Unsuck DC Metro: Don't Let Metro Fool You

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Don't Let Metro Fool You

Here's a budget slide Metro will try to float to the Board during today's meeting as a rationalization to hike your fares.

I can hear it now: "Look, it's not that bad, and we've already gone up 18 percent, and we're still near the bottom."

Metro does look cheaper compared to all those other big bad transit agencies, but with the others, BART excepted, that "base rate" is actually a flat rate that will take you as far as you want to go, unlike Metro, which charges you based on distance.

That's a pretty big difference, I think.

This chart compares apples to oranges. It is misleading and dishonest.

But given the Board's lack of knowledge of how the fare system here works, they may just take the bait.

Metro's average rail fare in September of last year, according to this PDF, was around $2.63 ($2.65 for 2011 according to this), significantly higher than those other transit agencies.

Additionally, according to a source, most of these other systems allow free transfers between rail and bus, except LA Metro, which has no free transfers for anything, and BART, which doesn't have a bus system.

Furthermore, the source said, most of these systems, again BART excepted, have monthly passes that reduce your average fare if you are a frequent rider.

Thanks, Metro, for giving us and your own Board the real story.

Read more about using low base fares to mislead here.

Other items:
Could fare hikes be even higher? (Examiner)
Purple Line impact would be greater than previously believed (WaPo)

Comments (43)

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+3 Vote up Vote down

@VeggieTart · 689 weeks ago

Question: Does BART offer transfers to regional buses?

I agree this chart is misleading, as Metro's highest fare is considerably higher than the NYC fare.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

PJH · 688 weeks ago

Yes - BART offers discounted transfers to regional buses. It's something like 25 or 50 cents off the base fare.

+10 Vote up Vote down

lowrie · 689 weeks ago

this is so misleading and frustrating. Anyone who is going somewhere that only costs $1.95 during "peak of the peak" is probably close enough to walk. even union station to farragut (3 miles) costs $2.40 during rush hour... i'd say the 2.65 average is probably even misleading considering it counts "off peak" hours which are not when most people HAVE TO use metro.

it makes me so frustrated how much i pay for wmata. I dont have a car so it's fine that all my transportation costs are these, but people who pay for a car on top of public transit costs probably find it very hard.

1 reply · active 689 weeks ago

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Nicky · 689 weeks ago

I totally agree - keep in mind that U Station to Farragut is actually only 2 miles, lol.

+4 Vote up Vote down

soon to be ex rider · 689 weeks ago

I'm done with this lying thieves.

+3 Vote up Vote down

@bgriffler · 689 weeks ago

NY MTA is $29 for unlimited 7-day Bus AND Rail. WMATA is $47 for unlimited 7-day Rail only.

6 replies · active 688 weeks ago

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hmmm · 689 weeks ago

but that involves traveling during non-rush hour times right?

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RGG · 688 weeks ago

Metro has 2 of them: The $47 weekly pass you can use anytime of day--unlimited distance. They also sell one for $32.50 that limits your ride to a fare of $3.25 or less (10% of the card's cost). You can still use it anytime of day, but if you go over that $3.25 you'll be headed to the "Exitfare" machine. Many folks buy the less expensive one and plan their trips so that they can go "X" amount of distance (up to the $3.25), hop off the train and exit their cards out, then hop on the next train and continue on their way for the next leg of their "up to $3.25" ride. If you have to transfer trains anyways, this could work out for many people. The same for people that ride mostly "off-peak." when the maximum fare is $3.00.

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Left in the dark · 688 weeks ago

Wait, WHAT??? Metro has an unlimited weekly pass at any time of the day?? That is cheaper for me! Can I buy it with my Smartbenefits?

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Erin · 688 weeks ago

they're talking about NYC subway, not DC Metro.

Too bad, right?

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RGG · 688 weeks ago

Not really.... "@bgriffler " made the initial comparison between the NY & WMATA 7-Day passes. "hmmm" asked about the travel times they could be used. And I offered the info up on WMATA's 7_Day pass.

While I know nothing about NY MTA passes, I _do_ know Metro's!!

0 Vote up Vote down

RGG · 688 weeks ago

Yep. You can buy them at the "blue" vending machines. Press "A" for "Pass" then "C" for "7-Day Fast Pass" if you want the unlimited one. OR "B" if you want the "limited" one and can figure a way to work the system to your benefit. And remember, it's only for the rail--no bus.

I don't think Metro has come up with a way to add it to a SmarTrip card yet, so you're stuck with a paper farecard with it's inherent dangers: losing it, damaging it, erasing the strip, etc. As far as I know, the only way to use your benefits is to load it onto a SmarTrip card so I'm not sure you if can use them to make a purchase or not.
http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/passes.cfm

+5 Vote up Vote down

Arnaud · 689 weeks ago

Is there a database to compare with prices in Europe?
In France, the unlimited metro/bus/tramway monthly is:
- 63 euros (80 USD) in Paris ... and half of it is paid by your employer.
- 50 euros (63 USD) in Lyon, the second biggest city in France
- 48 euros (61 USD) in Lille, a city where the metro is entirely automatized.
- 35 euros (45 USD) in Marseille... But I have to confess that the Marseille Metro is the most disgusting metro I ever saw in my life...

+11 Vote up Vote down

@europamo · 689 weeks ago

Wmata is overpriced for the service they provide. Im originally from NYC, having 24 hr access on the subway to almost anywhere, and then all the bus routes they have a great fare price. I will give it to WMATA one one thing, they are cleaner, but Im not riding it for that reason.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

+4 Vote up Vote down

Kara · 688 weeks ago

Well, cleaner is debatable.

+2 Vote up Vote down

John · 689 weeks ago

Just omit that whole "average fare" thing and everything is fine...
How far does base fare get you anyway? 3 stops?

1 reply · active 689 weeks ago

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hmmmm · 689 weeks ago

going from glenmont to wheaton (one stop) at 5pm cost $2.15

+4 Vote up Vote down

Sonya · 689 weeks ago

Boycott Metro!

+11 Vote up Vote down

@leithliterary · 689 weeks ago

The fact that our average fare is higher than the flat rates of other cities begs the question: where is the extra money going? That money has to be going somewhere ... or, more importantly, to someone.

When we uncover who is benefiting from the huge gap between Metro's fares and Metro's service, we might be able to do more than just gripe about it.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 689 weeks ago

in philadelphia, base fare for buses and subways is $2.00 and there is no free transfer, transfers are another $1. additionally, the subways don't cover nearly the ground that DC's metro system does. for many people in philly, the subways are not an option as it literally only runs under two main streets in the city (market st. and broad st), that's it. any suburban travel (say, the equivalent of taking the OL to vienna) requires use of philly's regional rail system and can cost up to $9 one way.

2 replies · active 688 weeks ago

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· 689 weeks ago

Still cheaper than Metro.

0 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 688 weeks ago

in many cases it is, but it depends on what type of travel you do. luckily, SEPTA makes unlimited rail/subway/bus options available at a reasonable cost. Metro should really consider that. however, Metro is more cleaner and more reliable than SEPTA, and that's saying something.

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Nick · 689 weeks ago

I lived in Chicago up until about three years ago and an unlimited monthly farecard was around $80 and now it's only $86.

+16 Vote up Vote down

eed017 · 688 weeks ago

It is interesting to me that two separate Metro conversations are taking place that should be combined: 1) Proposed fare increases and 2) Metro's plane to increase its workforce by 9%. Seeing how many goldbricking pantloads there are already on Metro's payroll, I cannot understand why we should pay more to hire 1,000 more of the same. Will the trains then run on time? Will the escalators then work? Will important brake components stop falling off trains? Doubtful.

+1 Vote up Vote down

eed017 · 688 weeks ago

In London, using an Oyster card (like Smartbenefits), the base fare for the Underground is about $3.00 and the bus is $1.60. (Much higher fares for paper tickets, like Metro) When you reach a daily maximum, then the charges to your Oyster card stop. The escalators run about 3x faster than Metro's. I was there four months ago all over the tube for a week, and did not see one broken escalator.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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Nash Rambler · 688 weeks ago

A quick note on the escalators. I spoke to a friend working on the silver line. While his team recommended going with a new vendor for the escalators on that line. Metro's response? No - they'd prefer to have interchangeable parts for the escalators at all the stations. Now there's intelligent decision-making.

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Guest · 688 weeks ago

I grew up in Philly and took their public trans system (SEPTA) all through high school and college; I used their buses, trolleys, Regional Rail lines, El and Subway and have to say that while it's far from perfect; it is leaps and bounds above Metro in the quality of service and it is far less expensive. Currently a monthly TransPass costs $22 for a week and $83 for a month. That gives you unlimited travel on everything except the Regional Rail service (which operates under a different management and prices their fares by zones). For the Rail lines you'd need a TrailPass (which is also accepted everywhere else on SEPTA) - the most expensive of which will allow you to travel any line to any zone anywhere in the system is $191 a month.
That is still cheaper than my monthly cost of going just a dozen miles or so from Largo to Foggy Bottom.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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@Cynicaps · 688 weeks ago

That most expensive TrailPass is $13 bucks less than the cheapest MARC TLC.

On the MBTA it's worse. Their subway and bus pass is $59/month and one can ride up to 5 Commuter Rail zones before passing the cost of said TLC.

+5 Vote up Vote down

F'n JD · 688 weeks ago

WMATA is a farce and needs to be taken over by the feds.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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eed017 · 688 weeks ago

Because Congressional oversight would be an improvement? Pass the dutchy on the left-hand side, please.

+6 Vote up Vote down

John · 688 weeks ago

Is it possible to put a 1 week pass onto smart trip? that would be convenient, so I'm guessing not...

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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RGG · 688 weeks ago

Nope. You're guessing correctly.

+8 Vote up Vote down

Chek · 688 weeks ago

Wow. That's more than misleading. It's plain dishonest! When I lived in NY and folks would complain about fair hikes, my dad always talked about how lucky we were. $1.50 (back then) would get you anywhere in the five buroughs anytime of day you needed to get there. I didn't realize how right he was until I met WMATA. Something's gotta give with these losers.

+4 Vote up Vote down

Lisa · 688 weeks ago

There is absolutely NO comparison between a system whose fares increase with the distance of the trip (Metro), and one that charges a flat rate no matter the distance (NYC). Under the new fares I will pay $5 each way rather than $1.95 or whatever the base fare actually is.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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Can't afford to work · 688 weeks ago

I will be paying $5.65 each way

+3 Vote up Vote down

@thejonrose · 688 weeks ago

BART fares are distance based too, FYI.

Your point is definitely valid... these comparisons should be done carefully.

Let's compare the following
(1) a BART trip from Berkeley to San Francisco (about 12 miles), with
(2) a Metro trip from Grosvenor to McPherson square (about 11 miles)

BART will cost $3.65 (always), Metro $4.20 (at peak of peak)

Meanwhile, to drive your car over the Bay Bridge between Berkeley and San Francisco will cost you a $5 toll (inbound only).

It took me a while to find a comparable route. It turns out BART covers greater distances and so is probably more commuter focused than Metro

By the way, BART also is much more pleasurable to ride. Obviously fewer track and train and escalator problems. They also time the transfers so you can go from one line to another often without waiting. It has excellent bike policies too.

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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@VeggieTart · 688 weeks ago

Yeah, but if you drive from Berkeley to San Francisco, then you gotta navigate San Francisco's web of one-way streets and try to find parking, which will also cost you. I've been in a car in SF before; you don't want to find yourself on Market Street or you will be there forever as all the side streets are one way pouring onto Market.

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Michael Perkins · 688 weeks ago

A commenter asked "who benefits from having such a high average fare
compared to other transit systems":

A lot of it is that the local jurisdictions are providing less in
operating support for the system. WMATA has a fairly high "recovery
ratio" compared to other transit systems. Every budget year, there has
been a choice between cut service, offer more operating subsidy and
raise fares. With the transit subsidy available to many, fare
increases have frequently been used to balance the budget.
Jurisdiction subsidies have also increased, but not as much as would
be needed to keep fares at a slower growth rate.

Some of it is that WMATA has been successful due to the transit
subsidy and parking policies downtown to get people on the trains and
paying higher fares than they otherwise would if they had to pay out
of pocket or if they had the option of driving downtown and paying
lower parking fees.

WMATA's generally superior position with respect to this subsidy
combined with poor performance on union negotiations, unfavorable
arbitration rulings and court decisions mean that there hasn't been
much downward pressure on represented labor compensation. In essence,
the arbitrators and courts have had to award raises and pensions based
on the fact that the system is not required to implement service cuts.
As long as there is a funding source in higher fares that keeps the
system from having to implement service cuts, the union side can argue
that the public interest is not impacted by a proposed raise or
benefit.

The federal law that sets out what arbitrators are required to
consider when determining benefit increases explicitly excludes the
level of fares from its definition of the public interest.

So basically "who benefits" in my opinion has been represented labor
and local taxpayers who have had lower taxes than would otherwise be
possible. Also the local politicians who have been able to hold taxes
low and thus build political capital.
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/11514/ju...

1 reply · active 688 weeks ago

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Mitch · 688 weeks ago

In your opinion.... An insider told me the ones who benefit most are AECOM, Metaformers, LTK and Booz Allen!

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guest · 688 weeks ago

BART does 1) offer monthly passes in the City. MUNI monthly passes (the bus system) are honored on BART trains at the 8 or so San Francisco stops. It's also a flat rate (base fare) within the City always. Sure, that doesn't help the majority of people who use it for commuting, but if you live in the Mission and work downtown (sort of the same as living in DuPont and working on the Hill, distance wise), you pay a fixed monthly fee, if you buy the pass.

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Doug · 688 weeks ago

Unrelated, but did you know metro only holds 'lost and found' items for 30 days? After 30 days they donate/destroy/sell (I'm sure take home is probably the #1 course of action, but it wasn't listed).

30 days and it's theirs? Seems like an awfully short time span to say ownership has changed hands.

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Nash Rambler · 688 weeks ago

Thanks for posting this. I've been on five of the seven systems you mention above, I go from Shady Grove to downtown every day ($5.15), I also pay $5 for parking, and I keep telling myself "It wasn't this expensive when I was in (Boston/LA/SF/NYC/Portland/Chicago/Vegas). Why can't metro do better?"

Sure, a lack of subsidies is a possible cause, but I smell incompetence and/or corruption here. The trains are always overflowing at rush hour, yet so many things are suffering from disrepair and neglect - that's a sign money is going into someone's pocket and not into the system.

A side question: How much money could metro raise if it allowed food and drink sales in the metro itself, charging rent to the vendors along the way? Couldn't they cut rates by 25 to 50 cents by doing this? I sure do miss drinking my morning cup of coffee on the train like I could in Boston, and I can't help but think others would want the same.