the new light rail schedule -- my commute just got 15 minutes longer

[robert b <http://dummy.us.eu.org/robert>]

I just got the new light rail schedule and, unlike the previous schedule, the
180 bus is no longer synchonized with it.  (Thankfully, the 180 bus and BART
are still more or less synchronized for minimum transfer times.)

I (in addition to about 7 other regulars) take the light rail to Great
Mall/Main and pick up the 180 northbound bus there in the
afternoon/evening.  The transfer between light rail and bus is presently 4
to 6 minutes, which, although it can be a brisk walk at times, is doable.

With the new schedule to be implemented on August 1st, however, the transfer
times have been reduced to 0 to 3 minutes, which, given VTA light rail's
unpredictable schedule (it is usually late by 1 or 2 minutes), will make this
transfer impossible.

This will force me to either pick up an earlier light rail train and wait 12 to
15 minutes for the 180 at Great Mall/Main (which already has inadequate
shelters), or just take the 140 bus which gets me to the BART train 11 minutes
later thereby requiring me take the subsequent BART train.

Here's my simple proposal.  (1) Do not mess with the 180 bus.  It is perfect as
it is.  (2) Change the light rail schedule in one of two ways: either move the
entire schedule up by 7 minutes or back by 8 minutes.  This will also have the
pleasant side-effect of allowing people to transfer at Lick Mill to the Capitol
Corridor Amtrak train.