Unsuck DC Metro: Happy Fare Increase Day 3.0.1

Friday, July 30, 2010

Happy Fare Increase Day 3.0.1

Original photo:

@scottfisher Class is in session at L'Enfant #wmata http://twitpic.com/1umoi4

"Oh, and this will all change once we upgrade to Windows 3.0. Thank you for choosing Metro."

Related:
Happy Fare Increase 1.0

Other items:
Metro listed as a con for DC in Yahoo's 10 great cities for young adults
Woman locked inside Va. Sq. station (Fox 5) h/t Matt

Comments (10)

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Patrick · 764 weeks ago

I wonder if Metro will ever be able to do anything right. They can't effectively implement a simple fare increase, train cars and escalators are perpetually broken, they charge riders out the nose (when most other Metro systems have a monthly pass system to benefit commuters). I know they're up against funding issues, but it baffles me that the 2nd most ridden metro system in the U.S. could be run so poorly.

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@perkinsms · 764 weeks ago

You could have picked an equation I didn't recognize. Like the Navier-Stokes equations or something. Jeez.

@Patrick: I'm working on the monthly pass thing. I've gotten favorable responses from some board members, and staff have told me they're looking at what I've proposed:
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=6...

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Anonymous · 764 weeks ago

Hey, let 'em know I will now be paying $60 a week just to get to work. My salary increase is once a year and doesn't compensate for such an increase in transportation costs. If it keeps up, the economy will drop even lower as ones like me will be unemployed. Why? We can't get to work!

Once upon a time I could get weekly passes that saved me about 1.5 rides a week. Unfortunately Metro made it so impossible for my office to continue getting farecards, we were forced into SmartCards - no more discount.

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Anon · 764 weeks ago

I think it is union-related. The union is running the show and they don't know how to run the show. (Nor do they care.) Alas poor Metro. More of the same rot at more of the price. oh my buckling wallet. (If they raise it any more I will have to try to find a new job. I can barely make ends meet with these new prices. I really like my job, too. This sucks.)

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@perkinsms · 764 weeks ago

Actually it only looks familiar, but what is that?

2 replies · active 764 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 764 weeks ago

I just googled "complex math equation" http://geosci.uchicago.edu/~nnn/LAB/DEMOS/corioli...

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@poptdc · 764 weeks ago

LOL @ Unsuck. Google FTW!

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Stevis · 764 weeks ago

I knew the fair changes were complex, but this is ridiculous.

I assume the real portion is the fare increase, and the imaginary portion represents the service?

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Grace · 764 weeks ago

You might be onto something, especially since the imaginary portion apparently equals zero...

(That is, if I'm looking at it correctly. I was a history major :-) )

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Rab Mir · 764 weeks ago

I am all for the rate hikes. In fact I believe there should be more of them to maximize Metro profits. Here are a few that propose:

1) Like the airlines, DC Metro ought to charge double for People of Size (POS). If they choose to take up twice the space and use twice as much electricity they ought to pay for it. Metro Profits would increase 40% right there.

2) It is hard enough finding a seat on a Metro train, like the sports industry, Metro ought to charge a Seat License Fee if an individually actually wants to sit down. The license would be transferable with a 15% transfer fee going to Metro.

3) The $.20 peak of the peak fare increase is much too small. This fare ought to be a flat $1.00 fee. If your job is worth that much for you to get up in the morning you will have no issue paying the fee.

4) Peak station usage. If riders choose to use high volume stations, Metro Center, Chinatown, Fort Toten, DuPont, etc. There should be a $5.00 surcharge to do so. These stations are overtaxed and mistreated.

5) Exit fares for "Entertainment Zones", like Chinatown or Dupont. Think of it like a cover charge that you are going to pay anyway.

With these few simple fare increases we can all have a Metro we can be proud of.

Also I propose to bring back the computer guided trains. We are getting nauseous from the constant acceleration and deceleration plus the trains ride are taking much longer. I think 10 deaths every 10 years is a fair trade off.

Be well, do good work, and keep in touch