|
|
| WMATA Observations (1345106) | |
 |
|
| Home > SubChat | |
[ Post a New Response | Return to the Index ]
|
|
| (1345111) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by AlM on Tue Mar 24 17:51:59 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. But so are the people!I thought Washington was supposed to be a city of southern efficiency and northern charm. |
|
|
| (1345113) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Joe V on Tue Mar 24 17:54:18 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. Yes it looks nice.Too bad it is so dangerous and is run by morons. |
|
|
(Sponsored) |
iPhone 6 (4.7 Inch) Premium PU Leather Wallet Case - Red w/ Floral Interior - by Notch-It |
|
| (1345122) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 19:01:10 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by AlM on Tue Mar 24 17:51:59 2015. Everyone I met was very friendly - not just salespersons, but random strangers as well. |
|
|
| (1345123) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by AlM on Tue Mar 24 19:02:41 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 19:01:10 2015. Another illusion shattered. |
|
|
| (1345134) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Andy on Tue Mar 24 20:18:39 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. To answer to of your questions:6. The concrete barrel-vaulted stations are very boring and ugly. The lighting is shadowy. There is no particular need for such a high vault except to leave space for the mezzanines at each end, but they could be accommodated in other ways. The barrel vaults are a WMATA icon. Remember that the stations were originally designed in the late 1960s and early 1970s. That was a period of severe urban crime problems, including issues on the NYC subway. Washington, at the same time, had significant street crime problems. The WMATA designers took a page from New York's experiences and designed big, open station areas to eliminate pillars, posts, and low-lying supports where criminals could hide and lurk. A big open area is easier to monitor with cameras and is more inviting to riders. 7. Many stations seem to be extremely deep-bore. Is there that much infrastructure under DC's streets that necessitated such deep stations? Again, when WMATA's tunnels were built, Washington was a mature city with the usual spaghetti of infrastructure below the street surface - telephone, water, gas, electric, and steam conduits. So it was easier to go deep where less surface and utility disruption would occur. When New York, Boston, and Philadelphia subways were being built close to the street level using cut and cover, there was less infrastructure to relocate, and less attention was paid to the disruption to surface street traffic, both pedestrian and trolley. |
|
|
| (1345141) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by merrick1 on Tue Mar 24 20:46:53 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. I usually just put $20 on a fare card. I get to Washington every once in a while and I'm pretty sure the fare cards are good forever. I have a fare card in my desk with $11.30 left on it. I'll use it some day. |
|
|
| (1345148) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Mar 24 21:52:13 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. In January when I was down there some of the interior signs did indeed show station names (but never with automated announcements, and sometimes not consistent). The station name would appear, but then the next one wouldn't, or it would revert to just the line color or whatever. Hopefully the 7000 series will be much better.I like the chimes and the classic "step back" announcement which you hear twice at each station (doors opening, and doors closing) seems to be a staple of the system. The chimes are so moody; my favorite is the pattern that you hear when the doors are being blocked and there is a special announcement regarding the need to clear the doors. I forget exactly how that one goes though since it isn't common. The people are indeed nicer. All WMATA personnel and other people seem to be much more patient and polite than in NY. As others say, the zone fare system is good but for a NYer it can look complicated at first. Just keep a high balance on the card and look at the indications every time you use it. When it's getting low (lower than the maximum fare let's say) just replenish. It doesn't expire. It's very easy to use (SmarTrip) since you just tap rather than swipe or dip. And if you're really worried about getting "locked in," carry some extra cash with you. If fare payment is a high concern, try to use buses in Washington since they're cheaper, and you can't be prevented from exiting. In NY, I'm done worrying about the math, especially with the $2.75 fare. I have two MetroCards (the second is in case the first one malfunctions) and I keep near-equal amounts on them. When I notice they are getting low ($10 to $12 on either or both) I take a $20 or preferably a $50 from my pocket and replenish, getting the bonus, and then waiting a while until they get low again. I don't use the system enough to justify an unlimited and I feel at home with the system, and being able to get on a bus even in Nassau or Westchester without worrying if I'm "ready" to pay. SmarTrip is also good because I plan on visiting Baltimore and the surrounding areas soon and I have my balance from my Washington trip all ready to go. |
|
|
| (1345155) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Mar 24 22:21:10 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. The conductor announcements are just as unintelligible as those in NY.They have gotten worse recently but part of that can be attributed to the lack of solid consists following the Fort Totten crash in 2009. 3. The newer cars have digital signs inside, but all they say is the line name -- RED, GREEN, etc. Can they be programmed to show station names? Ditto, the front digital signs only say the line color. They are supposed to show the next stop and which side the doors will open. However, they won't work in mixed consists with 1000 and 4000 series cars, and even in solid consists of rehabs or 5000s or 6000s whether they work or not seems to be hit or miss. 5. On weekends on the Red Line, it seemed that trains randomly had either 6 or 8 cars. Now the digital arrival signs tell you how many cars are arriving, but it seems silly not to have some uniform system. At one of the major downtown transfer stations, a 6-car train stopped at the far front end of the platform. Problem was, the transfer escalators were at the back end, where dozens of transferring pax were waiting. This resulted in a mad dash to stuff into the last few cars of the train with resultant delay. Why couldn't the train stop further back nearer the escalators? Prior to the Fort Totten crash, the trains were centered on nearly every station platform. As a result of using manual operation since the crash, and because the safety system that would prevent the operator from opening the doors on an improperly berthed 8 car train (or train of any length for that matter) has been deactivated since 2008 or so due to electromagentic interference caused by third rail power upgrades and has yet to be fixed, all trains now pull up to the end of the platforms to ensure that no cars are left in the tunnel. It is a problem at some stations, especially Gallery Place. 7. Many stations seem to be extremely deep-bore. Is there that much infrastructure under DC's streets that necessitated such deep stations? It has more to do with the swampland that DC was constructed on than existing infrastructure. 9. I don't like the typical entrance-exit setup from the mezzanines to the platforms. At each end, or sometimes only at one end, there is one narrow escalator down to the platform, and another one going up. I can imagine that when a packed rush-hour train empties out at, say, Dupont Circle, there is quite a jam-up getting up that sole escalator. It isn't so bad in my experience, though I often make a point of riding in the car that opens at the escalator I need. Remember that many busy stations in downtown have two (or more) exits so not everyone needs to use that single escalator. 10. Also, after you enter fare control, it's not abundantly clear which escalator goes up and which goes down. Tourists were constantly heading for the wrong one, but since the up and down ones are always in the same relative position, you catch on quickly. At some stations, the internal traffic pattern has changed on account of the trains pulling all the way up to the end of the platform. At the downtown stations, the down escalator is almost always the one closest to the faregates at stations with side platforms and the various signs indicate this fairly clearly. They installed LED indicators at the downtown stations that used to lack them entirely at some point, it used to be harder to tell which way the escalator was going. 11. The digital train arrival signs are accurate, but there is only one on each platform, so if you are far from it, it's very hard to see. Those were added in about 15 years ago, the newer stations have multiple displays. 12. I hate the zone fare system. Regulars have fare passes, so they don't care, but occasional users require 6 steps to buy a fare card: find their destination station on a list, see the fares, determine if it's peak or off-peak time, calculate the round-trip total, pay, and take their fare card. Then you need to insert it into the turnstile on entering and exiting for each leg of your journey. If you add wrong, you have to pay an "exit fare" to get out. What happens if you have no more money? Are you stuck like Charlie on the MTA? Distance based fares (there aren't zones) are more equitable than flat fares for the distances WMATA travels. The way passes are priced, they are rarely economical even for regular riders. I just load a large amount of money on my card and with Smartrip, I have autoreload so I don't ever have to go to a fare machine or add value. The system isn't THAT complicated. You can get out via the emergency gate with permission if you don't have any money at all. Per WMATA's own ridership statistics, fewer people exit the system than enter each day. |
|
|
| (1345163) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 23:43:45 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Mar 24 22:21:10 2015. Thanks for the explanations.3. I used at least 8 trains over 3 days and none of them had station names on their internal digital signs. I did notice that the conductors announced which side the doors would open. 5. I believe Gallery Place was the one where I saw the mad rush to the train stopped far up the platform. NY manages to allow short trains to stop at the center of platforms without high-tech gizmos. |
|
|
| (1345164) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Sand Box John on Tue Mar 24 23:43:48 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. The trains seem to accelerate much faster than those in NYC. They have a real nice pickup.These are the legacy specification: 0 to 50 MPH: 23 seconds Maximum speed: 75 MPH Starting acceleration: 3 MPHS Service braking 3 MPHS The AC propulsion equipped rolling stock has a higher acceleration rate. They have been detuned to maintain compatibility with the older rolling stock. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
|
|
| (1345165) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Mar 24 23:46:35 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 23:43:45 2015. NY has the boards for the C/R to point at. WMATA's disabled safety system effectively serves the same function. |
|
|
| (1345183) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Mar 25 03:31:56 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Mar 24 21:52:13 2015. All WMATA personnel...In contrast, asking for a SmarTrip card from an employee at a booth a few years ago reminded me of why I love ticket vending machines. |
|
|
| (1345184) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Mar 25 03:44:01 2015, in response to WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Tue Mar 24 17:37:43 2015. I hate the zone fare system.Snicker, you'd never last a day in London or Berlin. :-) FWIW, I just put money and go ride. If I'm low, I add more. :-) The trains seem to accelerate much faster than those in NYC. They have a real nice pickup. Hell, I think with the exception of Boston, nearly every system out accelerates NYCTA, and that includes London... Many stations seem to be extremely deep-bore. Is there that much infrastructure under DC's streets that necessitated such deep stations? While others have given reasonable explanations, I suspect it's really to avoid pissing off people with cut and cover tunneling. but they are extremely slow FWIW, I haven't noticed in my previous trips that the escalators at WMATA were any slower than NYCTA's escalators. Mind you, I tend to just walk up the escalators unless I'm tired. |
|
|
| (1345185) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by WillD on Wed Mar 25 03:57:50 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Mar 25 03:44:01 2015. Snicker, you'd never last a day in London or Berlin. :-)London's just a disaster, but at least in Berlin there aren't fare gates to complicate the process of exiting the station if you've made the honest mistake of overriding your ticket and being a bit short on cash. Just gotta avoid being Kontrolled before you exit the station. Hell, I think with the exception of Boston, nearly every system out accelerates NYCTA, and that includes London... Don't NJT and SEPTA's EMU out-accelerate NYCT's stock? Or maybe they both do around 2mph/s. FWIW, I haven't noticed in my previous trips that the escalators at WMATA were any slower than NYCTA's escalators. Mind you, I tend to just walk up the escalators unless I'm tired. IMHO the reliance on escalators is the biggest problem with WMATA's station. More so than the poor lighting. A few escalators out of service with driveshaft or brake problems requiring the escalator to be barricaded and their vertical circulation goes to complete crap. I had the misfortune of being stuck on the platform at Metro Center when two of the escalators were barricaded. There had to be two trainloads of passengers attempting to exit the station. Some more stairs would be a very good thing. |
|
|
| (1345186) | |
Movie alert! (was Re: WMATA Observations) |
|
|
Posted by SelkirkTMO on Wed Mar 25 05:03:22 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by WillD on Wed Mar 25 03:57:50 2015. "Kontroll" is a favorite film noir of mine, thanks for mentioning it.For those who have never seen this dark movie, filmed on the Budapest Metro, here is the ENTIRE MOVIE! Feel free to grab some popcorn and watch in full screen. |
|
|
| (1345188) | |
Re: Movie alert! (was Re: WMATA Observations) |
|
|
Posted by chud1 on Wed Mar 25 05:38:06 2015, in response to Movie alert! (was Re: WMATA Observations), posted by SelkirkTMO on Wed Mar 25 05:03:22 2015. good movie.5 drooling stars out of 5 drooling stars. chud1. :)..... |
|
|
| (1345215) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by terRAPIN station on Wed Mar 25 08:28:13 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Mar 24 21:52:13 2015. I have two MetroCards (the second is in case the first one malfunctions) and I keep near-equal amounts on them. When I notice they are getting low ($10 to $12 on either or both) I take a $20 or preferably a $50 from my pocket and replenish, getting the bonus, and then waiting a while until they get low again.That seems like a waste. And more chances of losing a card. And more chances of losing a card with a HUGE balance! WTF?! You're nuts. I take a $20 or preferably a $50 from my pocketOMG!? First of all, you carry around $50s? Second of all, why in the heck are you not using a credit card???? You like throwing away $1 in cash back (soon to be $1.50 when the Citi card switches over) every time you add $50???? |
|
|
| (1345232) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Wed Mar 25 09:53:27 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Mar 25 03:44:01 2015. NY and DC escalators may be the same speed, but there are many more very deep ones in DC. IMHO, very long escalators should be made to run faster. |
|
|
| (1345234) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 09:59:11 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Wed Mar 25 03:31:56 2015. I do prefer the machines as well. I've never gone to WMATA personnel for a purchase but it's got to be hard to beat the general negativity of some NYCT clerks. |
|
|
| (1345235) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 10:07:26 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by WillD on Wed Mar 25 03:57:50 2015. London's positive is that it caps your Oyster card if it knows you would have been better off getting a pass of some sort. That's a huge plus -- it takes away the step of figuring out what kind of card to buy. And AFAIK they do full refunds on the spot for you if you don't empty out the card before leaving town.My only problem with London is that there are spots where you have to tap your card that you might not notice, e.g. Waterloo, DLR transfers, etc. No faregates or obstacles but you have to tap to tell the system what you are doing and it's not always clear what you're telling the system. I had a Zone 1 to 2 pass and went on a full-up railfanning experience one day, never leaving Zones 1 or 2. I used a combination of Underground, Overground, and DLR, tapping anywhere I saw a machine just for safety. But I must have missed something, maybe a tap-out from DLR? Because when I was finishing up, the maximum fare was taken off leaving me with close to nothing. I went right to an agent who looked up the card history and just said, "Oh I see what happened" and removed one penalty (maximum) fare. |
|
|
| (1345237) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 10:27:09 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by terRAPIN station on Wed Mar 25 08:28:13 2015. I've never lost a MetroCard with balance on it for as long as they have existed. But I know it's cash. If my $50+ MetroCard goes missing, I've lost the money. I'm prepared for that. But is that really a huge balance? Look at the price of the 30-day unlimited.I do agree that it isn't necessary to keep a high balance on the second card. I notice that I haven't been doing that as much lately (usually just keeping $12 or so on it) but I will evaluate that habit. Thanks. I'm not an "every cent matters" type so no, the $1 back every 6 to 8 weeks doesn't mean much to me. I like getting rid of the $50s in my pocket instead. And 50s must get used commonly around town because they always fall into my hands and I don't ask for them and I don't want them. And I enjoy skipping the bank, now that most banking can be done online, besides cash deposits. I would consider credit card usage (on MTA) if/when the card itself could be used as fare media (saving me from getting a MetroCard) or the cash back reached something like 5%. I'm happy getting the big 10% bonus available even to cash users. I'm sure you view a lot of this differently though. I respect that. Again bear in mind I'm not a daily rider, just once or twice per week. |
|
|
| (1345245) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by terRAPIN station on Wed Mar 25 12:01:59 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 10:27:09 2015. But is that really a huge balance?YES. Look at the price of the 30-day unlimited.That price is irrelevant. The 30-day unlimited, when purchased with a credit card, is covered by the Balance Protection Program. I do agree that it isn't necessary to keep a high balance on the second card. I notice that I haven't been doing that as much lately (usually just keeping $12 or so on it) but I will evaluate that habit. Thanks.You're welcome. I'm not an "every cent matters" type so no, the $1 back every 6 to 8 weeks doesn't mean much to me.That's odd, considering you're a "I need to keep two metrocards on my person at all times in case one fails so I don't have to waste precious seconds buying a new card from the MVM". Your time is precious but your money is not? I thought time=money? I like getting rid of the $50s in my pocket instead. And 50s must get used commonly around town because they always fall into my hands and I don't ask for them and I don't want them. And I enjoy skipping the bank, now that most banking can be done online, besides cash deposits.I doubt I have ever recieved a $50 bill except from a bank or ATM. I can't imagine what kind of ginormous cash purchases you are making to be receiving $50 bills as change! My mind is blown! The only purchase I've made in cash that was more than say $40 in the last 15 years was my used truck I bought from a guy on Craigslist! I would consider credit card usage (on MTA) if/when the card itself could be used as fare media (saving me from getting a MetroCard) or the cash back reached something like 5%. I'm happy getting the big 10% bonus available even to cash users.Doubt the cash back will be 5% any time soon. That's unprecedented. But it is up to 3% back with at least one credit card (though it has an annual fee for some people). Anyone with good credit can get 2% cash back though on a no-fee card. It sounds to me like you don't use credit cards much at all. Because making a metrocard purchase with a credit card is a lot faster than with cash, it's cheaper, and you have a permanent record of the transaction in the credit card company's records. What's the benefit of cash? |
|
|
| (1345247) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Jace on Wed Mar 25 12:15:37 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Wed Mar 25 09:53:27 2015. Try Prague for fast escalators. Those are the quickest I've seen. Fun getting on and off them. |
|
|
| (1345250) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 13:03:49 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by terRAPIN station on Wed Mar 25 12:01:59 2015. We have different views of money. Anything under $100 is pocket change to me. But I feel bad handing cashiers and other retailers $50s because it zaps them of change. I don't have $50s on me all the time. Like right now I don't. But if I have one, I like to put it in the MVM. I don't know how much faster it could be. Select to refill, Insert card, insert $50 bill, take card back, select whether I want receipt or not. No need to visit MVM for a long time and no need to ever be reminded of the transaction ever again, and I got rid of a pesky $50 bill, wherever it is I got it from (birthday gift, bank, or whatever).BTW Do they still want the zip code for using a credit card at the MVM? Is there also a moment when it says it's "processing?" Regarding the second card, if there were MVMs at all bus stops statewide where there are buses that take MetroCards, I would not care for the second card. But this is not the case. If there was a special way to pay the sidewalk for a MetroCard to magically appear so that I can get on the bus, or if the bus took dollar bills and/or made change, then again I would not feel the need to carry around the second card. Good point on the 30-day unlimited. If I used it, I would use a credit card. I know how fast plastic is. I have a debit card, which can be used as credit or debit. Do the cash back deals max out at some point? That's often another thing too, they will make it so you can't possibly earn more than $100 back total in any given year, which like I said is pocket change to me and not worth supervising another account. |
|
|
| (1345263) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Jon Bell on Wed Mar 25 15:38:37 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by WMATAGMOAGH on Tue Mar 24 22:21:10 2015. Per WMATA's own ridership statistics, fewer people exit the system than enter each day.I wonder how many of the ones that don't exit are named Charlie? :-D |
|
|
| (1345290) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 18:47:46 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Jon Bell on Wed Mar 25 15:38:37 2015. I was going to say they shouldn't let those statistics get out too much; they may be charged for kidnapping. |
|
|
| (1345294) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Wado MP73 on Wed Mar 25 19:24:28 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Jace on Wed Mar 25 12:15:37 2015. Are they faster than London's? Theirs are pretty fast too. |
|
|
| (1345309) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Sand Box John on Wed Mar 25 22:10:47 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 18:47:46 2015. Kidding aside.The discrepancy is likely because the fare media the passenger was using made the exit gate act stupid. The station manager let the passenger go on their way without determining what was causing the exit gate to act stupid. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
|
|
| (1345311) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Sand Box John on Wed Mar 25 22:26:32 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Wed Mar 25 09:53:27 2015. NY and DC escalators may be the same speed, but there are many more very deep ones in DC. IMHO, very long escalators should be made to run faster.I can't say for sure, but I would hazard a guess there is some regulation somewhere fixing the speeds that escalators can be operated at. All of the original Westinghouse escalators were equipped to run at 90 and 120 feet per minute. Escalators with a vertical rise greater then 60' were also equipped to run at 112 1/2 to 150 feet per minute. To my knowledge WMATA has never run any of the escalators greater then 90 feet per minute. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
|
|
| (1345313) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Mar 26 00:07:55 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Sand Box John on Wed Mar 25 22:26:32 2015. All of which underlines that WMATA blew it big time building way too deep although one must admit that in some instances they were forced by political morons who had no concern about utility or convenience for riders. The time penalty from sidewalk to platform makes end to end times needlessly longer and often means a long wait for a cbus connection.And about the silly giant arch station designs, it was IMHO a great example of imperial monumentalist architecture "because we can". |
|
|
| (1345314) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Thu Mar 26 00:28:21 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Mar 26 00:07:55 2015. IAWTP! |
|
|
| (1345384) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by fdtutf on Thu Mar 26 12:30:13 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Wed Mar 25 09:59:11 2015. I got yelled at by a station agent in Brooklyn a few years ago because my MetroCard wouldn't work and I asked him for help. I didn't quite understand why that was my fault, but anyway.WMATA station agents are sometimes surly and unhelpful, but I have never actually been yelled at by one. |
|
|
| (1345764) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Sand Box John on Sat Mar 28 20:19:36 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Thu Mar 26 00:07:55 2015. And about the silly giant arch station designs, it was IMHO a great example of imperial monumentalist architecture "because we can".An arch is structurally superior to a box and cheaper to. The Romans figured that one out more then 2,000 years ago. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
|
|
| (1345797) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by RiverLINE3501 on Sat Mar 28 23:15:01 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by New Flyer #857 on Tue Mar 24 21:52:13 2015. "SmarTrip is also good because I plan on visiting Baltimore and the surrounding areas soon and I have my balance from my Washington trip all ready to go."That was the smartest thing WMATA and MTAMd did was to link up SmarTrip and CharmCard and make them interchangeable on each other systems. PATH accepts the [Pay-per-ride] Metrocard, and SEPTA and PATCO are working out linking the Key and Freedom Cards, and I hear that Wilmington's DART buses may join in the Key system. |
|
|
| (1345811) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Jackson Park B Train on Sun Mar 29 01:59:56 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Sand Box John on Sat Mar 28 20:19:36 2015. yes arches are stronger than boxes. and it was in Mesopotamia"Arches appeared as early as the 2nd millennium BC in Mesopotamian brick architecture[3] and their systematic use started with the Ancient Romans who were the first to apply the technique to a wide range of structures." according to wikipedia. That said, my general complaint w/ the DC subway is the stations are unnecessarily deep, poorly laid out for ingress/egress, too dark to comfortably read in, depend on frequently broken escalators, and way to "cute"--the flashing lights for approaching trains. The sad reality is that both BART and WMATA were adamant about notbeing thought of as "that awful,filthy New York subway" and thus wasted millions on poorly designed stations, carpets in the cars, and other silliness while ignoring the more critical issues of rider friendly stations, maintainable hardware (like not leaving escalators open to wet weather). I also believe that in DC's case, it was a political statement of imperial power as well as a victim of stupid local pols who were never going to use the subway demanding dumb route/tunnel depth choices. Setting world records for longest/deepest escalators doesn't buy riders any convenience, but the story gopes that Dupont Cirtcle which should have recaptured the streetcar tunnel with modifications ended up very deep because some idiots were unwilling to see a bridge across Roick Creek. End rant. |
|
|
| (1346027) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Mon Mar 30 16:13:22 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by Jackson Park B Train on Sun Mar 29 01:59:56 2015. "That said, my general complaint w/ the DC subway is the stations are unnecessarily deep, poorly laid out for ingress/egress, too dark to comfortably read in, depend on frequently broken escalators, and way to "cute"--the flashing lights for approaching trains."Exactly my thoughts as well. I specifically wondered about the death of D.P Circle. It's way under the street and the vehicular tunnel. And those escalators open to the elements are ridiculous. Also, why isn't there a station between Dupont and Woodley? It's a heckuva long stretch in a very urban part of town. A stop at, say, Kalorama Road would serve the bustling Adams-Morgan area, the Washington Hilton, etc. |
|
|
| (1346034) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by italianstallion on Mon Mar 30 16:28:03 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Mon Mar 30 16:13:22 2015. Oops - "depth", not "death." |
|
|
| (1347400) | |
Re: WMATA Observations |
|
|
Posted by Sand Box John on Fri Apr 10 22:41:48 2015, in response to Re: WMATA Observations, posted by italianstallion on Mon Mar 30 16:13:22 2015. I specifically wondered about the death of D.P Circle. It's way under the street and the vehicular tunnel. And those escalators open to the elements are ridiculous.I have the construction drawings of the station. several of reasons: The National Park Service did'nt like the idea of tearing up Dupont Circle to construct a shallower cut and cover station. The cost of tearing up and restoring Dupont Circle would have cost more then what was built. The top of the bedrock is roughly 5' below the invert of the streetcars and Connecticut Avenue underpass. The top of the gallery the station is built in is roughly 35' below the top of the bedrock. Also, why isn't there a station between Dupont and Woodley? It's a heckuva long stretch in a very urban part of town. A stop at, say, Kalorama Road would serve the bustling Adams-Morgan area, the Washington Hilton, etc. Again I have the construction drawings of that section: The alignment follows several compound curves to remain under the Connecticut Avenue right of way. The station would have had to have been built above the Lydecker Aqueduct along a roughly 750' long tangent on a 0.035 grade. The underground easement at both end would have been outside of the Connecticut Avenue right of way and would have been roughly 20' deeper then the Dupont Circle station. John in the sand box of Maryland's eastern shore. |
|
|
