Isn't it amazing how everyone knows the words to the Fresh Prince theme song?

The thing that impresses me most is that traffic wasn't that bad. I am always surprised by how ineptly Columbus handles large crowds, traffic-wise. I think our lack of a reasonable public transit system hurts us a lot. Last weekend was Red, White & Boom and while I think the crowd was okay, traffic was a nightmare. We live about a mile or two from the happenings, and our street was all parked up, with people walking from points (where their cars were parked) even further away. Take the bus, or at least park in designated areas. I hate to be an anti-car snob but it's really a hassle for the people who live in the area if everyone drives to an event there.

I just wanted to get that off my chest.

The only problem with busses is they are rather useless unless the majority of people use them for an event like this. If you have ever taken a bus to Red, White and Boom you never want to do it again. The return home on the bus is generally in the 2+ hour range as it sits on High Street, stuck in traffic... and you rarely get a seat.

This event was brought to you by the number 8.

I'd actually love to see some kind of commuter train in Columbus. Just kind of a pipe dream. Buses (busses?) are my least favored form of public transportation. I think they are one of the only public transits slower than driving (here, at least). Monorail Columbus! But it's more of a Shelbyville idea.

Ryan, I got an error message when I posted that last comment. But then it looks like showed up anyway. I hope I get one this time too.

Yeah, I don't know what is up with the errors from posting comments lately..

emily, there was lightrail proposed along the 71 corridor. might wanna look into that.

busses can be good, but you need bus-only lanes. see: busways, bus rapid transit.

columbus needs one or the other, bad. see: detroit.

http://www.cotafasttrax.com/

hanging out in portland over the holidays with some disjointed.org folks, i noticed many similarities between it and columbus in terms of size/scale. the big, big difference is that portland has awesome transit (light rail both at-grade inner city and commuter, street cars, bus only corridors). it helps the downtown and surrounding neighborhoods stay pedestrian and nice. portland and oregon of course have many other great ideas that columbus and ohio could and should copy.

Yeah, I remember when the lightrail was proposed, but I don't remember specifically what happened to the idea. It seemed to just kind of die in the water. I don't hold out much hope that any significant change in public transportation will happen in Columbus. Ever. Maybe I'm just a Negative Nelly.

Yeah, I remember when the lightrail was proposed, but I don't remember specifically what happened to the idea. It seemed to just kind of die in the water. I don't hold out much hope that any significant change in public transportation will happen in Columbus. Ever. Maybe I'm just a Negative Nelly.

Lightrail was on the ballot in May of '03, I think that's the right date. Anyway it was voted down by a fairly substantial margin. I voted for it mainly because 1. It would make pub. tran. much easier and 2. it was only a half percent sales tax increase. While I'm generally against tax increases.

LR would be very good in a sprawled out city like Columbus. They're going to try again at some point. Hopefully the campain will be organized the next time around.

BTW, did Will Smith seem embarassed singing the 'Fresh Prince' theme? I would think he would really enjoy performing something that helped launch him into the MEGABUCK$.

"This is a story all about how..."

Nah, I don't think he did. He also sang "Summertime." So he was definately feeling old school that day.