Introducing Tina Robinson

Tina will be helping out with the blog for a short while. Welcome Tina!

I’d like to introduce you to Tina Robinson. She’ll be helping out with content on the blog in December. I will be away until the end of the month, but I leave you in good hands. Please give her a very warm welcome!

Hello Buzzer readers! I’m looking forward to helping Robert out with the blog this month and hopefully having some conversations with you.

I grew up here in the Lower Mainland (Burnaby, if you must know), and have been a long-time transit rider. I have fond memories of getting on the SkyTrain during Expo ’86 and looking down at the sea of people waiting to get on what was then a new and exciting technology for the region. 25 years later and you’ll still often find me riding the buses and SkyTrain to get around the city (and I also use my bike as part of my commuting repertoire).

Growing up riding public transit in Vancouver and Burnaby, I became a long-time reader – and fan – of the print Buzzer (Anyone else remember the random and silly quotes sprinkled through the old issues from the 80s? Maybe you read them while listening to a Rick Astley cassette tape on your Walkman?). As you can imagine, I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the Buzzer blog, and look forward to hearing your comments and ideas over the next few weeks.

Blog on Short Hiatus

Hello everyone. I’ve had to rush out of town unexpectedly, so this is why I haven’t blogged much this week. The blog will return next week as usual. I look forward to bringing you some interesting posts in the very near future including one on the finale of the Transit Pet Peeves Battle.

Happy third birthday, Buzzer blog!

Wow, it’s been three years already?

Three candles for the Buzzer blog!

Yup, October 6, 2008, was when the very first Buzzer blog post was published. The ambition was to give the most up-to-date information on transit issues and to create a forum for two-way conversation between TransLink and its customers. Over the years, the blog has grown in followers, look and content. This past year, the blog has documented transit history, the naming of our new smart card,  Burnaby Mountain Gondola – phase 2, Surrey Rapid Transit – Phase 2, the new mobile site, I Love Transit Week, and the 25th Anniversary of SkyTrain to name just a few. We also surpassed 13 000 comments just the other day!

My stint as editor is nearly halfway through (Jhenifer is currently away on maternity leave), and there’s still a lot I have planned as editor. These past six months have been a great learning experience about the many things in which TransLink is involved. I now feel I can start introducing some new ideas on top of the great regular features like Friday Fun Polls, Links & Tidbits, etc. One of the new items I have planned is a transit etiquette campaign I’m hoping I can share soon.

Thanks to all of you for your patience in waiting for replies to your comments. Besides the blog and Buzzer newsletter, I also contribute to our Facebook Page, Twitter handle, Foursquare Account (just starting to reinvigorate that one) as well as webinars and all sorts of online communications work for TransLink. So, suffice it to say that I’m busy but loving the gig! Finding the right person to answer your questions may take a little time, but I wanna make sure I get you the right answer.

On this third birthday, I’d like to give thanks to all the Buzzer readers who contribute their time and insighful thought to the conversation. This is truly a mature and nurturing community, and I’m thankful to be a part of it.

Here’s to another great three years of the Buzzer blog!

Buzzer blogger away Mon July 25, back Thurs July 28, 2011

I’m away for a few days. I’ll be answering your comments and e-mails on Thursday, July 28, 2011.

Here’s some handy links in case you need info/help while I’m off:

• Follow the TransLink Twitter account for key service updates, plus breaking news
• Sign up for e-mail or text message alerts for your bus routes and train trips here
• Our transit alerts can also be found at the TransLink alerts page
• Complaints, commendations, lost property questions, and other inquiries can be directed to TransLink’s customer information area
• You can also reach our transit information line at 604-953-3333
• Talk to you soon!

Off-topic news: say hello to baby Linna

Hello world!

Hi everyone — Jhen here with a quick non-transit update from my maternity leave :)

Since some of you asked to be kept in the loop, I’m happy to announce my lovely daughter Linna was born about a week ago. She is healthy and happy and just delightful, and I suspect we’ll be having a lot of fun together this year.

Again, if you’re interested, you can feel free to visit Pabillano.com for assorted personal posts while I’m on leave. I hope you’re all having fun with Robert here on the Buzzer blog while I’m away!

Northern Voice 2011

Last week, I checked out the annual personal blogging and social media conference known as Northern Voice. The volunteer-run event at UBC is all about expanding the blogging and social networking community and learning from your peers. Most people who attended were from Metro Vancouver, but there were a few from other parts of the province, other areas of Canada, and even some from the U.S.

Besides the interesting and educational seminars with titles like Courting Controversy: Dancing with the Devil, Your Blog is Boring and Your Photos Suck, and Awesome-izing Your Podcast (where I learned things I hope to use in future podcasts for the Buzzer), I met a bunch of the people I follow (and don’t) on Twitter and the blogosphere.

Having all these interesting stars of social media captive in one place, I thought I’d take the opportunity to do my first video post using my iPhone. This was a spur-of-the-moment descision, so please bear with me on this one. Next time, I’ll make sure to find a nice flat surface and quite place to shoot my video! Regardless, I think this gives some good snap shots of how local social media and bloggers view public transporation in our corner of the world.

Farewell, dear friends! Jhen’s signing off for a year!

Me, riding into the shiny future. (Yes, this is an older photo :)

Well, as you may have heard, there’s a major event happening today — it’s my last day on the blog :)

Yes, as announced in February, I am on maternity leave as of the end of day on Friday, April 29, 2011, returning in May 2012. In my absence, the delightful Robert Willis will be handling the print and online Buzzer properties, and I’m certain he’ll take care of everything very well.

But before I go, I just wanted to offer my thanks and appreciation to all of you who have been my companions on the blog since its launch in October 2008. It’s been a sincere privilege to bring you stories about TransLink, and it’s been fantastic that so many of you have chosen to make the Buzzer blog a key destination in your online travels.

I’ll be mostly off the blog for the next year, but I’ll keep you posted as any key events come along for me :) And if you really need to reach me, you can find my personal site over at pabillano.com.

Take care, keep reading the Buzzer, and have a great year!

One last reminder: take the Buzzer blog reader survey

What it may look like as a Buzzer reader diligently fills in our survey.

One last time: please take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey, if you haven’t already!

Yes, I’m going to beat this topic to death, but it’s for a good cause: we here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about you and what you think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.

It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking!

Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) The survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon (that’s tomorrow!)

Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)

Reminder: take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey!

What it may look like as a Buzzer reader diligently fills in our survey.

Just a reminder to take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey!

Again, for the first time ever, I’ve put a reader survey together. We here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about you, and what you guys think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.

It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking!

Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) The survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon.

Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)

Friday fun & serious poll: take the 2011 Buzzer blog reader survey!

What a Buzzer blog reader might look like while diligently filling in our reader survey.

Okay, this is both a fun AND serious poll for this Friday! For the first time ever, I’ve put a reader survey together. We here at the Buzzer (all two of us) are dying to know more about our readers, and what you guys think of the blog so far—plus where you think we could improve for the future.

It’s only 12 questions long and we’d like as many of you to fill it out as possible, so we really get a sense of who our readership is and what you’re thinking! Even if you’re just a casual reader, please do take a few minutes and fill out the survey, and tell all your friends to as well :) Also, the survey will close on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at noon.

Important note: I’m running this survey using SurveyMonkey, which is a US-based survey tool. So please take note that by clicking on the following survey link, you give your consent that any information you provide may be stored on servers outside of Canada. (PS: none of the questions ask for emails or personally identifying info, just general age/gender stuff and readership notes.)

Introducing the new editor of the Buzzer: Robert Willis!

Introducing the new editor of the Buzzer newsletter and blog, Robert Willis!

I’m pleased to introduce Robert Willis, who will be taking over the Buzzer while I’m on maternity leave! Please give him a warm welcome: we’ll both be posting on the blog for the next three weeks until my last day on April 29, 2011.

Hello everyone! I’m greatly humbled to be filling Jhenifer’s massive shoes (figuratively of course: Jhen has regular-sized feet) as editor of the Buzzer while she’s on maternity leave.

I have a background as a journalist, so you very well might bump into me on a bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus, or West Coast Express talking to commuters and taking pictures. I also love robots and Japanese food… but I’m getting off topic.

There are so many stories to be told about transportation in Metro Vancouver. The challenge is to narrow in on what is most applicable and engaging for you the reader. I’ll be poring over your comments and emails for your thoughts on transit and the Buzzer and will use them as a compass (intended reference to our newly-named fare card) to help guide what I write. Of course, I’ll be continuing the many themes that Jhenifer has brought to the Buzzer like transit history and tidbits and links. Over the next few months, I also intend to introduce some new ideas and themes.

As a regular transit user, I rely a lot on TransLink like, I’m sure, most of you do as well. I’m excited to play a bigger part of our collective transit experience as the new editor. I hope you’ll help me continue the great stories and conversations Jhenifer has started!

Buzzer blogger away Mon Apr 4, back Mon Apr 11, 2011

A note to say I will be away on a break for a week starting Monday April 4, 2011!

A few scheduled posts will go up in my absence, and I’ll be back to answer your comments and e-mails on Monday, April 11, 2011. (Eep: the end of April fast approaches!)

Here’s some handy links in case you need info/help while I’m off:

• Follow the TransLink Twitter account for key service updates, plus breaking news
• Sign up for e-mail or text message alerts for your bus routes and train trips here
• Our transit alerts can also be found at the TransLink alerts page
• Complaints, commendations, lost property questions, and other inquiries can be directed to TransLink’s customer information area
• You can also reach our transit information line at 604-953-3333
• Look out for April 6, when Vancouver turns 125!
• And for fun, here’s a comic about Chopin and Liszt :)

The Commentary interviews The Buzzer

Screenshot of the Commentary's front page, on Monday March 7, 2011.

Just a quick note to say that The Commentary, a website focused on really great audio interviews, features an interview with your very own Buzzer editor today.

For 20 minutes, Commentary host Joseph Planta let me ramble on about the Buzzer, the blog, real-time bus info, and more transportation subjects of note. Have a listen if you’re interested!

Reminder: apply for my job! Posting closes March 8, 2011

Me, continuing to cycle towards a sparkling future!

Just a reminder that I’m starting maternity leave at the end of April! If you’re interested in taking over Buzzer duties and TransLink social media work, apply soon, as the posting closes tomorrow, March 8, 2011.

Check out the job posting (it’s the one that says “Online Communications Advisor”) and get your application in.

And here’s the original post where I announced the job posting, in case you’re interested in revisiting it.

Apply to be the Buzzer editor & blogger: I’m on maternity leave as of April 29, 2011!

Me, cycling towards a sparkling future!

A pretty big announcement for me today: I’m going on maternity leave starting April 29, 2011!

Yes, I’m expecting a baby in late May, so I’ll be temporarily away from my post as Buzzer editor and blogger for a year.

But that means, of course, we’ll need a replacement to take over the print and online Buzzer work, plus the other online communications advisory work I do for TransLink!

So: if you love the Buzzer, transportation issues, public transit, and you care about the future of our region—and you have extensive experience working in communications, print production and social media—please do apply!

Quite honestly, I think this is an incredible job, and I’d love to see someone take on this opportunity and build the Buzzer and TransLink’s social media work into something even grander than it is today.

Check out the job posting (it’s the one that says “Online Communications Advisor”) and get your application in. The posting closes on March 8, 2011, so make sure you do it soon!

Whoever will be hired will start earlier than April 29 and work with me for a while to get up to speed and learn how things work. And I’ll keep you all posted as we fill the job and move to a new Buzzer editor for 2011-2012 :)

Edit: Someone has mentioned having problems uploading their resume to the website. The web team has told me this is a known issue. Two things to try:
1. Check out the careers page System Requirements and FAQ to see if another browser etc might help.
2. And then if nothing works, email jobs@translink.ca – this is in the last FAQ.