John Catoe on WTOP, Thursday, 10-11 AM (ie Right Now)

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Subject says it all.  103.5, 103.9, and 107.7 FM in the DC area, online at wtop.com.

[Scrabbleship]

Next time he does this, someone should mention that WMATA is now by far the largest holdout for Google Transit and that his inaction makes them look bad and sells riders short.

The more I think about it, the more firing Catoe and abolishing WMATA and replacing it with a MBTA/SEPTA/Chicago RTA model might be better.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Next time he does this, someone should mention that WMATA is now by far the largest holdout for Google Transit and that his inaction makes them look bad and sells riders short.

The more I think about it, the more firing Catoe and abolishing WMATA and replacing it with a MBTA/SEPTA/Chicago RTA model might be better.

You have to have credible exigent circumstances for the GM to be fired. Plus, replacng WMATA with another model would prove too costly. Every system has it flaws. Metro as it is now serves the public beit the local residents, commuters, tourists, etc. Many people rely on Metro and even though there has been some bad press about Metro, they still rely on the system to get from point A to B. So, Scrabbleship, give me some hard bound facts on why the current system is flawed and how a Boston/Philly/Chicago system would work better.

[Sand Box John]

For those that did not hear the show live, here is the link to the podcast on wmata.com:

John Catoe on WTOP's July 30th "Ask Metro" Show 7.30.09

[Tritransit Area]

Next time he does this, someone should mention that WMATA is now by far the largest holdout for Google Transit and that his inaction makes them look bad and sells riders short.

The more I think about it, the more firing Catoe and abolishing WMATA and replacing it with a MBTA/SEPTA/Chicago RTA model might be better.

Oh my goodness!  You act as if nothing is being done to your system - just look at it! WMATA was on the forefront of Smart Card technology, you have an advanced railway system, completely integration with area community transit systems, and you want to fire the GM who has been transforming Metrobus because he isn't on Google yet?! 

Um, look at the NextBus system that's going into implementation if not already implemented.  And there are other things too that the systems you mentioned are just trying to attain.  Plus, with the way the WMATA Compact is set up, I'd think area operators would like to have the entire area systems featured together, rather than just the WMATA buses.

Sorry for going off topic, but it's a typical case of "my system is the worst out there."  Trying to make WMATA like MBTA, SEPTA (really?), and Chicago RTA is just going backwards in my opinion.

Also, thanks John for the link!  It's interesting to see the updates on the Red Line investigation.  But wow, they sure hit him with the difficult questions from the get go, didn't they.

[Tristan]

Also, Scrabbleship, WMATA decided that they didn't want to stand behind Google who would make money off of WMATA's data and take pageviews from their website that runs ads and generates about a half million dollars in ad revenue per year.  They posted their data for the public, and Google Transit to use, and Google Transit hasn't taken advantage of it.

I don't necessarily wholeheartedly agree with WMATA's decision, but I understand it and realize that they have the right to make that decision.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Google Transit is overrated, I know of other agencies that have reasons for not wanting to use it.  The existing trip planner does fine and works better than Google Transit would in my opinion.

[79MetroExtraMD]

The way Google Transit is now, it's not perfect but it's useful. It's also a low-cost alternative to a pricy trip planner to which most smaller agencies cannot afford atm. I do agree the trip planner is useful, I'd just wish they'd include maps in the itinerary to show where the stops are instead of just the walking distance maps. MTA is using Google Transit now before they implement a Trapeze trip planner (God knows when given how long one thing gets implemented). Google is planning to upgrade the planner with more features in the coming months or so. There are plans to broaden the modes functions to more than just 8 or 10. Plus, Google Transit would be best for the region because of the vast amount of commuters and such who go between Baltimore and DC. WMATA's trip planner doesn't connect with any MTA regional systems nor does MTAs. Hopefully, sometime in the future, the gap can be bridged so as to where people can plan trips between both cities seemlessly without having to go to two different trip planners.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Vast amount of commuters who go between Baltimore and DC?  Besides yourself, how many people do you think use both Maryland MTA (aside from MARC, which is already included in the existing Trip Planner) and WMATA on a weekday?  There is no way that there are enough people making that sort of trip to justify that type of a feature.  Everyone I know who commutes between the DC area and Baltimore, including my own family members, have concluded that it is easier to drive to/from Baltimore than it is to take mass transit to get there when they looked in to the possibility of doing it.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Vast amount of commuters who go between Baltimore and DC?  Besides yourself, how many people do you think use both Maryland MTA (aside from MARC, which is already included in the existing Trip Planner) and WMATA on a weekday?  There is no way that there are enough people making that sort of trip to justify that type of a feature.  Everyone I know who commutes between the DC area and Baltimore, including my own family members, have concluded that it is easier to drive to/from Baltimore than it is to take mass transit to get there when they looked in to the possibility of doing it.

I forgot to mention Commuter Bus as well.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

Vast amount of commuters who go between Baltimore and DC?  Besides yourself, how many people do you think use both Maryland MTA (aside from MARC, which is already included in the existing Trip Planner) and WMATA on a weekday?  There is no way that there are enough people making that sort of trip to justify that type of a feature.  Everyone I know who commutes between the DC area and Baltimore, including my own family members, have concluded that it is easier to drive to/from Baltimore than it is to take mass transit to get there when they looked in to the possibility of doing it.

I forgot to mention Commuter Bus as well.

How is that a response to my post?

[Tritransit Area]

Also, Scrabbleship, WMATA decided that they didn't want to stand behind Google who would make money off of WMATA's data and take pageviews from their website that runs ads and generates about a half million dollars in ad revenue per year.  They posted their data for the public, and Google Transit to use, and Google Transit hasn't taken advantage of it.

I don't necessarily wholeheartedly agree with WMATA's decision, but I understand it and realize that they have the right to make that decision.

Hmm...that's an interestingly odd reason.  Apparently, with Google Transit, you have to have specific data that would be compatible with Google Transit...I think.  If that programming data is available, I don't see why Google wouldn't use it for the transit system of the Nation's Capital.  But WMATA is rather complex, too...

[Sand Box John]

"Tritransit Area"
Hmm...that's an interestingly odd reason.  Apparently, with Google Transit, you have to have specific data that would be compatible with Google Transit...I think.  If that programming data is available, I don't see why Google wouldn't use it for the transit system of the Nation's Capital.  But WMATA is rather complex, too...

WMATA has made the data available to application creators in the format specified by Google. Hell I have even downloaded the data files.

The problem is Google's legal use requirements don't jive with WMATA's.

[Scrabbleship]

If Google's legal use requirements don't jive with WMATA's, then either party should bend to get it done. It is shameful that we're left out and that WMATA is a gaping hole because of their brain-dead bureaucratic arrogance. Why WMATA has problems that MTA-NY, MTA-MD, MBTA, SEPTA, MARTA, CTA/PACE, LA-MTA, Muni, BART, PAT, and just about every other TA worth a damn has once again amazes me and makes me think that WMATA is broken and needs fixing. Not exactly dedicated funding, but a update for the 21st Century.

Catoe is transforming Metrobus...at the expense of Metrorail. Look at how since he came the system has come close to collapse. Between AC breaking in stations and cars to track circuits killing 9 people, why he is giving attention to buses when rail needs it a LOT more will hurt WMATA in the long run.

WMATA was at the forefront of smart card technology...but keeps delaying putting passes on cards which other TA's (again, MBTA and MARTA for two) were able to do years ago. Of course, WMATA hasn't grasped the concept of a monthly unlimited ride pass which most of the rest of the US has done.

An RTA would do wonders as it would get everyone on the same page and it would allow the simplicity of one provider to control everything. An RTA could unite VRE and MARC under one roof and allow for the paving of better off-peak and weekend service on those routes (case in point: MBTA doesn't have the Amtrak/CSX drama MARC/VRE do). Bus-wise, it would allow expansion of bus services in under-served areas such as PG and Loudoun and for the potential of providing service to currently-non-compact areas such as PW, AA, and Howard counties. I won't say the suburban services in those areas are perfect, but they're better than much of the DC area has.

Of course, Catoe and Graham and company would never let this happen...