Lunch with Dr. Gridlock

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) invited Dr. Gridlock, Ron Shaffer, of the Washington Post to speak at The U.S. Department of Transportation for a Lunchtime Seminar, today.

I introduced myself and had an opportunity to participate in the Q&A session. I was asked to take back a number of concerns from attendees that are appropriate to add to our list of Metro concerns:

Why does the fare schedule say that it takes 33 Minutes on the Orange Line to go from Vienna to L'Enfant Plaza, when even on a good day this has never been achieved?

Why are the Lights so dim in Metro stations?

Why does Metro continue to use the Slick Red Tiles in Stations and Entrances when this is obviously a safety hazard?

What is Metro doing to plan for the addition of 5000 new riders at the Navy Yard when DOT starts moving over there in September?

Does Metro have plans for a second Tunnel under the Potomac to support Orange and Blue Line traffic?

When a problem with Metro service is announced instead of saying "Thank You for your Patience"; the statement should be "Sorry for the Inconvenience, We request your Patience."

The new seat layout on some busses doesn't work. You can't reach the floor with your feet or you are right on top of another rider in the face-to-face position.

Why are busses not better maintained to prevent water from rushing in through bad seals in the ceiling vents?

and my favorite...

Are there any plans to consider running a Purple Line down the ICC corridor?

I personally plan to follow-up on the last question with the Transportation Office of the County Executive for Montgomery County.