Transportation
Greater Greater Washington writes about how people get around the Washington region, whether on Metro, buses, streetcars, driving, walking, biking, or any other method.
One of the region’s strengths is the wide range of options for travel. There are many walkable places in DC, Maryland, and Virginia where people could choose transit, walk or bike, or if they don’t have their own car, grab a shared vehicle or hail a ride. This reduces the need to own cars, saving people money and reducing traffic congestion.
As our region grows, it is imperative to continue to make these options safe, economical, and available to even more people. It is imperative to ensure safe sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure, expand transit options, and add housing near existing transit stations.
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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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The last mile in Tysons Corner, part 1: The problem
Plans for a transformed Tysons Corner rely not only on four Metro stations but a network of circulator buses to provide service from the new stations to locations throughout Tysons. Unfortunately, circulator buses may not provide the level of service needed to entice many people out of their cars. Even with the new Metro stations, Tysons will remain a spread-out, edge city with… 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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Breakfast links: Cleared to go
Omni Shovelem; MoCoCo approves; Meters are annoying; Oppose PG planner switch for justice; Alternative to bag fee? No; Free bus with your bread; Marriage Day. 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 7: Items with little impact
While fares and service are the big dogs when it comes to the WMATA FY 11 budget, there are other measures that can impact the bottom line. Among these are advertising, retail, MetroAccess, and parking. Advertising: The first idea most riders jump to upon hearing of the budget gap is more advertising. Unfortunately, advertising revenues will likely drop substantially in FY11,… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Remaining snow, coming storms
Rock Creek branch storage path; Speak up on the Fairfax budget; BLT or fries at White Flint?; Outer Beltway bill rises from the dead; Designs for Four Mile Run expansion; Yummy soot; And…. Keep reading…
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Fairfax Connector cuts may keep a grandma from her family
Due to the loss of $6.5 million per year in toll road funding, Fairfax County is proposing cuts on many Dulles corridor buses, including eliminating four routes to save $1 million per year. One of those is the 553, a route that my family has depended on in various ways for over a decade. My family’s commute is complex. I live at East Falls Church and commute… 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…