Transit

Judging the new 7000 series metro trains (reader request)

By Prince Of Petworth


Rendering via WMATA

From WMATA’s Web site:

With input from customers, we’re advancing the design of a brand new fleet of rail cars called the 7000 Series.

Customers told us they liked a blue and grey color scheme, and provided feedback on materials and features, including:

A stainless steel exterior
Vinyl padded seats and seat-back grab handles
Added handholds in the door area and vertical poles at each seat – for a total of 25% more linear feet of bars more than in the most recently built cars.
Nonslip flooring instead of carpet
Larger aisles and better designation of priority seating areas
Improved LED lighting
Privacy screens in the vestibule areas
Dynamic LCD route maps to allow customers to easily track train locations and station names
High-tech automated public address systems and closed circuit cameras for added safety and security.

Like the new look?


Rendering via WMATA

Dear PoPville – DC kids can also make the metro ride fun

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Just taped this little moment of fun on my metro ride from L’Enfant Plaza to U Street last night [Friday]. It was awesome to see kids have unbridled impromptu fun. Also awesome to see people’s “shook” faces.

The second they exited the train, it was the most boring and awkward silence for the next two stops.”

Your Daily Photo of an Insanely Crowded Metro Station – Farragut West

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader writes that the photo was taken at Farragut West around 4:45pm:

“Not sure why it’s so crazy, but they weren’t even letting people down to the platform because it is so full!”

If you encounter an insanely crowded station – send a photo to princeofpetworth(at)gmail and let me know what station and time it’s from.

Dear PoPville it looks like you can now add value to your Smarttrip Card by Computer

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoPville,

It looks like WMATA is finally rolling out the option to add value to your SmarTrip card online! I recieved an email this morning telling me “You have been randomly selected to participate in a pilot of several new system functions. These functions will enable you to use your credit card to purchase stored value and passes for your SmarTrip® card or your Charm card. You will also be able to save your credit card information to use for future purchases, and to print detailed receipts.”

I tested it out online and it’s pretty nifty. There is a new section on the account page called Online Purchases. Like any other item you would buy you have a shopping cart and go through a checkout process. I enclosed a few screenshots for you to check out!

Overall I like that they are launching it, but think that the navigation is a little confusing – there seem to be more steps(clicks) than I think are needed.”

Anyone else try it out yet?

Problems Persist with Foggy Bottom Metro Escalators

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

The attached photo is the scene at Foggy Bottom metro this morning. With not a single escalator working, people were exiting trains and packing into the station with nowhere to go. Between the elderly and the handicapped, the elevator line was long. If there was an emergency, fire or otherwise, there is no doubt many lives would have been lost. Probably including mine (I’m six months pregnant and pretty slow these days.)

We’ve been dealing with these escalator issues for too long. I think it’s time for DC to press authorities to get this situation under control; it’s just unacceptable. This is our nation’s capital, isn’t it?”

H Street, NE Street Car Deployment Delayed Until “Fall 2013”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

Thanks to everyone for sending links to yesterday’s WTOP story:

The earliest any streetcar will roll through the streets of the District is now expected to be 2013 — and late 2013 at that, WTOP has learned.

“2013 is what we are telling people now,” John Lisle, spokesperson for the D.C. Department of Transportation, tells WTOP. “We’re probably looking at the fall of 2013.”

A source also tells WTOP that the Anacostia segment of the streetcar system — which was supposed to be the first segment running — has now moved in back of H Street. An environmental review process is currently underway on the Anacostia line segment, and service on that line now isn’t likely until somewhere nearer 2014, or possibly even later.

So I guess that makes 2033 for Georgia Ave…

Metro Apologizes for this Morning’s Delays

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user nairdaecartal

From a press release:

Metro has issued the following message to customers regarding this morning’s delays on the Green and Red lines:

Issued 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 30, 2011

Metro apologizes for the delay and inconvenience many of you experienced this morning on the Green and Red lines.

Shortly after 5 a.m., a piece of equipment used to move steel rails had a single wheel come off track at Fort Totten Station. The incident did not result in any injuries or significant damage, however, until the equipment could be moved from Fort Totten Station, trains were forced to share a single track on the Green Line between Fort Totten and U Street stations. This caused delays for many Green Line customers ranging from 10 to 15 minutes.

A separate incident on the Red Line near Rhode Island Avenue also caused delays this morning. Overnight crews were working on a switch outside the station. Unfortunately, the crews were unable to set steel and clear the tracks prior to the start of peak-period service. As a result, trains began the morning single tracking on the Red Line between Rhode Island Avenue and New York Avenue stations. Normal two-track service resumed shortly after 8 a.m.

Again, we apologize for this morning’s delays and thank you for your patience.

Dear PoP – Sexual Harassment on the Bus, Encouraged by the Driver

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dcienne

“Dear PoP,

I got on the 96 bus heading West at U Street NW and 11 Street NW on Saturday, June 4, just before midnight. It was bus number 4299. I didn’t get the driver’s name, but she was a black woman.

As I got on, I noticed the bus driver and a few other passengers yelling insults at a woman getting off the bus, who was visibly upset. I’ve seen a lot of confrontations on DC buses, so I wasn’t paying too much attention at first and don’t remember exactly what was said. It was clear, however, that the bus driver and two or three passengers sitting at the front of the bus (two men and a woman) were ganging up on her in their insults.

When the bus started moving, very slowly given the U Street traffic, I soon realized that the two men who had been yelling at the woman were continuously sticking their heads out the window and yelling remarks at women who were walking by on U Street and comment about their clothing and body types. Some of the women ignored them, while at least one yelled back and told them to stop.

The worst part was that the bus driver was actively encouraging the men and laughing at the remarks. The situation made me extremely uncomfortable and I didn’t know what to do. After 2-3 minutes, I yelled at one of the men to show some respect, immediately signaled to get off, got off at 14th street and walked the rest of the way to my destination. While I was walking, the bus passed and I observed the men continue to yell remarks at passing women.

It is one thing to observe this kind of harassment–it is another to have a Metro employee encourage the behavior while on the job. It was extremely unprofessional and I demand that Metro identify the employee and take disciplinary action against her. Washington DC’s women deserve better while riding on public transit.”

At the very least, it certainly sounds like some sort of sensitivity training would be beneficial. Obviously encouraging these remarks is reprehensible but what do you think should be the actions/obligations of the driver in situations like this? What would you do as a passenger in a situation like this?

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