Posts by Matt Johnson — Editorial Board Alum
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Relocate bus stops to save time
In the Washington area, most bus stops are located on the “near” side of intersections. While there are some advantages to this type of location, relocating stops at certain intersections could speed bus trips and increase passenger safety. One problem with buses on crowded streets is that at signalized intersections, traffic backed up from the signal keeps buses… Keep reading…
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Catoe’s replacement will face major hurdles
John Catoe shocked Washington yesterday with the announcement of his resignation. Perhaps none were as surprised as the region’s transit bloggers, many of whom had had a candid discussion with Metro’s now-outgoing GM the evening before. Keep reading…
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Catoe opens up to bloggers
It was a suprise to receive an invitation to chat candidly with John Catoe, WMATA’s General Manager. But it was an event that shows that Metro recognizes the importance of blogs, and the discussion they generate. After Greater Greater Washington asked for questions yesterday, Metro staff told us, the mainstream media contacted them wondering how they could have been… Keep reading…
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A new late-night map to soften the blow of Metrorail cuts
The proposed cuts to Metrobus and Metrorail for the current fiscal year, which could go into effect as soon as January, include a plan to reduce rail headways to 30 minutes at night. Currently, trains come about every 20 minutes on each line. Where two lines run together, headways are about 10 minutes. The Red Line has scheduled headways of 15 minutes, but with trackwork every evening… Keep reading…
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Infrequent airport buses offer a lackluster welcome
There are a variety of ways to get to Washington’s 3 airports. By far the most convenient way from downtown is to take Metro to nearby National Airport. But Metro does not make it out to Dulles or BWI International Airports. Passengers arriving on international flights face a lengthy ride into Washington from either airport, but the length itself is not the only impediment… Keep reading…
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Impending storm could trigger the Metro “snow map”
This weekend, the Metrorail map might look like this: No, it’s not another drastic budget cut, but Metro’s “snow map.” If this weekend’s snowstorm indeed turns out to be the worst December storm since 1982, Metro could shut down all aboveground service, creating a system about the same size as the rail system we had in 1982. Metro is taking… Keep reading…
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Metro outlines service cuts for current year
Declining ridership and rising costs at WMATA have created a $40 million budget gap for FY2010, forcing a combination of service cuts and fare increases. This $40 million is the deficit remaining for FY2010, the current fiscal year which ends June 30th. After that, there’s still the $175 million gap for next year. At yesterday’s WMATA Board meeting, General… Keep reading…
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Arlington’s systemic streets
Earlier this year, we explored the nature of Washington’s street-naming system. Across the Potomac, Arlington County also has rhyme and reason to street names. While Arlington was originally part of the District of Columbia (until 1846), it was not incorporated in the plan of Pierre L’Enfant. Unlike its larger neighbor, Arlington’s streets don’t… Keep reading…
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MARC should (and must) allow bikes
Maryland’s MARC commuter rail system is one of only two in the nation with a blanket ban on non-folding bicycles. The only other commuter rail line with a total bike ban is the South Shore Line between South Bend, Indiana and Chicago operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. The Maryland Transit Administration, which operates MARC, cites safety… Keep reading…
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Lights brighten mezzanine at Judiciary Sq
On November 24, Metro announced that they were testing new lighting at Judiciary Square’s F Street Entrance. Keep reading…