Transit

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

I’m just curious – where do you feel more safe – on the bus or on the subway or equally safe on both? From a WMATA press release:

The new Special Police Officers will be assigned to Metrobus facilities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to help reduce the possibility of theft or vandalism of Metro property. The increased security force will enable the Metro Transit Police Department to provide around-the-clock coverage at all Metrobus facilities without incurring overtime costs.

“Adding officers and continuing our K9 force, will allow Metro to continue its all important work of minimizing its security risks and preventing unsafe situations at its facilities,” said Mortimer Downey, who chairs Metro’s Safety and Security Committee. “By enhancing security at our facilities, we are providing additional safety for our customers and employees.”

Metro’s Finance and Administration Committee endorsed the plan to hire 17 additional Special Police Officers to increase security staffing of bus divisions and amend the operations budget to include the $900,000 annual cost.

Metro currently has 132 Special Police Officers on staff, providing security and access control at Metro’s bus facilities, rail yards and other Metro-owned or operated buildings.

Last week I shared the word that a new bus line was being launched from U St, NW to Brooklyn on Friday Oct. 22nd. Last night some local bloggers were invited to tour the bus and ask some questions. (We also got a free drink at Dodge City – mmm Alagash White…) The Knowitexpress will initially offer service once a day from Friday-Monday for $25 one way or $45 round trip. Up to five people can take bikes on the trip and wifi will be available. The bus will leave from 10th and U St, NW near Vermont Ave and as previously noted will make a stop in Manhattan (unless the whole bus wishes to skip it) and drop off at the Atlantic Ave Station in Brooklyn. You can see their FAQ sheet here.

And I’m trying not be a jerk here but we were given a tour of the bus and I really just wanted to laugh because it was a bus. It wasn’t like there were leather recliners with Icelandic oxygen circulated throughout the bus, rather it was a regular nice new clean bus similar to many buses I’ve seen. Anyway the owner and driver were super nice so I certainly wish them luck. It’ll be interesting to see if the benefit of leaving from U Street rather than downtown attracts a regular following. If anyone checks them out be sure to let us know how the trip goes.

UPDATE: This just in from Nichole, who is handling PR for the company:

“I spoke too soon!

We’ve decided to cut Manhattan altogether. People want to go to Brooklyn, so that’s what we’re going to do.

Thanks again for all the suggestions (and hipster jokes)!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

Thanks to Nichole for sending the word:

“Theknowitexpress is a bus service running from U Street to Park Slope (with a quick stop in Manhattan at Penn Station). Weekend bus service launches on Friday October 22, 2010 and will provide morning and afternoon departures: morning from U Street to Brooklyn and evening Brooklyn to U Street. 4.5 hours to Manhattan; 5 hours to Brooklyn.

The buses will feature:

* Free Wi-fi and Plug-in’s
* Free snacks and refreshments
* Comfortable leg room
* DC Metro and New York Subway accessible locations
* Newly released movies onboard
* Laptop borrow service
* Senior and Student Discounts
* Frequent Traveler and Group Discounts
* Free Reschedule Privileges
* Exclusive member discounts for local businesses, events, and deals
* On-board bike storage (ride to U Street and have your bike with you for the weekend in NY)

Tickets are $25 one-way, $45 round trip ($40 with student discount) and $30 one-way walkup (DC location only). There’s no BS “$1 fares” that are advertised but that you can never get.

To kick things off, for the first 30 days, we have decided to offer 50 free rides to guests traveling to and from Washington, DC and New York. Sign up today at http://www.theknowitexpress.com/ (Ed. Note: Web site wasn’t live when I last checked) for your chance to ride free and to receive notification of when we go live, promo codes and booking information.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

Thanks to a reader for sending this little blurb from JDLand:

“First, the commission voted 4-1 to support a request from the Capitol Riverfront BID to add a couple of additional monikers to the Navy Yard Metro station name. However, while the BID wants the name to be changed to some version of “Capitol Riverfront/Ballpark/Navy Yard”, the commission’s support was apparently only if “Capitol Riverfront” is not the first part of the new name.”

Normally I don’t support too many additions but this makes a lot of sense to me. I always thought adding ballpark or Nationals Stadium would be helpful. And now with the addition of Yards Park it seems to warrant a Capitol Riverfront or Yards Park addition. Do you think either of these additions would be helpful?

I thought everyone would’ve seen this by now but I’m still getting a few emails about it. It even got a story in the Post’s metro section. And it is hilarious. From the genius, Remy, behind the Arlington Rap video. (Thanks to all who sent emails about the new video.)

Photo by PoPville flickr user AWard Tour

From WMATA:

This weekend, Metro will close the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations from 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, to 1 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7, while maintenance crews replace a track switch to improve rail system safety and conduct several additional projects in the area of the closed stations.

The track switch replacement is work that has been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Customers using the Red Line should add 40 minutes to their travel plans to transfer to a free shuttle bus to get past the affected work area. Throughout the weekend, extra Metro employees will be on hand to guide customers to their connecting shuttle buses. Service will resume when the Metrorail system opens at 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, Sept. 7, with speed restrictions in place along the work area.