arrive on time in what way?
Tell your free BART fare (horror/heroic) stories here. The ride home should be interesting because the creeps, thugs, and rude tourists will be out in force tonight. I plan to have my cell ready to call BART police.
we all appreciate this website; it allows employees and riders a place to vent, explain, and discuss our beloved bart. over the past few weeks we've all seen the spam increase; also we've seen the moderator/owner remove these posts. personally speaking, I have contacted him to request removal of libelous posts.
Would it help to have a discussion of ways to improve this site? How to elimanate spam?
I think my suggestion would be to still allow Anon posts, but require those that do post to have an account- can that be done? force people to log-in, but allow a post to be anon?
. (still searching for a nym myself)
The SFChron reported a disabled pedistrian was killed earlier this week when he was run over by a USPS mail truck on Third & Townsend. The disabled person had *no legs* and transported himself on a skateboard. Is this the same guy that rode BART over the years? He would always sit on the floor near the door and freak unsuspecting riders boarding the train. If he's the same guy, too bad, it was quite independent.
JAKARTA, Indonesia - A dead passenger traveled unnoticed for at least half a day on an executive passenger train, an Indonesian newspaper reported Friday.
BART ain't very far behind, folks.
Yesterday was bring your kid to work day. I brought my five year old daughter with me to work. We got to bart and found out, to my disappointment, that she was to be charged a full fare. I couldn't believe it. She's only five. I could see charging her half price or even free, but not full price. Our train was coming and I didn?t have time to ask about student pricing or anything like that.
I'm curious to know which stations people think are the worst and why? Incidents you've seen, things that have happened there, or statistics would be useful here instead of just "I don't like the look of homeless people" or something.
I've heard all the following stations mentioned as being dangerous in one context or another:
--Fruitvale
--Coliseum
--Richmond
--MacArthur
--16th & Mission
--24th & Mission
--SF Civic Center (at night)
--Lake Merritt
To be honest, I use MacArthur station a fair amount and haven't ever had problems at the station itself aside from people asking for money. I keep hearing it mentioned as "dangerous" and there are definitely some rough-looking types around there sometimes, but is it really as bad as some people say in other threads on here? I mean it's not suburban Walnut Creek or something.
Curious what people think is bad and for what reasons (robberies, shootings, car stealing, vandalism, etc?)
I tend to ride BART throughout the downtown San Francisco area only. I don't know if this applies to other stations in the BART system.
I have noticed that at the downtown stations on the platform, there are specific markings that say where people can get on and off a BART train. Call me crazy, but the old yellow platform with black matting showing where the train's doors would be once the train stopped were easy enough for me to understand.
What gets on my nerves is the people that line up at these specifc marking on the platform. The platforms clearly state not to block the area due to people trying to get off the train. And yet people insist on forming a line, single- file of course and stand right in the middle where people are suppose to be getting off the train. It doesn't make any sense to me.
Just to piss the people waiting in line off, I always wait for the train, off to the side. As soon as the train pulls up to the station, I "cut" in front of the orderly crowd and squeeze my way on the train.
It must be a San Francisco thing because in New York, there are no lines for the subway. You push your way on and off the train. If you miss your train, then you weren't moving fast enough.
Does this annoy anyone else?
I recently just published the first issue of a local, San Francisco zine called Xploited. The first issue is dedicated to MUNI. It includes personal stories of MUNI, riders venting frustrations, an interview with a friendly operator, a love and sex column, music playlists for the ride to and from work, a photo layout of a local lady on a MUNI bus, etc.
I know the first issue isn't about BART, but this site was recommended to me by someone on here so I thought it was cool to post.
Xploited is being sold in four independent bookstores stores here in San Francisco. The zine is also for sale through PayPal. Copies of the zine are also left on MUNI buses, light rail trains and BART trains daily throughout the city. If you see one on the train, pick it up and read it. If you would like a copy of your own, contact us at:
webmaster@xploitedproductions.com
I have plenty of BART stories of my own that I would love to share on this site. I look forward to contributing to this community. :)
Today while on the platform, I saw a Richmond bound train with a woman T.O. and 2 female children in there with her... and one was acting quite smug and sitting in the driver seat! Now, I don't know how many people are allowed to let their brats go to work with them, but I would really think as a Train Operator the rules would certainly be more strict. I was glad I did NOT have to be riding that train and was going in another direction.
I am so irritated with my DH. There is no communication between us. I didn't know how bad it was until we spent the weekend alone. You see he is a talker but not a listener. Our arguments about this subject is very heated right now. He rambles on and on about things but doesn't allow someone to put in a word, a suggestion, ANYTHING edgewise. I am really getting fed up with this. On top of all this he has a hearing problem and he is in denial. when I do try to say something to him he doesn't hear me. I am constantly repeating myself. I have to say every sentance to him 3 or 4 times before he acknowledges me. About the 4th time I am seriousy annoyed and just want to scream out of frustration. I asked him time and time again to please go see a doctor because I can't take this much longer. It has been 3 years of asking him to get his hearing checked but nothing. I already have one foot out the door. The rest of me is heading that way as well. Ok I can understand someone having a real handicap but not to do anything about it, well I think it is inconsiderate of the people around him not to mention if there is a problem he needs to correct it before it gets worse. His kids also say things to him over and over again.
What is that noise that the train pulling into Fruitvale this evening at 7:30PM made? It did the normal "beep beeeeep", then someone screams "MOVE!" and then the train made this god-awful honking noise. Like something I've never heard before. Do BART trains have air horns like real trains? If so why are these never used? As for who was the cause of this commotion some stupid kids were playing too close as the train pulled in. It appears Everyone was ok though.
I went with Mic to court today, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. A bit rushed, but that's understandable (Of course it seems to me like if the judge was in that big of a hurry, then maybe he shouldn't have walked in a half hour late, but that's beside the point).
I am remarried for the third time and my two previous marriages did not have any children prior to me. Now the man I married has a 4 year old daughter whom I have grown to love and enjoy for the past year that we have been together and married.
This is my 1st time...so Hi. I am going nuts with our court system and the lack of support that SM's get. My fiance & I share custody with his ex (1st, 3rd & 5th Thursday & every Friday to Monday morning).
my husbands ex wife is brain washing an mentally abusing my 9 year old step son. she has got him to tell lies to people like i dident feed him before he went to bed. and she called the police out to my house because i sent him to bed early for getting in trouble.
Did any of you that are remarried deal with the what ifs'? I am engaged to a great guy that makes me feel better about myself than I ever dreamed possible. But I sit and wonder what if about a lot of things like in the past what if he wakes up one morning and decides that this woman and her 2 kids aren' worth it, what if things change once we are married, what if I can't handle his new job promotionthat involves him traveling during the week and home on weekends.
Ok so court has ordered mediation on all of BM's violation of the JPA to try to "correct" her and on whether BF has to keep paying the chiropractor and couseling bills. We have spent $$$$ and basically will now be spending more to make her abide by the agreement.
Heh. This is just so sad it's funny. Or maybe so funny it's sad. I don't know which. BM has NOT, I repeat, has NOT been diagnosed with ms yet. She talked to a friend of hers who is a nurse and her friend told her that her symptoms sound like ms so she had better go see a neurologist.
Hi, I'm new to this, but I have a question. We just told my Fiance's daugher we were getting married. We talked to her about everything and even asked her to be the flower girl in our wedding. She was really excited! Then we asked her if she had any questions for us.
A few weeks ago, my stepchild was away for the first time in a long time. In fact, SC hadn't been away in roughly 1.5 years.
In past years, when SC has finally gone on a trip or visited BM, I've been close to shouting from the rooftops with near delirious joy. But this time? I barely noticed SC's departure. I was completely neutral about it.
So I got on a newly rehabbed car. Many seat cushions had been replaced. The smell of new carpet was still in the air. Right near the door threshhold, some dumbass BART employee or rider (but I go with employee because it looked like grease) had dumped a puddle of some black greasy crap on the floor and then you could see the tracks where the utility cart had rolled through it. One newly cleaned up car filthed up in an instant.
I don't care how many car cleaners BART hires, if the maintenance workers continue to slop and track grease all over the cars, why bother.
I know that sounds so mean. My SD is only 4 years old, but she is possibly the worst behaving child that I have EVER dealt with in my life! I have raised 3 of my own daughters on my own who are now 13, 11, & 8 - and while they have their moments, I would never allow the same behavior from them! When SD comes over, my entire household is put into Chaos.
Ok ya all ready! If you use the Dublin line then expect delays come the end of this month!
Oh it will last 20 months---They are building the new station up the road. 10 months for track 1 and 10 months for track two.. So from the top of the hill to across from Stoneridge Mall they will be single tracking. Testing starts this wedsday (tomorrow). Sooooooo when your delayed (and you will) Please dont take it out on the operators.
I don't know about you guys but it's not my 19 yr. old SS that is killing my marriage, it's his dad! He refuses to deal with his son's pot smoking and behavior. He says that he will pick his battles and that is not one of them.
Like myself, Bonus, Gwen, Happy and all of us who I forgot to name (because my memory is about an inch long anymore...) - not that I'm too bothered, but all the flurry about ex wives blowing up ex husband's phones and the "all together now" parties and clinging to the Hubby's family got me thinking...so...I was researching ex wives that cling and whatnot to the ex husband AND his family and I saw a letter from a lady who's husband's ex wife does just that...the whole letter is at this link here:
Can anyone tell me what is the point of mediation if the BM is a liar, untrustworthy and a control freak? Instead of finding BM in contempt he ordered mediation for her to prove herself and if she doesn't then she will be found in contempt. The only thing that I can see to mediate is whether BF should pay the couseling and chiropractor fees. How do you mediate a violation she has already committed?
Here is a link for step mom stuff. I usually dislike mother's day but some of the stuff on here is pretty funny...
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/step%20mom/-/cfpt2_/x_21/cfpt_/source_searchBox/copt_/
Has anyone, ever seen somebody get a ticket for smoking on the platform? I see people do this often and never see anyone get into trouble for it. In most cases, the people who are smoking are, standing on the ends of the platform, but lately I have seen people standing where people are standing.
I wonder if it is worth the effort to call the agent or BART Police? What is the fine for this anyone know?
The automated BART voice is too weird for words. The sound quality has always been creepy but its pronunciation of "Plat-form" just plain takes me there!
BART's announcements (especially the 'male' version) had to be created with software that is now easily a decade of out of date. I'm frankly amazed that it has never been updated. How many years has it been since lowly Muni first upstaged BART with the far superior sound of its automated announcements? (5,6,8 ..more?)
Not sure how this happened last week, but my car I was riding in was amazingly clean. If I remember right I think was on Tuesday April 17th 559am leaving Dublin. It was car #1856. For once when I walked in the carpet was very blue and you could actually feel the sponge backing under the carpet. Some minor spots on the windows, but overall the seats and floor carpeting where spotless. No huge stains on the floors or anything. It kinda made my day. I really don't expect this to happen again on BART. Perhaps they pulled a car out of the pool that hardly ever gets used or something.
I got to Hayward station this morning only to find that the station was closed. A few of us ended up missing the first train to richmond because of it. Anyone else?
So I admit that in the grand scheme of BART issues (bodily fluid stains on the seats, lack of personal space, hearing loss, seat hoggers, inconsiderate iPod users, fare evaders and the dregs of society making up illnesses to wean money from people), this isn't that serious, but it is an annoyance. At stations like 12th Street in Oakland or Daly City, there are two tracks directly across from each other and because they are timed transfer points, two trains going in the same direction will show up at the same time. I guess I wish there was some way to tell which one was going to leave first. Like, if I am at Daly City and I want to go to downtown SF, I don't really care whether I get on the Fremont train or the Richmond train. I want to get on the one that won't sit there for ten minutes. And at least half the time (as one would guess), I choose wrong.
I know that some "smart" person is going to tell me "look at the schedule and see which one gets to the destination first," but that comment is (will be) patently unhelpful. First, the timetables on the platforms aren't going to give you that information. Second, even if they did, there is no way of knowing whether the Fremont train pulling up at rush hour is three minutes early or three minutes late -- hence, no knowing if it is in a hurry to leave.
As I said, not a dire predicament, but does anyone have an answer?
Does anyone have any idea why there has been a field trip every morning on the SF train from Fremont and Dublin? There has been a hoard of kids every morning for the last week. What's happening in the city? It would be helpful if someone would teach the chaperones to tell the kids to sit more than two to a seat. They are tiny- free up some room.
...change a light bulb?
1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed
14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently
7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs
5 to flame the spell checkers
3 to correct spelling/grammar flames
6 to argue over whether it?s ?lightbulb? or ?light bulb? ? Another 6 to condemn those 6 as stupid.
2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper terms is ?lamp?
15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that ?light bulb? is perfectly correct
19 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a light bulb forum
11 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum
36 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty
7 to post URL?s where one can see examples of different light bulbs
4 to post that the URL?s were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL?s
3 to post about link they found from the URL?s that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group
13 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirely including all headers and signatures, and add ?me too?
5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy
4 to say ?didn?t we go through this already a short time ago??
13 to say ?do a search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs?
1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again
(close enough to phriday)
.
Hi,
I was waiting for the SF train at 12th Street this morning just as the medical emergency at West Oakland had occurred. I am very concerned about the way communication is handled. First, we were told to go up to platform 3, then to go down to platform 2, then back up to 3 or 2 or whatever. People were walking up and down the stairs and no one was clear about where to go. If there were a real crisis, such as a earthquake, I fear that similar confusion would result in injuries or deaths. Please, please, please develop a better system of communication. The train operators tell us one thing, the station agent another and the central control yet another. Please get your act together. The first step is to admit the system does not work without getting defensive.
Heehehehehehehe! On my way to work on BART today I saw a lady get on and walk right over to the seat next to me and actually picked up this girls purse so she could sit down...the girl got all bent and said to the lady, "well, if you had ASKED, I would have moved it". Well, girl-with-bag-on-seat, I don't think you would have because the nice lady had to move it for you! Again, can't you hold your stuff in your lap when the train is filling up?
did you know that BART is going to start charging a fee at more stations now? They are going to start charging at fruitvale next!!! This charge is rediculous! They charge us up the ass for fare and now they are adding insult to injury with these damn parking charges! BART is a public agency, yet their only concern is capitalizing on excessive charges and fees. i mean, its $1 at most stations, and $5 at west oakland!!! What a joke!!! Now that "margro" is leaving, everyone should appeal these fees to the board of directors. If we raise enough hell over it, the new director might want to do something to appease the public. Thoughts?
Is it true? Is he REALLY gone? Rumor is he was looking for a new job in the east, Board of Directors found out and asked him to resign? Anyone know is this is true? God, I hope so. BART is overdue for new management.
So, I was minding my own business getting on a train headed for Dublin or Fremont around 6:30 or so last night, I can't remember...anyway, the car I get onto has kids, toddlers, whatever right in the doorway with a huge stroller and smells...chips, feet something! The smell was making me sick so I move to the next car--WORSE! People were looking all over and moving out of the cars FAST...the unmistakable smell of vomit. No one could see where it had come from and I didn't want to know...I got the hell out of there. G.D.M.F. (cuss words abbreviated).
did anyone else notice the "BART is on a state of highented security" things on the scrolling signs? what's this about? why is BART on a state of higher security? or is it just a general reminder? not the bathroom anouncments, they just say:
"BART is under hightened security. Please report any suspicious packages or behavior to a BART employee."
whats this about?
The cop this morning, at Fruitvale Station, talking to the young man. Who was she? i watched her write someone a citation for fare evasion. Someone a citation for eating a sandwich, and drinking starbucks. And one for littering.
Good job and thanks!
I came across an interesting website today. Cost of Driving Calculator. It has fields to enter in all your associated driving figures to estimate the cost of owning a vehicle, calculating both work and personal use. It's kind of a pain in the butt to round up some of the data, but even estimating on the conservative side and taking into account that the calculator seems to round up, the results were startling.
Me, in my 22 mpg car with a gas price of $3, including bridge tolls and a monthly parking pass at my job, costs over $10k a year.
BART, on the other hand is $1760 a year before my company commuter benefits.
That doesn't even count any differences in time, etc. I also own my car so I don't have any car payments to factor into that yearly total.
Put me in an SUV with a $500 a month payment, and that number gets even bigger.
So, put me in the "BART is cheap" category.
I am appalled by the oblivious nature of the average citizen. The topic of BART Police has managed to work it's way into several conversations I have either participated in or overheard. The common discussion often touches on the general belief that BART police officers are simply armed security guards. I have witnessed people approaching BART police officers and make comments such as "Don't worry, they're just the BART police" as they're rolling their joints or jumping the gates. So if you're one of those people who truly believe that BART police are security guards, allow me to explain why you are wrong.
Let's examine the difference between security guards, BART police, and your local city police:
SECURITY GUARDS:
-Not sworn officers
-Do not complete a state mandated 6 month academy training course
-May or may not carry weapons
-Carry firearms and batons only if they have permits or have received the appropriate training
-Can only make citizen's arrests by delivering a suspect to a police officer
-Are typically limited to the control of private properties
-Do not typically investigate serious crimes
BART POLICE OFFICERS:
-Sworn officers
-Complete a state mandated 6 month academy training course and are required to complete 45 college units
-It is mandatory that they carry firearms
-Also carry batons, pepper spray, and other non-lethal weapons
-Can arrest anyone for any public offense, including infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies
-Have jurisdiction within the entire state of California (this means they can make traffic stops/arrests on any road, highway, or land in the state)
-Have primary jurisdiction in the investigation or any crime or incident occurring on BART District properties
YOUR LOCAL CITY POLICE:
-Sworn officers
-Complete a state mandated 6 month academy training course
-It is mandatory that they carry firearms (except some campus police)
-Also carry batons, pepper spray, and other non-lethal weapons
-Can arrest anyone for any public offense, including infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies
-Have jurisdiction within the entire state of California (this means they can make traffic stops/arrests on any road, highway, or land in the state)
-Have primary jurisdiction in the investigation or any crime or incident occurring within their city limits, with the exception of Federal, state or BART district owned properties
Some common myths about BART police officers are:
"BART cops don't carry guns." (FALSE) BART police officers are required to carry firearms and have the same authority to use a firearm to protect their lives, or the lives of another officer, or citizen, from death or great bodily injury.
"BART cops can't pull me over for speeding on the freeway or wreckless driving." (FALSE) BART police officers can take enforcement action on any offense, however slight, that occurs in their presence.
"Just jump the fare gate. It's just the BART security." (FALSE) BART police officers specialize in the enforcement of BART related offenses, including fare evasion (jumping the gate) and will typically issue citations. Additionally, they are typically skilled at convincing the courts that you are guilty.
"If the BART cops arrest me, I just go to the BART jail for an hour." (FALSE) You actually go to the real city or county jails within the city or county you are arrested in.
"No one ever gets cited for fare evasion, eating/drinking/smoking." (FALSE) I have witnessed someone get cited for all of these things, even spitting on the ground! Because these violations are simple infractions, they carry low priority because they often tie officers up with paperwork (especially with juvenile and citizen arrest cases). Visible officers are more functional at deterring crime.
"The BART police are just rent-a-cops, glorified security guards, mall security, etc." (FALSE) Regardless of what you decide to call them, they are still police officers and they will cite you, arrest you, chase you, defend themselves from you, shoot back at you, take you to the real jail, and show up in court to testify against you so that justice is served.
I hope this clears up a few misconceptions. Any questions?
Who won the tiny ticket contest?
A Tiny Ticket contest was announced in the November 2006
issue of BARTIMES. 3 organizations were to share a $5000
gift certificate and small value tickets collected at
the Embarcadero and Montgomery stations on December 6,7.
AND
I called several organizations I donate tickets to and
was informed that they are being shortchanged by the
BART ticket counters. One organization had asked a
helpful agent to check and count them to get the correct
value. They said they received less than half what the
agent told them the ticket value was.