Another commute question: from Mt. Lebo to North Shore, give me the backroads! (Pittsburgh: leases, neighborhood)

[slamont61]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

I dont understand why you guys don't offer up Public Transportation more often when New Comer's are looking for commuting routes....Pittsburgh'ers need to learn to get out of their cars and find that commuting by public transit would be soooo much eaiser sometimes.

For the most part Public Transportation is most effectively used in a Downtown commute. I used it when I was there and the Bus or Light Rail was typically packed. Suburb to suburb commuting isn't effective for the most part.

This particular request (OP's) is one that would be satisfied quite easily by mass transit, although many downtown worker's parking destination IS the North Shore. Many of those walk across to get into town.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by ditchdigger

If the North Shore is the destination, I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Greentree Road, all the way down into the West End, and across the river at the West End Bridge. Still a hassle, but better than either tunnel...

I thought of this at one point. Didn't get to posting it though.

As for the T, I admit that didn't register. It should have. Even with the Gateway station closed right now it's still a reasonable option with either a walk over or perhaps a bus.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by ashpenni

I didn't even think about the fact that I could take the T to Gateway Center and walk. I love that idea! I know the T is slow from Mt. Lebo to downtown, but I don't think the time would bother me nearly as much if I could read a good book or the newspaper during my commute!

The whole slow thing is relative. You're not going anywhere sitting on Banksville Road either.

[ashpenni]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

The whole slow thing is relative. You're not going anywhere sitting on Banksville Road either.

Yea, you're right. And I looked at the T schedules and actually it looks like it's only about 30 minutes from the Castle Shannon park and ride to the Wood St. stop. That's not bad at all.

[captainmidnight]

Originally Posted by ashpenni

Yea, you're right. And I looked at the T schedules and actually it looks like it's only about 30 minutes from the Castle Shannon park and ride to the Wood St. stop. That's not bad at all.

It depends on the time of day you ride it too. Late rush hour trips will be faster due to less pickups/discharges. I've boarded a 6PM T at Steel Plaza and arrived at South Hills Village about 25-30 minutes later.

Think of it this way: you sit in the traffic on Banksville and then you still have to seek out a parking spot and then walk to work from the parking garage/lot. Depending on the time in the morning and your work location, you might have to park a good distance away. Riding the T will get rid of that hassle.

I used to commute to town every day and park at the Arena. One day, I got off to a late start in the morning and traffic was terrible. Then, all the Arena lots were full. I eventually ended up having to navigate downtown traffic and I parked at the Grant Street Transportation Center and $13 down the drain. 90 minutes after I left home, I finally arrived at work. Ugh. That put me over the edge and since then I ride the bus. $27.50 a week, 35 minute ride in to town, 2 miles to the Park and Ride lot, and dropped off and picked up right in front of my building. Can't beat it. My only regret is not switching to public transit sooner.

[TechieTransplant]

Originally Posted by ashpenni

Yea, you're right. And I looked at the T schedules and actually it looks like it's only about 30 minutes from the Castle Shannon park and ride to the Wood St. stop. That's not bad at all.

The funny thing is, the natives complain about the train and bus service being slow, but they will sit in the damndest traffic jams every day and think nothing of it.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

The funny thing is, the natives complain about the train and bus service being slow, but they will sit in the damndest traffic jams every day and think nothing of it.

That's because it still takes longer via public transportation!

I'll give you an example. Once my car was having mechanical work done, and I had an 11am appointment in the North Side. I had to take a 9:20am bus to be at the appointment on time because the 10:20am bus would have gotten me there late. When the appointment was over, I had to wait an hour to catch the bus home. I didn't get home until near 1:30pm.

A 15 minute appointment took half of my day---over 4 hours. Meanwhile, the worst rush hour traffic would be a 30 minute drive via car. Worse case scenario, the entire trip and appointment would have taken 1-1/2 hours via car.

So, yeah. I'd much rather sit in the damndest traffic jam over taking public transportation! Someone would be insane to prefer otherwise. Public transportation only works if you live on a convenient bus line that has busses every 10 or 15 minutes.

[greg42]

Comparing a rush-hour traffic jam to non-rush bus schedule times isn't a reasonable comparison.

[ashpenni]

I also think that the convenience of public transportation is going to be relative to the nature of your trip as well...taking public transportation to and from what would be a 15 minute appointment is different than taking public transportation to and from an 8 hour workday. You're weighing your commute time against a very short task (15 min appt) vs. against a full day at work.

[TechieTransplant]

I can always count on Greg and now Ashe for using some common sense in regards to commuting......points for both of you!