Transit

Metro Stops the Bleeding

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“Metro customers are experiencing fewer train offloads, better on-time performance, and fewer unscheduled delays as a result of new railcars, improved maintenance programs, and schedule enhancements – positive trends that show Metro is delivering on its commitment to move the system “back to good.”

Following the conclusion of the SafeTrack emergency maintenance program in June, Metro customers have seen improvements in Metrorail service reliability. In August, 89 percent of trips (13.6 million trips) arrived on time based on actual customer “tap in/tap out” travel time data. Metro credits the accelerated delivery of popular 7000-series railcars–combined with the retirement of all 1000- and 4000-series railcars months ahead of schedule, fewer track delays, improved railcar maintenance and recent schedule adjustments–with helping to keep customers on time. (more…)

Metro completes U Street escalator replacement project a month early, 10th Street Entrance Starts early next year

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Clif Burns

From WMATA:

“Metro today announced the completion of a major escalator replacement project at U Street Station. On Friday, the 13th Street entrance will reopen with two brand-new escalators in service.

The project, originally scheduled to take six months was completed a month ahead of schedule. (more…)

“Of course there’s essentially no recourse since this is a DC cab”

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: We spoke about DC Taxis “eliminating outdated traditional meters” by August 31 back in May.

UPDATE:

“I am the owner of bay cab. This story was an account of a passenger that took a cab using my system. I am not sure of the specifics that involved the passenger. I have reached out to the passenger via email and secure message from square both. I have issued a full and entire refund to the passenger. I have asked the passenger to give me a call personally so that i could understand the event that took place to ensure that this mistake will never happen again. The success of this system is very very important to me.”

“Dear PoPville,

The DC taxi commission seems to be in the process of allowing cab drivers to use tablet-based “taxi meter” apps instead of normal taxi meters. Naturally some cab drivers are using this opportunity to scam their customers. My cabbie today put a 25% tip on my bill without being asked and got agitated when I wanted to get my emailed receipt instead of a paper receipt. Here’s why – beyond the sneaky 25% tip, the distance of my ride from the Pret on M street to the Parker Flats condos at 2nd and Elm supposedly took 2.6 miles according to this “taxi meter.” The distance on google maps is 1.9 miles for this same trip, and looking closely at the email receipt it appears that a section was “tracked” as having looped around (between 6th and New Jersey) even though we took a straight route up Rhode Island Avenue. See the screenshot of the receipt – very clearly this is a 1.9 mile route, but just as clearly this app measured it to be 2.6 miles.

Of course there’s essentially no recourse since this is a DC cab; it’s not worth my time to try to contest a tiny overcharge, so I’ll just suck it up and go back to using Uber for everything – at least Uber is easy to get a refund from if a driver tries to scam you. Big thumbs down to letting cabbies use random apps to measure distances, and strongly recommend your readers get email receipts and check the mileages if they must use “regulated” cabs instead of ride services.”

WMATA: “we disagree with impacting Metro customers who are simply trying to get to work and school by Metrobus Operators refusing to provide bus service”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“ATU Local 689, the union representing Metrobus Operators, is currently engaged in an unauthorized and potentially unlawful labor action that is significantly impacting riders on the X2 line. The stated goal by union leadership is to draw attention to safety concerns, specifically bus operator assaults, following an incident on Saturday. This is a subject on which Metro and the union agree: Absolutely no one should be assaulted simply for doing their job. However, we disagree with impacting Metro customers who are simply trying to get to work and school by Metrobus Operators refusing to provide bus service in a disruptive and unlawful job action.

Metro and the union also agree that laws need to be strengthened to help protect bus operators, including enhanced penalties for anyone who assaults a frontline transit worker. (more…)

“Metro Transit Police announce arrest of suspect who threw urine on bus operator”

By Prince Of Petworth

From Metro Transit Police:

“Metro Transit Police today arrested Opal L. Brown, 38, of Southeast Washington, DC, for assaulting a Metrobus operator by throwing her own urine on Saturday, August 28, 2017.

Brown was arrested by MTPD detectives at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station shortly before noon today.

According to police, Brown was riding an X2 Metrobus on Saturday evening. Shortly before 6 p.m. on-board digital cameras captured Brown relieving herself into a cup toward the rear of the bus. (more…)

“Rock Creek Parkway between piney branch parkway and downtown is open again”

By Prince Of Petworth

Susan reports:

“Rock Creek Parkway between piney branch parkway and downtown is open again. The road looks similar as before but smooth as buttah and all kinds of drainage/storm water management stuff. Path has all been redone, and seems a bit wider, at least where road permits it.”

From the National Park Service:

“New Beach Drive closures and detours begin Monday August 28

Beach Drive closes to all users (cars, bikes and pedestrians) between Park Road/Tilden Street NW and Joyce Road NW (just south of Military Road NW). Ross Drive and Ridge Road will also close to vehicles but will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians. (more…)

Heads Up “Buses replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From WMATA:

“Weekend service adjustments August 26-27 for scheduled maintenance

Advisory Effective: 8/25/17 – 8/27/17

Maintenance work over the weekend of August 26-27 to keep trains operating safely and reliably.

Highlights

Yellow and Green line trains operate regular weekend service
Red Line trains will operate regular weekend service all day Saturday and after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday
Buses replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle, see below for details
Silver Line trains operate regular weekend intervals between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston (more…)

“Why does WMATA not see that this is simply dangerous & inefficient?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Without fail, the H3 turns right from Columbia Road onto Harvard. Every time it does this, it barely makes it! It either clips the curb (shocking pedestrians who are waiting for the light) or if it forces traffic heading south on Harvard to back up. It’s so illogical! I’m attaching a few pics. Is there anything we can do about this?! Why does WMATA not see that this is simply dangerous & inefficient?”

“Today, Mayor Bowser unveiled the design and timeline of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge.”

By Prince Of Petworth


rendering via newfrederickdouglassbridge.com

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Bowser unveiled the design and timeline of the new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge is part of the South Capitol Street Corridor Project, the largest public infrastructure project in Washington, DC’s history. The project includes replacing the 68 year-old bridge and reconstructing the Suitland Parkway/I-295 interchange. The Mayor was joined by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Director Leif Dormsjo, and members of the South Capitol Bridgebuilders team.

“Today, we are taking a huge step toward improving the District’s infrastructure and building a safer, stronger DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “The Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge and the entire South Capitol Street Corridor Project will create jobs for District residents and provide an iconic gateway between Anacostia and Downtown DC. When completed, this will be a tremendous structure and a fitting memorial for a remarkable American icon.”

The new Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge will be built approximately 100 feet from the current bridge. Other project elements include: (more…)

“ACLU Sues DC Metro Over Rejection of First Amendment Ad”

By Prince Of Petworth


via ACLU

From a press release:

“The American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates in the District of Columbia and Virginia today challenged the Washington area transit system’s advertising restrictions as violations of the First Amendment. The free speech lawsuit follows the rejection of ads from four groups that hail from across the political spectrum, images of which are here.

The case was filed on behalf of the ACLU; women’s health care collective Carafem, specializing in family planning and abortion care; Milo Worldwide LLC, the company of conservative commentator and writer Milo Yiannopoulos; and animal rights non-profit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rejected a series of ACLU ads displaying the text of the First Amendment in English, Spanish, and Arabic; a Carafem ad for medication abortions using what is described as the “10-Week-After Pill”; and several PETA ads suggesting that people “Go Vegan.” Ads for Yiannopoulos’ new book, “Dangerous,” were first accepted by WMATA, then removed from the transit system after riders complained. (more…)

View More Stories