Posts by Matt Johnson — Editorial Board Alum
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Bus route changes could improve access to Dulles, BWI
Metro is considering significant changes to several Metrobus routes across the region, including the express buses they run to Dulles and BWI airports. The agency may even end bus service to Dulles altogether. The 5A express runs from L’Enfant Plaza to Dulles Airport, making two stops along the way. It was originally created to get workers from DC to jobs near the airport. Keep reading…
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When we lost the War on Pedestrians
Every new bike lane, speed camera, or change in parking requirements becomes an attack in what organizations like AAA decry as a “War on Cars.” But in the 1920s, there was a different war over our streets. And pedestrians lost. At one time, citizens fought to keep their streets for people. But by the 1920s, cars were appearing in ever-greater numbers on the streets… Keep reading…
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WMATA considers 6-week Red Line closure
WMATA is considering closing the Red Line’s western branch for 6 weeks to repair significant leaking. If it happens, riders will absolutely need good alternatives for getting around. One solution may be enhanced bus service between different parts of the Red Line. The section of the Red Line between Friendship Heights and Medical Center opened in 1984 and runs under Wisconsin… Keep reading…
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Ask GGW: How long will trips take on the Silver Line?
In a few months, Metro’s new Silver Line will open, and will mean major changes to commuters in Fairfax County. Reader Nick G. wants to know how long trips on the Silver Line will take. Right now, commuters to and from Reston and Herndon often rely on a set of commuter buses that run express down the Dulles Toll Road to West Falls Church station. After the Silver Line opens, most… Keep reading…
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Musk’s Hyperloop math doesn’t add up
On Monday, entrepreneur Elon Musk announced plans to build a design for a super-fast tube train connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. He believes his plan will obviate the need for the California High-Speed Rail. Unfortunately, his math doesn’t add up. The “Hyperloop” would be a pair of tubes stretching from Los Angeles to the Bay Area. Pods within these… Keep reading…
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How will a Purple Line public-private partnership work?
Earlier this week, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley announced plans to build and operate the Purple Line using a public-private partnership, also known as a P3. What does that mean for riders and taxpayers? A P3 is a partnership between a government agency (in this case, the Maryland Transit Administration) and a private firm (called a “concessionaire”)… Keep reading…
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Google Maps loses transit icons
Google Maps has gotten another makeover, and this one isn’t exactly an improvement. At most zoom levels, transit station icons have vanished from satellite view. This makes it difficult for users to find transit stops or see other stations in context. Freeway labels, of course, are omnipresent. Keep reading…
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Supreme Court limits communities’ control over their growth
You’ve probably heard a lot about the Supreme Court’s decisions last week on the Voting Rights Act and same-sex marriage. But the court also decided a case on planning law which could make it more difficult for communities to negotiate public benefits during the process of land development. Last Tuesday, the court released its decision in Koontz v. St. Johns River… Keep reading…
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Greenbelt roundabout includes innovative bike bypass
Last summer, the city of Greenbelt built a roundabout at the entrance to the Metro station with an innovative bike bypass. This improves access to the Metro for cyclists, motorists and transit riders alike. Keep reading…
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A Metrobus Sunday map: Where the service isn’t
I recently discovered that the transit authority for Houston’s Harris County, Texas has different transit maps showing service on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. WMATA has never created such maps. WMATA redid the bus maps last year. The maps clearly mark frequent lines. But service on Sundays is far different. Keep reading…