Charles Allen pushing for no parking for Union Station overhaul

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

I do, often. I frequently take a train to NYC or Philly for afternoon meetings and dinner, and then either return very late at night or stay over and get back in the morning. I have had difficulty getting a cab or Uber/Lyft at both times (not every time, but often enough). I'd much rather have my car there to I can get home, or get to work, easily when I return.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

Lol. Saying it louder doesn't make it so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

I do, often. I frequently take a train to NYC or Philly for afternoon meetings and dinner, and then either return very late at night or stay over and get back in the morning. I have had difficulty getting a cab or Uber/Lyft at both times (not every time, but often enough). I'd much rather have my car there to I can get home, or get to work, easily when I return.

ok then you should pay accordingly for that luxury. or just get the train in New Carrolton.

[Anonymous]

Union Station serves over 5 million people a year and has dozens of trains (local, regional, and long-distance routes) arriving and departing daily. It's the second-busiest Amtrak station in the country. It was designed to serve as a rail transportation hub for the entire region. No other train station in the area comes close in terms of service offerings.

As a rail transportation hub for the region, Union Station will always serve some people who wish or need to drive and park. There's no other way around it. I thought the FRA's proposal had some common sense behind it: a parking garage with fewer spaces than the current facility. However, some of the responses on this thread are ludicrous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

Lol. Saying it louder doesn't make it so.

Truly baffled that somebody is doubting the reality of people getting on trains at Rockville, New Carrollton, BWI, Alexandria, and so on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

Lol. Saying it louder doesn't make it so.

Truly baffled that somebody is doubting the reality of people getting on trains at Rockville, New Carrollton, BWI, Alexandria, and so on.

I'm baffled that somebody is seriously comparing the level of service and options available at Union Station to the level of service and options available at these suburban whistle stops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I'm baffled that somebody is seriously comparing the level of service and options available at Union Station to the level of service and options available at these suburban whistle stops.

First of all, whistle stops are an actual thing, and these aren't them.

Second of all, say what? Do people get on there, or do people not get on there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

Lol. Saying it louder doesn't make it so.

Truly baffled that somebody is doubting the reality of people getting on trains at Rockville, New Carrollton, BWI, Alexandria, and so on.

I'm baffled that somebody is seriously comparing the level of service and options available at Union Station to the level of service and options available at these suburban whistle stops.

You're missing the point. The reason Union Station has that level of service and options is because it's in a dense, urban area. Which means that driving & parking is not the form of transit to prioritize. People who NEED to drive can drive to an outlying station if they don't want to deal with scarce parking at Union Station.

[Anonymous]

As a neighborhood resident, I would like to see a large underground parking garage (not the current eyesore structure) and much more aggressive enforcement against commuter parking on residential streets. I also look forward to the demolition of the Hopscotch Bridge and better connectivity (flat, pedestrian-friendly streetscape) between Near Northeast and the other side of the tracks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Seems counterintuitive to make it harder to take the train. Not all train passengers live on metro lines.

Right? To take the train you have to get to the station on time! If it takes hours to get to the station because you have to travel by car to bus to metro, etc. etc. Why bother?

What’s totally irrational is the idea that you are going to *drive* to an intercity train station in the middle of a dense urban area to take the train. That makes zero sense. People who insist on driving to the train can get on at new carrolton. And it’s also nuts to think driving and parking your own car is going to be faster or more economical. Those parking spaces need to be priced to reflect their value. Just get an Uber.

Agreed. I literally don't know anyone who does this. People who live so far out they can't take transit or an Uber are way more likely to get on the train elsewhere, drive, or fly than drive into DC and park.

Fascinating. Care to back up those sweeping generalizations with some hard data?

DP. What hard data do you have in mind? The fact is that there are lots of people who get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station. Why would you drive all the way into DC when you can catch the train without having to drive all the way into DC?

That's not a fact. That's your assumption.

Dude. It's a FACT that lots of people get on the train at stations that aren't Union Station.

Lol. Saying it louder doesn't make it so.

Truly baffled that somebody is doubting the reality of people getting on trains at Rockville, New Carrollton, BWI, Alexandria, and so on.

I'm baffled that somebody is seriously comparing the level of service and options available at Union Station to the level of service and options available at these suburban whistle stops.

You're missing the point. The reason Union Station has that level of service and options is because it's in a dense, urban area. Which means that driving & parking is not the form of transit to prioritize. People who NEED to drive can drive to an outlying station if they don't want to deal with scarce parking at Union Station.

This is incorrect. Union Station serves the entire metropolitan region.

And who ever said driving was being prioritized? Plans are calling for a smaller garage than what’s currently there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You're missing the point. The reason Union Station has that level of service and options is because it's in a dense, urban area. Which means that driving & parking is not the form of transit to prioritize. People who NEED to drive can drive to an outlying station if they don't want to deal with scarce parking at Union Station.

This is incorrect. Union Station serves the entire metropolitan region.

And who ever said driving was being prioritized? Plans are calling for a smaller garage than what’s currently there.

DP. It's not incorrect to say that Union Station is in a dense urban area.

And while a smaller garage is a good idea, an even smaller garage would be an even better idea. Parking should be scarce at Union Station.

[Anonymous]

If they don't offer parking at Union Station, they need to offer *lots* of parking in the suburbs along with stops. Metro and DC public transit is too unreliable still to make sure you can catch your train, if you are coming from the burbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

You're missing the point. The reason Union Station has that level of service and options is because it's in a dense, urban area. Which means that driving & parking is not the form of transit to prioritize. People who NEED to drive can drive to an outlying station if they don't want to deal with scarce parking at Union Station.

This is incorrect. Union Station serves the entire metropolitan region.

And who ever said driving was being prioritized? Plans are calling for a smaller garage than what’s currently there.

DP. It's not incorrect to say that Union Station is in a dense urban area.

And while a smaller garage is a good idea, an even smaller garage would be an even better idea. Parking should be scarce at Union Station.

Who disputed Union Station being in a dense urban area? The issue is the level of service provided at Union Station is due to the station serving as the central rail transportation hub for a metro area of over 6 million people. That’s not going to change.

Another thing that’s not going to change anytime soon is this region’s dependency on the automobile. As such, for a transportation hub that serves over 6 million people and has over 5 million annual passengers, parking should be made available to those who want or need to drive. I find nothing outlandish about the FRA proposal.

What folks in the city need to remember is that key assets like Union Station serve more than just the city. Don’t like it? Move to a real urban core like NYC.