Posts by Travis Maiers — Contributor
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Five things we learned from this regional bus transformation report
Earlier this year, a group of business, transportation, and community leaders came together to study the region's bus network; all of the region's nine bus service providers are taking part. Their work will provide a roadmap for making improvements to bus service that will be released for public input in Fall 2019. Keep reading…
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Metro is testing a cashless bus route
Metro is trying to speed up the Georgia Avenue 79 bus by eliminating cash payment. This could save riders a lot of time, but also raises equity questions. Keep reading…
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Shared space could be coming to Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park
Officials believe the latest proposal addresses many of the problems resulting from the area's current infrastructure, while still respecting the history and character of the neighborhood. Keep reading…
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Metro is seeking input on the how to design its 8000-series railcars
Metro is seeking input on the design for its new railcars, including the seating arrangements. Longitudinal seating was considered when the 7000-series trains were being designed, but then scrapped. Now WMATA is considering it again. Keep reading…
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Vinyl wraps won’t make Back2Good better, but these fixes will
Things like silver train exteriors and new paint jobs are not where Metro's “Back2Good” fixes need to be. Here's what Metro could — and should — do to improve its riders' experience. Keep reading…
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WMATA tightly leashed its watchdog for years, a new report says
Journalists have had a hard time getting Metro employees to go on the record about problems at the agency, and some say there's a “culture of paranoia and retaliation at WMATA.” Keep reading…
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Could we close off Rock Creek Parkway by the Kennedy Center?
If part of the parkway is closed, a section of Rock Creek could be re-purposed as expanded parkland with wider trails and new recreational facilities. It would also make the Kennedy Center more connected to the waterfront. Keep reading…
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Big changes to Metrorail and Metrobus service start Sunday
New Metrorail and Metrobus schedules go into effect this Sunday, June 25. The system will also charge higher fares and reduce its overall operating hours. All of this is part of an effort by WMATA to balance what customers want with what it can afford and what it needs to perform maintenance on. Keep reading…
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Connecticut Ave’s service lane in Cleveland Park may soon look much different
Along Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park, there's a service lane whose best use has long been the subject of debate, along with an intersection that's very difficult for pedestrians to navigate. The District Department of Transportation's plan for the area would keep the lane for cars but also work to slow driving speeds. It would also re-do the intersection to make it much easier to walk through. Keep reading…
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Air fresheners in Metro cars? Customers are on board.
Can sweeter smelling air lead to more satisfied riders? As part of an ongoing effort to improve the customer experience, WMATA tested air fresheners on some Green Line trains this winter, and the agency says customers liked it. This got me thinking about other small tweaks that Metro could easily implement. Keep reading…