Archive for the ‘Talkin' Transit’ Category
Sensors and indicators in plain English: WMATA’s WEE-Z issue
‘Rails’
courtesy of ‘mescon’
One of the most troubling things about the information emerging about this faulty sensor is the ways in which Metro indicates they might have expected to detect it. John Catoe’s press release from July 1 described the situation somewhat vaguely. “This is not an issue that would have been easily detectable to controllers [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Hard Questions
‘Franconia-Springfield metro station’ courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’
So Metro, now what?
That’s the question in the back of everyone’s minds here in the District after Monday’s tragic Metro accident. It’s not an easy question to ask and in the coming days, how John Catoe and WMATA answers it may well make or break the transit agency.
It will certainly [...]
In the Aftermath of the Metro Crash: Tips for Tuesday
Tomorrow is going to be a very, very difficult day for many. Our hearts go out to those who’ve lost loved ones, or were injured in the catastrophe. But, we must go on, and we must learn from what happened. We have to get ready for tomorrow.
Let’s start with what’s [...]
Drive in Traffic, Get Paid
‘Stuck in Traffic.. 218 3rd St SE, Capitol Hill’ courtesy of ‘KrS-NrY’
In case you haven’t noticed, gas prices continue to rise. Which means commuting costs are going up again for those who choose (or have no choice) to drive to work each day.
Which of course, leads to Beltway congestion. And then the inevitable “who’s got [...]
Alexandria Fires Up the Money Cameras
‘DSCF6337′
courtesy of ‘lakelandlocal’
Alexandria has powered up their revenue-generating red-light cameras along Route 1, as well as on Duke Street in an attempt to make us all “safer”. While this is probably less expensive than parking a police officer on the corner with a ticket pad, that certainly seems like something that would chasten people [...]
Slow Downs on the Metro this Weekend
‘Moving Red Line’
courtesy of ‘Amberture’
WMATA is warning customers to expect delays on the red and blue lines this weekend due to track maintenance. Trains will be single tracking between between Van Ness-UDC and DuPont Circle stations, and between Van Dorn St and Braddock Rd stations. Delays on the red line will take place all weekend, while [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Doors to Nowhere
‘CSC_1718′ courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
Remember a year ago when Metro said they were going to ‘crack down’ on the rash of “doors opening” off platform? That new safety and training programs would be implemented to keep such accidents from happening?
Guess what!
It hasn’t worked.
WaPo caught the story on Monday: over the last two months, there have been [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Tourist Tips
‘Packed Blue’ courtesy of ‘ArcaHeradel’
So Memorial Day has passed, meaning that from now through Labor Day, hordes of tourists will be pouring into the District for various events, concerts, vacations and visits. If you’re reading this and you’re a soon-to-be visitor to our region - or if you’re a resident who has friends or family [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Loose Ends
‘Three-Wheeled Taxi’ courtesy of ‘M.V. Jantzen’
A couple of updates to tie up on the transit scene - and then I need your help!
Pedicabs on the Mall: You all remember our report on the harassment of the pedicabs by the Park Police? Well, I’m happy to report that since then, there’s been no further incidents, according [...]
Talkin’ Transit: The Great Pedicab Predicament
‘Pedicab’ courtesy of ‘afagen’
Yesterday, we received a late-day heads-up from a reader that there was an issue brewing with the pedicabs that offer rides to tourists and residents along the National Mall.
The entire issue seemed odd, as pedicabs have been operating on the Mall for a couple years now and haven’t had any issues up [...]
Talkin’ Transit: SmarTrip Getting Smarter!
‘Metro SmarTrip Card’ courtesy of ‘Mr. T in DC’
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been waiting for the day when I’d be able to reload my SmarTrip card somewhere other than a Metro station. For those of us who ride buses regularly, it’s really frustrating to have to go to a Metro station to [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Tags and Traffic
‘W.H. Taft (LOC)’ courtesy of ‘The Library of Congress’
Did you know that vehicle registration in the District has dropped?
According to a new report being presented today, registrations dropped almost six percent between 2005 and 2008, from 258,100 to 243,200. The drop is significant in that when compared to U.S. Census data, the population in DC [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Metro Says “You Drive It”
‘Concourse Teddy’, courtesy of ‘philliefan99′ Teddy driving your train? Maybe!
Word out of the WMATA office? Put your skills where you mouth is.
Starting April 31, regular commuters can become a Metro operator for a day. Selected daily from unregistered SmarTrip card users, a random rider will be selected and invited to drive their Metrobus or conduct [...]
Talkin’ Transit: Stop-Gaps and Cuts
‘CSC_1718′, courtesy of ‘Ghost_Bear’
By now, everyone has heard (or is aware) that WMATA has a $29M gap in their budget to fill. And soon. Early suggestions by some parties (coughGrahamcough) was to use part of the $200M bailout money to fill the gap. Which is a stupid idea. And most board members agreed; that idea [...]
Google Maps Traffic Now Covers City Streets!
I went to go look at Google Maps to plot a route this afternoon, when I saw something that I’d not noticed before: Google Maps’ Traffic data now covers more than just the usual interstate and highway routes, it also covers some of the center-of-town major thoroughfares that you might be traveling on as [...]
More »Talkin’ Transit: O Bus, Where Art Thou?
‘waiting’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99′
Chock full of WMATA today.
First up, it looks like the Circulator will be taking over one or two Metrobus routes this spring. This would increase the local service to five looping routes from the current three. Which routes aren’t yet determined, but Circulator officials have stated they can offer the same service as [...]
