Transit

Marine Corps Marathon is Sunday, Prepare for Road Closures

By Prince Of Petworth

mcm-map
Click here to get to interactive map.

Good luck to the runners!

From a press release:

“The Metropolitan Police Department and US Park Police wish to advise the public and members of the media of the street closures in conjunction with the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, October 30, 2016.

The race begins at 8:00 am in Arlington, Virginia, and then crosses the Potomac River into the District of Columbia. The following streets along the race route will be closed at approximately 5:00 am and will reopen at approximately 2:00 pm: (more…)

“the first evidence I’ve seen of that proposed post-Labor Day social-media-based customer service blitz actually working”

By Prince Of Petworth

postivie-metro

“Dear PoPville,

I usually like to bring cash to top off my SmarTrip card when it’s running low, but I forgot to grab a 20 out of my closet this morning so I used my credit card at the fare machines on the 7th Street side of the Shaw station.

First try: “Not approved.” Thinking it was a fluke, I tried again—no go. I moved to a different machine, same result. Gave up and got on the train anyway, since the $4 I had on my card would cover a one-way trip.

Got a text from Bank of America a couple minutes later with all three attempts listed as suspicious activity. BofA declined one of those attempts, but the second and third (one of which rang up as $0) were both approved by the bank, although the SmarTrip machine said they’d been declined.

It’s been said that when the going gets tough, the tough whip out their phones and fire off some snarky tweets. (more…)

“Stay safe with Uber this Halloween and every day with these ten tips”

By Prince Of Petworth

uber

From Uber:

“Technology can help improve safety in ways not possible before, and we encourage all Uber users to make the most of these features and information. Stay safe with Uber this Halloween and every day with these ten tips:

Request Your Ride Inside

There’s no need to hang curbside. You can choose to wait safely indoors while keeping an eye on your app for your driver to arrive.

Know Your Uber, Avoid Scams

When you request an Uber, you’re given the driver’s name, photo and license plate number in your app. Before you get in the car, check the license plate number and look in the window to make sure the driver matches the photo. When you open the door, ask for their name. Always remember Uber rides can only be requested through the app, so never accept street hail solicitations from those claiming to be Uber.

Be a Backseat Rider
When riding alone, choose to sit in the backseat. This ensures you have the option of exiting either side of the vehicle after it safely stops to avoid moving traffic.

Share Your Trip Details
While en route, you can not only monitor your own trip in your app but also share your trip details with friends and family. Simply tap the “Share My Trip” button to immediately send your driver’s name, photo, vehicle, and where you are on the map to a friend or family member, so they know when you’ve safely arrived. (more…)

“It may have been a routine thing for you, but your act of kindness meant the world to me.”

By Prince Of Petworth

metro
Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

Thanks to a reader for sharing a note sent to Metro about “a U Street Metro attendant who did something positive and deserves to be commended for it. It was simple, but meant so much to me:

I can’t thank you enough.

It may have been a routine thing for you, but your act of kindness meant the world to me.

I dropped my scarf while running to catch a late train, and you called after me as a man (whom I wish I could also thank) was returning it to me. I didn’t understand you at first as you yelled to me, and may have even seemed annoyed or ungrateful, but the fact that you made sure I received it was very much appreciated. I didn’t even fully process it until after it happened. You could have shrugged your shoulders or cared less, but you didn’t.

A very close friend gave the scarf to me many years ago, and I would have been devastated to lose it. The simple act of calling after me meant so much, and your kindness made me reevaluate my interactions with others. (more…)

“Expect large crowds, fewer trains and major delays along the entire Red Line” Surge #10 is Nearly Upon Us (Oct. 29-Nov. 22)

By Prince Of Petworth

red-line-blues

“Expect large crowds, fewer trains and major delays along the entire Red Line.”

And may God have mercy on our souls.

Although GoDCGo offers (among other alternatives) something that just might be good for our souls:

“You can walk anywhere, but you can also take this opportunity to use the Metropolitan Branch Trail. Take it during the day for a direct route, about 3.7 miles, 82 minutes walking. This trail is accessible via the NoMa, Rhode Island Avenue, Brookland, Union and Takoma Metro stations. The best route on the northern side is on the Metropolitan Branch Trail toward MBT Stairs, see instructions here. The best route on the southern side is on Galloway St NE see instructions here.”

Crazy Scenes at 9:30am

By Prince Of Petworth

car

One reader reports:

“3 unmarked cars on Irving b/w 14 and 16 just now. Jeep flying down sidewalk westbound, 2 others speeding east on road. Unmarked sedan crashed into Unmarked SUV. About four or five men had a guy pinned down on the sidewalk. Scary stuff.”

fullsizerender

“Ambulance tried to scoop the traffic at Michigan And North Capitol, but got saddled on the median and stuck. Unclear about patients on board, but a body board was on the median behind the ambulance. Traffic was backed up southbound all the way past Rhode Island”

“Show Up and Say NO to Permanent Late Night Metro Service Cuts”

By Prince Of Petworth

metro

From an email:

“When: October, 20th, 5:30pm-6:30pm
600 5th Street, NW

Who: DC Residents Who are Against Service Cuts

Social Media Link.

What: Metro has proposed cutting late night service (and off peak service for some stations), permanently.

On Thursday, Oct 20th metro will be holding a hearing to get feedback from residents.

Concerned residents will host a rally outside the Metro Building and show up to the hearing with signs and let metro know that we need to fix the system but it should not come to the detriment of D.C. residents.

In one of the richest regions in the United States, we can find creative and effective solutions to fix our transportation system.

Our leaders should develop a “regional agreement” between MD,VA,DC leaders, businesses, and advocates to say no to late night service cuts (and off peak service cuts at some stations) and yes to pushing for additional funding that does not come off the backs of area residents.”

“DDOT Urges Nationals Fans to Plan Ahead for Game 5”

By Prince Of Petworth

nationals_win
Praying we see this tonight

From a press release:

“Due to the decision by WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld to keep Metro closed at its regular time tonight, the District of Columbia is stepping up to provide alternative transit options in preparation for game five of the National League Division Series between the Washington Nationals and the Los Angeles Dodgers and encouraging creative, resilient Nationals fans* to plan ahead for their return trips.

Below are transportation options from Nationals Park. (more…)

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