Thread by @MetroReasons

Today's safety tip: how not to get hit by lightning. "When thunder roars, go indoors."

#wmata

https://twitter.com/wmata/status/1420731803460063233

The #wmata Executive Committee heard brief comments from the IG and voted to approve the office's next yearly work plan. There were no Board member questions.

The #wmata Safety & Operations committee voted to approve a request to open Metrorail 2 hours early on Sunday, Sept 12th at 5a for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler and waive the $100k/hr fee.

The meat of today's #wmata meetings is the presentation on Metrorail fare policy. Tom Webster starts w/"customer-friendly" changes Board recently voted on, going into effect in September

Webster says there's an "opportunity" to update the Board's fare policies, orig. from 2010.

#wmata bus and rail fares have increased over time; Webster says base fares have generally followed the Consumer Price Index.

McMillin notes re: fare policy that #wmata relies on jurisdictions for much of its $ and doesn't have tax authority.

Says bus was 20% of revenue but 40% of ridership pre-pandemic.

Zone/distance-based fares unable on Metrobus because riders don't tap out, per Webster to McMillin

McMillan: what impacts does flat-fare on bus have on how people use the service? i.e. over-charging short, under-charging long trips

Webster: bus demographics = riders are more sensitive to fare price. There are "some" indicators that a subset of riders use bus > rail b/c $

McMillan wonders if #wmata is "missing an opportunity" to raise max rail fare, saying it doesn't appear to have kept up with max system travel distance. He states those taking the max rail trip are the ones more likely able & willing to pay higher fares.

My apologies to Mr. McMillin for continuing to butcher your last name. Muscle memory is hard.

Babers: "I'm one of the few people" that'll spend 1hr+ on TripPlanner; "I don't drive often"

Bowersox says ~1M wmata.com users/month, most use TripPlanner

Babers: thoughts on TripPlanner showing other services than Metrobus/rail?

Bowersox: other apps do that

Webster: all-door boarding pilot implementation plan expected in the future; will be across the region

Babers: fare evasion?

W: other agencies use a range of techniques, that's part of the pilot

Slater raised point post-pandemic people may not all go back to 5-day work jobs. Webster offers to bring some options forward for discussion in future re: pass products, etc.

Smedberg: "is it fair to say that rail pays the bills?" (He eeks a 'yeah' out of Webster eventually)

Smedberg wonders how to streamline/simplify the Metrorail fare structure

Webster notes passes where fares capped for a week or month, easier to use. "Lessening" of AM/PM rider peaks has also led to staff discussions on passes + system usage.

Alcorn noted caution, wants post-Labor Day ridership data to help determine future steps.

Also mentioned a need for "revenue-neutrality" so jurisdictions don't end up paying higher #wmata subsidies than they do now

#wmata Board agenda bumped Shady Grove/Rockville parking fee waiver + MTPD request to try to ban repeat offenders from the system to September.

The RAC had no report for the Board today

Smedberg said he's "disappointed" at the ATC-related Potomac Yard construction delay.

Wiedefeld says rail ridership is back to 25% of pre-pandemic levels, while bus is at 50%

W also says data (didn't say where from) say 85% of riders are vaccinated

Weekend ridership at 70% of pre-pan levels, while usual M-F peak hasn't come back as quickly
#wmata