Posts by Tracey Johnstone — Contributor
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To get Congress’ attention, America says #StandUp4Transportation
On Thursday, transportation advocates around America gathered to send a message to Congress: Pass a new surface transportation bill, and fix the nearly-broke highway trust fund. Advocates used the hashtag #StandUp4Transportation to get the message out. All over the US, public officials helped get out the message by riding transit: Took the R train this morning with @deBlasioNYC… Keep reading…
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NIH says: Our scientists are too important to pay for parking or take transit
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) wants to expand at its Bethesda campus, but despite being on top of a Metro station, wants to build a lot more parking. Why is that necessary? NIH thinks its “high-ranking scientists” can’t be asked to pay for parking or ride Metro in greater numbers like “regular people.” Sound unbelievable? Just listen… Keep reading…
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London’s conservative mayor tells DC to go all in on transit and bikes
Conservative politicians in the US often oppose investing in transit, bikes, and other urban necessities. But not in the UK, where “conservative” doesn’t mean quite the same thing. Recently, London mayor Boris Johnson made the case for better multimodal infrastructure in the US. In a visit to Washington last month, Johnson touted the benefits of spending… Keep reading…
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The NIH has more parking than agencies around it, and that makes traffic worse for everyone
The National Institutes of Health doesn’t comply with a federal recommendation for how many parking spaces it should have. Correcting that would probably help alleviate congestion in Bethesda. Keep reading…
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How about local celebrity voices for Metro announcements?
Good speakers aren’t always good subway operators, and vice versa. In a city where most of the subway stations look alike and a large percentage of riders are tourists, a clear announcement system is key. What if Metro used local celebrities to make train and station announcements? Some Metro drivers mumble incomprehensively, or the poor quality of the sound system muddles… Keep reading…
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A Metrobus gap on Wisconsin Avenue makes Georgetown and Bethesda too far apart
Between traffic jams, parking problems, and service disruptions on the Red Line, traveling along Wisconsin Avenue can be difficult. Filling the gap in Metrobus service between Bethesda and Friendship Heights could give travelers another alternative. Keep reading…
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Shocking rhetoric from John Townsend and AAA
This week’s Washington City Paper cover story quoted AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman John Townsend calling Greater Greater Washington editor David Alpert “retarded” and a “ninny,” and comparing Greater Greater Washington to the Ku Klux Klan. Many other reporters, people on Twitter, and residents generally have clearly stated in response… Keep reading…
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MD toll agency pushes more driving to fill little-used road
At a time when Maryland, the District, and Virginia are trying to coax people to drive less, the Maryland Transportation Authority (MdTA), which oversees toll roads, has embarked on a campaign encouraging people to drive more. Specifically, they want more people to drive the Intercounty Connector (ICC). Maryland is not getting its money’s worth from the $2.5 billion… Keep reading…