Comments on: Metro’s Underperforming Stations http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194 Rob Goodspeed's blog Sat, 06 Mar 2010 05:30:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Adam http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-399705 Adam Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:39:07 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-399705 Mike, thanks for making me recognize that!! Actually, it is not too severe if the first part to Tysons is built w/o the Purple, but it needs to be built if the line were to extend to the Airport. Or, at least, a reliable BRT along the future beltway HOV lanes-as a temporary measure, Mike, thanks for making me recognize that!! Actually, it is not too severe if the first part to Tysons is built w/o the Purple, but it needs to be built if the line were to extend to the Airport. Or, at least, a reliable BRT along the future beltway HOV lanes-as a temporary measure,

]]> By: Chris http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-195797 Chris Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:17:13 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-195797 I can only find the data for Maryland station boardings on the Maryland Center for Smarth Growth Indicators Project site. Could someone let me know how to access the data for all Metro stations? Thanks. I can only find the data for Maryland station boardings on the Maryland Center for Smarth Growth Indicators Project site. Could someone let me know how to access the data for all Metro stations? Thanks.

]]> By: Michael Farhoodi http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-85960 Michael Farhoodi Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:37:33 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-85960 A lot of the underperforming stations with nearby places of interest (Forest Glen, Eisenhower Ave, Rockville, stations that SHOULD otherwise have higher ridership) perform poorly simply because they're not centrally located in the system. At the fringes of a hub-and-spoke system, you're primarily going to get commuters going into the city, rather than people coming all the way out there from every other direction. There's only so much you can do to boost their ridership, which is why I think Silver Line to Tysons and Dulles was idiocy when the only way to access it from Montgomery County was to transfer at Metro Center at the very latest (not to mention the straining Orange Line, Rosslyn Tunnel, etc.). Only when some kind of a Circle Line is built will these stations become better connected within the system and have more opportunities for higher ridership. A lot of the underperforming stations with nearby places of interest (Forest Glen, Eisenhower Ave, Rockville, stations that SHOULD otherwise have higher ridership) perform poorly simply because they’re not centrally located in the system. At the fringes of a hub-and-spoke system, you’re primarily going to get commuters going into the city, rather than people coming all the way out there from every other direction. There’s only so much you can do to boost their ridership, which is why I think Silver Line to Tysons and Dulles was idiocy when the only way to access it from Montgomery County was to transfer at Metro Center at the very latest (not to mention the straining Orange Line, Rosslyn Tunnel, etc.). Only when some kind of a Circle Line is built will these stations become better connected within the system and have more opportunities for higher ridership.

]]> By: Eric http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-85587 Eric Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:35:05 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-85587 Metro could reduce costs by closing some of these "ghost town" stations early at night. I recently rode the Blue Line late one night and was surprised when it passed through the Arlington Cemetery station without stopping. Perhaps other stations should face the same fate, especially when there are adjacent stations close by. Also, Kirstin should note that the cost of parking is likely to rise if former Metro riders decide to drive downtown. An increase in demand is likely to set off an increase in prices, thus we should not assume that an increase in fares <i>necessarily</i> reduces ridership significantly. Metro could reduce costs by closing some of these “ghost town” stations early at night. I recently rode the Blue Line late one night and was surprised when it passed through the Arlington Cemetery station without stopping. Perhaps other stations should face the same fate, especially when there are adjacent stations close by.

Also, Kirstin should note that the cost of parking is likely to rise if former Metro riders decide to drive downtown. An increase in demand is likely to set off an increase in prices, thus we should not assume that an increase in fares necessarily reduces ridership significantly.

]]> By: Pumpkin Bandit http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-81183 Pumpkin Bandit Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:38:35 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-81183 Interesting information... but does it drive any kind of decision? Are we going to really close a station? What are the variable costs that would be saved by such an action? Instead the information is a call for action for urban infill. Increasing metro use should be a goal for all local jurisdictions, particularly in this time of global warming. County land use plans should reflect actions that increase density around metro stations. Increasing everyones ability to use mass transport, and decreasing the need to build more and wider highways. One example of poor governmental planning is the current activity near the Cheverly station where the County is approving more industrial low employment/low residential uses in the surrounding area. These uses do nothing to increase ridership... and continue to push housing to the outer burbs. Governments at all levels have to synchronize their policies to make this happen. In one of the more frustrating comments I've heard to assist in the housing crisis, one congressional leader suggested yesterday thay we have a 7K tax credit for anyone who buys a new home. Yes this helps the new home industry... but it once again provides incentives to home builders to destroy open space in the outer burbs.... and look beyond the opportunities that exist near our mass transport stations. The Pumpkin Bandit Interesting information… but does it drive any kind of decision? Are we going to really close a station? What are the variable costs that would be saved by such an action?

Instead the information is a call for action for urban infill. Increasing metro use should be a goal for all local jurisdictions, particularly in this time of global warming. County land use plans should reflect actions that increase density around metro stations. Increasing everyones ability to use mass transport, and decreasing the need to build more and wider highways.

One example of poor governmental planning is the current activity near the Cheverly station where the County is approving more industrial low employment/low residential uses in the surrounding area. These uses do nothing to increase ridership… and continue to push housing to the outer burbs.

Governments at all levels have to synchronize their policies to make this happen. In one of the more frustrating comments I’ve heard to assist in the housing crisis, one congressional leader suggested yesterday thay we have a 7K tax credit for anyone who buys a new home. Yes this helps the new home industry… but it once again provides incentives to home builders to destroy open space in the outer burbs…. and look beyond the opportunities that exist near our mass transport stations.

The Pumpkin Bandit

]]> By: Kirsten http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-81130 Kirsten Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:40:21 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-81130 For East Falls Chruch, I'd say one of the major problems is that there's just no parking, and in a suburban area that's essential. I used someplace where it took nearly the same amount of time for me to drive to Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, and East Falls Church. The station I used changed over the years simply depending on which one would most reliably have parking at the time I arrived. Vienna's parking, even with the huge, somewhat-recently built lots, still consistantly fills by 8:10, so I stopped using it - if you get there at 8:12 you're SOL and have to drive in or drive to another station which is sure to make you late for work. West Falls Church now almost has parking available until after 9:00, so that became my choice. I think East Falls Church has limited ridership due to the limited parking, pure and simple. With the new parking rates and fares, taking the metro from out there costs more that $10 a day. For that you can park at many lots in the business districts of the city (granted you still have to pay for gas, but distance into the city often isn't much further than to the metro station). And for the time it takes to drive to the metro and then ride in, in many areas you could just drive in. I know that metro needs the money, but those rates are going to send suburbanites away. But then I moved to an apartment in Mt. Pleasant, and now all is well. ;) For East Falls Chruch, I’d say one of the major problems is that there’s just no parking, and in a suburban area that’s essential. I used someplace where it took nearly the same amount of time for me to drive to Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, and East Falls Church. The station I used changed over the years simply depending on which one would most reliably have parking at the time I arrived. Vienna’s parking, even with the huge, somewhat-recently built lots, still consistantly fills by 8:10, so I stopped using it – if you get there at 8:12 you’re SOL and have to drive in or drive to another station which is sure to make you late for work. West Falls Church now almost has parking available until after 9:00, so that became my choice. I think East Falls Church has limited ridership due to the limited parking, pure and simple.

With the new parking rates and fares, taking the metro from out there costs more that $10 a day. For that you can park at many lots in the business districts of the city (granted you still have to pay for gas, but distance into the city often isn’t much further than to the metro station). And for the time it takes to drive to the metro and then ride in, in many areas you could just drive in. I know that metro needs the money, but those rates are going to send suburbanites away.

But then I moved to an apartment in Mt. Pleasant, and now all is well. ;)

]]> By: John Howley http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-79165 John Howley Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:17:02 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-79165 The Forest Glen Metro Station is a mere one-half mile from Holy Cross Hospital--Maryland's largest hospital after Johns Hopkins. So why so under-used? (1) No signs in the Metro station directing strangers to the hospital. None! We neighbors are regularly giving directions to visitors. (2) People-hostile Georgia Avenue. Despite years of loud advocacy, the intersection of Georgia and Forest Glen remains a moat of sharks for us two-legged types. (3) The hospital makes only limited efforts to encourage walking by employees, patients and visitors. More walking would promote health and reduce the need to construct new parking spaces at great expense to the state's hospital ratepayers! (4) The County has not installed signs directing pedestrians to and from the hospital along Forest Glen Road. The Forest Glen Metro Station is a mere one-half mile from Holy Cross Hospital–Maryland’s largest hospital after Johns Hopkins. So why so under-used?

(1) No signs in the Metro station directing strangers to the hospital. None! We neighbors are regularly giving directions to visitors.

(2) People-hostile Georgia Avenue. Despite years of loud advocacy, the intersection of Georgia and Forest Glen remains a moat of sharks for us two-legged types.

(3) The hospital makes only limited efforts to encourage walking by employees, patients and visitors. More walking would promote health and reduce the need to construct new parking spaces at great expense to the state’s hospital ratepayers!

(4) The County has not installed signs directing pedestrians to and from the hospital along Forest Glen Road.

]]> By: Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-78414 Washington City Paper: News & Features: Blogs Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:19:58 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-78414 [...] week DCist linked to a post by Rob Goodspeed about “underperforming” Metro stations. He writes: Of the system’s 86 stations, 32 (or 37%) had fewer than 5,000 average weekday riders [...]

]]> By: Sligo http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-78387 Sligo Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:53:02 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-78387 Yeah, that Arlington Cemetery station is totally dead. Yeah, that Arlington Cemetery station is totally dead.

]]> By: Oscar Sodani http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194/comment-page-1#comment-78381 Oscar Sodani Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:26:04 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/2008/2194#comment-78381 The major problem with the Forest Glen metro is that commuters have no good way to access it. Pedestrians from nearby neighborhoods and Holy Cross hospital are required to cross one of the most dangerous intersections in the county, the so-called <a href="http://www.crossinggeorgia.org" rel="nofollow">"Intersection of Death"</a>. Until WMATA puts a pedestrian crossing across the major thoroughfare, like they have done at every other Red Line stop in Montgomery County, people will not feel safe walking to and from the station - especially at night. The major problem with the Forest Glen metro is that commuters have no good way to access it. Pedestrians from nearby neighborhoods and Holy Cross hospital are required to cross one of the most dangerous intersections in the county, the so-called “Intersection of Death”. Until WMATA puts a pedestrian crossing across the major thoroughfare, like they have done at every other Red Line stop in Montgomery County, people will not feel safe walking to and from the station – especially at night.

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