Posts by Ken Archer — Contributor
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Would mortgage tax reform slow sprawl and gentrification?
The co-chairs of the deficit commission created by President Obama released several proposals this week as a starting point for a conversation about deficit reduction. One of the proposals drastically reduces the largest home ownership subsidy, the mortgage interest tax deduction. The proposal would lower the mortgage cap within which mortgage interest is deductible… Keep reading…
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It’s not the (escalator) crime, Metro, it’s the cover-up
When WMATA contracted with a consultant to assess its elevator and escalator maintenance, I asked for a copy of the report and was rebuffed. The Washington Post was as well. We were both given the PowerPoint summary of the report that WMATA prepared for its Board. Yesterday, local blog Unsuck DC Metro got its hands on a copy of the report. Rather than reading… Keep reading…
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Should the FTA regulate urban transit agencies?
Imagine if Metro had to pay a fine for every safety standard violation. What if Metro officials and operators lost licenses to work in transit if they repeatedly violated safety standards? These ideas could become reality if the FTA gains the ability to regulate public transit agencies. And while many Washingtonians regard this as a no-brainer, there are… Keep reading…
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Metro audit portrays isolated safety management
A new audit of Metro’s safety found that operational departments still need to be more deeply involved enough in safety, and that safety officials need to focus more on small incidents in addition to larger ones. This audit, conducted by the Tri-State Oversight Committee and released this week, takes a closer look at Metro safety practices than before. While the FTA’s… Keep reading…
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Gray’s Ward 2 town hall sidesteps divisions
The warm reception given to expectant Mayor Vincent Gray at the Ward 2 Town Hall last night stood in stark contrast with the 27% Ward 2 support Gray received on Election Day. Ward 2 includes my particular Georgetown precinct which supported Gray’s opponent more than any other in DC. The event, held at Foundry United Methodist Church, was to have been 2 hours of discussion… Keep reading…
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What should we expect from elevators and escalators?
An audit confirmed what most riders already knew: Metro’s escalators and elevators are not working like they should. The audit identified a number of places where maintenance processes and training could do a better job for maintainance and repair of escalators and elevators. The audit itself hasn’t been released, but according to Assistant General Manager… Keep reading…
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Metro workers afraid to report hazards, Board unfazed
Some 30% of Metro employees don’t report safety hazards for fear of retaliation. That’s according to testimony from Metro General Manager Sarles at the most recent Metro Board meeting, which included the results of an employee survey of Metro’s safety culture. If that isn’t alarming enough, the response of the Chair of the Metro Board will… Keep reading…
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Should NTSB recommendations get a blank check?
Following the June 2009 Red Line crash that killed 9 people, the NTSB made several recommendations to Metro based on the causes of the crash. While these recommendations are obviously important, Metro has an obligation to riders, and to the families of the victims, to ask what safety trade-offs would be made by implementing them. What safety trade-offs could NTSB… Keep reading…
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Streetcars are historic preservation in Georgetown
All Georgetowners want to see the historic character of Georgetown preserved. Few initiatives have the potential to impact Georgetown’s historic character as profoundly as the DC Streetcar project. Streetcars are obviously a central feature of Georgetown’s historic landscape. What may be less obvious are the benefits streetcars would… Keep reading…
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Traffic fatalities at historic low, but there’s more to the story
The mainstream media joyfully reported a DOT report released last week that the number of traffic fatalities is at its lowest since 1950. “Traffic deaths at lowest in 60 years” touted USA Today on the front page. Ray LaHood is ecstatic, “[The] announcement shows that America’s roads are the safest they’ve ever been”. … Keep reading…