Comments on: Metro Opening It’s Own Blog, Looking for Blogger

By: Ed Greenberg

Ed Greenberg — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 04:46:50 +0000

I nominate BusTard.

By: Siel

Siel — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:02:39 +0000

This actually sounds like it'd be a fun gig to me -- fun meaning creatively challenging. However I'm guessing the troll level would be seriously high on this blog and I'm not sure I'd deal well with that.

By: bzcat

bzcat — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:57:03 +0000

Honestly, they should just have a blog roll that continuously link to new posts from StreetsblogLA, MetroriderLA, Bus Bench, and CurbedLA with transit related tags. The content will be more updated and a lot more informative.

The Metro blog will be useless if it just end up being a place for them to post news releases.

By: calwatch

calwatch — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:11:27 +0000

It's RFP style, meaning that they act as independent contractors and pay is negotiated. They are not LACMTA/PTSC employees.

Here's what a transit agency blog - and the comments - might look like - Houston Metro's blog: http://blogs.ridemetro.org/blogs/default.aspx They hired a former newspaper reporter to post to the site.

By: David Galvan

David Galvan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:09:26 +0000

I'd nominate Fred Camino or Damien Newton or Sarah Goodyear or Kymberleigh Richards.

Spokker, I lol'd.

By: Erik G.

Erik G. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:08:44 +0000

I second the nomination of Browne. That would be a hoot.

Anyone know what the position would pay?

By: Spokker

Spokker — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:32:51 +0000

"and, probably the biggest chunk of the audience: naysayers, haters, trolls, and flat out CRAZY people."

Come on, Fred. You know you miss the drama. Come back!

By: Rosemary

Rosemary — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:21:43 +0000

Ha! A friend forwarded me the media bistro posting as well and I couldn't help but wonder why they just didn't enlist a current metro employee? I don't imagine someone who has "expertise and in-depth knowledge of transportation issues, particularly as related to Los Angeles County and Measure R" is really going to be an advocate for Metro. Because, clearly, that's what they're looking for. They're certainly not going to want someone to point out TAP's shortcomings, this ridiculous no bikes business, etc. I'm all for increasing ridership but I agree with Dana that putting all their eggs in a blog basket might not be the best approach.

By: Fred Camino

Fred Camino — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:35:50 +0000

"The intended audience includes Metros customers and potential customers, LA county taxpayers and stakeholders, and the online community." and, probably the biggest chunk of the audience: naysayers, haters, trolls, and flat out CRAZY people.

By: Drew

Drew — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:16:20 +0000

Sarcasm, Spokker?

By: Spokker

Spokker — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:12:55 +0000

I just heard they hired Browne Molyneux.

By: DJB

DJB — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:51:06 +0000

I hope they hire someone who is fluent in a bunch of different languages. It would be a shame to exclude a huge chunk of Metro's riders from the conversation through posts only en Inglés.

It'd be nice if this blog had translators too.

By: Dana Gabbard

Dana Gabbard — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:34:35 +0000

How much latitude would one have who took this job? That posting doesn't give a hint. But given the internal workings of Metro I can't imagine, for example, they'd continence honest posting about the TAP mess or gating debacle or less than optimal Sheriff's contract arrangement or...

Anyone who knew enough about the topic to do it would likely find the restrictions too onerous to make it worth doing. And why would Metro pay for a blogger pushing the company line, anyway? They already post press releases for that. They probably think that is so 2005 and that this blogger stuff is hot and they need to jump on a band wagon. If they want to improve their image, they should hold some public workshops for the Long Range Plan and solicit real input. Their problems are not about the lack of a blog flack.