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Subways are a failure in DC. The system is completely falling apart, they had one crash this summer, almost another one the week before. Numerous problems with Subway drivers sleeping, texting or cell phoning while driving (System has been taken off auto pilot and is now on manual pilot on all lines because they beleive the auto sensor system has failed system wide). Serious problems with other parts of the 30 year old ill conceived system breaking down (Train cars that cannot make impact standards, ventilation systems exploding in the subway tunnels). My DH takes it everyday and has to off load then onload another train due to mechanical problems twice a week.
I lived in Chicago 12 years. Excellent, somewhat dirty system.
Are you kidding? The DC Metro is by most accounts, the second best subway system in the US, surpassed only by NYC. DC has four massive double-decked transfer stations (Metro Center, L’Enfant Plaza, Fort Totten, and Chinatown). Most US cities can only dream about ever having just one station like that. Sure the metro has it’s technically problems, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an excellent system overall. I feel like the people who use it every day get spoiled by it and don’t realize just how good they have it (by American standards, that is).
Subways are a failure in DC. The system is completely falling apart, they had one crash this summer, almost another one the week before. Numerous problems with Subway drivers sleeping, texting or cell phoning while driving (System has been taken off auto pilot and is now on manual pilot on all lines because they beleive the auto sensor system has failed system wide). Serious problems with other parts of the 30 year old ill conceived system breaking down (Train cars that cannot make impact standards, ventilation systems exploding in the subway tunnels). My DH takes it everyday and has to off load then onload another train due to mechanical problems twice a week.
I lived in Chicago 12 years. Excellent, somewhat dirty system.
I used to live in Silver Spring, MD and the DC subway was very nice, the stations were so large, clean and modern, the trains were fast and smooth, I like the DC subway.
I always heard the Chicago El was underfunded and somewhat dangerous to ride (trains coming off the tracks).
Streetcar baby! and the El is quite safe BTW, crowded, but safe. Every time I'm in Chicago I take it. DC is the system with trains slamming into each other all the time.
Are you kidding? The DC Metro is by most accounts, the second best subway system in the US, surpassed only by NYC. DC has four massive double-decked transfer stations (Metro Center, L’Enfant Plaza, Fort Totten, and Chinatown). Most US cities can only dream about ever having just one station like that. Sure the metro has it’s technically problems, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that it’s an excellent system overall. I feel like the people who use it every day get spoiled by it and don’t realize just how good they have it (by American standards, that is).
You aren't keeping up with the daily reports in the Post and on TV Media about how bad DC's Metro system is. Its clean but it was designed without a 3rd track set (unlike substantially better systems in NYC and Chicago). I don't think "having double decker stations" outweighs the fact that several riders have been killed over the summer, including a Metro employee doing maintenance at a stop and was run over by equipment other employees (who came back positive for drugs in the after investigation) were supposed to be operating correctly. I suspect the DC Metro area is soon to hear of a lot of major problems we were aware of that Metro is trying to keep a lid on.
Maybe if you lived here you would be able to speak authoritatively on the subject.
I used to live in Silver Spring, MD and the DC subway was very nice, the stations were so large, clean and modern, the trains were fast and smooth, I like the DC subway.
I always heard the Chicago El was underfunded and somewhat dangerous to ride (trains coming off the tracks).
DC is also extremely underfunded. Part of this is that the Federal Gov't is Metro's bank and since DC doesn't have a Representative, no one ponies up for funds. To confound the situation Metro in DC lets all Federal Employees and some Private employees take Metro COMPLETELY for FREE. Thats right-if you work for the Pentagon, for example (The largest employee in the area) You don't pay anything to ride a train or a bus. Thats Ridiculous IMO
You aren't keeping up with the daily reports in the Post and on TV Media about how bad DC's Metro system is. Its clean but it was designed without a 3rd track set (unlike substantially better systems in NYC and Chicago). I don't think "having double decker stations" outweighs the fact that several riders have been killed over the summer, including a Metro employee doing maintenance at a stop and was run over by equipment other employees (who came back positive for drugs in the after investigation) were supposed to be operating correctly. I suspect the DC Metro area is soon to hear of a lot of major problems we were aware of that Metro is trying to keep a lid on.
Maybe if you lived here you would be able to speak authoritatively on the subject.
So NYC and Chicago were designed with a 3rd track and that makes them superior to the DC Metro. That doesn’t change the fact that DC still has a mass transit system that is superior to the vast majority of American cities. That’s my point. I brought up the double decker stations as an example and reminder to just how much planning, time, effort, and pride has gone into the building of the DC Metro, regardless of the problems it’s facing today. And in case you didn’t know, I grew up in that area and know the DC Metro very well. I’ve only been living on the West Coast for a year and half – I think I can still speak “authoritatively” on the subject.
Subways are great and I love the DC Metro, but sadly only a very few elite cities can build them, it's almost impossible to build a subway in this day and age. Many cities are planning on building light rail transit or streetcars, which is what I actually prefer.
S DC is the system with trains slamming into each other all the time.
Really? Could you name me all the other times it happened sans the accident on June 22. I ride it every morning, afternoon, and evening and been doing so since September 2005. Since then, I have yet to be on a train that slams into another.
Subways are great and I love the DC Metro, but sadly only a very few elite cities can build them, it's almost impossible to build a subway in this day and age. Many cities are planning on building light rail transit or streetcars, which is what I actually prefer.
It's nice for cities like Norfolk, Charlotte, Tampa, Memphis or Austin. Cities that have under 4 million people and are not really increasing it's density at a fast rate. Cities like Houston and Dallas need heavy rail in addition to light rail. The FTA for some reason does not want to fund another heavy rail system but DFW and Houston is prime for this form of rail transportation. I think it will come in due time but it will take a while.
DC is also extremely underfunded. Part of this is that the Federal Gov't is Metro's bank and since DC doesn't have a Representative, no one ponies up for funds. To confound the situation Metro in DC lets all Federal Employees and some Private employees take Metro COMPLETELY for FREE. Thats right-if you work for the Pentagon, for example (The largest employee in the area) You don't pay anything to ride a train or a bus. Thats Ridiculous IMO
One thing I'll say about the metro is that it's expensive. I had to change my hours just not to ride on rush hour. It's ok if you live in the city. But if you don't, get ready to pay 3 to 4 dollars just to get into the city. I think they have built as much heavy rail as they could in DC. To connect other areas, they need light rail. It's annoying that I have to go through downtown just to get to another point in the metro.
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