Posts tagged Wmata
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FTA finds WMATA, TOC safety failings; Senators frustrated
The Federal Transit Administration found serious communication failures at WMATA surrounding safety, and an inadequate safety oversight system in the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC). At a briefing yesterday, area Congressional representatives seemed extremely frustrated at their inability to fix this problem. According to a report released yesterday, the current… Keep reading…
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Afternoon links: All in the family
Kids + buses = challenge; Dense housing is for families too; I’m on the radio, twice; New daytime parking deal in Adams Morgan; DC gets snow money, Alexandria ha’ sno money; Another tax break; MARC Area’s Really Crowded. Keep reading…
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Richard Sarles will make safety top priority, ride Metro
NJ Transit’s outgoing head, Richard Sarles, will take over as interim WMATA General Manager on April 3. He and WMATA Board Chair Peter Benjamin answered some questions at a recent news conference. He has always ridden transit after growing up in a no-car household in North Jersey where he and his family used the bus to get everywhere. Along with his $25K/month compensation,… Keep reading…
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WMATA Board approves public hearings
This morning, the WMATA Board approved public hearings encompassing the broadest possible range of options for their $190 million budget gap. In addition to the options staff had placed in the proposed docket, Board members asked to add all of the additional ideas proposed by the Riders’ Advisory Council, Greater Greater Washington, MetroRiders.Org and others. Staff… Keep reading…
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WMATA releases more fare increase options
Heeding the request of the Riders’ Advisory Council, advocates and blogs, WMATA staff released a larger set of options, especially for fare increases. The Board is expected to approve a public hearing that will let riders choose between these options, service cuts, and using capital dollars. The Board meeting should start soon. You can listen by clicking on the large… Keep reading…
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What do you want to do about labor costs?
Craig’s recent series on WMATA’s FY2011 budget examined the range of options available to the General Manager and the Board, from service cuts to fare increases to administrative savings and more. One element not discussed was reducing the pay and benefits to union members. Craig is in fact affiliated with the union, though his opinions here are his own. However,… Keep reading…
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WMATA budget deep dive, part 9: An alternate proposal
In this series, I’ve analyzed WMATA’s proposed budget and searched for ways to close a $189.2 million gap without driving away passengers and entering a “death spiral” of fare increases and service reductions. In my day (and often night) job I represent ATU Local 689 in political and legislative affairs. That’s the union that represents most… Keep reading…
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Breaking: NJ Transit chief to be interim WMATA GM
This just in: WMATA will appoint Richard Sarles, former head of New Jersey Transit, as interim General Manager, says a source connected to the Board. I’ll post more as it’s available. Update: The Post has the story as well. The Post story also says that the Board chose Sarles over Howard Roberts, a former head of New York City Transit. Sarles led the push for a new tunnel… Keep reading…
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WMATA budget deep dive, part 8: Other ideas
There are other potential areas in WMATA’s proposed FY2011 budget that might yield some savings or revenue can without a major impact on service or fares. These include better fare collection and labor costs. Fare Collection: Sometimes customers are willing to pay a fare, but there is not a reasonable means to do so, or where current policies are easily abused. Here are… Keep reading…
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WMATA budget deep dive, part 6: Are there capital projects that can be deferred?
WMATA proposed budget to close a $189 million gap for FY 11 contains substantial fare increases and service reductions on bus and rail. As an alternative to the some of the more draconian measures proposed, some have suggesting using of capital funds for operating expenses. We shouldn’t dismiss this entirely out of hand. In a previous post, I listed some criteria… Keep reading…