Yesterday, Metro announced it had painted bigger numbers on each rail car in an effort to increase safety. They spent $162,000 on the project. That's 1,620,000 dimes!One could debate the merits of the move, but what we can't understand is why Metro also spent manpower brushing out the old numbers as seen above. What a waste.
It's not like Metro is against a little extra signage here and there.
"Elavator" photo from Jackie.
Seriously, how embarrassing is that? It's shameful - people should not be hired if they don't have basic skills. I am not filled with confidence that metro has the best team to guarantee safety for its passengers.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised at all by METRO's challenges from the lack of spelling all the way up to management - look who the majority of the workers are.
ReplyDeleteThe irony here is that Metro thought they were doing a good thing. I fail to see the "safety enhancement" here AT ALL. Thanks for blowing two days of fare increases Metro
ReplyDeleteI would have volunteered my time over a weekend and painted those numbers for them for free. Seriously. It's not brain surgery.
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste of dimes. They should have spent those coins on some dictionaries for the kiosks. ;-D
Did they fix the numbers on the inside? Cause that's what I need when I want to report a problem.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind-of true. It's actually pretty easy to tell what series car you are in - the only ones that might be difficult to differentiate from each-other are the 2000 and 3000. How does this increase safety? When there's a crash, a helicopter can see a big 1000 series car being the one that derailed in the middle with the most people in it?
ReplyDelete1000: old, creaky, extra seats, dim lighting, smell funny, weird color scheme -- trademark whiny metro car sound when they move
2000/3000: Rehab'd by Alstom around the same time, similar design, but not entirely the same. 2000 do look a little older too.
4000: trademark buzz sound when running, no LED signs and obviously not 1000 car, easy to label.
5000: Circular floor door lights, LED Signs are a little longer - can actually fit "BRANCH AVENUE" as opposed to "BRANCH AVE" which is on all other series cars
6000: Newest, cleanest looking. Easy to tell.
There, now pay me 1,620,000 dimes.
The farecard machines at West Falls Church have handmade signs saying something like "FARES ARE 10 CENTS MORE THEN POSTED". I noticed that at least one of the signs had been corrected, presumably by a spelling-conscious passenger.
ReplyDeleteWhere is the grammer-gestapo when you really need him? Maybe he will volunteer to make signs for Metro.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it so many metro employees cannot spell simple words? I just don't get it. One would think for bus driving, at the least, the person could spell. Now I wonder if they know how to spell the words "Stop" and "Caution?" They aren't always accompanied by a pretty round colored light.
ReplyDeleteThis could explain a lot. If they cannot spell, they probably do not read well either. All those Metro memos and warnings are just scribbles on a paper.
"What a waste of dimes. They should have spent those coins on some dictionaries for the kiosks. ;-D"
ReplyDeleteHow about spending it on hiring some Assistants to help the kiosk kings/queens to assist the Metro customers. Lord knows the kings and queens don't have time for the common folk. ;-)
@Anon 9:25: I don't understand this comment. Just say what you mean to say.
ReplyDeleteThis IS the safety issue here. Money spent on new identification markings, plus different colored platform lights to WMATA = safety. Then they pat themselves on the back, and rest assured that they have attained "Mission Accomplished."
ReplyDeleteThis is so much worse than just paying lip service to safety. This is money wasted that should go toward actual safety. What is the safety value here, preventing myopia (medical myopia, not WMATA's budget schedule)?
"How about spending it on hiring some Assistants to help the kiosk kings/queens to assist the Metro customers. Lord knows the kings and queens don't have time for the common folk. ;-)"
ReplyDeleteI volunteer! For free! But I want to be called a Prince. Apprentice Czar also works. I am lenient though. You may refer to me as My Lord Apprentice if desired. :D
@ Anon 9:42 -- A problem with DC Metro? Seriously?
ReplyDeleteI don't think this renumbering is such a big deal anyway. Just convert dimes into quarters and the whole problem isn't as big.
"Where is the grammer-gestapo when you really need him? Maybe he will volunteer to make signs for Metro."
ReplyDeleteHead, meet desk. Oy.
Haha, Elavator!
ReplyDeleteFLAVA FLAV!!!!!
A couple of days ago they were using some of those "spare" dimes to RE-PAINT all of the railings, bus posts, and bus shelters at the Wheaton metro station! Nice to see my fare increase hard at work!!
ReplyDeleteI see the safety implications: maybe this helps prevent 10 car trains?
ReplyDeleteAlso makes it easier to ID train cars in an emergency, if you ever have to use that red emergency button to say a man in 3224 is having a heart attack - much easier if paramedics can clearly see which car to run to.
Metro sucks enough without creating straw complaints.
Read the post again.
ReplyDelete