Month / June 2025

by Adron

The Chaos & Madness of Forgetting One’s Keys

I have a rather interesting commute these days. It consists of four parts for the time being.

  1. Departure from home and arrival at the Redmond Link Station via e-bike.
  2. Departure with Spacey (this bike) from the Redmond Link Station to South Bellevue Station.
  3. Departure from South Bellevue Station via the Sound Transit Express 550 bus.
  4. Then via bicycle to the little coffee shop (i.e. Starbucks HQ) in Seattle’s SODO.

Today I departed from home and traversed all of the parts of my commute until arrival at South Bellevue Station. I then realized I had forgotten my keys at home. The keys I use to lock my bike via u-lock at the coffee shop. No keys no lock, so that wouldn’t do.

So a good 1/2rds of the way into the city I made the u-turn to head back to get my u-lock keys. Back to the Redmond Link Station, I parked Spacey, and then took the e-bike back up the hill to home. I got my keys and headed back out again.

An Aside: Naming Chaos Among Key Chaos

Alright, let’s detail this topic for a moment. What the hell is wrong with Seattle and naming things. Before Redmond Technology Station became “Redmond Technology Center”, it was called Overlake Transit Center. They renamed it and the next station, which is still just touching Microsoft Campus, is called Overlake Village Station. No confusion to be had for anybody that has been in the area for more than a few years, no none at all.

Amidst that ridiculousness Marymoor Park Station is only tangentially connected to Marymoor Park. To get anywhere where people congregate in the park you’ve got to walk between 3-20 minutes to get there. Then there is the Symphony Station, once the University Station but not connected to the University District and confusing to folks about what University, if any, it connected to. Because the nearest was many blocks away. But I digress.

I could go on and on about this and the locations, because it is clear there were powers that worked diligently against the light rail to make it less than useful. However in spite of these assholes and short-sighted fools, it’s already immensely useful even with the stop locations.

Back to Key Chaos

Now that I had back tracked to get my keys, I was at least an hour behind my expected arrival at the office. In addition, a meeting was coming up that I wouldn’t make unless I only traversed part of my trip and stopped to have the meeting. I had done this before, where I would go part of the way, then stop at a coffee shop or somewhere that wifi exists to attend a meeting. Then I would continue onward.

Today I decided to stop at the Dote Coffee Shop at Redmond Technology Station. It seemed like a perfect, down to the minute, timing to get part of the way into the commute and also attend the meeting.

A Note on Dote @ Redmond Technology Station

The Dote located at the Redmond Technology Station (here) is a pretty cool location. It is however kind of a stand alone very transit station specific location. All of the other amenities that Softies (That’s what Microsoft employees are called, I kid you not) enjoy such as their walkable urban area is up the street a few blocks and not entirely evident – or that accessible without a little mischievousness or having a blue or orange badge. So this is the publicly accessible option in the area, and it’s pretty great.

However, even though it is a private business not particular part of Microsoft, this location is forced to use the Microsoft wifi. This has always been a bit of an odd logistical lift for Microsoft. The reason being is that Microsoft treats all of the businesses and amenities in the area – even when they are on public property and owned by the local city and public – as if it is their own owned amenities. It’s a weird relationship to say the least.

Amidst all that, I managed to arrive at the station in time to get into the shop in time for the meeting and a drink.

The Last Leg, Broken

Finally, my meetings wrapped up and I began the last leg to get into the office. I walked out of the store, unlocked my bike and progressed toward the Link tracks to board a south bound train. I arrived, saw a train sitting there and noticed it wasn’t moving. After a minute or so I gave up and headed over to the south bound 40th St stop to board – hopefully – the Sound Transit Express 542.

I opted for the 542 (direct to University District) instead of the 545 (the more direct shot into the city) because I could ride it for a short haul into U-District and then board the Link Light Rail through downtown to SODO. They key difference here is I could work on the Link vs. not so easy on the bumpy buses.

I locked out and as I rode my bike up over the highway pedestrian and bike bridge to the other side to board the south bound buses, I only had 4 minutes until the 542 arrived. It pulled in, I racked my bike, and off we went. Upon arriving at U-District I took the elevator down and onto the 1-Line Link Train south through the city. I was able to rack my bike and get a seat, working through the remainder of the trip.

So that was my rather chaotic commute today, one for the books of misadventures in getting the logistics wrong over forgotten keys. Until next trip, cheers!

by Adron

Mountlake Terrace, Pizza, and Art

I reached Mountlake Terrace yesterday. It was after a short ride down the Interuban Trail from Lynnwood Transit Center. Upon arriving, and more on the route in a moment cuz it’s worth its own write up, I made a right turn away from the Link station. My intent to roll downhill to the Zeeks Pizza and grab dinner.

As I rolled downhill the utter chaos of dystopian incompetence in parking was on full display. Full suburban entitlement was evident. Car after car, among the majority parked correctly, was pulled into the PBL (Protected Bike Lane). Some were parked halfway in the road, blocking the road and bike lane, all while beside an actual parking spot. A New Yorker would be enraged at the absurdity of parking beside a empty spot filled by a ghost, maybe?! But all that nonsensical disrespectful motorist shit aside, it was a quick roll down from the station and up on to the sidewalk to park.

There was a solid staple rack right out front of the Zeeks, so I saddled right up to that. I then perused the other establishments on the street here. There’s a coffee shop that looks like it’d be legit, but closes at 3:00pm and it’s 5:30 now. There is also a beer brew joint of some sort. All of it looked like legit quality joints! Not entirely what I’d expect this far out into the suburbs, but after the ride (again more on that in a moment), this Mountlake area is one of the more quality areas in the overall metro area! It’s really nice out here!

Anyway, I strolled my happy ass into the pizza joint. One of the staff (or proprietor, I don’t know) she offered I sit anywhere. I went ahead and took a seat on a two top. She came over, and provided menus and offered some beer options upon my curiosity. We discussed beer for a minute, Pfriem specifically because holy hell are they amazing, and then delved into our children and their recent chaos! No idea how we got there but it was a great multi-minute conversation. As the waitress came up and popped around the corner, the trio of us relayed by beer option and then the waitress and I discussed the varietal of pizza options I had before me.

Zeeks

I will admit, she struck me a bit off kilter because she had enthralling dermal facial and septum piercings of a uniqueness – a very artistic uniqueness – I’d not seen. With necklace, jewelry, and other accoutrement, she had an air about her that was very bespoke. Humans in Seattle are not cookie-cutter. Standing out as unique is rare and a significant compliment for me to ponder, let alone verbally offer someone.

I ordered my pizza and chatted with the team there a bit more. I had a pilsner – ok two because the Italian Pilsner was tops. Then I wrapped up. When I paid, I verbally complimented the waitress on her artisanal bespoke style. She genuinely appreciated my word soup compliment. We discussed the idea of one’s self being presented as a human art. In all seriousness, it’s a topic unto itself, but for those that know y’all know. Hat tipped to you all!

I then left. I had a good phone chat with my kiddo. After that, I mounted my steed to claim and uphill to the Mountlake Terrace Link Station. However I did deviate again and cut right. With a slight bit more hill climb, I rolled past. I gave a good look to the claimed “center” of Mountlake Terrace. I also eyed Hemlock State Brewing. Another trip will include that brewery!

With that I made a u-turn mid-suburb and got another hill drop down to the station. Rode the elevator up and the next Link rolled in within minutes. Boarded, and off I went wrapping up this very blog entry. Until next time, enjoy your transit trips, bike rides, and adventures! Slava Ukraini, may fascism fall on its face, and may your quality of life improve endlessly!

Sound Transit Double Tall
by Adron

Seattle Explorations & A Guide to Double Talls

First a bit about double tall busses. Then a bit about my trip out to Lynnwood to finally, after years of wanting to ride a double tall, doing so!

Double tall buses, also known as double-decker buses, have become an iconic part of Seattle’s public transportation landscape. These impressive vehicles offer increased passenger capacity while maintaining a smaller footprint on the road, making them an efficient solution for high-capacity routes.

The Alexander Dennis Connection

The majority of double-decker buses in the Seattle area are manufactured by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), a British bus manufacturer with a strong presence in North America. The company’s Enviro500 model has become the standard for double-decker operations in the region.

Sound Transit’s Fleet

Sound Transit operates a fleet of Alexander Dennis Enviro500 buses, specifically the MMC (Multi-Modal Coach) variant. These buses feature:

  • Length: 45 feet
  • Height: 14 feet
  • Capacity: 81 passengers (57 seated, 24 standing)
  • Engine: Cummins ISL9
  • Transmission: Allison B500R
  • Air conditioning and heating systems
  • Low-floor design for improved accessibility
  • USB charging ports and WiFi

The Enviro500 MMC is known for its modern design, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort. Sound Transit primarily uses these buses on their ST Express routes, particularly on high-demand corridors like the 510/511/512 routes between Seattle and Everett.

Other Operators

While Sound Transit is the primary operator of double-decker buses in the region, other transit agencies have also incorporated them into their fleets:

  • Community Transit: Operates Enviro500 buses on their Swift Bus Rapid Transit lines
  • King County Metro: Has tested double-decker buses on certain routes

Technical Specifications

The Alexander Dennis Enviro500 MMC features several advanced technologies:

  • LED lighting throughout
  • Electronic destination signs
  • GPS tracking and real-time passenger information
  • Advanced driver assistance systems
  • Euro 6 compliant engines
  • Composite body construction for reduced weight

Impact on Seattle Transit

The introduction of double-decker buses has significantly improved capacity on key routes, particularly during peak hours. Their ability to carry more passengers while taking up the same road space as a standard bus has made them an efficient solution for Seattle’s growing transit needs.

Taking a Ride to Lynnwood

Today I took a ride, for the very first time, on one of Sound Transit’s double decker buses. I opted, since it would include some light rail usage, to take the 515 Express from downtown Seattle to Lynnwood. This is the story, of all the things I noticed along the way.

I believe it was the 4:15pm bus that I boarded between King Street Station and Union Station. I’d racked my bike, then stepped onto the bus, swiped my Orca card, took a video (see below) and climbed the steps upstairs.

The bus then carefully, and very smoothly, traveled forth through the streets of Seattle. Slowly coming to and striking branches of trees because of the height. We stopped at about a dozen stops, from the originating stop I boarded at through to the egress point from downtown. When we left, we did it in relative style because we exited via the express lanes.

Sound Transit Double Tall

To note – when I showed the “empty” bus just after the first stop downtown, it was almost entirely full by the time we left downtown. Don’t get in your head that this is an empty route, it’s a very well used rush hour service. A kind of extra interlined service, in addition to the light rail and other Sound Transit Express lines that go out this way.

However, if you watch the video all the way through, you’ll notice the enjoyment of zooming along in the express lanes comes to an end before we even got past the Greenlake and Ravenna areas! Motorized “road” transportation without right of way is, and always will be a joke when it comes to speed and throughput.

But, that didn’t really matter much because being on a double decker, in a cool air conditioned environment with big ole’ windows to see as far as thee eye could see was a joy! We carried on, as you do, at a reasonable 20-35mph. The traffic slugged into a accodian like zig zag of slow drivers stuck behind entire cavalcades of other slow drivers under the guise of the inefficiencies and stupidities of mass transportation movement via single occupancy vehicles.

In other words, we were limited by the stupidity of cars as primary modal option at rush hour.

But it was entertaining and pleasant. I wrote up this blog entry and got some work done as I explored this new transportation choice for traveling north to Lynnwood.

At this point I also had zero idea what I would do once I got to Lynnwood, but I didn’t really care, I’d likely the board the Link Light Rail line back south and then take the 542 at University District back home.

The Bus Itself

The bus itself, being a double decker, is very smooth similar to one of those intercity buses. The air conditioner worked great, so it was a cool ride in spite of it being a bit warm outside.

Additional Observations

As we rolled forward and stopped, then moved forward again, and stopped, and then lurched and stopped, we made our way ever so slowly to Lynnwood. I couldn’t help but wonder, was this even faster than light rail with all this traffic? I had no idea, as I’d never even looked at the schedule vs. what time this was taking now.

At one point we just stopped for a solid 20+ seconds and sat. Traffic unmoving and a light rail train zipped by beside us, one going north full of people and one going south with a dramatically smaller number of people.

It really did seem like the light rail would have been the faster choice at this point. However this is likely the smoother option, considering how the double deckers ride! They really are not like other buses.

Drama!

In normal society fashion, at some point some guy got a phone call and began talking loudly – very “American” of him – about a financial situation that a child or someone in family was having difficulty with. He wanted to see funds and bank accounts and started “telling them” a number of things.

Why are people like this, what is the deal with the lack of situational awareness? So many parents bring up kids to become these adults that just utterly drives me nuts as a parent. I’ll take rowdy kids any day over an oblivious adult yapping drama out of the pie hole openly and loudly!

But even with that slight little interruption along the route, the ride was great. One more great way to commute in the Seattle area, so great I’d even put this up close right after “Ferries”, “Commuter Trains”, competitive with “Light Rail”, but definitely better than intercity buses!