Metro considers ending weekend rail service closing 19 stations and reducing the number of trains

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven't ridden on a train in years.

$7 one way for me to travel just a few stations down the blue line during rush hour.

Not worth it for me.

+1

The value proposition for public transit is inexpensive and efficient transportation; WMATA seems forever invested in catering to the niche market of tourists riding between DCA and the Smithsonian and the elusive suburban commuters willing to forgo the comfort of their own vehicles. Clearly not working.

When I moved from Boston to DC I was shocked at the cost of public transit here. I think prices are propped up by federal worker transit subsidies, which don't change as prices do. Almost everyone I know as a fed takes metro, vs apparently nobody on this board, because our salaries are pretty modest but that's a nice money saving perk. Even the contractors in our office drive because they aren't weighing free metro against paying for parking. Great for us, bad for prices.

Aw, I did take the T when I lived in Boston, but DC is just wayyyy more car friendly.

Many of WMATAs dysfunction stems from its funding structure, leading to a lack of coordination, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.

No reason to take Metro when it's not much more to just drive and pay for parking.

If your job pays for metro it's way more to drive and pay for parking!

The proposal to space trains out 30 minutes on weekdays and cut 1/3 of bus routes is really grim though. That will drive away even lots of loyal fed commuters and cut off a bunch of less expensive neighborhoods.

[Anonymous]

I took Metro to my job for almost 10 years. We don't get subsidies like the Feds do. Between the fares and parking I was paying $15 per day. Covid provided a wake-up call. I drive now and won't be going back to the train anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What remains would be a “bare-bones service network to sustain essential travel,” according to a presentation that WMATA’s board will hear Friday.

It also calls for eliminating 2,400 jobs. That’s in addition to 1,400 jobs already approved for cutting earlier this year. In all, it represents about a third of Metro’s workforce.

Closing 19 stations that have had low ridership during the pandemic. The list of closures will look similar to stations Metro had previously temporarily closed during the pandemic to save money.

Ending rail service on weekdays at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

^ The last one is really going to be a blow to all of the hipper than thou wannabe urban transplant millennials who have all flocked to DC in recent years.

Do you know any of those types? They all rideshare or scooter home from the bars... none of them will notice if metro closes early.

It’s also just an extremely weird thing to be so gleeful about. Not sure what’s so exciting about America’s crumbling and embarrassing public transportation infrastructure getting even worse. Have you ever traveled abroad? Do you know what the trains and subways look like in literally any other developed country? Maybe you’re rubbing your hands together at the (mistaken) thought that your 1980s Springfield colonial will go up slightly in value now that Metro’s destruction has made the city relatively less appealing? Really can’t get inside the mindset of people like you.

[Anonymous]

THey must be hemorrhaging money.

Our government should support public transport into the nation's capital. It is good for tourism, reducing traffic, safety and the environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took Metro to my job for almost 10 years. We don't get subsidies like the Feds do. Between the fares and parking I was paying $15 per day. Covid provided a wake-up call. I drive now and won't be going back to the train anytime soon.

Exactly. Many commuters are drive and pay to park before even stepping foot into the Metro station. Then, pay a fare to be packed into a gross train (pre-pandemic). Parking is not that expensive and if you already own a car... it's a no brainer in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took Metro to my job for almost 10 years. We don't get subsidies like the Feds do. Between the fares and parking I was paying $15 per day. Covid provided a wake-up call. I drive now and won't be going back to the train anytime soon.

But once pandemic ends, unless WFH REALLY REALLY takes off, your new commute:

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:THey must be hemorrhaging money.

Our government should support public transport into the nation's capital. It is good for tourism, reducing traffic, safety and the environment.

In theory.

[Anonymous]

I miss the good old days of $5 unlimited all day rail passes.

As recently as 2002-2003 it was still a relatively inexpensive rail system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What remains would be a “bare-bones service network to sustain essential travel,” according to a presentation that WMATA’s board will hear Friday.

It also calls for eliminating 2,400 jobs. That’s in addition to 1,400 jobs already approved for cutting earlier this year. In all, it represents about a third of Metro’s workforce.

Closing 19 stations that have had low ridership during the pandemic. The list of closures will look similar to stations Metro had previously temporarily closed during the pandemic to save money.

Ending rail service on weekdays at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

^ The last one is really going to be a blow to all of the hipper than thou wannabe urban transplant millennials who have all flocked to DC in recent years.

Do you know any of those types? They all rideshare or scooter home from the bars... none of them will notice if metro closes early.

It’s also just an extremely weird thing to be so gleeful about. Not sure what’s so exciting about America’s crumbling and embarrassing public transportation infrastructure getting even worse. Have you ever traveled abroad? Do you know what the trains and subways look like in literally any other developed country? Maybe you’re rubbing your hands together at the (mistaken) thought that your 1980s Springfield colonial will go up slightly in value now that Metro’s destruction has made the city relatively less appealing? Really can’t get inside the mindset of people like you.

I agree. I really don't get these people. Fine, you don't like hipsters. Why cut off your nose to spite your face? Why be smug and happy that America's already-pathetic public transportation system is getting worse? Not to mention, worse public transportation affects people in the suburbs, by pushing more people into cars and more traffic onto the roads. Do you like paying super-high tolls? Do you want your drive to work to be even longer? Not to mention the total lack of consideration for the working-class people who rely on public transportation to get to and from work, including early in the morning and late at night, because not everyone works a 9-5 job. Gross.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took Metro to my job for almost 10 years. We don't get subsidies like the Feds do. Between the fares and parking I was paying $15 per day. Covid provided a wake-up call. I drive now and won't be going back to the train anytime soon.

But once pandemic ends, unless WFH REALLY REALLY takes off, your new commute:

Nah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What remains would be a “bare-bones service network to sustain essential travel,” according to a presentation that WMATA’s board will hear Friday.

It also calls for eliminating 2,400 jobs. That’s in addition to 1,400 jobs already approved for cutting earlier this year. In all, it represents about a third of Metro’s workforce.

Closing 19 stations that have had low ridership during the pandemic. The list of closures will look similar to stations Metro had previously temporarily closed during the pandemic to save money.

Ending rail service on weekdays at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m.

^ The last one is really going to be a blow to all of the hipper than thou wannabe urban transplant millennials who have all flocked to DC in recent years.

Do you know any of those types? They all rideshare or scooter home from the bars... none of them will notice if metro closes early.

It’s also just an extremely weird thing to be so gleeful about. Not sure what’s so exciting about America’s crumbling and embarrassing public transportation infrastructure getting even worse. Have you ever traveled abroad? Do you know what the trains and subways look like in literally any other developed country? Maybe you’re rubbing your hands together at the (mistaken) thought that your 1980s Springfield colonial will go up slightly in value now that Metro’s destruction has made the city relatively less appealing? Really can’t get inside the mindset of people like you.

Springfield has always been hipper than DC, even as far back as the 1980s.

[Anonymous]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1984/07/21/19-men-are-arrested-at-shopping-mall-on-homosexual-charges/31cef1d3-06a4-473c-a63e-1fd859607617/

Springfield Mall's bathrooms were well known all over the DC area as a place to let loose, unwind and have lots of fun.

[Anonymous]

The most successful rock musician to come out of the DC area in recent memory is from the Springfield area

[Anonymous]

WMATA should start by closing the Capitol South station.

If Congress won't wake up and support government services like Mass Transit, then screw it.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get all these people saying just drive downtown and park. Near my office full day parking is $20-24/day and lots are mostly filled up by 9 or so. Plus gas and wear and tear on your car...even my $12 metro daily commute is way cheaper. And generally less stressful than driving.