Jeff Johnson has a very interesting post up on his Urban In-Fill blog today that describes his experience commuting between Cleveland and Chicago via Amtrak. Additionally, he mentions the Amtrak Guest Rewards program that he’s already started to collect points for. He sees it as way to “send a message to Amtrak” that folks who reside in Columbus are ready for new rail service. He encourages anyone interested in train travel to go ahead and sign up for the rewards program today.
In this week’s podcast we sit down for coffee with Jeff Johnson of Urban In-Fill and The Merion Village Blog to discuss a variety of topics including his “COTA Challenge” experiences, a recent trip to our economic-rival of Indianapolis, rail transportation in the Midwest, urban vegetable gardening, and the ever-changing landscape of our south side neighborhoods.
You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.
If you haven’t been following along, Jeff Johnson began a project last January that he calls “The COTA Challenge“. He wanted to see how much money he could save on gasoline and car costs over the course of an entire year by riding the bus as much as possible. Jeff posted a lot of blog updates along the way that gave a lot of great insight, personal impressions, and amusing anecdotes about riding of our local bus service.
Yesterday, Jeff posted his final results from completing the challenge through 2008. Click here to check them out.
Urban In-Fill wrote Celebrating the COTA Challenge
December 2, 2008 by Jeff Johnson
It started last January with the simple idea of using public transportation to get to and from work, but only when it was convenient. I spent $45 on a transit pass and $30 on gas and set out to determine if I could make the combination work. Well, it worked and at the end of January, I still had gas in the tank.
Using those guidelines as the general rules for living throughout 2008, I have found myself, now in December, with more available money than ever before. Because I’ve been so fortunate, it’s time to pay it forward to someone else. At the end of December I will buy a January COTA transit pass for someone willing to give it a try. Ideally, I’d like to see the recipient use it for commuting to and from work a couple times per week, but I’ll place no limits on its use. Use it for whatever purpose you’d like, just use it.
Urban In-Fill wrote Columbus Scooter Parking Debate
June 10, 2008 by Jeff Johnson
A group of downtown enthusiasts/scooter fans met this past Friday to discuss ways to enhance the urban experience and how it relates to moving people in, out and around downtown Columbus.
Those who commute to work on motorized two-wheeled vehicles are seeking solutions. This group is interested in safe and secure parking, not unlike any other commuter. Their challenge, however, is unique, in that most parking garages prohibit scooter parking and securing a scooter is often essential, as some weigh less than 200 pounds.
The urban enthusiasts are seeing opportunity. There is an opportunity for the city to reduce congestion by promoting the use of two-wheeled vehicles. There’s an opportunity for downtown businesses to see increased foot traffic when more people arrive on two-wheeled vehicles - it leave more spaces open for four-wheeled vehicles.
Considerations discussed at Friday’s meeting included designating specific two-wheeled vehicle areas in and around downtown that would offer no-cost parking. Private lots and city owned parking spaces were considered, as was the potential for advertisers, such as Harley Davidson or Vespa, as sponsors these various locations.
Nineteen days into the month and I’ve only used the car three times, and those times were for trips to and from work. Late hours and Sundays, when limited COTA schedules are the culprit. I’ve put a total of $30 in gas in the tank this month, and I’ve still got just over a half-tank left.
Jeff Johnson has a very interesting post up on his Urban In-Fill blog today that describes his experience commuting between Cleveland and Chicago via Amtrak. Additionally, he mentions the Amtrak Guest Rewards program that he’s already started to collect points for. He sees it as way to “send a message to Amtrak” that folks who reside in Columbus are ready for new rail service. He encourages anyone interested in train travel to go ahead and sign up for the rewards program today.
In this week’s podcast we sit down for coffee with Jeff Johnson of 
If you haven’t been following along, Jeff Johnson began a project last January that he calls “
Columbus Scooter Parking Debate
