“Dear PoPville,
I live directly across the street from a DCPS elementary school and when they have field trips/activities, they often hire charter buses that sit and idle for long periods of time. This morning, the charter buses arrived at 5:30am and like always, they sat empty and idling — it is so LOUD.
The city has anti-idling laws (link below) as well as noise limits prior to 7am, but not sure how to actually address this issue? Onviously on top of the noise, it’s excess exhaust and I’m sure the driver is being paid via DCPS for the idle time. It was right at 32° when the bus arrived (not below freezing) and no one boarded the bus until after 7:30am so more than 2 hours of this wasteful, noisy nonsense. There are already “no idling” signs along the front of the school that aren’t noticed and I submitted (another) 311 request which has a 30-day resolution estimate… not exactly a solution when it’s actively happening. Help!!?!
[Update: the buses boarded and left at 7:50am]”
UPDATE: “Servicing Agency: DOEE
Service Request Type: DOEE – Engine Idling Tips
Service Request Number: xx-xxxxxx
Comment: Thank you for contacting the District Department of Energy and Environment’s (DOEE) Air Quality Division (AQD). Our normal business hours are 9 AM to 5 PM Mon-Fri. Since this idling issue occurs outside of the DOEE’s normal operating hours, we will not be able to conduct an inspection at that time, but we have logged the complaint into our database and will look out for engine idling in this area in the future. For after-hours idling issues, please contact the Department of Public Works Parking Enforcement (202) 673-6833 or utilize the 311 app for Community Enforcement.”