I seriously hope someone that's in charge of PSTA gets raped, twice, this is getting ridiculous

I'm getting really sick of this. Seriously, WTF? Does riding the bus make me a second class citizen or something? Another problem tonight on my way to work. Here's a copy of the complaint I sent them-

I was waiting for the 18 at the bench near Missouri & Rosary and the bus went past me at a rather high rate of speed. I tried to chase after the bus as I needed it to get to work and I believe the only reason it stopped was not because I was chasing it, but because of the light at the intersection turning red. That's where it stopped, I ran to it. when I got on the bus, I was greeted by attitude from your driver. I'll admit, I was upset, but his attitude only added to it as did him telling me to get off the bus. Which I refused to do as I was going to work. If I at my job treated a customer the way this driver treated me, I would be out of a job. He was completely out of line.

Is it standard practice for drivers to upset someone and then tell them they can leave the bus? Is being left at a stop something I can expect? What exactly am I getting out of the $10 more I pas a month for my monthly pass? How about hiring some drivers that can do their job right? How about putting lights at the stops? How about not being such an epic failure?

I'm pissed. That driver was an asshole. I would have slugged him if it wasn't a felony. He needed it. I also sent a comment to Pinellas County's Transportation Task Force about this and I'm looking into what else I can do. PSTA need to know they suck. Pinellas County needs to know PSTA sucks. People need to know PSTA sucks.

I was right, PSTA still sucks after jacking up the price

Customer service fail tonight on my way to work, I'll just let the copy of the comment I sent them below explain it.

Bus arrived 10 minutes late to stop near Missouri & Rosery. I asked the driver to call ahead to the beach trolly and ask them to wait. She refused to beause she "was 10 minutes late and no one will wait." When the bus did get to the Park Street terminal at 10:17 pm, the beach trolley was pulling away from the platform. I asked her to quickly try to get them to stop. She did, they stopped, but it really could have been avoided if she called when I asked her to.

I've said this before, I work an overnight shift and I rely on PSTA to get me to work on time. This kind of service is unacceptable. How many times have I contacted PSTA before? Late busses and unprofessional drivers are not something I should be forced to expect. Now I am paying more for the same lousy service.

I'm getting the impression that PSTA just doesn't care.

More exacting, they just don't give a shit, kinda like the phone company used to be when there was only one.

Why am I paying $10 more a month again?

So the price of the bus went up, but will the service get any better?

I'm doubtful.

And annoyed. The buses I ride are late more often than not. Especially the first one I ride on Saturday night. That one has made me late for work several times and forced me to take a bus that is nearly an hour earlier. To add to my frustration, most places I need to go require 2 buses and they never connect. Nearly every time the bus I'm on is with in a block of the terminal, the bus I need is pulling out of the terminal. Then I have to wait at the terminal for 20 minutes to damn near an hour depending on the day or time of day for the next bus. Does an outdoor bus terminal that is crawling with homeless and surrounded by Scientologists seem like the place you want to spend an hour of your time on a 90+ degree summer day? It's not a happy place, far too many creeps and weirdos and not the fun kind either. The security guards that are there during the day don't make me feel any safer. Not that I think anyone would mess with me, but still it's not some place where I want to sit for an hour.

Let's take a look at the changes.

I'm seeing the word eliminate being used an awful lot. I get the impression that those that regularly ride are paying more while PSTA is doing less. $10 more for a monthly pass, 50 cent's more for a daily, quarter more one way. That's got to add up. It's not sitting right with me. I'm trying to keep in mind they did just lose a grant, but jacking up prices and cutting service? If there's a significant improvement in the service provided, I guess it may be justified.

I think I decided on a car.

When I get my tax return (I'm nearly positive I'm getting a return), I'm going to fix the Escort and trade it in. I'm going to be looking for a nice used Miata. Either a first or second generation, I like them both. I wouldn't mind a 3rd (current style) but one that new is probly going to be out of my budget. The only major requirements are relatively low mileage and a 5-speed. As far as color goes, the only colors it was available in that I don't care much for are white and yellow. A black, red or silver one would be ideal.

I'm not looking to mod it, it's going to be more of a driver. Even at that point, I'm going to be more likely to bike to work. At least I'll be able to enjoy the nightlife again. And be able to more efficiently get to places that are not work. I'm not going racing with it. I might do some minor body mods and maybe change the stereo.

I will be looking specifically at buy here-pay here type dealerships as my credit is about shot. I actually want to buy one from a dealer instead of a private seller because that will help my credit.

Take me out tonight

Well Friday night.

I'm off from work.

I really want to go out and have a good time.

I have no real means of getting out and having a good time.

I need someone to take me out.

I'm thinking about selling my Escort...

...And getting one of these.




It's a Sachs MadAss. What's really appealing to me is that it looks like a mountain bike with a motor strapped to it.

Riding my bike to work is time consuming and tiring. Taking the bus is just time consuming. I have to catch a bus at 6pm and my shift doesn't start until 11pm.

Life sucks without a car

Normally I would not complain, but not having a running vehicle does put a damper on one's fun.

Streetcar Charlie's in Ybor City is having a drag contest this Sunday. The prize is a paid booking, they are looking for a new cast member. A paid booking would be awesome, but I really just want to be back on stage.

And I have no means of getting there.