Transit

Speaking of Sweltering Heat, Union Station Metro Update

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by Emily Gallt

Emily asks us: “Hey PoPville have you heard any updates on how the Amtrak and wmata negotiations are going here? It’s getting ridiculous!”

WMATA tells me this morning:

“OK good news: things are moving forward. Metro received approval from Amtrak to access their property and install new pipes to restore chilled air service. Our crews underwent Amtrak-required training last night, and work starts today. 6-10 days to install new pipes, recharge the system and get it back online.

The chiller system at Union Station dates back to the original construction of Metro, meaning it has been in service since 1976. It is scheduled for full replacement this winter.

This video from a few years ago provides some background on how a chiller system works: (more…)

“52 & 54 buses on 14th. Ghosting.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

Anyone else having difficulty with the 52 and 54 northbound? There have been people of all ages here at 14th and Irving waiting on either a 52 or 54 since 2:10 (it’s currently 2:50).

Checking my Metro app – all of us here have been ghosted by 3 buses.”

“Metro proposal would add solar parks at four stations, providing clean energy and generating new revenue to support transit”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Solar panels capable of powering 1,500 homes will soon be installed at four Metro-owned facilities. In a request for proposals (RFP) issued today, Metro is offering a 15-year solar ground lease to develop and operate solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems on surface and rooftop parking lots at Anacostia, Cheverly, Naylor Road and Southern Avenue stations. (more…)

New Scooters on the Way – “Bolt Mobility was awarded a mid-year permit” – More Coming

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced that Bolt Mobility was awarded a mid-year permit to operate electric scooters in the District through December 31.

“The dockless vehicle program is moving the District closer to Mayor Bowser’s goal to provide accessible transportation options across all eight wards,” said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. (more…)

“my 15 year old building shakes with the not-so-new trains they installed in the metro a few years ago” WMATA report finds no need for concern

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I live near 14th and U St. I just returned after living abroad for the last two+ years and noticed that my 15 year old building shakes with the not-so-new trains they installed in the metro a few years ago. They’re running the new trains faster and they are heavier which is why my bldg (a block and a half from the metro is now shaking, in particular felt in the morning). (more…)

“Scariest driving experience of my life”

By Prince Of Petworth


stock photo

“Dear PoPville,

Yesterday while driving to work on the BW Parkway, I had the absolute scariest experience of my life. Without reliving it, I will just say that this fellow driver should not be allowed to drive– this was not your standard speeding, or tailgating, or merging when you shouldn’t, or just being a “Maryland driver” that we all love to hate. This was intentional insanity with no regards to my safety, any other driver’s safety, or quite frankly, his own. I was very lucky that I emerged unscathed from his two attempts to cause an accident with my car, but I am incredibly concerned that he is still on the road.

My question is this: is there a way to report drivers like this? (more…)

Anyone Else Get Stuck in a Free2Move Last Night?

By Prince Of Petworth

Rough night for some rideshare riders last night. David first reported around 9:45pm:

“@Free2MoveUSA im stuck on the side of the road trying to get into a car I was holding and can’t get in. Been on hold with you 20 minutes!! My stuff is in the car. Please help!!”

“An update; @Free2MoveUSA has a global service outage, for anyone else who is on hold with them. Took a half hour just to hear that from them. They said try in 15 mins… I guess?” (more…)

“Metro now says that it is losing $26 million to fare evasion on Metrobus and an additional $10 million on Metrorail.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

WUSA9 reports:

“Metro now says that it is losing $26 million to fare evasion on Metrobus and an additional $10 million on Metrorail. But a transit agency spokesman underscored that it’s much harder to count losses on Metrorail–and these latest estimates could be smaller than reality.”

“Five days later I received a $250 charge from Lyft for alleged damage that occurred to the driver’s bumper during my ride”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I wanted to raise awareness of an issue I am having with Lyft. For background, I had an unremarkable ride home from DCA last weekend – driver picked me up, put my small rollaway bag in the trunk, drove me home in silence, took my bag out of the trunk when we arrived, and we went our separate ways. I gave him a $5 tip on a $20 ride and a 5 star rating.

Five days later I received a $250 charge from Lyft for alleged damage that occurred to the driver’s bumper during my ride (initial email from Lyft below, picture above). I wrote back saying this is clearly a fraudulent claim based on the information they presented and that such damage could not have and did not occur on account of me. Lyft has decided to maintain the charge without providing me any additional details, and now I have to take things up with my credit card company. (more…)

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