Transit

I almost Broke my Camera Getting this Shot…

By Prince Of Petworth

Anyone happen to ride the metro on Sunday afternoon around 4pm? I saw 5 people at the L’enfant Plaza stop walking around in their underwear. Not that I’m complaining…

At first I thought it was related to a press release I got while away for the Cupid’s Undie Run. But that doesn’t happen until Feb. 12th:

Cupid’s Undie Run, DC’s first ever underwear run, announces its second annual charity event to benefit the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) on Valentine’s weekend 2011. The 1.1-mile underwear run around the US Capitol Building will feature pre and post-run celebrations at the Pour House Bar & Restaurant.

Anyone know what folks were doing yesterday?

Dear PoP – Brawl at U Street Metro on 28 Dec

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of U Street Metro by PoPville flickr user sciascia

“Dear PoP,

Did you receive any correspondence regarding a brawl/fight between some youth on the green line metro yesterday at around 5pm near the U Street stop? In any case this one guy-pretty much broke up the whole thing. He was awesome and deserves big props! There were also a couple of other guys that assisted.

Basically-what seemed to have happened was that these kids were standing by the door delaying the train-and the mystery guy asked them to please move so that the train could continue and after that it seemed like all hell broke loose-it all happened very fast-All of a sudden these feral youth were beating up on this other kid and this guy dove right in and broke it all up and kicked the urchins off the train.

I prefer an uneventful train ride home. Perhaps Metro should do something about large packs of these creatures traveling together, since they obviously don’t know how to conduct themselves in society.”

This is the first I’m hearing of this fight. Anyone else happen to witness this? Glad to hear that some good Samaritans were able to jump in and not get hurt.

When the H St, NE Streetcar Goes Active Will a Lane of Traffic Be Lost?

By Prince Of Petworth

Somebody asked me this question a while ago and when I was on H St, NE last week it jumped back in my head. And I have no idea what the answer is. Anyone know how it’ll work? Does the street car share a lane with cars or will the lane be designated for street cars only? You can see in the photo above that cars currently use it.

And a quick side note since we were talking about the biking track troubles at 9th and L St, NW – do any folks who bike on H St, NE have trouble/get stuck in the tracks?

Friday Question of the Day – How Do You Feel About Having Your Bags Searched at Metro?

By Prince Of Petworth

On Thursday, WMATA issued a press release saying:

Metro Transit Police today advised customers they will conduct random inspections of carry-on items, as part of the continuously changing law enforcement programs designed to keep the system safe.

Based on programs now successfully used in New York and Boston, Metro Transit Police will randomly identify carry-on items for inspection at station entrances.

“This adds another layer of security to our system,” said MTPD Chief Michael A. Taborn. “The program will increase visible methods of protecting our passengers and employees, while minimizing inconvenience to riders.”

The inspections will be conducted in conjunction with Transportation Security Administration officials and are expected to take only minutes and are designed to be non-intrusive, as police will randomly select bags or packages to check for hazardous materials using ionization technology as well as K-9 units trained to detect explosive materials. Carry on items will generally not be opened and physically inspected unless the equipment indicates a need for further inspection.

Anyone who is randomly selected and refuses to submit their carry-on items for inspection will be prohibited from bringing those items into the station. Customers who encounter a baggage checkpoint at a station entrance may choose not to enter the station if they would prefer not to submit their carry-ons for inspection.


Given the recent threats metro has received do you think this is a good idea? We actually spoke about this when it came up a previous time back in Oct. 2008. At that time most people thought the searches were an invasion of their privacy. Do you still feel that these searches are an invasion of your privacy? Or do you think they are necessary to ensure your safety?

I don’t mean to be out of line but what if a mass transit system were hit by a bomber somewhere in a major US city would you then change your mind? Or do you think that would lead us into slippery slope territory?

For those that are opposed – is the major objection the invasion of privacy or the feeling that it will provide a false sense of security or the feeling that it will slow down the commute while not really serving as a proper deterrent?

Dear PoP – Anyone Catch a Bus This Afternoon?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo of Circulator bus during last year’s snowmaggedon by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoP,

In trying to commute via bus this afternoon I noticed that every single metro bus is out of service. Have you or any of your readers noticed this as well?

Annoyed in the back of a cab”

Anyone else having trouble catching a bus this afternoon?

Lots of Metro Construction/Delays This Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Barbara.K

From a metro press release:

“Upgrades to improve efficiency, performance

This weekend (Dec. 17-19) Metro will replace a track switch, install new rail and communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage to improve long-term reliability and service. As a result of this crucial work, which is critical to maintain the railroad in a state of good repair, trains on the Red, Blue, and Orange lines will be single-tracking, and riders should expect their trips to take up to 30 minutes longer than usual.

Details after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Metro Bus Stops Abolished

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

You should do a story about how the G8 line on Rhode Island Ave (through bloomingdale and shaw) is killing but stops. It is already lacking in bus service, with huge outages between trips and now they are knocking out bus stops so when you are running to catch one of the few buses that come you don’t stand a chance any longer to catch it. I saw one last week that was near the Timor Bodega that was going away and I saw another one last night by the Red Toque that is going away, insanity.”

Anyone else noticing these bus stops vanishing? Is it affecting your commute?

What Does this Mean? Will Streetcars be powered by Overhead Wires or not? Or some sorta combination?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Admittedly I’m not one to study reports and dig through the minutia of stuff that quite frankly I don’t understand. But one thing I have been able to understand is that there is a group that strongly opposes the use of overhead wires anywhere in DC (even if seemingly there are no views to be blocked). It was my understanding that the only way to power H St, NE’s proposed line was by overhead wires. Maybe I’m wrong but I thought I read that somewhere. Now DDOT issues a press release saying in part, “DDOT will also pursue a vehicle capable of operating without overhead wires in early 2011.”

So I ask you dear readers, who are far more knowledgeable about these sorts of things than I am – please explain what this means. Maybe the lawyers can help me understand what, “DDOT will also pursue a vehicle capable of operating without overhead wires in early 2011.” actually means. Does this mean, new tracks will be not be powered by overhead wires? Does it mean overhead wires will be installed and then removed when a vehicle “capable of operating without overhead wires” is procured? Does it mean where overhead wires are installed will remain overhead wires or are overhead wires completely off the table at this point?

Is it just me or were we once told that it had to be overhead wires?

And just to be clear on my end, from a personal level, I support the installation of street cars with or without overhead wires on H St, NE. Having said that, if it is possible without being prohibitively expensive, I too would prefer the cars be powered in other ways. Either way, I hope we’ll really see street cars in 2012.

Full press release after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – Lane Closure on 9th and Mass?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was just wondering if you know how long the two southbound lanes (far right) around 9th and Mass (NW) will be closed for construction of the new Convention Center hotel. I don’t think I am the only one that likes to take the 79 bus from CH to downtown that is frustrated with how long it is taking to go those three blocks every morning with those lanes closed. Do you have any information?”

Hmm, that’s a good question. I’m going to guess many many months. Does anyone know how long the lanes will be closed? The project is scheduled to continue through 2012 but it is not clear if the lane will be closed the whole time. For those who drive or take the bus through this area – has this created a major slowdown/traffic jam?

Metro Wants Your Input on 30-year transit plan

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

From a press release:

Metro launched a new Web page, PlanItMetro.com, last week to share information and gather feedback from riders as it develops a long-term Regional Transit System Plan to address the ever-increasing transportation needs of the region.

With continued population and job growth predicted for the Washington Metropolitan area, the Regional Transit System Plan aims to provide a 30-year vision for future growth and options to improve and expand transit service.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

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