Washington DC: Rail transit

[202_Cyclist]

I agree with Cirrus that the development doesn't have to be employment centers to attract passengers, especially if aimed at tourists. Water taxi might never be able to attract a significant amount of commuters. There are plenty of people who voluntarily pay $20-$30 to ride on the silly Tourmobile buses. I don't see why these same passengers wouldn't also utilize water taxi service. Additionally, water taxi service seems like the most efficient transportation option for business travelers who arrive at DCA and are going to National Harbor.

[afiggatt]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Additionally, water taxi service seems like the most efficient transportation option for business travelers who arrive at DCA and are going to National Harbor.

The problem with National Airport as a ferry point is how does someone go from the terminals to a boat dock? The terminals and parking lots are on the inland side of the runways. Take the Metro to Alexandria does not does do much good because the stations are a long way from the Old Town waterfront. One possibility for providing nearby boat dock access is the Potomac Yards infill station, but I don't know if they have plans to provide easy access from the station to the nearby marina or have development plans for the riverfront area there.

The issue I see with developing ferry commuter services in the DC area on any sort of larger scale is how spread out and far apart the viable destinations are along the Potomac and Anacostia. Any ferry system is competing against the Metro, so the logical destinations are places that don't have good Metro access - National Harbor, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, but these already have some degree of ferry services. A ferry system also needs docks at places with good Metro access and a cluster of housing. As the Navy Yard / Nationals ballpark area gets developed, that could be a major ferry service endpoint. Another issue with waterfront development for commercial purposes in the DC area is how much of area along the the two rivers is parkland (and/or a flood plain) or military facilities (NRL, Bolling Air Force base, Navy Yard). Still, if enough of the planned waterfront developments happen, commuter and local travel ferry service may become more common and seen as less of an oddity in the DC area.

[dgreen]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

I agree with Cirrus that the development doesn't have to be employment centers to attract passengers, especially if aimed at tourists. Water taxi might never be able to attract a significant amount of commuters.

The article focused on water taxis as a commuter option, thus my question about employment centers. I thought that's what Cirrus was commenting on when he said we were 20 years away.

I agree there are many options if the focus is for tourists and local entertainment/recreational purposes.

[Cirrus]

The problem with National Airport as a ferry point is how does someone go from the terminals to a boat dock?

True, but that's not a fatal flaw. You could put a ferry dock just about wherever you want and then run a bus shuttle, just like the BWI MARC connection.

Less than ideal, but if ferries pick up as viable then you might want to do it.

[202_Cyclist]

Transit and town center projects set to transform College Park
Purple Line and East Campus redevelopment could give campus the new face officials have long sought


"College Park does not have a town center like most college towns do," says UM President Wallace Loh. "So we need to build one to be a magnet." (Baltimore Sun file photo)

By Childs Walker
Baltimore Sun
June 13, 2011

"The University of Maryland, College Park could look considerably different by 2020 if plans for a light rail line and a town center development on the east side of campus roll forward this year.

Preliminary engineering for the $1.93 billion Purple Line, expected to run through the heart of campus, could begin this fall if federal transit officials grant permission. The initial phase of the East Campus development, which would include a hotel, restaurants and retail shops, could also come up for approval by the Board of Regents if campus leaders can reach an agreement with the Baltimore-basedCordish Cos.

School officials say that, in tandem, the projects could make the campus more accessible to commuting professors and students from across the Washington suburbs and give it a more polished look commensurate with the flagship university's enhanced national standing..."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/mar...463,full.story

[202_Cyclist]

I absolutely agree with this column. We traveled to Spain last month and Madrid Barajas has not one but three metro stations at the airport. FFX and Loudoun County officials are really being short-sighted to object to an underground station. Dulles airport serves a region of 6M people (expected to grow by 2M people by 2050). I think there are 18M - 20M annual enplanements at Dulles and this subway will serve the airport for the next 30-40 years.


In planning Dulles rail, someone decided slapdash was good enough for D.C.

By John Kelly
June 20, 2011
Washington Post

"...In April the board that oversees Dulles International Airport voted to put a Metro station where it would be the most appreciated by travelers schlepping tons of luggage and worried about missing their flight: underground.

Now, to save money, some of the airport authority’s “partners” (namely Fairfax and Loudoun counties) are agitating to move the station above ground, to build the station two football fields farther away than the subterranean station...."

http://http://www.washingtonpost.com...XdH_story.html

[electricron]

Who should oversee projects like these, those running the transit system or those paying for it? Managers of any business should listen very carefully to their ownership, and stay within budget.
I doubt Fairfax and Loudoun county commissioners can dictate what to build to Metro, but they certainly don't have to pay for whatever Metro decides to build. They're free to drop subsidizing Metro whenever and for whatever reason they wish.

[afiggatt]

GreaterGreaterWashington had a summary yesterday of quite a range of recent studies and ideas for future expansion of the DC Metro system:
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...nd-generation/

The concept studies and presentations are from the PlanItMetro website and staff. I've seen some of them before, but the Beltway Line is a new one. Slide at http://planitmetro.com/wp-content/up...ng.pdf#page=27. Will never happen - the price tag would be huge - and not very practical, but it is interesting to see the concept put up on a slide.

As the blog points out, these concepts are blue-sky long range planning ideas to crank through the ridership and system models to see what the numbers look like. The Silver and Orange line extensions in Northern VA are more than a little extreme in distance from DC, but still interesting to think about.

Of all the concepts, the Blue re-route with a new station at Rosslyn, tunnel under the Potomac to Georgetown, and the eastward along M-street (or maybe a couple of blocks further north) to Union station may be the best option for expanding capacity in the city core and across the Potomac. The Yellow Line extension southward along Rt. 1 in VA also has merit.

[202_Cyclist]

electricron:

Who should oversee projects like these, those running the transit system or those paying for it? Managers of any business should listen very carefully to their ownership, and stay within budget.

The Federal government is paying for well over $1B for Phase 1 of the Silver line construction and likely a significant portion of Phase II (http://www.dullesmetro.com/about/funding.cfm). Just as managers of any busines should listen to their ownership, they should also listen to their customers. The Washington region has nearly 6M residents. It would be unfortunate if there is a serious design flaw buliding the station too far away from the Dulles terminal becuase of the refusal of a county with 300,000 to help pay for this. Ridership will fall with each additional connection that passengers have to make, whether it is a moving walkway or walking six hundred feet with heavy baggage.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Ridership will fall with each additional connection that passengers have to make, whether it is a moving walkway or walking six hundred feet with heavy baggage.

A typical city block is 300 feet. If passengers aren't willing to walk two little-bity city blocks, they don't deserve to have transit. If you want front door to front door service, hire a taxi.

[202_Cyclist]

I received this in my email today. Speaking of streetcars, the group Streetcars 4 DC will be hosting a happy hour at Ray's the Steaks in Ward 7 to discuss streetcars in the District.

Public Meeting for Anacostia Streetcar Phase 2 Environmental Assessment and Historic Preservation Study
DDOT Seeking Community Input to Identify the Route Alternative that Best Meets the Transit Needs of the Community

(Washington, D.C.) The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) are hosting the third public meeting for the Anacostia Streetcar Phase 2 Environmental Assessment and Historic Preservation Study, on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.

At this meeting the study team will provide an update on the status of the route alternatives that are being evaluated to create a transit connection between the Anacostia Metrorail Station and the 11th Street Bridge.

Several of the proposed route alternatives that were presented at the last public meeting held for this study have been removed from consideration based on consistency with overall study goals and objectives, community input and technical evaluation. The study team will continue to further evaluate the remaining alternatives throughout the summer and will aim to identify the alternative that best meets the transit needs of the community by fall 2011.

Residents, members of the business community and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend this meeting and provide comments to help shape the outcome of the study.

What: Public Meeting for Anacostia Streetcar Phase 2 Environmental
Assessment and Historic Preservation Study

When: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
7 pm – 9 pm

Where: Savoy Elementary School,
2400 Shannon Place, SE



Savoy Elementary is in close proximity to the Anacostia Metro Station on the Green Line. It is also accessible from the following Metrobus Lines: 90, A2, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, B2, W2 and W3.

Childcare will be provided for children ages five and older.

DDOT initiated the Anacostia Streetcar Phase 2 Environmental Assessment and Historic Preservation Study in December 2010. The study is anticipated to be completed fall 2011 and is intended to identify the best alternatives that address the project’s purpose and need, maximize environmental benefits, and minimize the potential for adverse impacts. In addition, DDOT will evaluate potential effects to cultural resources in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. More information about this study is available at dcstreetcar.com.

[202_Cyclist]

Metro board approves $2.5 billion budget

By Dana Hedgpeth
June 23, 2011
Washington Post

"Metro’s board of directors approved a combined operating and capital budget of $2.5 billion for fiscal 2012 on Thursday without imposing any major rail fare increases.

The transit agency had a $66 million deficit in its $1.48 billion operating budget, but Maryland, Virginia and the District closed the shortfall by making larger contributions. Metro’s management also found internal cost savings, and the agency altered some bus routes..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...4hH_story.html

[202_Cyclist]

NoVa business leaders seek cuts from Dulles rail project

By Ann E. Marimow
Washington Post
6/23/2011

"A coalition of Northern Virginia business groups on Thursday joined the growing ranks of regional leaders calling for cost reductions to the multibillion-dollar project to extend Metrorail to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County.

The call for belt-tightening cranks up the pressure on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is managing the project, at a time when the authority is engaged in negotiations to try to trim the cost of the second phase of the project. Construction is underway on the first phase through Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue in Reston..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...wphH_blog.html

[202_Cyclist]

Arlington looks to expand bikesharing


By Associated Press
6/27/2011

"Arlington County is looking to dramatically expand its bikesharing program.

The county is holding a public meeting Monday night to seek suggestions on where to locate up to 30 new bikesharing stations planned for the next year. Most of the kiosks are planned for the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, where the bicycles could be used in conjunction with Metrorail..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...WSnH_blog.html

[202_Cyclist]

Electric vehicle charging debuts at Union Station

By Michael D. Bolden
6/28/2011
Washington Post

"Electric vehicle charging stations are gaining ground in the Washington region.

The latest site is Union Station, where public officials and business leaders plan to unveil two charging stations in the parking garage on Thursday morning..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...FJpH_blog.html

[202_Cyclist]

This is unfortunate, to say the least. I attended the streetcar happy hour last week hosted by Streetcars 4 DC and there were two people there who are opening up a restaurant this August, with the expectation of the streetcar beginning service soon. If I was a business owner or developer, I would be very upset that I'm paying rents comparable to more established areas of the District while H Street is still inaccessible for many people.

Ready for D.C. streetcars? It's going to be a while

Adam Tuss
6/29/2011
WTOP

"WASHINGTON -- The earliest any streetcar will roll through the streets of the District is now expected to be 2013 -- and late 2013 at that, WTOP has learned.

City officials have been touring D.C., showing off ambitious plans for a 37 mile network of streetcars crisscrossing neighborhoods. The first two lines were expected to be set up on H Street in Northeast and in Anacostia..."

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=893&sid=2441618

[202_Cyclist]

Potomac Yard Metro scoping study released

By Christy Goodman
Washington Post
6/30/2011

"More than a dozen different transit scenarios will be studied before a site is selected for the Potomac Yard Metro station.

The scoping document for the environmental review process was released by Alexandria and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority on Wednesday and includes eight different station locations, a bus option and a Virginia Railway Express option, among others. The environmental review process is required by federal law..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...ss=dr-gridlock

Here's a link from WMATA and the city of Alexandria for the Potomac Yards station. The website has descriptions of the various station and alignment alternatives.

http://www.potomacyardmetro.com/index.html

[202_Cyclist]

Metro board awaits McDonnell appointment

By Dana Hedgpeth
July 3, 2011
Washington Post


"One of Northern Virginia’s four representatives to Metro’s board of directors may soon have to step down — or move to a less powerful position — so a state appointee can take a spot overseeing the $2.5 billion transit authority.

Virginia lawmakers passed legislation in the spring allowing Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) to appoint a person to serve in one of the 16 seats on Metro’s board..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/busine...mwH_story.html

[202_Cyclist]

D.C. Mayor Gray backs aboveground Dulles rail stop

By Ann E. Marimow and Nikita Stewart
July 6, 2011
Washington Post

"D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray said Wednesday that he now supports building an aboveground Metrorail station at Dulles International Airport.

Gray’s position increases the political pressure on the board of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is overseeing construction of the rail extension to Dulles and favors a more costly underground station that is closer to the terminal..."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...ry.html?wprss=

[202_Cyclist]

A peek inside Metro’s newest rail car



The 7000 series prototype: Metro tested five concepts in designing a mock-up of its newest rail cars. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

By Dana Hedgpeth
7/7/2011
Washington Post

"Inside a warehouse near New Carrollton station sits a prototype of Metro’s newest rail car, the 7000 series.

Constructed of plywood and painted gray, the prototype is half the size of an actual subway car, but it was made to give transit officials and riders a place to test designs for the interiors of the new additions to Metro’s fleet."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/...11H_story.html