Who Actually Took the Time to Comment to WMATA About the Fare Increases?

[WMATAGMOAGH]

I posted my letter to WMATA about the proposed fare increases back in the beginning of April and I believe I have stuck by those words since then.  I also believe I am the only person to have posted his comments here.  I repost them in this thread.  While there has been some constructive debate and conversation about the changes that are taking effect at the start of the upcoming fiscal year, there has also been a lot of whining, bitching, moaning, and criticism of WMATA for what seems to me to be everything under the sun.  So, let's see where people truly stand.  How many of us wrote letters as part of the public comment process, and post them here?  Did you actually cover all the issues that you hold so dear to your heart now?  Change your mind on something?  Think something was a good idea then and is now a bad idea now that it is getting implemented?

As transit fans, I believe we also have a responsibility just like all other riders, to be civicly responsible, to advocate for the improvement of public transit, and to participate in important discussions that might affect the future of the industry.  Fare increases fall into that.  So let's see where people really stand and what they really said when it counted.

To whom it may concern:

My  name is Oren Hirsch.  I have lived in the Washington, DC area for  nearly my entire life and am a strong advocate for public  transportation and Metro in particular.  I am well aware of the budget  challenges that WMATA currently faces in light of the current economic  situation, and have reviewed the proposals for fare increases very  carefully.  The most important thing to consider is that shifting  capital funds to cover operating expenses is a recipe for disaster in  terms of future funding and maintenance, and should not even be  considered.  It is high time for fares to go up, including for bus  riders in all jurisdictions, and for underutilized services to be cut.   I would much rather see service being added, but unfortunately, these  times do not allow for that.  With that said, I would like to offer my  thoughts on the various proposals:

1.  For all increases,  consider making the fares, especially non-Smartrip fares, multiples of  25 cents wherever possible.  Having round numbers like these eliminates  the need to fumble for change at the farecard machines or at the  farebox on buses.

2.  I am strongly opposed to the idea of  charging an extra 50 cents on Metrorail during the peak of the peak for  all trips.  I used to reverse commute from Friendship Heights to  Grosvenor and the train was empty.  A surcharge on that type of trip is  going to drive away riders, especially reverse commuters.  If such a  charge is implemented, it should only apply at downtown stations that  see high levels of congestion, or at other crowded locations such as at  Shady Grove.

3.  I am in favor of having a higher fare on Metrobuses on all routes during rush hours.

4.   I am strongly in favor of reducing the amount of transfer time from 3  hours to 2 hours.  For that matter, I don't even understand why it was  extended to 3 hours in the first place, no trip should be taking 3  hours.

5.  I am strongly in favor of having higher fares for  riders who do not use Smartrip, on both the subway and buses, at all  times.  (Additional Smartrip vending machines should be installed at  stations that do not have them as well.)

6.  I am opposed to lowering the age for free rides for children.

7.   I am strongly opposed to the reduction in frequencies on the Metrorail  system during off peak hours, especially on weekends and during the  evenings on weekdays.  Though slight reductions would probably be  tolerable, the wait for a train can never be more than 20 minutes or  else the system becomes unusable to the point where no one will use  it.  Also, if trains are going to come less frequently, when service is  modified due to trackwork, the notices for the trackwork should  indicate how the published schedules might be affected so riders can  plan ahead and not miss their trains, and the timetables that are  available for download on the Metro website should be prominently  displayed in stations and available as brochures so people can minimize  waiting time and maximize connections.  That said, I would much rather  pay a higher fare to retain the current evening and weekend frequencies.

8.   I am in favor of the service reductions on MLK Day, Presidents Day, and  between Christmas and New Years and on the day after Thanksgiving.   However, I find that ridership on Columbus Day and Veterans Day is  still slightly higher than on a Saturday, and have seen ridership data  to support this, so these cuts may not be as appropriate on those days.

9.   I am strongly opposed to the proposal to eliminate all 8 car trains at  rush hour.  Instead, I would suggest running fewer, longer trains.  For  example, for every 4 6 car trains in service, run 3 8 car trains, and  don't cut capacity from the current levels.  This will reduce labor  costs, provide consistent train lengths, and also result in the trains  being more reliable since there will be fewer trains to bottleneck when  there is congestion.

10.  I am strongly in favor of the  proposal to modify Red Line service.  Coupled with my comments above  about running fewer, longer trains, in addition to saving money, I  think this proposal will result in a more reliable Red Line service.   Service has deteriorated ever since the 2.5 minute headway was  introduced about 6 years ago because there are too many trains trying  to funnel through the line each hour.

11.  I am in favor of  reducing the frequencies of train service before 6:30 AM on weekdays,  as ridership during that time is not as heavy as it is during the later  part of the morning rush hour.

12.  I am in favor of closing additional mezzanines during weekends and evenings.

13.   I am in favor of closing lightly used stations on weekends, but would  also suggest considering the closing stations that are lightly used in  Downtown on weekends, such as Judiciary Square, Farragut West, Federal  Center SW, and Federal Triangle.

13.  I generally don't have any  detailed comments on the bus proposals, but generally support the  elimination of low ridership trips, underutilized routes, and routes  where service is highly duplicated.  However, there are some changes  that I did want to comment on:

A.  For the H2 reroute, if the H2  is meant to replace the N8, why not run the H2 on its pre-1999 route  via Reno Road and maintain service there?  This isn't significantly  different than the current proposal, since connectivity to the Red Line  and L1/L2/L4 (proposed to be eliminated) is maintained.

B.  I am  concerned about what appears to me to be a reduction of frequency of  service between Fort Totten and Prince Georges Plaza outside of the  rush hour period, with the proposed changes to the R2 and F6.

C.   I am in favor of the proposed change for the J5, although I would  rather see C2/C4 service retained between Twinbrook and Wheaton.

14.   In addition to these cuts, an entire evaluation of the bus system  should be made to find duplicative services and to make the system more  efficient.  The current Metrobus system seems to be designed based on  the needs and patterns of riders in the 1970s and not 2010.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Oren Hirsch

[Tritransit Area]

You are very right.  None of us should have much of an excuse (if we are truly unhappy)as you aren't even in the country at the moment and took the time to write in.  I'll admit I took a rather laid back approach, since this doesn't affect me too much until I visit. 

[MetroLinerXLZ]

As with TriTransit, I am guilty of being a little laid back on this situation, even though I will say that I haven't seen most people here bitching about everything under the sun....except for a few people I will not name (they know who they are). And those people should really speak up if they're that serious. If they can rant about it here on the forums, they shouldn't have a problem taking it a step further.

However, my only complaint about the proposed fare increase is that they aren't taking a look at their current fare structure, as there is a lot of "disunity" (so to speak). I think it needs to be looked at and significant changes need to be made; as I've said in another thread, it's about time WMATA has a unified rail/bus pass. I'm not all too keen on the service cuts they plan to make, as I've been a bit busy being distracted by other things to pay attention.

As I've said before, the GRTC is proposing a similar fare increase and service cuts (reduce all service to no later than 10pm), knocking it up to $1.50, and still requiring a 15-cent transfer. This actually affects me, as I am a regular rider, and I do intend on being at the Richmond City Council meeting on June 22nd to let them know of my disdain for the proposed increase which (like my disagreement with what WMATA is proposing) is based on the fact that the current fare structure is out of whack.

So in essence, Oren, you're spot on with this, and I respect the fact that even though you're across the world right now, you still took time out to send a letter (with decent suggestions) about how service can be improved.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Tritransit and Metroliner,

Thanks for the kind words.  Metroliner, are you also not a DC area resident?  I know Tritransit isn't, and truthfully, I wasn't directing this post to the occasional visitors.  I wrote because I honestly don't know where I'll next be living permanently and should I wind up in the DC Area, I want my voice to be heard.  That was my primary motivation for writing.

Metroliner, I'm perfectly OK with people disagreeing with me about whether the distance based fares or bus fares are "fair" or not.  In fact, I often find mysef disrespectfully agreeing with most of the members here about those sorts of issues, it probably won't be the last time either this time around.  That said, is anyone else voicing their opinion to the people who need to hear it most?  I'd be all for a pass, if a fair one could be established.  But just repeating over and over that other systems have passes and WMATA doesn't isn't a solution in my mind.  Also, as a clarification, the fare increases are in lieu of service cuts, but I think some trimming on the bus side especially is needed.

[MetroLinerXLZ]

Tritransit and Metroliner,

Thanks for the kind words.  Metroliner, are you also not a DC area resident?  I know Tritransit isn't, and truthfully, I wasn't directing this post to the occasional visitors.  I wrote because I honestly don't know where I'll next be living permanently and should I wind up in the DC Area, I want my voice to be heard.  That was my primary motivation for writing.

Metroliner, I'm perfectly OK with people disagreeing with me about whether the distance based fares or bus fares are "fair" or not.  In fact, I often find mysef disrespectfully agreeing with most of the members here about those sorts of issues, it probably won't be the last time either this time around.  That said, is anyone else voicing their opinion to the people who need to hear it most?  I'd be all for a pass, if a fair one could be established.  But just repeating over and over that other systems have passes and WMATA doesn't isn't a solution in my mind.  Also, as a clarification, the fare increases are in lieu of service cuts, but I think some trimming on the bus side especially is needed.

Actually Oren, I live 200 miles south.....in Richmond, VA. I'm an occasional visitor, usually around once or twice a year (if I can).

I'm actually not that stirred over the pass issue. My thing is, the fare structure does need a review and some decent changes. And thanks for the clarification on the issue, I did not know that the fare increase option was nothing more than just an option. I thought it was going to happen with the service cuts (like what GRTC's proposing). Looks like I kinda got things mingled up, eh?

[Scrabbleship]

To put months of suspense to rest, my part of my letter regarding fare increases:

In regards to the looming fare increases that have been proposed by Metro to start in FY2011. I know that whenever the idea of a fare increase is brought up, part of the Metro board fights it out of respect for respect of the poor, often crippling fare increases to modest amounts. Though I applaud the altruism of said advocates, the reality is that fares can't go up a mere five or ten cents anymore and riders on Metro and the suburban bus systems have a cheap commute. $1.35/$1.45 and free transfers via SmarTrip in Washington is a bargain vs $1.60 and no transfers in Baltimore or $2.00+ and transfers for a fee in Philadelphia. I think an ideal fare structure for Metrobus's local routes would be $1.50 on SmarTrip, $1.75 via cash; my reasoning for the greater gap in SmarTrip versus cash is to further migrate usage away from cash. As for express routes to airports (B30/5A), the proposed $6 fare is a bit too steep especially since both get non-airport ridership and are used by many airport employees whose paychecks would take a hit from a 100% fare increase (an instance seen with the BART extension to San Francisco Airport). In the case of the B30, it would cause a loss of ridership to the MARC Penn Line during the week as their fare to BWI is also $6.00. A good fare structure for the B30/5A would be $4.50 for SmarTrip users, $5 cash. The $5 fare would be logistically possible as it would reduce dwell times at BWI and Dulles with the cash fare rounded up to being payable by a single bill.

As for the Metrorail fare, I think that a modest increase could be done comperable to that of Metrobus. Fitting this into the current fare structure (though an overhaul should be considered as the opening of Metrorail to Dulles approaches), I think off-peak fares of $1.65/$2.20/$2.75 might be something to consider as would be a realignment of those zones from the current <7/7-10/10+ miles to <6/6-12/12+ miles. For peak hours, I would be for boosting the entry amount to $2.00 and maxing out at $4.75 if any increase is needed; any peak maximum increase past $5.00 may have negative affects on riders who drive to farther out stations who might give up Metro, in turn depriving it of revenue. I do not support a peak-of-the-peak fare though would explore surcharges for those entering at certain stations in the core in peak hours.

I've embarrassed to share it because I didn't delve into why peak-of-the-peak wouldn't work. At the time the FY2011 budget was up for review, most people assumed peak-of-the-peak was DC's answer to MTA capping Metrocards, MBTA going to distance-based fares, and CTA/SEPTA going to $3 fares: an idle threat that they didn't have the ovaries to execute. Nobody thought Metro would want to start playing with fire besides trying to bust the $5 barrier and nobody really thought of the logistics that came with putting the cart in front of the horse.

The rest goes on about route cuts, why I thought making the Yellow Line a shuttle in off-peak was a bad idea between wasted Fenwick Bridge capacity and lost capacity in mid-city.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Thanks for posting.  I'd still like to see the rest of the letter. 

Just to be clear, this was not the first time a peak of the peak charge was proposed, though it may have been the first time it was formally proposed as part of an actual docket for a fare increase.  Its initial reception was poor IIRC that first time, I'm not sure why that didn't repeat this time.

[Scrabbleship]

Thanks for posting.  I'd still like to see the rest of the letter. 

Just to be clear, this was not the first time a peak of the peak charge was proposed, though it may have been the first time it was formally proposed as part of an actual docket for a fare increase.  Its initial reception was poor IIRC that first time, I'm not sure why that didn't repeat this time.

When might it have been proposed? If it was sometime prior to 2005, I think enough time would have passed (and enough people who remembered would have moved on) that most riders would have dismissed as a threat. I still stand by my theory that peak-of-the-peak was largely supported by those who don't ride rail during peak (or for long distances) who still cling to the "Metrorail riders are rich/government fed, let's grab every last dime" mindset/stereotype who have local politicians in their pockets vs. those who can't name their own local representatives.

If those relatively new to town actually knew who their Delegates/Senators or Councilmen were, the wave of WMATA hate via social media could be used as a means to possibly foster some change especially in the suburbs. The Coalition for Smarter Growth often mobilizes e-mail forms and such during crucial situations, thing is the populace doesn't want to do anything more but complain.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

It was definately after 2005, perhaps for the last round of increases.  Like I said, it never really made it beyond the "idea" stage.