Archive for the ‘Talkin’ Transit’ Category

Metro Singalong 2009

‘Navidad en el metro’ courtesy of ‘Daquella manera’ With apologies to purists of the Twelve Days of Christmas. On the twelfth day of Christmas, Johnny Catoe and Metro gave to DC… 12 budget shortfalls of 22 40 175 million dollars! 11 pole hogs hogging 10 SmarTrip card upgrades … no, wait … here we go [...]

I’m Just Not Into You Anymore

‘Mind the Gap’ courtesy of ‘*tinadelarosa’ Dear Metro: I’m just not into you anymore. Look, it’s been a great relationship, for the most part. But I have to say, your actions and attitudes over the last few months had me worried to the point that I’ve begun looking at a much older friend to fulfill [...]

Talkin’ Transit: Holiday Travel Tips

Connecticut Avenue, courtesy of Daquella manera It’s the day before Thanksgiving, one of the busiest travel days of the year. Here’s some common sense tips to help make your journey a little less stressful – and a whole lot safer. Chances are if you’re reading this on the day before Thanksgiving, you’re either not going [...]

Talkin’ Transit: Same Old, Same Old

‘Service Advisory’ courtesy of ‘MattHurst’ WMATA quietly announced last night it has lifted a long-standing ban on allowing independent safety monitors access to Metro tracks. Metro board Chairman Jim Graham met with WMATA higher-ups yesterday and it had some result, supposedly. Late Tuesday, WMATA officials said that the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TSOC TOC) does have [...]

A look at WMATA’s plans to challenge arbitration

‘HDR Union Station Metro’ courtesy of ‘Cazimiro’ WMATA has a press release out announcing their intention to appeal the labor arbitration that has returned a 9% pay increase for Metro employees. I haven’t gotten my hands on the arbitration findings yet but I have looked at the law WMATA is referencing. They assert in the [...]

Talkin’ Transit: Future of P-G County Transportation

Stop-and-go traffic may become a thing of the past for Prince George’s County commuters. That is, if county planners have their way. The county recently released its 171-page transportation master plan, which covers such ideas as extending WMATA’s Metrorail Purple and Green lines, High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes on heavily-trafficked roadways and other suggestions to get commuters [...]

Watching the Emergency Response Drill

DSC_0012 courtesy of Me As I watched the teams from multiple counties go through this drill I heard the radio announcement voice in my head say “If this has been an actual emergency, there would have been a lot less official rubberneckers taking snapshots.” DSC_0029 courtesy of Me It makes perfect sense – if the [...]

Talkin’ Transit: Eye Candy

‘Inside the Metro Car’ courtesy of ‘Bogotron’ I was going to take today’s article and gripe about the “Follow the Rules” mandate now being enacted by most of the Metrobus drivers this week. But really, what’s the point? (And what exactly is their point, too, other than to make commuters surly and late?) So if [...]

Metrobus to Do Things By The Book?

Talkin’ Transit: They’re Watching You

‘Do You Slow for Speed Cameras?’ courtesy of ‘Wayan Vota’ On Thursday, Big Brother is allowed to catch you speeding in Maryland. But will he really be watching? The use of automated speed cameras becomes legal in Maryland tomorrow, but according to WaPo, few communities are jumping up to embrace it. Currently Gaithersburg, Chevy Chase [...]

An analysis of NTSB’s findings

‘Negative’ courtesy of ‘lorigoldberg’ NTSB sent out letters yesterday to WMATA,  Alstom Signaling, Inc, Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration. Each letter is slightly different but they all describe what NTSB believes to be the root cause behind the June 22nd Red Line crash. Alstrom Signaling acquired General Railway Signal, the company that [...]

Go Car-Free Tomorrow!

Talkin’ Transit: Passed Inspection

‘Going nowhere fast.’ courtesy of ‘jerseygal2009′ In a cost-saving move, the Fenty administration and DC DMV has persuaded the DC Council to end its safety inspection program for private cars. Emissions inspections will still be required every two years, however. The mayor’s office has said that the city would save $400,000 with the move, which [...]

More Police at Union Station Today

Talkin’ Transit: Labor Pains

‘joy.’ courtesy of ‘nevermindtheend’ ZOMG METRO CLOZING 3 STATIONS DURING TEH HOLIDAY!!!1!one11! I’m sure that’s the most common reaction by Blue and Yellow line riders who read Metro’s press release yesterday; it certainly seemed to be the tone set by commenters and blogs around the area. Now, normally I’m one of the first detractors of [...]

Metro Closing Three Stations for Labor Day Weekend

Ghost Bike Memorial Removed

Talkin’ Transit: Mish-Mash Morning

‘IMG_0115′ courtesy of ‘bankbryan’ Mish-mash of transit for your morning perusal. HOT Lanes Delayed: While the Beltway HOT Lane construction continues forward, Virigina has decided to delay building additional HOT lanes on I-395 and I-95. The economy is the answer that’s been trotted out; state leaders fear that they won’t be able to get money [...]

Talkin’ Transit: Common Commuting

‘New Carrolltn’ courtesy of ‘Kevin H.’ I give you the average day in the life of a Washington commuter (who happens to be a blogger and works downtown).* 7:06 a.m. Pulling into the parking garage at Franconia-Springfield a little early; traffic for once was cooperative so I am optimistic it’s a good sign for today. [...]

O’Malley to Metro: Light Rail!