MetroRiderLA

[tags] 12 minute map, metro, la [/tags]

Standing at the bus stop waiting for the 14, one of the hundred some 12 Minute Map designees, I came to the realization that the 12 Minute Map is nothing but a sad marketing attempt, and more importantly, a complete lie. Having recently glanced over said map I discovered that there are several other bus routes I’ve ridden that claim 12 Minute status but do not hold up to their title (14, 714, 4).

Now I ask for all of you, my fellow Metroriders, to participate by naming off all the lines designated on the 12 Minute Map that have shamed their title. I’m hoping that through this we can all learn what lines can actually be relied upon as being 12 Minute Buses and which can’t. If you haven’t seen the 12 Minute Map check it out here. Then keep on riding and adding with each discovery so that even if we can’t hold Metro accountable for their false advertising at least we can all help each other out in the process.

[tags]los angeles, downtown news, transit, letter to the editor[/tags]

A few weeks ago I told you all about my disappointment in Downtown LA’s transit usage. I wrote a long angry rant directed at Downtown’s new residents and encouraged them to look at the transit options that surround them if they really want to consider themselves “urban pioneers”. My rage continued in a letter to the editor of the LA Downtown News. It showed up in the paper this week, you can read it here.

I was hoping to use the letter as some free marketing of the site, but unfortunately they didn’t print the web address.

[tags]metroriderla, contest, blog, swag[/tags]

Blog for us! Credit: LadyMadonna via Flickr

First of all, to all of you who responded to the MetroRiderLA Roll Call: THANKS!

We obviously have a wide variety of MetroRiders and I’m happy to see you all embracing the Public Transit Lifestyle. Make sure to tell your friends about the lifestyle and about MetroRiderLA. The more people we get in on this the better.

You may have noticed I’ve been posting pretty lightly (okay, not at all) this past week. I’ve been busy with work and just haven’t had the time or energy. Luckily Wad has pulled up that slack and made a post nearly every day this week, so thanks for that Wad. On the same note, I also got a number of emails this week from readers with some inside information, news, and other such insights… MetroRider articles essentially. And I thank you guys for that!

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[tags]yelp,reviews,metroriderla[/tags]

MetroRider’s domination of Yelp continues. Well, maybe I should say Fred Camino’s domination of Yelp continues, because due to certain Yelp policies we were unable to continue the innovative group Yelp we were initally doing (wherein a number of our contributors would write Yelp reviews under the master profile of MetroRiderLA). It’s okay though, I encourage any of you who are still interested in writing transit friendly reviews of your favorite places to sign up for your own Yelpcast and then just follow the MetroRider (er… Fred Camino) format of including transit access at the end of your reviews. Heck, there’s even a spot in your personal profile where you can include your favorite website, whatever that site may be (wink, nudge)?

Anyways, here’s our stats as of March 1st:

• We have 180 reviews (up 85 from last month).
• 113 of those reviews are firsts.
• We have 23 friends, 6 fans, and 21 compliments.
• 228 people have voted our reviews useful, 9 have called them funny, and 89 said we are cool.

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Okay. I know you’re out there. I know you guys are reading this. But I don’t know who you are. Tell me MetroRiders. Show me some love.

If you’re reading this, what I’m asking you to do is simple:

1. Look at the headline. It should say “MetroRider Roll Call!”
2. After the headline, in a lighter shade of gray you should see a number. If you are reading this early it will probably be a low number, like a 0 or 1. If you are reading this later, hopefully that number will be much higher. That number represents the number of comments this post has.
3. Click whatever number you see. The number should turn red before you click it. That means it’s working.
4. A new page will load. Scroll down to the very bottom. You will see the words “Leave a Comment” followed by some forms. This is the comment form.
5. In the space that says “Name” leave a name. It doesn’t have to be your real name (but it can be). It can be a silly name like BigMike69z or MyBallsRonFyre. It can be more serious like JaneTransit or Bill McBride. Basically just put anything there because it’s required.
6. Next put in your email address. This is required to prove you are not some sort of spam bot or something, but don’t worry, it won’t be published for other spam bots to see. It stays hidden. Just do it pleaaaase.
7. If you have a website you’d like to share, put the URL in the next space. Doing this will make your name (the one you entered in Step 5) clickable so that when someone clicks your name they will be magically transported to your website. It’s like free advertising.
8. In the big box type the following: “I’m a MetroRider!“
9. That’s all that you are required to do, but if you like you can write a little more about yourself and your transit habbits. Maybe tell us something you like about MetroRiderLA or something hate. Maybe say what you like about L.A. transit or what you hate. Honestly, you can write whatever the hell you want if you wish… it can be a list of expletives and vulagarities for all I care. I’ll probably get a kick out of that actually.
10. Click the button that says “Say It!“
11. You’re done!

Remember, you must do this if you are reading this post! If I find some sneaky IP address that came to this page and didn’t post a comment, I’m going to be really pissed. I mean it. And this is for everyone, not just lurkers. If your name is Tyke Johson, or Wad, or Aaron… I want to see you guys represent. But this is especially for lurkers. If you’ve read this site but never commented… I want you to show your internet face! No more sneaking. Say it loud and proud, “I’m a MetroRider!”

PS - I will be really embarassed if there’s only like 2 comments on this post.

MetroEvents appear on your iCal under the MetroRiderLA calendar.

Mac-friendly MetroRiders look out, MetroRiderLA’s event postings can now be synced to your iCal! Over on the sidebar to the right you’ll see that our Event Calendar which you know and love now has a new icon. Simply click the “” and iCal will launch and sync to our event calendar, giving you access to all the MetroEvents happening from the comfort of your desktop.