ARTICLE: Big Metro Cuts Coming?

[WMATAGMOAGH]

From wtop.com:
   Will Metro start closing at 10 p.m.?February 5, 2009 - 11:23pm
  Adam Tuss, WTOP.com
WASHINGTON -- Metro riders may have to get used to some big changes due to the transit agency's budget woes.  Metro is facing a $154 million budget gap in fiscal year 2010, and about $80 million of that figure may have to be in the form of service cuts. Now, transportation leaders from D.C., Maryland and Virginia are putting together a list of possible service reductions that may have to go into place to save Metro money.  "All of the possibilities are unpleasant," says Metro Board member Chris Zimmerman, who represents Arlington. "We have more people riding than ever before, and we are providing a higher quality (of service) than ever before, but we may have to tell people that service is being cut. It is a heck of a thing to do."  Some of the potential options being talked about as ways to save the transit agency money include: 

 
• Closing the rail system early on weekdays. Right now 10 p.m. is the closing time that's being discussed.   Cutting late night service on weekends.   Increasing headways for trains and buses. That means decreasing the frequency of service. For instance, if trains run every three minutes during rush hour now, a change to trains running every four minutes would be explored.   Closing entrances to some Metro stations to save on staffing costs.   Eliminating low productivity bus routes.   Seeing which bus service is duplicated and consolidating it.

The potential cuts are being put together by a group known as the Jurisdictional Coordinating Committee, or the JCC. That group is made up of transportation leaders from around the region.  The JCC will provide a full briefing on possible service cuts to the Metro Board of Directors next week.  "Cutting service is the very last thing any board member wants to do," says Metro Board member Peter Benjamin, who represents Montgomery County and the state of Maryland. "Everything is being kicked around right now, but what is important to remember is that we are looking at a 'what would happen if' scenario. There's no point in running a transit system if all you are going to do is shut it down."  At a time when Metro is literally bursting at the seams, some wonder why the transit agency would have to cut service at all. The reality is that it takes more energy and more manpower to move the record crowds that are showing up on Metro every day. With the tough economic climate, Metro has less funding available to provide that service. The local jurisdictions in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia -- the main source of Metro's funding -- are also all cutting back on their own spending, providing even fewer dollars for the transit agency.  "We are in a difficult bind here," says Benjamin. "The ability of the jurisdictions to pay is limited, and the ability of our riders to pay is limited. All of our choices are bad ones."  Metro is currently focused on making internal cuts as well. The agency has already announced that it expects to eliminate 313 filled and vacant administrative positions in the coming weeks. General Manager John Catoe has said business, travel and consulting expenses also need to be trimmed.  And what about the possibility of a fare hike? Metro's Board of Directors recently put a provision in place stating that fares could only be raised once every two years. The largest fare increases for rail and parking in the transit system's history were put in place about a year ago, so it would seem that riders are safe from an increase in the immediate future. Board members do admit however that everything is being considered.  Metro leaders say the earliest any service reductions would take effect is at the beginning of fiscal year 2010, which starts in July. Any potential service cut will also go to a full public hearing before being finalized.  (Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All rights reserved.) 

[WMAveteran]

I think automobile traffic will increase if these service cuts go into effect because people with transportation options (i.e., cars) will use their cars for late night trips into DC, Bethesda, Ballston, etc., which will increase exhaust emissions and send us into a death spiral.  We either pay now or pay more dearly later.  This may be the time to put the limited stop "owl" runs we have discussed on this site back on the table as a cheaper substitute for running trains at night.  Perhaps WMATA could cut about 50% of its administrative staff rather than service.

[Antozilla]

Another Zimmie scare tactic.  Not gonna happen

[rideonrulez]

At this point it is going to happen since the Maryland cut is $24 million dollars in itself. MoCo put together the cut list for the Montgomery County routes and it does'nt look to pretty....

[WMATAGMOAGH]

At this point it is going to happen since the Maryland cut is $24 million dollars in itself. MoCo put together the cut list for the Montgomery County routes and it does'nt look to pretty....

Beyond the 6 or 7 routes that you had a hearing for last month?

While the bugdet situation is dire, I think a certain amount of this is political posturing.  I don't see how politicians can allow Metro to close at 10 PM on weekdays, the effects on other parts of the economy won't justify the savings IMHO.  However, I'm sure there are plenty of ways to save money while minimizing the impacts on service.  I'd run fewer but longer trains to cut costs, close second entrances, and look for cuts that can be made in the bus system where possible, but closing Metro earlier than midnight any night of the week just isn't feasible in my mind.

[WayneNYC]

Agreed.  I think closing Metro at 10 PM is bad news would actually hurt the economy.  People work into late evening and ride Metrorail, go to bars restaurants, sports events and such in the evening hours with intentions of riding home on Metrorail, arrive in town on Amtrak, Intercity bus  or airline, shopping etc.  Many people falling into one or more of these groups could be affected by Metrorail shutting down earlier.

It would obviously send more people into their cars which is the opposite of what the powers that be want to do.

[Scrabbleship]

Big cuts in a pro-transit administration where the government will be giving stimulus money left and right?

GBBI Phase 2 and classic CTA doomsday plan from Blago's administration, you have company coming...

[WMATAGMOAGH]

The Washington Post article has more details, including one idea to cut the Yellow Line after 9:30 on weekdays and all day on weekends north of King Street.  It is unclear if the Yellow Line would be a rail shuttle (which would have to go to Braddock Road to turn around most likely anyway) or a bus, or if they would just direct people to REX.  We'll know more next week I suppose when the Board releases the details. 

I think the Yellow Line shuttle idea can work weekday evenings, but I think they should run through service from 9 AM until 7 PM on weekends as well.

[Sand Box John]

Oren,

An idea that popped into my head after reading your post, modify the configureation of the railroad similar to the configuration used on Independence Day.

• Red line: No change
• Blue line: Huntington - Rosslyn (upper level)
• Orange line: Vienna - New Carrollton, Largo Town Center
• Green line: No change
• Yellow line: Springfield-Franconia - Mount Vernon Square

With the longer headway that are typical on weekends terminating Blue line trains in the upper level of Rosslyn would have little effect on Orange line service.

[Antozilla]

I agree and that makes more sense then the aptly named brown line proposal.

[Sand Box John]

"Antozilla"
I agree and that makes more sense then the aptly named brown line proposal.

Not really applicable. The proposal for the Brown line is connected to freeing up peak service slots on the C, D routes between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory for Silver line service when phase I of the Tysons, Reston, Dulles, Loudoun County N route opens.

Though such a configuration would still work after the phase I of the Silver line opens.

[Antozilla]

But whet you have proposed would work better than the aptly named brown line

[WMATAGMOAGH]

But whet you have proposed would work better than the aptly named brown line

John is suggesting a weekend only plan to cut service and save costs.  He isn't proposing any weekday changes.  The Brown Line, like it or not, is a good idea and will be needed when the Silver Line commences, if not earlier.

[Antozilla]

No the Brown line is not a good idea, in fact it is a very bad idea especially if you live in South Arlington Alexandria and Southern Fairfax County.  If you want people to ride the subway you do not make it difficult for them and then hose them rush hour fares for the privilege.  The weekend only plan is a far better option for weekday service then the aptly names brown line because it still maintains north south service at reasonable levels.   

[WMATAGMOAGH]

No the Brown line is not a good idea, in fact it is a very bad idea especially if you live in South Arlington Alexandria and Southern Fairfax County.  If you want people to ride the subway you do not make it difficult for them and then hose them rush hour fares for the privilege.  The weekend only plan is a far better option for weekday service then the aptly names brown line because it still maintains north south service at reasonable levels.  

The subway will be very difficult to use if you try putting 30 TPH through the Rosslyn portal, which is what you seem to be suggesting.  When trains run as frequently as they do at rush hour, making transfers and not having a one seat ride isn't as big a deal as you make it out to be.