It's #WMATA board day.
Board members are set to discuss the "managed re-entry" plan which adds more buses and trains in mid-August. But it's a little late, as we reported earlier this week: dcist.com/story/20/07/20…
Board members are set to discuss the "managed re-entry" plan which adds more buses and trains in mid-August. But it's a little late, as we reported earlier this week: dcist.com/story/20/07/20…
You can follow along live here:
Talked to Board Chair Paul Smedberg who said he recently returned to Metrorail for the first time.
“I was surprised by how many people I saw,” Smedberg said. “People were respectful and they did spread out on the car I was on.”
“I was surprised by how many people I saw,” Smedberg said. “People were respectful and they did spread out on the car I was on.”
Smedberg said he’s gotten a few comments about overcrowded buses at certain times of day, but no widespread anger at crowding.
This month's WMATA employee spotlight is Dr. Amy Espy-Smith, Metro's Chief Medical Officer. She helped set up systems and processes to defend against the coronavirus.
Metro had 210 cases, but no fatalities. "She has certainly saved lives," says GM Paul Wiedefeld.
Metro had 210 cases, but no fatalities. "She has certainly saved lives," says GM Paul Wiedefeld.
Speaking of comments... Here's a public comment from Theresa Marah 
Comment 2. Good news, people mostly stayed home
.@wmataRAC's @anelki talks about real-time bus crowding data that other transit systems are giving to riders via apps. Helps riders make decisions.
Here's Boston's approach: mbta.com/news/2020-06-1…
I've asked WMATA about this if they could do this. Answer was not promising.
Here's Boston's approach: mbta.com/news/2020-06-1…
I've asked WMATA about this if they could do this. Answer was not promising.
He also says the RAC is eager to see mobile pay from Apple and Android rollout. It's targeted for 2020.
COVID has impacted the timeline. Google did not have timeline, but said it's still coming. Apple hasn't responded to my questions.
Prev story: wamu.org/story/19/12/12…
COVID has impacted the timeline. Google did not have timeline, but said it's still coming. Apple hasn't responded to my questions.
Prev story: wamu.org/story/19/12/12…
NEW: GM Paul Wiedefeld say 500,000 free masks will be given out throughout the system in coming months. This is the first time WMATA has said they will do so.
These masks come from the U.S. DOT
transportation.gov/briefing-room/…
transportation.gov/briefing-room/…
.@Caitlin_Rogger of GGWash wrote a good article about why giving away masks is good policy.
ggwash.org/view/78512/mas…
ggwash.org/view/78512/mas…
Metro revenue was down $61M in May because of free bus/back door riding and lower ridership. Metro used federal CARE Act money to bridge gap.
.@SimplySJG asks Metro about their surveys, which focus a lot on telework and more office jobs. She asks what they are doing to survey people that don't work in those type of jobs?
They revised some of the surveys recently to address service industry etc.
They revised some of the surveys recently to address service industry etc.
Michael Goldman asks about Metrobus crowding. Some routes (Q, Y, 70, 79) are overcrowded and people are standing. Have these been addressed?
WMATA says they've added buses to 21 routes "starting today." Challenge is it's not across the board. AM, Midday, PM shifts.
WMATA says they've added buses to 21 routes "starting today." Challenge is it's not across the board. AM, Midday, PM shifts.
I can't find today's additions (always seems to be buried on the website).
WMATA says more bus service is coming mid-August as well.
Goldman says he hopes that fixes the issues and wants a report back.
WMATA says more bus service is coming mid-August as well.
Goldman says he hopes that fixes the issues and wants a report back.
WMATA says systemwide signage on buses, trains and stations is going up next month.
Matt Letourneau says he wants to see more communication around if a station or train is crowded. WMATA says that will be difficult.
Matt Letourneau says he wants to see more communication around if a station or train is crowded. WMATA says that will be difficult.
Metro's COO Joe Leader says there still is an AM and PM peak of riders. They can add trains to help address that.
But don't know if they can get that info to the rider right now. But we monitor crowding and can add trains, he says.
But don't know if they can get that info to the rider right now. But we monitor crowding and can add trains, he says.
Letourneau asks about crowding and how Metro can respond if schools come back, or if pandemic gets worse. How quickly can we change service?
"This is a very large ship. Not something we can turn on a dime," Wiedefeld says. He's said in the past it takes 2 months to change plans
"This is a very large ship. Not something we can turn on a dime," Wiedefeld says. He's said in the past it takes 2 months to change plans
MD Transpo Sec. Greg Slater asks about changing travel patterns.
Wiedefeld: We're monitoring it daily. Rail numbers are more accurate. Bus is not as accurate b/c not using SmarTrip cards right now.
Some variations from pre-pandemic. Shifting restrictions have most impact
Wiedefeld: We're monitoring it daily. Rail numbers are more accurate. Bus is not as accurate b/c not using SmarTrip cards right now.
Some variations from pre-pandemic. Shifting restrictions have most impact
Smedberg asks what Wiedefeld is looking at over next month.
Wiedefeld: D.C. school plan and how that affects workforce plans. One factor impacts others.
We have to internally keep managing this (for workforce). Looking at civil rights marches, restrictions on bars/restaurants
Wiedefeld: D.C. school plan and how that affects workforce plans. One factor impacts others.
We have to internally keep managing this (for workforce). Looking at civil rights marches, restrictions on bars/restaurants
Smedberg asks about financial side.
Wiedefeld said a lot of impact will be in 2021 budget. More info in Sept. But needs to know more on next federal relief plan and also how the pandemic evolves in coming months. Also has an eye on 2022 budget.
Wiedefeld said a lot of impact will be in 2021 budget. More info in Sept. But needs to know more on next federal relief plan and also how the pandemic evolves in coming months. Also has an eye on 2022 budget.
Metro got 80 applications for the @wmataRAC.
Smedberg is appointing six new members, who he named, but I don't have spellings so won't attempt that for now.
RAC is losing two long-serving members, however.
Smedberg is appointing six new members, who he named, but I don't have spellings so won't attempt that for now.
RAC is losing two long-serving members, however.
New RAC members:
David Wurmfeld, VA
Jamila McCoy, D.C.
Rob Cavese, D.C.
Siddharth Divakaruni, at-large
Darryl Brewer, at-large
Caroline Barraco, at-large
David Wurmfeld, VA
Jamila McCoy, D.C.
Rob Cavese, D.C.
Siddharth Divakaruni, at-large
Darryl Brewer, at-large
Caroline Barraco, at-large
Sorry, Rob Cavese is a reappointment to the RAC. My apologies.
Full resolution
wmata.com/about/board/me…
Full resolution
wmata.com/about/board/me…
.@DDOTDCDirector goes over new bus lanes coming in the District. Says CoHi lanes are under construction, 16th Street bus lane project is getting bid out right now.
dcist.com/story/20/07/09…
dcist.com/story/20/07/09…
And that wraps up today's WMATA board meeting. ✌️
