MetroNow Dispatch 10.2022
More Trains, Better Buses, and the Next Generation of transit riders
7000-Series Coming Off the Bench
We all just learned that WMATA and the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) have reached an agreement that will bring the 7000-series trains back on line! This is certainly good news, because one year after the Blue Line Derailment that took the 7000-series trains offline, the vast majority of WMATA’s railcars have remained sidelined. Recently, long wait times and overcrowding have become a serious concern as more people return to transit.
Until this newly announced agreement, WMATA and the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) had not been able to align on a strategy to get the full fleet back online. Amid the public back and forth between WMATA and WMSC last week accusing the other side of being the problem, Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) had to intervene.
On Thursday October 20, WMATA submitted a revised request for more trains, and this time, WMATA and WMSC reached an agreement. Metro is now greenlit to return more trains to service! Within three weeks, all 7000-series railcars could be back in service following a 4-day inspection interval, which could be extended to a 7-day interval a few weeks later, dependent on testing. This saga may finally be coming to an end and we could see the return of frequent Metrorail service that residents and businesses can rely on. Thank you WMATA and WMSC for working together to reach a solution!
Read More:
Silver line extension operationally ready to open in for passengers by Thanksgiving (WMATA 10.19) “We committed for the Silver Line extension to being operationally ready for the Silver Line extension in October, and we have met our deadline,” said General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke.
Amid Yellow Line shutdown, some commuters turn to the river instead (WaPo 10.15) “The boat leaves the Wharf at 6 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. and heads back from Old Town at 6:40 a.m. and 8 a.m. Anyone boarding is given a red paper slip that gives them free entry on their commute home later in the day.”
WMATA’s Better Bus Campaign
Last month, we swooned over just how big of a deal it was that WMATA was getting ready to launch a regional bus network redesign. Well this month it is official and we are over the moon for WMATA’s official launch of the Better Bus project. The Better Bus: Network Redesign is underway and will incorporate the service and networks of Metrobus, Prince George’s TheBus and City of Fairfax CUE systems, while also coordinating with the other local bus services - Ride On, ART, DASH, and Fairfax Connector, to reimagine what a regional bus network should look like. An updated regional network may go into effect in FY 2025.
The first step in the Bus Network Redesign is getting input from riders. Be sure to fill out and share WMATA’s rider survey by November 11th! To get the latest on the regional bus network redesign and all of WMATA’s Better Bus work, sign up for their newly launched Better Bus Dispatch (not to be confused with the region’s original and premiere transit newsletter, the MetroNow Dispatch, which you are currently reading… we won’t be jealous, we promise). Be sure to check out other opportunities to give feedback, including these great Better Bus Events below.
Upcoming Better Bus Events. Click here for the complete schedule. - DC. Saturday, Oct 29: 9am-12:30pm. Fresh Farm H Street Farmers Market - Prince George’s County. Sunday, Oct 30: 12-4pm. The Capital Market - Harvest Fest - Fairfax County. Saturday, Nov 5: 1-5pm. H-Mart (Annandale)
Read More:
‘Better Bus’ Events Will Take Place Across the DMV to Give Community a Chance to Shape the Future of MetroBus (MoCo Show 10.12) “As part of the initiative, Metro will also support partner agencies in Prince George’s County (TheBus) and the City of Fairfax (CUE) in redesigning their local bus networks.”
Northern Virginia’s transportation authority proposes a region-wide transit network (9.15 GGWash) “The NVTA proposes investing up to $45 billion over the next 25 years in a network of rapid transit, most likely bus rapid transit: BRT uses extra-large buses on physically-separated lanes to provide the same quality of service as Metro rail for a small fraction of the cost.”
8000-Series On-Deck
On October 18, Hitachi held a commemoration ceremony for its new Hagerstown factory. Governor Hogan spoke of the impact the new facility would have in the region:
“It is exciting to see the new Hitachi Rail factory coming together as the associated economic benefits—including 1,300 jobs—will be an absolute game changer for Washington County as well as the entire region.”
Check out Hitachi’s video of what the railcar facility will look like. While the new rail cars will look similar to the 7Ks on the outside, there are a number of improvements under the hood. The 8000-series will include heated floors, WiFi, security cameras, enhanced ventilation systems, and better crash protection, among other additions. While the 8000-series sounds great, we are years away from any of the 256 cars entering service. See previous note: the 7000-series’ return is vitally important.
TUNE IN THURSDAY: WMATA Board Meeting
Board to Discuss FY24 Budget, Service, and Fare Concepts
On October 27, WMATA’s Board will meet and the Finance and Capital Committee will review ways to close the $187 million FY2024 budget gap followed by a discussion of potential future service and fares concepts. These are only informational items so we do not expect any votes, but this will be a good opportunity for the region to learn more about how WMATA, and new CEO Randy Clarke, are thinking about the future. Learn more at the links below and tune in on Thursday morning!
Note: WMATA Board meetings are open to the public and live streamed. Individuals wishing to provide in-person public comments must be present and signed up before the start of the meeting and will be allowed to provide comments for 2 minutes.
Read More:
FY 2024 Operating Budget Update (WMATA): Options for Closing the FY2024 Operating Budget Gap include revenue growth, expense reduction, service level reductions, fare increase concepts, and federal grant support for the operating budget.
Potential Future Service and Fares Concepts (WMATA): Fare optimization concepts include looking at different fare structures and fare pricing changes, including: changing minimum/maximum fares, changing or eliminating peak/off-peak fares, creating a low-income fare product, modifying parking fees, and lowering bus fares to $1.
Transit Champion of the Month: Fairfax Students
Late last month Fairfax students and officials gathered to celebrate the expansion of the Student Bus Pass + Metrobus Program (originally created in 2018) to George C. Marshall High School. At MetroNow we know how affordable and accessible transit can deliver autonomy and empowerment. This program is an excellent opportunity to expand access beyond Fairfax Connector and CUE services to include regional Metrobus service, and in doing so, build familiarity with transit, and encourage climate and wallet-friendly habits that may continue for years to come.
Great work Fairfax County, Fairfax City and, most importantly, the students using transit!
Read More:
More Fairfax students getting access to free public transit (InsideNOVA 9.28)
Chairman McKay said he expected student bus ridership would continue to grow and that he hoped this would drive decisions on the creation of future routes. “Transit is more than just buses,” McKay said. “It literally connects people with the world and opportunities that otherwise might be outside of their reach.”
Subscribe + Share!
Sharing is caring! Share the MetroNow Dispatch with any friends, colleagues, or family members who want to join us for the ride!
Follow @MetroNow on Twitter for daily tidbits of transit gold.
Reach out to us directly with any feedback, hot takes, or ideas for future newsletter topics: info@metronow.com
The MetroNow Coalition is made up of regional leaders from the business, non-profit, and advocacy communities who believe that transit is designed to bring us together —at work, school, and play. Today, we believe our collective advocacy for better transit for the Washington DC region is more important than ever.
We launched the MetroNow Dispatch to bring residents, leaders, and transit agencies together to think about how we can make better transit today, during the pandemic, and “tomorrow,” as we look beyond recovery to how we can build a more equitable, sustainable, and accessible transportation system for our region.