Bus stop potential
Published Thursday, June 19, 2008
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Stumble It!To the editor:
The Wal-Mart expansion has included a section with “BUS STOP” in large letters. This is the first comprehensive shopping establishment in Fairbanks to dedicate an indoor heated shelter area for that purpose.
This is significant because:
• It’s only reasonable considering Fairbanks weather.
• It provides front-door service for employees and enhances Wal-Mart as a “preferred employer” for those of limited transportation.
• Establishes Wal-Mart as the “preferred” shopping destination for UAF students.
• Likewise, for those who prefer the bus or are otherwise bus-dependent.
• Provides a heated and sheltered place for those with disabilities to wait until the bus pulls up.
• Likewise for those with small children.
• This BUS STOP will provide “incidental” purchasing traffic as those working or shopping in nearby stores will use this area as a convenient-to-all-buslines shelter.
There are four Fairbanks North Star Borough bus lines that pass through this “box store” area. What are the chances that each bus will use this stop every time it passes through this area in any direction?
Very extensive experience says “Not likely.”
Sorry.
Ron Burton
Fairbanks
Community Discussion
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I think that you have a point worth discussion.
common sense to the average person but to the higher ups making the decisions well they have none.
Walmart could have done this when they first set up shop there. Instead, they built that open air glass shack that I doubt was much of a benefit to anyone. This doesn't make me any more inclined to shop there. That entire area is a nightmare to anyone who isn't driving a car. Adding a heated bus shack doesn't change that.
I don't understand why the transit system is being blamed in this case. All four bus routes have made regular stops in the box store area, even navigating around construction. Do you have a reason to believe they AREN'T going to stop at this new point?
From I understand. the ridership on your bus system is about one passenger per bus per run. Thats great a bus with one person on it will increase WalMart's sales a lot!!
The bus stop was a request from the store manager to Wal-mart's home office to support many of his customer's needs for an area to wait that was not located in the middle of the traffic pattern and provided quality shelter.
The transit system manager is excited about the improvement and there will be a bus line that stops at the front of the store when construction wraps up next Tuesday 06/24/08. This decision was made not for "hopes to gain financially" but because it is the right thing to do for our community.
To suomi's point. . .every customer does increase Wal-mart's sales alot. But, since the ROI (return on investment) in this case was never considered it becomes a mute point. There are many people who utilize the bus system and count on this mode of transportation to get around town.
Looking back on 4 years ago and the horrible glass bus stop that we had. . .I truly wish we had built a quality enclosure that actually served more of a purpose than just identifying where the bus stop was located. Hindsight is 20/20. . .lesson learned!
Timbo Erickson
Store Manager
Wal-mart #2722
Fairbanks, AK.
The comment by suomi is incorrect. It's misinformation. There have been many more people on the buses every time I've been on them. Every run, every ride. They are wonderful. Why in the world would anyone want to be destructive towards the public bus system? I'll take the bus over the Flintstones cars we'll all be driving soon. Too cold in Fairbanks for the Flintstones cars...
I'd like to note Timbo's entire comment and in particular "...the right thing to do for the community..." It's just real, and I hope you folks can appreciate that. There are a lot of people (who perhaps don't 'exist' in a particular reader's bubble) who appreciate that-not as a figure of speech, but in reality.
A wise crack: maybe the old (corporate) bus stop can go up to the university as art. Put it next to the 'Elysian' bike rack-which really did have a bicycle chained to the very top of it when people went to work the morning after its installation. I remember the comments that day from the guys who had to go up there and take the bike down. It was excellent.
When I was a kid, I had to walk fifty miles uphill through a blinding snowstorm with a #3 steel trap gripped around my ankle and a mouthful of porcupine quills, just to get to Wal-Mart. You kids today have it so easy with a bus and a heated shelter, and all you can do is gripe.
Sheesh!
I'd like to add that when I rode the Blue and Red lines in the winter (I've since moved to a different area and a different line), there were always many people on the bus. I have only once been the sole passenger on a bus, although I'm sure ridership varies from route to route, time of day, and time of year.
I'd also like to clarify that the box store area is a walker/biker/bus rider's nightmare not because of Walmart, but because of the complete lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, etc. In this regard, adding a heated waiting area is an improvement.
Kudos to Timbo and Walmart. Bus ridership will only increase with the price of fuel and its good to see corporate America providing a convenience instead of waiting for government to screw it up!
just timbo kissing butt with the community and trying to improve his bonus, which by the way is quite substansial. He learned he learned to kiss bottom from the top. this is what walmart as a company does the best. He has learned that job well. Great job maybe someday Timbo will stand up for his employees.
In response to joecitizen66--I believe that my company does understand how important it is to take care of our community--and yes, I am a direct reflection of that philosophy.
Kissing butt with the community. . .sounds like just about any store or company or individual who serves in any major leadership position.
If you are saying that the bus stop which cost over $500K somehow adds to my bonus. . .then you don't quite understand Profit and loss for a business.
Just as an FYI. . .the bus stop can be used without even entering the store. . .which was also by design.
I take great pride in my job. . .and in my assoicates and how I treat them.
I am open to hearing how I can do a better job of standing up for my employees (we call ourselves associates).
Please feel free to call me at 451-9900 if you have any additional suggestions.
Thank you,
Timbo Erickson
So if the bus stop can be used without entering the store does that mean there is now a place for the salvation army people to stand and other non profits during the winter? Or do they still have to stand outside and freeze just because walmart is afraid a union might come into their store? Which really wouldn't be a bad idea.You paid 500k for a bus stop, is walmart connected to the goverment in some way?
The bus stop is still located on Wal-mart property. . .so, unfortunately fund raising still must occur outside of the front doors.
Last Christmas season we had several dozen associates who volunteered to man the bell for the Salvation Army (including management). . .the same will be true this year. This eliminated the need for the Salvation Army to man our specific spot. . .plus the Wal-mart Foundation assisted our assoicates by making donations for their volunteer time.
I find your statement . . ."bacause walmart is afraid a union might come into their store" very interesting. Considering that fact that local union labor built this store/that we use a union trucking and shipping venues vs. non-union options. . .the word afraid is a little presumptive.
One of our local competitors actually brought in construction workers from other states to build their most-recent store. . .and they also use a non-union trucking company. This company is also partially unionized. . .but, how is it that my starting assoicates are making nearly $3.00/hr. more in a non-unionized situation?
I am sure that in some way Wal-mart is involved with the government. . .albeit I haven't signed any POs for a $5000 screwdriver yet.
On a personal note. . .how long did you work for Wal-mart/Sam's Club?
I think that the bus depot is a great addition to the community and Wal*mart as a whole. I work with Timbo and he is a great guy, and i'am not kissing butt.
I have lived in Alaska for all my life and standing at the bus stop on the side of a road is bone chilling cold and possible frostbite. Kudos for taking the well thought and planned initiative to heart for the residents of Fairbanks and visitors to our great community.
Store Associate Fairbanks
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