Transit

Help Save the Yellow Line – Sign This Petition!

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user rjs1322

From an email:

Save the “Yellow Line” now! Sign our petition to the WMATA board!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION OPPOSING THESE CUTS! http://www.midcitylife.com/action/#petition

Hello everyone,

I have heard from Councilmember Graham regarding the series of hearings occurring now, regarding the WMATA budget shortfall and the potential elimination of the Yellow Line extension and late night hours on weekends as ways to address the shortfall. As someone who fought hard on the Metro Board for both late night weekend hours and the Yellow Line extension, Councilmember Graham voted not to include either provision as items to be considered. However he was out voted.

WMATA has proposed numerous options to address their budget shortfalls, many of which will directly impact the DC neighborhoods that were hardest hit by original delays in constructing the system. WMATA is proposing to:

End the Yellow Line Extension from Mount Vernon – Fort Totten
End the Yellow Line entirely at 9:30 during the day and all day weekends
Close the 10th & U entrance at U Street/AACWM/Cardozo stop on weekends
Close the 8th & R entrance at Shaw/Howard U entrance on weekends
End service on weekends at midnight at all stations.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION OPPOSING THESE CUTS! http://www.midcitylife.com/action/#petition

While WMATA is holding a meeting on April 1, at All Souls Church at 16th & Harvard, these cuts are not an April fools joke, they are on the table for real, right now, and your voice is needed to make sure they don’ happen!

PUBLIC HEARING DATES AND LOCATIONS
http://www.midcitylife.com/action/index.cfm?mode=hearings

Scott Pomeroy
Save the Yellow Line Coalition

Metro News: Bike and Pedestrian Bridge for Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station, Budget Woes, and More Emergency Response Exercises

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user sciascia

This sounds like a great project but given all the money/budget issues I’m surprised they have the funds for it. From a WMATA press release:

Connection to trail expected to attract more people to bike, walk to station

The Board of Directors today, March 25, approved the negotiation and implementation of an easement agreement with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) for construction of a bicycle and pedestrian bridge to improve access to the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station.

According to Metro’s 2007 Rail Passenger survey, fewer people access the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station by foot or on bicycle than other stations along the Red Line that have more sidewalk connectivity to the surrounding areas. The bridge will provide a safer, more direct and faster connection to neighborhoods on the west side of the station, allowing many more riders to walk or bike there.

The project cost is estimated to be $4 million and is being paid for by the District of Columbia, which will operate and maintain the bridge. Due to be fabricated off-site later this year, the bridge is planned to open in fall 2011.

The bicycle and pedestrian bridge will provide access to the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station from the eight-mile Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) that connects from Silver Spring to Union Station along the west side of the rail tracks. The District expects more than 1 million people per year will use the MBT, and Metrorail stations along the trail will see improved access for bicyclists and pedestrians.

And speaking of WMATA’s budget – they are seeking the public’s input. You can see a list of upcoming meetings here or fill out an on-line survey here.

And in other Metro news they’ll be having more emergency response exercises March 28th and 29th. See the press release after the jump. (more…)

Don’t Forget Sober Ride Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

Don’t forget this great service:

“If you plan to celebrate, please do so responsibly. WRAP’s 2010 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program will be offered from 4 pm, Wednesday, March 17 to 4 am, Thursday, March 18, 2010. To receive a free cab ride home, please call 800-200-8294 (TAXI) or #8294 (TAXI) on your AT&T wireless phone.”

Have fun!

Metro Transit Police Warns of Robberies/FQoTD

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

We’ve spoken about metro robberies and other safety issues many many times. It’s nice to see the Transit Police address the issue (albeit unintentionally comically). The following stats were just released by WMATA in a press release:

“The transit system has seen an increase in robberies recently. In 2009, there were 894 robberies reported, up from 581 reported robberies in 2008. In January, there were 122 reported robberies. Metro Transit Police officers made 142 arrests in January, including 19 robbery-related arrests.”

So my Friday Question of the Day is a rather simple – do you feel safe on metro?

Dear PoP – New MetroBus Mantra?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoP,

I had a strange experience riding the G2 bus today — I’m used to the automated voice coming on to announce stops, remind me about route changes, tell me to visit the website etc, but today the friendly voice repeated a message twice in a row that seemed targeted at the driver. She said something like (paraphrasing from memory) “as a metrobus operator, you may face several dangerous situations today — the safety of our passengers, other drivers and the public is in your hands.” It sounded almost like an affirmation — “you’re good enough, you’re smart enough, and make sure not to hit anyone!” I wonder if anyone else has heard these, and if they’re a part of WMATA’s new “culture of responsibility?”

Wild. Were you sitting in the front of the bus or could the whole bus hear it? Anyone else notice this new announcement?

Friday Question of the Day – Transportation

By Prince Of Petworth

As you may have heard by now 15th Street, NW between K St. and Massachusetts Ave. will remain 2-way at all times according to DDOT. In a press release they write:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced today it will eliminate the reversible lanes on 15th Street, NW. Beginning on Monday, March 15, 2010, 15th Street between K Street and Massachusetts Avenue will operate as a two-way street at all times. Currently, that 3-block street of 15th Street already carries two way traffic for most of the day, but during the afternoon rush hour (4-6:30 pm) it is one-way northbound.

The change was requested by the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) and was presented to Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANCs) 2B and 2F for comment. Neither ANC opposed the change.

DDOT also analyzed the traffic on 15th Street and found that four lanes are not required to handle the volume of traffic during the evening rush hour. In addition, the reversible lanes still cause confusion for motorists despite the fact that they have been in place for decades.

“We believe this will be a positive change for the downtown area,” said DDOT Director Gabe Klein. “It will improve the flow of traffic, make the businesses more accessible, and make 15th Street safer for everyone: motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.”

Variable message signs (VMS) will be deployed to alert drivers to the new traffic pattern. The change will not impact 15Th Street north of Massachusetts Avenue which will remain one-way northbound at all times with a separated contra-flow lane for bicyclists.

Is this a good decision for 15th Street, NW?

Also since we’re talking about DDOT, I wanted to ask folks what they thought of powering the proposed street cars. If you’ll recall streetcars are slated to come into H Street, NE and Anacostia first and then to Georgia Ave. We spoke about the plans here. My question is: Would you object to the streetcars if they are powered by above ground/overhead wires?

Metro to host emergency response exercise with active shooter scenario at Friendship Heights Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

From a WMATA press release:

“Metro and its regional partners will participate in the first of three planned emergency response exercises on Feb. 24-25 at the Friendship Heights Metrorail station. The exercise involves a report of gunfire in the station, and will test the multi-jurisdictional coordination and response needed to mitigate a major incident in the Metro system.

The emergency response exercise will start at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25, at the Friendship Heights Metrorail station. The drill simulates gunfire between two shooters in the station. Multiple passengers are injured or killed.

The Metro Transit Police Department special response team will respond to the incident, along with the police, fire and emergency medical services personnel from the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The drill will test the integrated response and incident coordination of Metro, and police, fire and emergency medical services agencies from the District of Columbia and Montgomery County, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

Public art approved for Farragut West and Takoma Metrorail stations

By Prince Of Petworth

From a WMATA Press release:

“Metro works with community groups to select art

The Metro Board of Directors today, Feb. 18, approved two Washington-based artists’ proposals for public art that will be installed at the Farragut West and Takoma Metrorail stations in 2011.

The artwork approved for the Takoma Metrorail station is by Washington-based artist, Sam Gilliam, who is best known nationally and internationally for his color field and abstract expressionist painting and sculpture. A large abstract mosaic tile mural designed by Gilliam will be installed in the underpass of the station entrance.

For his first public art commission, artist Michael Sirvet will create a series of low-relief, botanically-inspired aluminum and light sculptures that will be installed at the east Farragut West Metrorail station entrance at 17th and I Streets, NW. His work is currently included in numerous private collections both locally and nationally.”

Metro Fares Increase By 10 Cents Starting Feb. 28th

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

From a WMATA press release:

“Additional fare changes likely this summer

Fares on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will increase 10 cents, effective Sunday, February 28, through June 26. In addition, fares for senior citizens and people with disabilities will go up five cents and the cost of passes also will increase to help close a shortfall in Metro’s current operating budget.”

Metrorail regular fare changes
• The base boarding charge will increase from $1.65 to $1.75;
• Maximum fare on the rail system will increase from $4.50 to $4.60; and
• Metrorail fares for senior citizens and people with disabilities will increase from 80 to 85 cents.

Metrorail reduced fare changes
• The charge for the first seven miles of travel during off-peak periods will increase from $1.35 to $1.45;
• The charge for travel between seven and 10 miles during off-peak periods will increase from $1.85 to $1.95; and
• The charge for travel over 10 miles during off-peak periods will increase from $2.35 to $2.45.

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Random Reader Rant and/or Revel and Some Reader Questions

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to a reader for sending the above photo (from the key bridge this morning). So for this Rant/Revel don’t ever drive with your car looking like this.

Also a reader would like to know:

“Does anyone have any ideas of anywhere to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony tonight?”

And given the state of WMATA some folks might be curious about how the taxis are running. A reader asks:

“I was wondering if you know if the DC Cabs are still running on Rate 3 or Snow Emergency rates. I have been in two cabs tonight. One was very upset that he was not allowed to use Rate 3, which was understandable when he picked me up on 18th down by Dupont Circle and the roads were in horrible shape. The second cab immediately charged me rate 3. I mentioned to him that the last cab driver was using the regular rate because the Mayor had not declared a snow emergency for cabs. He hesitated, and I told him that I do not care, but I would like to be charged the correct rate. So I said that I would take a receipt and it could be sorted out later. The cab driver immediately turned the rate back to rate 1. Later, he had another cab driver roll down his window and asked him what rate to use. The other cab driver said rate 3. Of course this made me feel bad, so I ended up giving him a more generous tip than normal for a short cab ride. When I got home tried to find out the rate status, but could not figure it out. Do you know where to obtain this information?”

Herb mentioned earlier today that he was charged a Rate 3 this morning since DC is still under a snow emergency. I’m not sure when DC will lift the snow emergency but I’ll keep my eyes peeled.

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