Posts by Michael Perkins — Contributor
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Bus on-time performance: It matters what you measure
Every month, Metro’s customer service committee looks at a presentation on operating statistics, including a chart showing the latest bus “on-time performance” percentage. That percentage reflects the number of buses that arrive within a certain time before or after the published schedule — usually around 73-75%. However, on its own, this number… Keep reading…
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Another transit app: UniBus for iPhone/iPod
After Metro released schedule and route information in GTFS format, I’ve been looking for a good schedule and route finding app for the iPhone/iPod Touch. There are two applications I found that fit the bill, iTransitBuddy (reviewed earlier) and UniBus. If you know of a great iPhone/iPod app that uses GTFS data and meets my needs, please let me know in the comments and I’ll… Keep reading…
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iPhone app review: iTransitBuddy
After Metro released its schedule data in Google Transit Feed Specification format, I wanted an iPod/iPhone app that would let me find out quickly how long it would be until the next bus or train. There are a lot of transit apps out there, but not many have bus data or offline caching mode. I downloaded two apps, iTransitBuddy and UniBus (subject of a future review this week). Keep reading…
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Make the 20-minute headway history
Ever waited 20 minutes for an on-time Metrorail train? If you regularly ride after 9pm, you have. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If the Metrorail subsidy had increased with the rate of inflation over the past 10 years, there would be enough money to just about eliminate all 20-minute headways before midnight. Keep reading…
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Arlington Democrats to select delegate on June 9th
After serving since 2004, Delegate Al Eisenberg is retiring. Thanks to Mr. Eisenberg for representing my district these past five years in Richmond. His staff was responsive to my questions and concerns during legislative sessions, and for the most part I agreed with his votes and proposed legislation. Five Democrats are competing in a primary for his seat. … Keep reading…
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Multispace meters make performance parking easier
DDOT has installed new multispace parking meters all over downtown, including Connecticut Avenue, Wisconsin Avenue, and the Chinatown area. These meters replace older single-head meters which have been unreliable. Keep reading…
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Improve Metrobus maps online
At each Metrorail station, WMATA has great local area bus maps near the station entrances. The maps show where the buses go from the station, a zoomed-in version of the bus map showing downtown lines, the location of each bus stop in the area, and a table with estimated headways and hours of operation for each bus line that travels near the station. Keep reading…
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SmarTrip passes will start with bus
Metro is working on upgrades to the Smartrip systems. Once in place, you’ll be able check your recent trips online, recharge your SmarTrip card online or automatically by credit card, or load an unlimited use pass onto your card. The Metro board recently approved contracting to provide those online services, which it says will reduce the number of service calls that currently… Keep reading…
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Live chat with Mary Cheh
Welcome to our live chat with Mary Cheh, Councilmember of the District of Columbia (Ward 3) and Chairperson of the Committee on Government Operations and the Environment. Keep reading…
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Zimmerman criticizes unfair, closed Metro budget process
Yesterday’s Metro budget approval came as a sigh of relief for many bus riders in the region. The Board decided to avoid many service cuts by tapping into Metro’s operating reserve account. Chris Zimmerman of Arlington was the only “no” vote for that plan. Keep reading…