Comments on: Metro, the black sheep of US subway systems

By: :: jozjozjoz.com ::

:: jozjozjoz.com :: — Mon, 26 Jul 2004 10:50:31 +0000

Of course the Metro is not without its problems (I have distinct memories of being stuck under the river when the Metro broke down when it snowed), but now that I’m back in L.A., I wish for something as good as what you have in D.C. Our (fairly new) Metro lines don’t cover enough of the city to make it worthwhile. The only real option is (still) to drive.

By: Tom Bridge

Tom Bridge — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 17:03:20 +0000

I commute daily on Metro, and I’m constantly astounded at how they screw up simple things. 2 car trains at the end of the night? Running out of SmarTrip cards? Raising fares twice in two years?

By: Tom Bridge

Tom Bridge — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 06:34:12 +0000

I think SmarTrip is RFID, but I’m not 100% sure. The card itself is the size and shape of a credit card, but when swiped across the SmarTrip target, allows for you to pass through the faregates, or pay for parking, or add value at kiosks. It’s pretty darn handy. When it works.

By: philipp droessler

philipp droessler — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 06:31:23 +0000

sounds really bad. we have some problems with overcrowded trains here, but that’s about it. the smartrip tech sounds nice (RFID?), bummer it’s not really working out.
the whole meaning behind this comment is, welcome to the metroblog family, d.c., and hi from vienna :)

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Thu, 22 Jul 2004 15:51:49 +0000

I agree, but i would also point out that Metro needs to BE a reliable, easy, and inexpensive way to travel first.
And that means that they need to start connecting the spokes, because the increasing number of people like me who live in Arlington and commute to Maryland do not want to have to stop over Downtown first. It means putting a line in out to Dulles. It means better and more plentiful parking. It means trains that can hold at least the current load without breaking down all the time. Oh, and air conditioning that works, escalators that work, re-opening the bathrooms in the stations, being able to sell SmarTrip cards to meet the artificially increased demand, and a better system for getting people home in a timely fashion when one of the trains does break down.
I love the Metro for getting downtown without having to find parking, but Metro during rush hour is a miserable experience, especially in the summertime.