Posts by Ben Ross — Contributor
-
Montgomery’s proposed budget takes transit funding and gives it to wealthy homeowners
Yesterday, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett unveiled his proposed budget, and it has no good news for transit riders. Ride On will get more state aid and hike fares, but it will not run any more buses. Instead, transit revenue will be used to cut real estate taxes. The cost of running Ride On, as shown in the budget will go up $3.5 million, from $98 million to $101.6 million. Keep reading…
-
In Montgomery’s transportation budget, wider streets are “pedestrian improvements”
As Montgomery County asks the state to spend more on transit within the county, its proposed budget pours money into sprawl-inducing highways instead, while calling road widenings near schools and Metro stations “pedestrian improvements.” Last week, County Executive Ike Leggett sent his proposed $1 billion transportation budget for 2015-2020 to the County… Keep reading…
-
As the region’s core grows, Metro is forced to plan for the edges
Why isn’t Metro planning more rail lines inside the Beltway? One big reason is that political pressure and federal regulations require it and other transit agencies to look only at current zoning and master plans. These predict lots of growth on the suburban fringe, not inside the core where it’s actually happening. WMATA’s new plan for “core… Keep reading…
-
Do bright clothes stop car crashes? Not at Dunkin’ Donuts
Highway officials tell pedestrians to wear bright colors so motorists will see you and won’t hit you. So why do drivers still crash into brightly-colored Dunkin’ Donuts stores? Keep reading…
-
Maryland will pay for underused I-95 toll lanes
Maryland highway planners predicted that if the state didn’t build 7 miles of toll lanes on I-95 north of Baltimore, the road would back up for hours every day. But when the $1.1 billion expansion opens in 2014, it won’t even collect $10 million a year in tolls. When former Governor Robert Ehrlich’s administration decided in 2003 to add toll lanes to I-95 north… Keep reading…
-
What do private firms really want from the Purple Line?
Maryland officials say that letting a private company build and run the Purple Line will avoid many of the inefficiencies of government. But the private sector has inefficiencies of its own. By using a public-private partnership, or P3, to operate the light rail line, officials at the Maryland Department of Transportation hope for better service at lower cost. The private sector… Keep reading…
-
How would Maryland pay for a privatized Purple Line?
To pay for the Purple Line, Maryland wants to use a form of “public-private partnership,” or P3. Accomplishing this will require some complex accounting. This form of financing is more expensive than bonds issued by the state, but it may allow the state to borrow money that doesn’t count against its debt limit and free up funds for other transportation projects. Under a P3, a private… Keep reading…
-
How to fix a broken bikeshare key
Can you fix a bikeshare key that suddenly won’t fit into the slot? You can, but as I found, the repair is only temporary. If you use this trick, be sure to also call Capital Bikeshare and get a replacement key. The problem came up on the day CaBi opened in Montgomery County. I was eager to use the new docks, and I had an errand that bikeshare could save 15 minutes on compared to walking. Keep reading…
-
Bus Rapid Transit is a toolbox, not a package
Is Bus Rapid Transit a good idea? The answer depends on what BRT means. At its best, BRT is a toolbox full of techniques that make buses faster and more convenient. At its worst, it’s an excuse for highway-building in places where rail transit is needed. The term is used in so many different ways that the only way to judge is to ignore the label and look at the specifics. What Chicago… Keep reading…
-
Montgomery police ticket pedestrians obeying the law
Montgomery County police are finally paying attention to the needs of pedestrians. But officers on the beat don’t seem to have gotten the message yet. Pedestrians have even been ticketed for crossing the street in a legal manner. In May, the county’s police department held their first “sting” targeting drivers who don’t stop at crosswalks. Keep reading…