Recent Posts
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Logjam at the WMATA Board, part 2: Don’t say it like that
Tempers got a little heated at yesterday’s WMATA Board meeting, and jurisdictions are deadlocked. Part of the problem was the funding formula, but another part was the way staff presented options. Two weeks ago, Interim GM Richard Sarles presented a budget that did a fairly nice job of sorting through the many fare and service proposals. It wasn’t exactly what anyone… Keep reading…
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Logjam at the WMATA Board, part 1: The unfair formula
Two weeks ago, the WMATA Board seemed very close to a consensus on the operating budget after Interim GM Sarles took the lead and proposed a new budget. Yesterday, the budget meeting devolved into fractious fighting over parking fees and late-night fares. What happened? Two things happened. First, the inequitable funding formula penalizes DC for decisions over parking prices… Keep reading…
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Change the Metrorail formula to change incentives
The current Metrorail subsidy formula does not reward jurisdictions for increasing ridership at their stations. Revenues from increased ridership get spread out across the system, while costs are concentrated. By changing how we calculate each jurisdiction’s share, we can change the incentives. That will encourage jurisdictions to better use the land around… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Fighting transit, paying for roads
Streetcars on the TV; thecranks@dcwatch; Barnes Dance barn dance; Community, students won’t stop UMD anti-transit stance; Virginia can’t afford new freeways; Tysons “piecemeal” street grid?; And…. Keep reading…
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Commission forming to study WMATA governance
Yesterday, the Council of Governments voted to participate in a Greater Washington Board of Trade-organized “independent review” of WMATA governance. The Board of Trade, an association of businesses across the region, will nominate some “private sector” people for the panel, and COG will select some “public sector” folks. By participating in this process, COG will not only… Keep reading…
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‘Metrospeak’ camouflages bus cuts
Because of Metro’s budget shortfall, fares will likely rise, and some service reductions will take place. However, Metro’s terminology misleadingly couches major service reductions as “restructurings.” General Manager Richard Sarles’ budget proposal calls for fewer bus cuts - certainly a fact worth celebrating. But some very major… Keep reading…
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Halethorpe getting a MARC station replacement
Earlier this week, the Maryland Transit Administration announced that construction would soon start on a replacement MARC station on the Penn Line at Halethorpe. The Halethorpe MARC station is located on the busiest of MTA’s 3 commuter rail lines, the Penn Line. It is located near the Baltimore Beltway, two stops south of Baltimore Penn Station, between West Baltimore… Keep reading…
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Metro parking prices should reflect crowding
At some Metrorail stations, the existing parking lots are never fully utilized, while at other stations, the spaces fill up quickly, leaving commuters unable to find a space. Keep reading…
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WMATA Board discussing budget, NextBus, and more today
I’ll be live-Tweeting today’s WMATA Board meeting. This morning, the Finance and Administration Committee will debate the operating budget and next Metro Matters agreement. There will then be an executive session followed by a special full Board meeting (PDF) to announce an executive search firm for the General Manager search and discuss the recent near-miss… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Opposition of the week
Wal getting green, not too green; Big growling over Big Bear; Down by the riverside; A less icy Crystal City; King coming to the shore; Do you like the 15th Street cycle track?; Open bike lanes. Keep reading…