From WMATA:
“Metro is working to provide faster, better bus service by going cash-free on selected limited-stop MetroExtra routes and is seeking feedback from the public before implementing the change.
Passenger boarding and fare payment can take up to 25 percent of a bus route’s travel time. Research shows that cash payments take significantly longer than SmarTrip® taps, and takes even longer when customers add value to a SmarTrip card at the farebox. These transactions cause the bus to hold longer at the bus stop, resulting in a longer trip for all riders.
On designated cash-free routes, customers pay fare with a pre-loaded SmarTrip® card only. Cash and coins are not accepted and customers cannot add value to their SmarTrip card at the farebox. This makes boarding quicker because customers simply tap their card and board, instead of conducting more time-consuming transactions.
Metro is currently conducting a cash-free pilot program on a single route, the 79 MetroExtra along Georgia Ave/7th Street NW. The six-month pilot project runs through December 2018.
Metro is considering going cash-free on the following limited-stop routes: (more…)
Photo by National Mall and Memorial Parks
Not quite a possum in a liquor store but still…
In case you live in a cave or were kicked off twitter – this is surely the greatest post from the National Mall and Memorial Parks, from Sunday:
“Look who decided to take a ride on the bus! Take the DC Circulator National Mall Route around National Mall and Memorial Parks. It’s only a dollar! Spotting wildlife is not guaranteed…”
“Dear PoPville,
I was on a BestBus that caught on fire yesterday from NYC to DC (4 pm bus out of Penn station). The fire occurred just outside on Trenton. Thanks goodness everyone was OK, but there was at least one person with a non-life threatening injury. but we think that it blew a tire and by the time the drive got pulled over there was smoke and flames pouring out from under the bus. Everything under the bus and left up top was a total loss.
Response from Best Bus below. (more…)
Thanks to Mark Lyon for sending.
From WMATA:
“Metro is reminding customers to plan for two upcoming summer capital improvement projects to keep Metro on its current path of improved safety and reliability. The work will impact customers who use the Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines.
During the 10 commuting days of the Orange, Blue and Silver line work in particular, customers who use these lines are being encouraged to plan alternate routes now and use Metro only if absolutely necessary.
Metro announced both projects in February, scheduling the work for late summer when ridership is generally lighter.
One month from today, following Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, Metro will close two stations on the Red Line – Rhode Island Ave and Brookland – to complete structural repairs at Rhode Island Ave, Metro’s oldest outdoor station. The work will begin Saturday, July 21, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.
The second capital project will impact all Blue, Orange and Silver line riders for 10 commuting days in August as Metro completely rebuilds the sharpest and most heavily traveled curve in the Metrorail system, located between Metro Center and Smithsonian stations.
For full details view news release.”
From DDOT:
“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), announced plans to install temporary bus lanes on Rhode Island Avenue NE to manage traffic during the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s planned closure of two Metrorail stations on the Red Line beginning July 21. (more…)
Looks like it’ll be turning at 11th and S Street, NW to Vermont to Florida back up to 11th. So for those who ride the 64 – good, bad, or meh?
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jacques Arsenault
“Dear PoPville,
During my daily commute home on the D6 bus, about 15 – 20 students from Duke Ellington School board the bus at the stop at 35th Street NW & Dent Pl NW, toward Dupont Circle. During the bus ride, their behavior is completely disrespectful to other passengers. They are loud, vulgar, and disruptive. I understand they are teenagers, but this behavior is beyond anything I have experienced before. I have spoken with fellow passengers about this, and we are at a loss about what do to.
One time the bus driver stopped the bus and asked them to quiet down, which was helpful. But when I asked another driver to do this, he said it was “against the rules.”
I have had many positive interactions with students from Duke Ellington – I was recently on a flight with students in the Museum program that were traveling to Miami, Florida, and they were an incredibly positive representation of the school.
I wrote an email to the principal, but is there anything else I should do? Contact WMATA?”
And while on the topic:
“Grosso expresses support for Ellington and fair resolution to residency claims
The following is a statement from Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large), chairperson of the Committee on Education, regarding the Duke Ellington School of the Arts: (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Mayor Bowser announced that the District is making it easier for Capitals fans to move around the city during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final by offering free DC Circulator service on all routes on Thursday, June 7 beginning at 6:00 p.m. The free rides will continue after the game, through the close of service. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
This past Sunday evening, I boarded a 30N bus on Capitol Hill to head to Georgetown and sat in the first row of the back section. A couple of stops after I got on, three teenagers, one girl and two guys, boarded and sat in the very back behind me. A few minutes later, I heard smacking sounds and turned to see the girl and one of the guys starting to physically fight and shout at each other. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.
From DDOT:
“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the arrival of free public WiFi on all of its newest DC Circulator buses.
The DC Circulator fleet is currently made up of 72 buses, including the largest fleet of electric buses on the east coast. 58 of the buses are equipped with free public Wifi and will serve all six of the DC Circulator routes. (more…)
