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From Josh:
I was just in Europe where I rode the public transit systems in London, Brussels, Berlin, Prague, Paris and Barcelona.Been on subways in other cities? Leave a comment here.
No surprise, but they were all superior to Metro or any other American public transit system in almost every way. That's what happens when you have dedicated sources of funding and regular maintenance over the years.
What most struck me was in Brussels where they have motion sensor escalators. The escalators don't run until someone walks up to it and triggers the sensor. It saves a ton of energy and reduces wear and tear on the escalator because they aren't running the whole time the station is open.
Here is video I took in Brussels:
And here is video riding the escalator at the Swiss Cottage Underground station in London. What struck me about the European escalators is not only that they all work (I didn't see a single escalator out of service) but that they are fast, much faster than Metro.
Video of London Underground escalator:
I also visited Los Angeles this summer, and it might be comforting to know that Metro isn't the only American system with escalator problems. These were escalator repairs at 7th St./Metro Center in downtown L.A.
Other items:
Board member skips station because of crime (WTOP)
Metro hires $15,000 leadership coach (WTOP)
Impasse over Board seat holds up transit funds (Examiner)
Matthew · 699 weeks ago
lmnop · 699 weeks ago
Anon · 699 weeks ago
We need to cut back on managers and cut back on overtime and hire more frontline employees with education who can be moved up the ranks as they do in other trans systems. Metro choose to hire from outside and promote friends and family vs educated, experienced workers.
@davinpet · 699 weeks ago
Guest · 699 weeks ago
@FixWMATA · 699 weeks ago
guest · 699 weeks ago
@bgriffler · 699 weeks ago
Anon5 · 699 weeks ago
anonnnnn · 699 weeks ago
John · 699 weeks ago
There are escalators sitting broken down ALL THE FREAKING TIME with nobody working on it. JUST STOP IT!!!!
John · 699 weeks ago
But, but... "anon" said that the WMATA escalator repair teams fix an escalator in 6 weeks... and that there is a working crew present at an out of service escalator at all times...
Screw all of that excuse making!
Americans, we should be fucking ashamed of ourselves that this is how our transit matches up to the rest of our world. ASHAMED!
Anony Mouse · 699 weeks ago
Trainguy · 699 weeks ago
Thanks for your post. I agree with you that US transit is pathetic compared to most of the developed world. Even India and China have better in the big cities.
But I disagree with you about the problem being money. Look at how much Metro wastes every day with their overpriced and underproductive workforce. Revamping the communications offices, leadership coaches, take home cars.
So there's waste.
Another thing that hampers Metro is there's no accountability. How is it that NO ONE lost their job after the red line crash? How is it that NO ONE last their job after the L'Enfant escalator cover up was revealed?
I'm all in favor of spending money on mass transit, but I don't want another dime of my money spent on Metro until they get their house in order.
PS. I work in a transit related field, and word on the street is that Sarles wasn't even the first choice for GM--he's the only one would they could get to take it--it's THAT bad.
@FixWMATA · 699 weeks ago
John · 699 weeks ago
Oh, and this guy pulls in 200K a year....
If that doesn't make you fucking enraged, I don't know what does.
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 699 weeks ago
John · 699 weeks ago
Also, the poster n2deep has confirmed that the Parts department has gone to shit ever since Lacosse took over.
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 699 weeks ago
John · 699 weeks ago
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 699 weeks ago
KnowsAboutWMATA · 699 weeks ago
guest · 699 weeks ago
Anon · 699 weeks ago
It is never too late to start planning.
I think it when people resign they were giving them a break but the main guy over rail is still there and was promoted. Don't understand.
Guest · 699 weeks ago
DCRider · 699 weeks ago
Guest · 699 weeks ago
Karl · 699 weeks ago
We definitely don't seem to be getting our money's worth here...
Vince · 699 weeks ago
RGG · 699 weeks ago
EdH · 699 weeks ago
John · 699 weeks ago
You notice that over there, the workers are competent and (GASP!) Polite?
hrh king friday 13 · 699 weeks ago
guest · 699 weeks ago
The London underground is really deep compared to others, especially the big stations. If the escalators didn't motor quickly it would take all day to get to the platform. Of the ones I mentioned, I was a commuter in S.F. for a decade and the train works great, if you are staying in the city. Sometimes the ends of the lines get short service as they turn trains around inside the city limits rather than go down to Pacifica or wherever. At least, after Rush Hour. Of the others, I found the Rome one to have problems like messed up fare card boxes, turnstiles, etc. These problems were fairly widespread in the areas touristy/business center areas I visit. Not the greatest system. Madrid's has a panhandling problem in places.
anon · 699 weeks ago
@VeggieTart · 699 weeks ago
Allison · 699 weeks ago
@VeggieTart · 699 weeks ago
VeteranRider · 699 weeks ago
MoreizMore 82p · 699 weeks ago
@raleighbarfly · 699 weeks ago
Walk right, stand left!!!
Anon · 699 weeks ago
In terms of wear on the escalators, though, I have to wonder if all the stopping and starting is good for the escalators or not. Do they put the motion sensor escalators in high-volume areas, or only in areas where they're not frequently used? Would it be easier or harder for station managers to switch the direction if necessary? I think it's a great idea, but if anyone knows anything about escalators, I'd be interested in how it translates to Metro's high-volume stations.
napokrov · 699 weeks ago
1. Our ticket gates should open faster, with lighter barriers that don't hurt you if they delay opening, which they do. They are also slow. It's 30+ y.o. technology!
2. Put markers on the platform showing where the train doors will open. In Japan, people form a queue at these markers, so entry and exit from trains is more orderly.
VeteranRider · 699 weeks ago
napokrov · 699 weeks ago
4. NEVER announce to a packed crowd in the station "a train is right behind this one." If the next train is Blue and I want Orange, I don't care. We're not fools.
5. Improve the speaker system. Add more speakers. When a delay has happened, and trains are rushing into the station, I cannot understand anything that your announcer is saying, partly because of the lack of speakers/volume.
napokrov · 699 weeks ago
7. Add see-through fiberglass barriers/walls at the edge of the platform with doors. When the train comes into the station, the train doors open as well as the barrier doors. This prevents people falling into the tracks and suicides.
I could go on...
bll · 699 weeks ago
Ted · 699 weeks ago
Let's face it. We(USA) simply do not give public transportation, especially rail any love, hence the current condition. Yes..The European system is better. Facts are facts and it is what it is.
Wheee · 699 weeks ago
I wish metro would remove those steel knobs you find between escalators so we could use the median as a slide.
RGG · 699 weeks ago
rtc · 699 weeks ago
John S · 699 weeks ago
Caity · 699 weeks ago
Anon · 699 weeks ago
Rick R · 698 weeks ago
The MTR had a very similar setup faregate wise the metro, though they opened faster but were also finicy. They also had no eating/drinking rules, but they used continuous consist train instead of multiple cars in the consist which was interesting. The platforms had similar choke points like Metro's. They did however have high speed escalators! Though a lot more stairs . . . but either way very similar to Metro just much better ran and easier to use!
Metro really needs signs showing you what is near what exit. Every series after the 4000 series should have had a fraking map telling you where the car is and the next station, its a shame the 7000 are the first.