Category: Parking

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)

Parking Issues

P.1 - Alternate Parking Fare Cards

The new cashless parking policy, that requires the use of a SmartTrip Card to exit puts a burden on my out-of-town visitors who want to use Metro o go see the sights. Unless I loan them one of my family's cards that's not being used, they have to pay $10 for a $4 parking charge just to use the Metro Lots.

Can't Metro come up with another method that works for visitors? Maybe they could allow the use of the paper "charlie tickets", or a one-time scan card that works with the readers. Even better would be the use of Credit Card, Debit Card, or Gift Cards.

An even better policy would be the ability to use EZ-Pass or the EZ-Pass technology used on Toll Roads. Wow! It would be great to have one regional technology for all my transportation needs.

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P.2 - Review Monthly Park Policy

I don't know about you, but in my 19 years as a Metro rider, I've never been accepted for the "Monthly Parking Program." If my getting on the RAC is harder then getting into Harvard, then maybe getting a "Monthly Pass" is harder then getting into NASA's Astronaut School?

Why is this such a scarce commodity? When I used to park at the Montgomery County lots near Metro, everyone could buy a monthly pass. I'm not looking for the "Special Spaces" designated for Monthly Pass holders; I'd just like that monthly discount. Maybe, I could just pre-pay for the Monthly Parking using my Smart Benefits? If the lot was full, then maybe I could still use my Monthly Parking at another Metro Station or at another "participating partner's" lot?

Well, maybe I would like to use the "Special Spaces", but that's the second problem with the policy that needs addressing.

How often do these monthly passes turnover? Are they passed down form generation to generation like Red Skin tickets?

I'm guessing ever once in a while, they purge the list and start over. Because, overtime I get frustrated and sign-up again ... still no monthly pass. If they don't purge the list then my name is probably on some lists 10 or more times.

Maybe there should be a lottery every year or two, like they do at some of the business downtown. Maybe they should expire after three years kind of like the RAC and then you get to re-apply.

This policy needs to be revisited so that the Average Joe has a chance at the "Monthly Parking Program."

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P.3 - Notification When Lots are Full

At Metro Parking Lots, I've experienced the frustration of looking for a space only to come up empty. This was a greater problem when I parked at the Glenmont Station, but on rainy days many of the other lots fill up early. It would be so much less frustrating if Metro notified customers when the lots where full, so we can go onto another station or find an alternative.

Metro recently responded with the following change in policy:

New system-wide time change for pay-to-exit parking starts Jan. 2

Effective Monday, January 2, 2006, people using a Metrorail parking facility will pay-to-exit from 10:30 a.m. to closing Monday to Friday, as part of a new system-wide time change designed to make it easier for people looking for a parking space. The pay-on-entry collection time will not change.

Previously, payment to exit Metrorail parking facilities was at 9 a.m. The time change to 10:30 a.m. will allow patrons unable to locate a parking space after 9 a.m., not to be charged, and provide greater flexibility for patrons searching for a parking space. After 10:30 a.m., "lot full" signs will be posted at the entrances of parking facilities that are full.

Last June, the Metro Board agreed to eliminate parking lot cashiers by requiring parking lot users pay with a SmarTrip card. Under the plan, payment hours were from 9 a.m. until closing Monday to Friday. Customers seeking a parking space after 9 a.m., have been unable to do so, and in some cases have paid to exit without parking at a facility.

Metro's Board of Directors approved the time change on December 15.
Starting Tuesday, Metro will post signs after 10:30 a.m. at its parking lots informing motorists whether lots are full. Also, until 10:30 a.m., drivers looking for spaces will be able to drive through lots and exit if they cannot find a space.

Previously, drivers who entered after 9 and failed to find a space had to pay to exit the lot.

For years, drivers using Metro lots paid only between 2 and 10 p.m. on weekdays. That policy ended June 28, 2004, when the transit agency switched to a cashless parking system and instituted longer hours to pay.

On Monday, a federal holiday, parking will be free at lots that Metro owns.

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Response to "Progress Has Passed Metrobus By" and "Hidden Rush Hour"

The other day, I read the following articles:

Washington Post
December 27, 2005
Progress Has Passed Metrobus By
By Lyndsey Layton

Washington Post
December 27, 2005
Hidden Rush Hour

WMATA Response to These Articles:
Metro intiatives already underway

MetroBus Capital Improvement Program (ppt)

"As shifting housing patterns, job growth and an influx of residents have transformed metropolitan Washington over the past three decades, MetroBus has done little to adapt, remaining essentially the same system since opening in 1973."

Based on these articles, my experiences traveling in downtown DC, and listening to presenters at the last town-hall meeting, I’ve concluded that MetroBus schedules, services, and reliability need to be drastically improved.

Metro needs to join the 21st century in its ability to monitor ridership, model passenger and traffic flow patterns, and act on this information.

The Department of Energy has been funding projects, and providing grants and resources to help model the efficient use of energy resources in transportation since at least 1979, from my own experience. Additionally, there must also be numerous educational institutions that have developed computer simulations of transit systems. I'm guessing that all that is needed to take advantage of some of these models is sample data. The Department of Homeland Security has grant programs to help with transportation planning, a key ingredient in disaster and security planning.

Has Metro received or applied for any grants? Has Metro invested in any of these transportation models? Does Metro collect data to use in simulations?

Metro busses are now equipped with electronic fareboxes, and smart signs that know the current stop. Is Metro collecting data on the usage of its system. Shouldn't they have ridership figures by stop? Shouldn't they have performance metrics against schedule?

We are in the information age and should have the data to model and monitor all our transit systems.

When a bus is full, what does the operator do? Request another bus? Notify the dispatcher? Can the dispatchers monitor bus schedules?

The system should be able to add special busses to handle surge capacity, during "hidden rush-hours."

Does Metro tell you the current vehicle's schedule and on-time performance?

Better communication with customers and responding to matters of capacity and performance will help both Metro and it’s riders to better understand system impacts and ridership patterns.

Measure, Monitor, and Manage are the fundamental basics for Quality Improvements in any industry.

I. Michael Snyder
WMATA Riders' Advisory Council
Council Member for Maryland - MetroRail

ATMs Helpful Addition to Metro Stations

Yesterday morning, as happens toward the end of the month when my SmartBenefits run out, I went to add money to my SmartTrip using a credit card. Unfortunately, on this occasion the machine didn't accept my Visa credit card. I'm not sure if it got activated correctly in the morning, when I cut up my old card and activated the new one I got in the mail. ... or maybe the machine couldn't read the new card for some unknown reason.

Sadly, I didn't have enough cash to add onto my card to get me through the rest of the day, much less the rest of the month.

Luck would have it, that there was one of the new Chevy Chase ATMs which saved me the need to scout out an ATM or bank elsewhere. Good thing this happened at Eastern Market and not Rockville. Rockville doesn't have an ATM in the station.

So, thank you Metro for allowing ATMs in Metro stations.

Now let's see them at all the stations!

(To be recorded in Category: Infrastructure)

I. Michael Snyder
WMATA Riders' Advisory Council
Council Member for Maryland - MetroRail

Category: Infrastructure

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)

Infrastructure Issues

I.1 - Trashed-bus problem

COMMUTING: WMATA to Look at Trash, Ceiling Stability
(I.1 - I.2 Borrowed from BLOG by washingtonoculus)

The Associated Press reports that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is taking a look at two problems: vandalism/trashed buses and collapsing ceilings.

On the trashed-bus problem, WMATA says there has been a 20-percent increase in bus trash and graffiti. One of the problems is that WMATA has a hard time retaining cleaning staff (... a 118-percent turnover rate). The agency is re-evaluating its cleaning strategy.

"More Trash and Graffiti on Metrobuses" [AP via WTOP]

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I.2 - Ceiling Damage

As you probably remember, part of the Farragut North metrorail station ceiling collapsed earlier this month. Nobody was hurt, but one of the exits to L Street was closed for repairs.

WMATA "will now closely examine" ceiling anchors, instead of having inspectors looking for "obvious signs" of ceiling damage. ... How comforting.

"Metro Promises Better Inspections of Station Ceilings" [AP via WTOP]

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Category: Transit Police and Security

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)

Transit Police and Security Issues

T.1 - Metro Transit Police needs to published an evacuation plan for each subway station
I was one of the unfortunates that had an opportunity to walk down Connecticut Avenue when a fire at Woodley Park closed the Red Line. Following this incident, I had the pleasure to speak with Chief Polly Hanson on a number of occasions to discuss options to prevent similar problems, and provide better information to consumers in the future.

It is my understanding that Metro has worked on ways to better coordinate with the local jurisdiction and has produced plans for some of the stations.

I would like to see the plans posted or published for customer access and comment. I know that riders that frequent stations may have some better ideas and alternatives that Metro may not have considered.

I would also like to see the plans for crown control, bus queuing, and staffing.

1. The availability of sawhorses and some emergency tape would go a long way to control bus queuing and crowd control.
2. The "deputizing" of trained volunteers would supplement the limited staff at each station. With 940 people interested in volunteering for the RAC, I’m guessing the number of volunteers willing to be trained to assist in an emergency would be even greater.

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T.2 – Improve security for customers waiting for busses and taxis late at night when the train stations are mostly abandoned except for a very few customers and one station manager, sitting alone at a bus stop is both scary and unsafe.

I recommend the creation of a Safe Haven zone within the Train Station in view of the station manager where customers can wait for their rides. This would require:

• A notification board or flat panel display to show busses that are available for boarding.
• A method for busses and taxis to notify the station manager or to post a message to the notification board.

I think that the cost of a Safe Haven zone would go a long way towards improving the safety and security of customers that depend on Metro for late night travel.

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T.3 – More Metro Police and/or security coverage at stations

Not ever station has a Metro Transit Police Officer at all times. I understand that the police force just doesn’t have that many officers to cover all 86 stations from 5:00AM to 12:30PM and later on weekends and during events. Metro Transit Police currently has 400 sworn officers, to cover a 1,500 square mile Transit Zone. Full coverage of each station would require 310 of those officers to strictly man one train station. This would leave only 80 officers to cover the remainder of Metro Transit Police’s buses, parking lots, facilities, train cars, etc.

Could security guards or rail inspectors help with coverage, as I’ve seen at Transfer Stations? How many police officers does MTPD need? How can the RAC get the MTPD the resources it needs?

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Washington's Metro transit agency tightened security following the London bombings. Special response teams were conducting regular sweeps of rail stations searching for explosives and weapons. Special Response Team officer, B. Hanna, patrols a train at Metro Center"
Photo by Sarah L. Voisin - Washington Post

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Category: Other

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)

Other Issues

Following are other issues that I'm in the process of writing up. I'll move them to other Categories as I get time. Please forgive me for not being clear on these topics for now!

Scheduling:
S - Provide data and information to Google Transit
S - Provide a few extra minutes at transfer stations for unloading and loading

Infrastructure:
I - Elevator Maintenance
I - Concrete Maintenance
I - Metro has to come up with a better way to get passengers on and off rail cars. The every man-for-himself face-offs are inefficient. Reconfigured seating might help, but Metro also needs to try one-way entering and exiting from cars. (Courtesy of Dr. Gridlock - Washington Post)

Town Hall Meetings:

The Town Hall meetings conducted by Metro are a great source for both topics of interest to customers and WMATA's responses to these topics.

April 12, 2005 - George Mason High School, Falls Church, VA
September 13, 2005 - FDA Bldg, College Park, MD
November 9, 2005 - Frank Reeves Center, 14th & U Sts, Washington, DC

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Category: Health & Safety Issues

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)


Health & Safety Issues

H.1 – Metro Stations need to do a better job of sanding or salting walks

Specific attention needs to be paid to walks where snowmelt refreezes. I encourage metro customers to report these problems to the station manager, as it’s not likely that metro personnel will continually monitor every walk. By encouraging customers to report problem, we can all make a difference and possibly help a fellow rider.

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H.2 – Some Metro train cars are terribly mildewed

Mildewed train cars are a serious health hazard. Car 1061 is an example. What is Metro’s plan and policy to replace mildewed carpeting? I encourage metro customers to report specific cars to a station manager or send a note to Metro.

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Category: Communication Issues

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC.

For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category:

(Index to Categories)

Communication Issues

C.1 – Signage both outside and in stations.

Two approaches to signs would help to communicate batter with riders, and make the customer’s experience better:

1. Place message signs outside the entrance to metro. It would be very helpful to customers to know what’s going on inside MetroRail prior to entering the system. If trains are not operating, delayed, single-tracking, or experiencing other problem; a customer could choose to use MetroBus, MARC, VRE, or another commuting option. I personally have experienced situations where I should not have even entered the system (Red Line Fire); or paid my fare and turned around and went back out to use a MetroBus (Eastern Market).
   
2. Placement of more, and better messages signs inside the stations will help customers to plan their trips better. At transfer stations (ie: L’Enfant Plaza) alternative routes are possible. To get to the Red Line, you can either use any of four trains to get there. If you can see the delays and trains enroute, you can plan for the best alternative without visiting every platform. Likewise, the use of flat panel screens rather than light-boards would allow for more information to be displayed in a smaller space. Granted, the cost might be greater for each display, but the benefit to improved customer service, and better flow should offset the cost over time.

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C.2 – Mark where the train doors will be on the platform

I wrote to Sprawl and Crawl:
"With the new use of eight-car trains that require perfect stops, can't the same magic be applied to all trains? It's hard to know where to stand in line for the door, as no two trains stop at the same spot. In London and other subway systems, they mark where the doors will be and people queue up for ease of boarding without accidentally blocking the doors."

Metro’s Response to Sprawl & Crawl:
"The reason that won't work is that Metro runs a variety of train consists and the "match-up" for the doors on the four-, six- and eight-car trains are different. If you had loading areas for each, the platforms would look like the pavement at an elementary school where the kids are playing hopscotch."

My second letter:
With the use of some simple engineering, Metro should be able to mark the pavement using lights, and not require a hopscotch board. The three ideas that come to mind are:

• Embed lights or LEDs into the "bumpy domes" along the platform edge" and only turn on the lights that mark the location of doors for the on-coming train.
• Use laser light technology to light up the platform in the location for the doors, using a source from above embedded in the ceiling.
• Use laser light technology to light up the platform in the location for the doors, using a source from the edge of the train platform.

Washington Post
December 2, 2005
Helping Riders Pick Up the Pace
By Lyndsey Layton

"To help smooth the emptying and loading of trains, Metro will test platform markers at Union Station, Gallery Place-Chinatown and Metro Center. The markers will indicate where to line up with rail-car doors once a train pulls into a station. The idea is to get people ready to board before the train arrives and out of the way of exiting passengers. Although most riders wait at the sides of the doors to give passengers room to exit, plenty of people plant themselves directly in front of the doors. A brazen few try to muscle their way on while people are getting off."

"Temporary markers will be put in the test stations in February. If they're successful, Metro will install permanent tile markers systemwide."

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C.3 - Announcements both in stations and on trains need to be understandable.

Three issues that impact clarity of messages are:

1. Not all speakers are working correctly. A test and survey of the speakers throughout the system (trains and stations) would go along way towards correcting this problem.
   
2. Enunciation by train operators and station managers. Lessons or a training program on making announcements will help. This form of speech needs to follow the same rules for speaking in front of an audience or on a stage. You can’t use normal speech patterns; you need to speak clearer and enunciate each word. At first, this is difficult to do, and it sounds funny to the speaker. But, with practice it becomes easier to accomplish and the audience is more appreciative.
   
3. Get the audiences’ attention prior to making the important part of an announcement. Messages and announcement that start with the most important facts up-front don’t generally get heard. This is a common communication problem. If the audience is not already in active listening mode, important messages and facts can get lost. Also, consider repeating the important facts, to maximize the audiences’ opportunity to get the facts.

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All Categories:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)
• Index

Index to Customer Service Topics

Since I heard, I'd been selected as a candidate for the RAC, I've been compiling notes on various topics. I've also collected ideas from colleagues, friends, and acquaintances.

As an Information Technology professional, I'd prefer to setup a database of "topics" organized by "category" to be discussed by the RAC. I plan to do this in the near future, either with WMATA's help or by using my company's or publicly available resources. For now, I'll establish a BLOG posting for each category. Over the next few days, I'll write each up as I compile my notes by "category".

The future database should give Metro customers an opportunity to make suggestions and keep a running commentary on responses and the direction Metro takes on each topic. Additionally, we could tie this database to a forum to discuss the various options so that when problem are brought up, solutions are also brought forward.

For now, If you have comments on a specific category, please post a comment to the appropriate category as I get them posted:

• Communications
• Parking
• Transit Police and Security
• Scheduling
• Infrastructure
• Health and Safety
• Other (Future Categories)

I. Michael Snyder
WMATA Riders' Advisory Council
Council Member for Maryland - MetroRail

Second Letter to Sprawl & Crawl - Oct 19, 2005

Steve,

Thank you for publishing my letter and the response from Metro.

"With the new use of eight-car trains that require perfect stops, can't the same magic be applied to all trains? It's hard to know where to stand in line for the door, as no two trains stop at the same spot. In London and other subway systems, they mark where the doors will be and people queue up for ease of boarding without accidentally blocking the doors."The reason that won't work is that Metro runs a variety of train consists (yes, consists) and the "match-up" for the doors on the four-, six- and eight-car trains are different. If you had loading areas for each, the platforms would look like the pavement at an elementary school where the kids are playing hopscotch.

My follow on question is … with the use of some simple engineering, Metro should be able to mark the pavement using lights, and not require a hopscotch board. The three ideas that come to mind are:
Embed lights or LEDs into the “bumpy domes along the platform edge” and only turn on the lights that mark the location of doors for the on-coming train.
Use laser light technology to light up the platform in the location for the doors, using a source from above embedded in the ceiling.
Use laser light technology to light up the platform in the location for the doors, using a source from the edge of the train platform.

I believe that a pilot project could provide a proof of concept at a transfer station where the benefits of this technology could provide the greatest benefit.

Thanks,
I. Michael Snyder
Applicant for RAC
metro@imsnyder.com

Letter to Sprawl & Crawl - Sep 08, 2005

How hard would it be for metro trains to hold for an extra 30-60 seconds at transfer stations, to give people on the platform an opportunity to get on the train?
Transfer stations always have more than their share of deboarding and boarding passengers, and sometimes not enough time is available to board because doors are blocked and/or too many people are exiting for the time allotted. The time can easily be cut from non-transfer stations where we frequently see longer wait times. It appears frequently trains pause here to get back on schedule, even during non-rush hours when the train in front has a 10 minute head start. I'm a frequent traveler from L'Enfant Plaza, on the Orange/Blue Line to Rockville. Nothing is more frustrating than missing my transfer to a Shady Grove train at Metro Center and having to wait for two more trains because not enough time was given to load everyone from the platform.

With the new use of 8 car trains that require perfect stops, can't the same magic be applied to all trains?
Why are the doors blocked you may ask? Well, it's hard to know where to stand in line for the door, as no two trains stop at the same spot. In London and other subway systems, they mark where the doors will be and people queue up for ease of boarding without accidentally block the doors.

Finally, why can't train schedule boards be posted at entrances to the station?

In my travels from L'Enfant Plaza to Rockville, I can take either the Green/Yellow line or the Orange/Blue line to the Red line, but I have to go to the tracks on both levels to find the arrival times for each train. Train schedule boards at the entrance could also help in trip planning and averting delays and train problems. As a user of metro to get around downtown, I would like to know if the bus or the train is going to get me to my destination faster. Without train schedule boards, I have to guess which mode will be faster. I also get the pleasure of paying an entrance fee just to find out that a fire has erupted at Woodley Park and I can't get from here to there by train at all.

I. Michael Snyder
20+ years on Metro and counting ... or waiting?

I. Michael Snyder
metro@imsnyder.com

My Application for a position on the WMATA RAC

I would like to be considered for a position on the WMATA Riders’ Advisory Council (RAC) representing Metrorail for Montgomery County.

I have been a Metro rider for over 20 years. I currently live in Rockville and commute to either Eastern Market of L’Enfant Plaza every day. Until a few months ago, I lived near the Glenmont Metro Station and commuted first from Silver Spring, then from Wheaton, and finally from Glenmont as the Red Line expanded.

I am also a user of Montgomery County’s Ride-on and Metrobus for transportation within the district and from home to the station when I’m not using either the “Park and Ride” or the “Kiss and Ride.”

As a small business owner with offices on Capitol Hill, I encourage all my employees to use public transportation by offering Metrochek as a benefit. We recently switch to the SmartBenefits program for all but my employees who travel by MARC.

My company provides software development services and consulting in support of the federal government and small business. We are a very active participant in the Capitol Hill Association of Merchants and Professionals (CHAMPS). We specialize in web application, consumer support, logistics, data warehousing, transportation, and financial information systems.

I personally started as an Information Technology professional in support of transportation systems to compute bus routes and schedules for school districts. Currently, I am supporting both the Coast Guard and the Department of Transportation in the systems analysis for mission critical systems. I am currently serving as the volunteer President of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Oracle Professionals (MAOP) an organization supporting software technology users with 800 active members in the metropolitan area.

I am also very active in the Boy Scouts, serving as Scoutmaster for Troop 772 of Wheaton for the last 10 years. We’ve had the opportunity to use Metro for Bike trips when a round trip ride was not possible, and many of our scouts and families use metro to get to work, school, and for recreation. My favorite bike ride is a trip down Sligo Creek, and up the Anacostia North East Branch to Greenbelt with a return ride on Metro.

I believe that given my experience as a rider; my connections to the Federal Government, local small business, and other consumers; my information systems experience; my transportation and logistics experience; and my dedication to service makes me an ideal candidate to provide WMATA with positive solutions, ideas, and approaches to create lasting improvements to a service that is vital to the infrastructure of the Washington Metropolitan Community.

As a transportation consumer, I have had an opportunity to see the good, the bad, and the ugly side of WMATA service.

First and foremost, I would like to commend Metro for the great service it provides and the huge number of successful trips I have had getting me to my place of work and home again. I also, appreciate the extra effort made by Metro to get me to baseball games, concerts, 4th of July events, inaugurations, and other activities that demand good planning, logistical coordination, and extra effort on the part of all employees of both WMATA and the Metro Police.

I also, unfortunately have seen a number of problems that could and should have been better handled and planned. I was one of the unfortunates that had an opportunity to walk down Connecticut Avenue when a fire at Woodley Park closed the Red Line. Following this incident, I had the pleasure to speak with Chief Polly Hanson on a number of occasions to discuss options to prevent similar problems, and provide better information to consumers in the future.

As a member of the WMATA Riders’ Advisory Council (RAC), I would like to continue seeing improvements in information sharing. The metro rider alerts, the train notification signs in stations, the next stop signage in the trains and busses all add to the quality of WMATA’s customer service to the Metro riders. I would like to continue seeing improvements in smart benefits, smart cards, availability of ATMs and other services that make paying and getting access to Metro services more convenient. I also, support continuing the ban on food, drink, and loud music in the Metro system. I’ve traveled around the country and to Europe and find that WMATA’s Metro trains are generally cleaner and more pleasant than can be found in other systems. The cleanliness of trains represents an investment in protecting our rail assets.

Improvements that I would advocate as a member of RAC include expanded signage and information at entrances to metro; metro parking; and clearer communication by train operators, and station managers. The computer voice, automated stop notification on some MetroBuses adds to the quality of the service. I would advocate better disaster planning, to assist riders in finding alternative routes and plans in the event of system outages as I discussed with Chief Hanson. I would encourage alternatives to Smart Trip cards for guests of our system to use at Metro parking possibly EZPass, cash, credit, or debit machines at some exits.

I encourage Metro to find a way to get trains to stop at the same location on a platform. With the testing for perfect stops in support of 8 car trains, I believe that metro needs to work towards a similar system for all trains. I’ve seen this work in other jurisdictions and it greatly improves the flow of passengers on and off trains. The biggest problem Metro has with loading and unloading trains is the blocking of doors on the platform. If the location of the train’s door is marked on the platform, then people can queue for the train, and allow maximum room for passengers to de-train. This initiative could improve Metro schedules, cause less off-loading from blocked doors, and generally improve the quality of service to Metro consumers.

As a consultant that understands tradeoffs and prioritizations of initiatives, I believe that WMATA needs to establish long range plans for implementing initiatives. We can’t have it all, but if the riders know that plans exist to improve and expand services, then we on RAC and Metro’s executive board will be able to keep the customer informed and give them options for allocating resources or soliciting new funds.

Thank You,
I. Michael Snyder
rac@imsnyder.com

Life on the Rac - Day 1

Yesterday at about 11:30 AM, I officially became a member of the WMATA Riders' Advisory Council (RAC). The WMATA Executive Board unanimously approved a resolution that appointed me and 20 other citizen advisors to this Council.

Prior to the meeting I was introduced to Chairman Dana Kauffman and CEO Richard White. Both were very cordial and expressed high hopes for this long over due partnership between Metro and the customers they serve. I also had an opportunity to meet fellow RAC members Don Padou, Dr. Sharon Conn, Kevin Moore, and Dennis Jaffe who also chose to attend this historic board meeting.

I'd like to thank Debra Johnson, Metro's Director of Project Communications, who has been very helpful and encouraging throughput the last month of discussions on progress, status, and expectations.

In my naivety, I'd forgotten the attention that this council would get from the media. Both before and after the Executive Board Meeting, the other RAC Members and I were interviewed by members of the press, including The DC Examiner, The Washington Post, WTOP, and the Associated Press. They all asked questions about who we were, what we hoped to accomplish, and our pet projects. I heard that latter in the day one of the other members was invited for an interview on WAMU public radio. Kojo Nnamdi Show Real Player Windows Media Player

In all the commotion of the day, I didn’t get an opportunity to speak with Steve Eldridge, Sprawl & Crawl Columnist for the DC Examiner. Steve was inspirational in my decision to apply for the RAC in the first place, and I wanted to thank him.

Yesterday, in the Washington Post was an article that described how honored I am to actually get a nomination to the RAC. In all, 940 people applied for the 20 contestable spots on the Council, “it has turned out to be easier to be admitted to Harvard University this year than to snag a spot on the 21-member board. Four times easier.”

By the end of the day, Metro posted the following a press release, Riders' Advisory Council Established, where my qualifications as “a small business owner who provides Metrochek for his employees who commute to work”, was highlighted. It’s very surprising that of all the information I provided, they chose this aside to emphasize. I promise to post my application in a subsequent Blog.

My goal, is to use this Blog as an opportunity to share with the WMATA Metro Riders my observations and sharable information I learn, while being a member of the RAC. I also hope to generate a forum for YOU to bring me ideas and solutions to help us all to improve the services of WMATA. My intent is that through collaboration, our shared need for reliable and safe transportation in and around Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, and Prince Georges County we can help WMATA to meet the demands of YOU its customer base.

Thank you in advance for your support.

I. Michael Snyder
WMATA Riders' Advisory Council
Council Member for Maryland - MetroRail