Fare increases, elimination of bus lines, reduced metrorail service...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/30/metro-general-manager-paul-wiedefelds-budget-includes-fare-increases-service-reductions/
Seems to imply that we don't need a good level of serves because of declining ridership. But ridership will continue to decline if fares go up and service decreases.
Obviously, this requires a political solution, that is more funding from Virginia and Maryland. I wonder if EPA and DOT would put some pressure on the region, as cutting Metro service would, it seems to me, interfere with the region's air quality goals under transportation conformity parts of the Clean Air Act.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/conformity/
Here's a summary of why Metro staff thinks they need shorter hours of system operation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/31/metro-makes-case-for-more-track-work-hours/
I can't evaluate the technical merits of their arguments, but there are numerous rail transit systems around the world that operate around the clock. How are they able to do it and the Washington Metro can't?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/30/metro-general-manager-paul-wiedefelds-budget-includes-fare-increases-service-reductions/
Seems to imply that we don't need a good level of serves because of declining ridership. But ridership will continue to decline if fares go up and service decreases.
Obviously, this requires a political solution, that is more funding from Virginia and Maryland. I wonder if EPA and DOT would put some pressure on the region, as cutting Metro service would, it seems to me, interfere with the region's air quality goals under transportation conformity parts of the Clean Air Act.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/air_quality/conformity/
Here's a summary of why Metro staff thinks they need shorter hours of system operation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dr-gridlock/wp/2016/10/31/metro-makes-case-for-more-track-work-hours/
I can't evaluate the technical merits of their arguments, but there are numerous rail transit systems around the world that operate around the clock. How are they able to do it and the Washington Metro can't?
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