Posts by Michael Perkins — Contributor
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Metro proposes too low a bar for minimum service levels
A proposal before the WMATA Board tomorrow would define a new, formal standard for the minimum acceptable service level. But it sets the bar far too low: 15 minutes during peak times, and 30 minutes off-peak. Another proposal would a establish passengers per car loading thresholds of 120 people maximum and 80 people minimum. Having a standard is a good idea. It formalizes… Keep reading…
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New Metro fare table may confuse new riders
Metro fares rose on Sunday, and the surcharge for a paper farecard increased to $1 per trip. Metro chose to list the SmarTrip fares, not the paper farecard fares, on the fare tables, along with a separate note about the surcharge. This could create significant confusion for the riders most likely to consult the tables: tourists using paper cards. Metro could, instead, have shown… Keep reading…
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Metrorail fares flirt with historic highs
Adjusted for inflation, Metrorail fares were at their lowest around 2000, and are now either close to or above their highest point in the 1980s. The fares typically have risen during recessions and stayed steady in good economic times. Keep reading…
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Last chance to weigh in on Silver Line station names
Metro’s online survey about station names for the new Silver Line to Dulles and Reston will be ending on March 21. Have you filled it out? This is your chance to push for station names that create a sense of place and tie in to the region’s history and geography, rather than a boring, long, hyphenated string of road names. Here are my picks, versus the official recommendations… Keep reading…
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Metro opens doors, closes data
Metro used to publish lists of service disruptions online, but soon after I published a post analyzing the data, Metro stopped posting new reports and eventually removed the entire archive. Is this good customer relations? Metro officials say that the reports require a lot of staff time, but they already have internal reports that show the same information, just in a more technical… Keep reading…
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Metro’s proposed monthly pass could serve more riders
An unlimited-use pass could allow Metro to reward their most frequent customers and increase off-peak usage. But the pass needs to be well-designed if it’s going to succeed. A good pass system needs to work on SmarTrip, offer price levels that would work for many commuters, and provide enough of a discount to be worthwhile. System shutdowns for track maintenance and replacement… Keep reading…
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Metro suffers complete blackout
Metro suffered a complete system failure last night around 11:30 pm. The failures were so extensive that all communications, including track circuits, were out of service. Customers on Twitter were reporting that rail operators had to leave and walk to the next station to get permission to move. WMATA’s website was down, no communication came over any of the alert systems. Keep reading…
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WMATA would cut last commuter discount, has no pass plan
Tomorrow, the WMATA Board will approve a docket for public hearings with potential fare increases, which does not include a monthly pass proposal as the finance committee requested. Only fare increases have to go to the public for comment, and a monthly pass could be considered a fare reduction. That means it’s still possible for the board to work out the details of a pass… Keep reading…
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Metro doesn’t need just any “monthly pass”
At a finance committee meeting on Thursday, WMATA board members approved putting “a monthly pass” on the docket, without providing much detail. Metro now has an opportunity to provide a needed and valuable monthly pass, or they can hinder the process by creating a pass nobody wants. During the meeting, discussion about various passes showed differences of opinion… Keep reading…
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Melissa Bondi for Arlington County Board
Arlington County Democrats will select a nominee this week for an open seat on the county board. 5 Democrats are vying for the slot, vacated by Barbara Favola. Because of her experience, openness to citizen input and dedication to smart urban development, Greater Greater Washington endorses Melissa Bondi in the Democratic primary for county board. Democrats can vote in the… Keep reading…