Baltimore's Light Rail (Henderson: apartments, credit, house)

[Woodlands]

I was interested in hearing people's perspective/experiences on the Light Rail .

I ride the light rail daily to/from Camden Yards or Penn Station to travel south to DC. Up until last week the trips have been relatively uneventful. This past week female passenger was beaten by her male aquaintance in the stairwell of the train along the Howard Street. As several passengers and myself rose to intervene the two separated to either ends of the car and continued to verbally sparring with one another. About two minutes later when the train pulled into Centre Street Station it was promptly boarded by MTA Police who removed both passengers. Prior to the train resuming travel, it was evident that the victim was not cooperating with the Police and/or was at least down playing the incident which is unfortunate. I do give credit to the train operator, MTA Police, and fellow passengers took part in trying to stop what was an unfortunate incident.

[bawlmer]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I was interested in hearing people's perspective/experiences on the Light Rail .

I ride the light rail daily to/from Camden Yards or Penn Station to travel south to DC. Up until last week the trips have been relatively uneventful. This past week female passenger was beaten by her male aquaintance in the stairwell of the train along the Howard Street. As several passengers and myself rose to intervene the two separated to either ends of the car and continued to verbally sparring with one another. About two minutes later when the train pulled into Centre Street Station it was promptly boarded by MTA Police who removed both passengers. Prior to the train resuming travel, it was evident that the victim was not cooperating with the Police and/or was at least down playing the incident which is unfortunate. I do give credit to the train operator, MTA Police, and fellow passengers took part in trying to stop what was an unfortunate incident.

An unfortunate but not uncommon event. What is surprising is that passengers tried to intervene or that anyone (including the train operator) called the police. Baltimore seems enamored with the "Stop Snitchin" culture and witnesses are regularly intimidated and sometimes harmed.

[Woodlands]

Most of the passengers on this train appeared to be commuters on their way home, so that may have contributed to that moment of spontaneous civic concern. Also, people's reaction to domestic violence particuliar if the victim is young, a woman, and not fighting back... may mobilize one into action as opposed to two individuals fighting in the street. But, as you stated, so often many people do not get involved for fear of personal injury or retaliation and there have been several highly publicized events in Baltimore and the Snitchin video that discourage involvement. Ironically, the MTA Police did not take a statement from anyone, maybe because the victim was not cooperating and/or they would/could use the video from the trains surveillance cameras that are supposed to be in each car.......

The MTA Police appear to have stepped up their patrols of the Light Rail, atleast between North Ave and Camden Yard Stations. I frequently see them stationed either at North Ave or walking/driving along Howard Street. Not sure if it is in response to specific incidents or if they are simply responding to the increase in visitor activity at Camden Yards and the Arena. Howard Street is definately a street in transition. I have read several items in both the news and in these forums of development projects planned and underway that will eventually connect the Harbor to the Mt Vernon area.

[Lumerian Feast]

I've never had a problem on the Light Rail, but I never rode it on a daily basis.

It doesn't surprise me that people got involved. The one time I got mugged in Baltimore (Bolton Hill, of course), some old guy across the street yelled "hey! What the hell is going on over there?" I responded "These two guys are mugging me!" He yelled "You sons of bitches!" and charged them! They took off running; another guy immediately pulled around the corner in his car and told me he saw the whole thing and had dialed 911 and he drove after the guys! It had all happened so fast and the guy had intimated that he had a gun, so all of a sudden, I was just standing there alone, feeling like a doofus. So I collected myself and went running after the guys too. They got away, but I was stunned at how two strangers on a fairly desolate street got involved.

Anyway, I took it as a lesson, and there have been a few occasions when I've seen some malfeasance happening and got involved.

[ByeByeDenver]

If I were to go car-less what areas or more specifically what apartments should I look into. I will be going to Univ of Balt. and need to know if I sell my car I'll be able to get around. Right now I've found Henderson House which is within walking distance to school and Centerpoint Avalon which is right next to the light rail (i believe), but are pretty pricey. So from what it looks like Inner Harbor, Fells Point, canton all would be out, right? What about Hampden and Johns Hopkins area? Any thoughts?

[Lumerian Feast]

Originally Posted by ByeByeDenver

If I were to go car-less what areas or more specifically what apartments should I look into. I will be going to Univ of Balt. and need to know if I sell my car I'll be able to get around. Right now I've found Henderson House which is within walking distance to school and Centerpoint Avalon which is right next to the light rail (i believe), but are pretty pricey. So from what it looks like Inner Harbor, Fells Point, canton all would be out, right? What about Hampden and Johns Hopkins area? Any thoughts?

If you're going to UB and want to walk, Mt. Vernon is your best bet, since UB is in that neighborhood. Check the City Paper and the Sunday Baltimore Sun -- they'll have plenty of apartment listings that are private apartment owners, not just managed apt. buildings.

If you live in Charles Village (JHU area) you can easily take the bus down St. Paul St. or Maryland Ave. to the UB area. Hampden's not quite as direct, though if you're fond of biking you can always ride down Old Falls Road to Mt. Vernon in 10 minutes or less, though that's not a great option in cold weather.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I was interested in hearing people's perspective/experiences on the Light Rail .

I ride the light rail daily to/from Camden Yards or Penn Station to travel south to DC. Up until last week the trips have been relatively uneventful. This past week female passenger was beaten by her male aquaintance in the stairwell of the train along the Howard Street. As several passengers and myself rose to intervene the two separated to either ends of the car and continued to verbally sparring with one another. About two minutes later when the train pulled into Centre Street Station it was promptly boarded by MTA Police who removed both passengers. Prior to the train resuming travel, it was evident that the victim was not cooperating with the Police and/or was at least down playing the incident which is unfortunate. I do give credit to the train operator, MTA Police, and fellow passengers took part in trying to stop what was an unfortunate incident.

I ride the light rail and the subway pretty often. I have never had any more of a problem on either of them that I didn't also experience in Boston or DC or other rail lines in cities. Ours is no different. The metro for me has been most problem-free. Typically, people are pretty quiet and the stations are well-kept with a lot of security. I really can't think of anytime that I have had an issue on it that I would describe as negative. The light rail has rowdy middle school kids that can be loud and obnoxious but that goes with their age I guess. I have never felt threatened on it or harassed but I can admit it can be intimidating when 50 middle school kids get on it and are screaming at one another. I have experienced the most negative issues with the buses. I don't even ride them when the kids are getting out of school. It is just to much. But, I find the 40 (Quick bus) which is supposed to be one day replaced with the red line to be just that--quick and efficient with never having an issue on it. I never use a car in DC and never owned a car in Boston so I am pretty familiar with transit in both of those cities also and would say that although Baltimore's transit options are severely limited to those two, the issues that may pop up in Baltimore are no different than them. I won't go into the gory stories of the others but believe me, Baltimores is fine.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I was interested in hearing people's perspective/experiences on the Light Rail .

I ride the light rail daily to/from Camden Yards or Penn Station to travel south to DC. Up until last week the trips have been relatively uneventful. This past week female passenger was beaten by her male aquaintance in the stairwell of the train along the Howard Street. As several passengers and myself rose to intervene the two separated to either ends of the car and continued to verbally sparring with one another. About two minutes later when the train pulled into Centre Street Station it was promptly boarded by MTA Police who removed both passengers. Prior to the train resuming travel, it was evident that the victim was not cooperating with the Police and/or was at least down playing the incident which is unfortunate. I do give credit to the train operator, MTA Police, and fellow passengers took part in trying to stop what was an unfortunate incident.

It depends on the time of day, Etc. I ride it almost daily from Hunt Valley to DT. Sometimes you get rowdy kids on the train, other times it can be a drunk passed. Sometimes the cars are squeaky clean, others they can be littered with fast food wrappers, coffee cups and beer bottles/cans.

Despite these factors, I have had no problems and IMO, it's less hectic, chaotic and a bit more civil than the DC Metro system.

[Woodlands]

On feature that seemed like a no brainer that has been implemented on the Light Rail is the Penn-Camden Shuttle. Those of us who bail off the Penn Line on to the Camden Line because of a delay find it as a nice alternative to waiting in DC for MARC to "fix" the Penn Line. Once you arrive at Camden Yards there is usually a Penn Camden Shuttle waiting at the station to transport passengers up to Penn (and visa versa for the arrival of Penn Line Trains at Penn Station though it waits a little longer to capture Amtrak Passengers). I was told that this was planned to make transfering a little easier. It should also be helpful to O's fans coming up from DC or points south of Bmore on the Penn Line seeking to get to Camden Yards. Before having to take the shuttle one stop and tranfer was inefficient. Some of the operators on this shuttle are doing a little more "way finding" so that bewilder visitor that stumble on at Camden Yards or Penn Station can get their bearings though it still appears inconsistent from operator to operator but things are getting better.

[picardlx]

Question: Can you use your MARC monthly ticket to ride on either the PENN or CAMDEN line? Given the location I'm considering it would be very useful to know if I could hop on the Camden line if I have a monthly Penn ticket.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Woodlands

On feature that seemed like a no brainer that has been implemented on the Light Rail is the Penn-Camden Shuttle. Those of us who bail off the Penn Line on to the Camden Line because of a delay find it as a nice alternative to waiting in DC for MARC to "fix" the Penn Line. Once you arrive at Camden Yards there is usually a Penn Camden Shuttle waiting at the station to transport passengers up to Penn (and visa versa for the arrival of Penn Line Trains at Penn Station though it waits a little longer to capture Amtrak Passengers). I was told that this was planned to make transfering a little easier. It should also be helpful to O's fans coming up from DC or points south of Bmore on the Penn Line seeking to get to Camden Yards. Before having to take the shuttle one stop and tranfer was inefficient. Some of the operators on this shuttle are doing a little more "way finding" so that bewilder visitor that stumble on at Camden Yards or Penn Station can get their bearings though it still appears inconsistent from operator to operator but things are getting better.