Unsuck DC Metro: Did Metro Do Something Right?

Friday, November 9, 2012

Did Metro Do Something Right?

There have been a lot of positive comments about the new bus seats being spotted on Metrobus lately.

From Brittany:

This morning, my usual D1 (bus 4404) transformed from a regular commuter bus into some sort of posh VIP bus/limo. While this isn't the lap of luxury, the plush seats are definitely an upgrade from normal Metro plastic. It was an older bus so I'd really love to know when and why this revamp was done.

When did @wmata upgrade the 💺 on the 🚍?! I'm over here feeling like I'm about to head on a journey!!! lockerz.com/s/259069836
— Miss Arielle M Dixon (@ADixonPR) November 5, 2012

WMATA is trying to be all faaaancy with these city buses. Carpeted trains and now cushioned bus seats? I ain't mad.lockerz.com/s/259166855
— Sandra F (@SandiLVAMA) November 5, 2012

Other items:
No parking at Silver Line stations in Tysons (NBC4)
MoCo looks at bus rapid transit (WTOP)
Metro takes a year to build a staircase, NYC performs 'magic' (NYTimes)

Comments (28)

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+13 Vote up Vote down

Busser · 644 weeks ago

While these are certainly nice for now, aren't they a little like putting carpeting on the floor of the Metro?

3 replies · active 643 weeks ago

+11 Vote up Vote down

Jason · 644 weeks ago

Exactly, these seats will be gross within a month.

-4 Vote up Vote down

Mike · 644 weeks ago

Haters

0 Vote up Vote down

Cetus Jenkins · 643 weeks ago

It will most certainly smell like ass and homelessness.

+5 Vote up Vote down

Jim · 644 weeks ago

They'll be filthy and have a disgusting stench to them in no time, just like all of the "Tro".

Horrible research and planning.

+26 Vote up Vote down

TBF · 644 weeks ago

I wish Metro would stop with the gimmicks to entice riders. What we want is simple: on-time, reliable and affordable service.

I wouldn't care if the entire bus was made of stainless steel if Metro could accomplish those basics.

+18 Vote up Vote down

guest · 644 weeks ago

I don't often defend Metro, but some of the buses have had these seats for a year or two, and they're not grimey at all. Furthermore, they really are quite comfortable, which is great on those rush hour trips across the river that sometimes take over an hour. As for on-time, reliable and affordable service: that's why I take the bus instead of the Metro.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 644 weeks ago

Fairfax Connector has had them for years on some busses. They get stinky after a while.

+2 Vote up Vote down

bll · 644 weeks ago

I sent in the first photo and as comfortable as they were, I just want to know why they felt the need to do this? Like everyone said, seeing how gross the metro carpet gets, why go out of your way to outfit a bus in fabric seats? It's like they go to a meeting and think 'what useless upgrade can we make that will benefit the smallest portion of riders for the shortest period of time?' It's almost a joke that metro would upgrade this bus considering the recent fare hikes, but then again they like to throw away money like no other.

+6 Vote up Vote down

iolaire · 644 weeks ago

We have had these seats on some VA Metro Busses for years. I don't like it when I get a bus like this because the seating is limited when they take 4 inches of your knee space for padding. I like the newer busses slim seats much better - and they are just as comfortable if not more because of the space.

+5 Vote up Vote down

@VeggieTart · 644 weeks ago

I sometimes see these seats when I catch the 38B to work. They are very comfortable, never gross, and it's a nice change from the molded plastic seats (which can also get gross). You can be sure they won't be using them on certain lines where miscreant behavior is noted.

1 reply · active 644 weeks ago

-5 Vote up Vote down

MeatTart · 644 weeks ago

blah blah...derp-a-derp.

+7 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 644 weeks ago

I'm fairly certain these seats are only for the buses that are *usually* going longer distances, like the 5A, C13, etc... this could have been an instance where a bus usually detailed to a longer distance route was re-routed for an atypical route.

1 reply · active 644 weeks ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

Amber · 644 weeks ago

Yup - I used to get one of those fairly often on the 16Y (Columbia Pike-Downtown) becauase the 16Y only ran until 9 AM, and then it would go over to L'Effant Plaza and become a 5A. IIRC, they only also have an overhead luggage rack. I was last taking the 16Y around 2009, so these busses are hardly new.

+2 Vote up Vote down

arhutch · 644 weeks ago

Yes, they have been on some buses for a year or more.

And yes, they will become unsightly unless someone cleans them regularly.

Anyone want to speculate on the anticipated cleaning schedule?

+1 Vote up Vote down

Dezlboy · 644 weeks ago

I don't like the new seats because unlike the old seats, there is no grab bar along the seat back. Sorry.......

+1 Vote up Vote down

BRLou · 644 weeks ago

These seats have been on the 4400 numbered buses for years. The W19 line used to have them all the time because it was a commuter/express line. Now the W19 is getting the new more fuel efficient buses with the VERY uncomfortable seats.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Tim · 644 weeks ago

I'd rather see the effort into maintaining the new escalators at Dupont south. The middle was wasn't working when I came in this morning.

+10 Vote up Vote down

Mike · 644 weeks ago

I applaud any effort by Metro to make my trip a little more comfortable.

+3 Vote up Vote down

Sam · 644 weeks ago

i used to find these on the 23a/c from crystal city. Nap inducingly comfortable.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Chris · 644 weeks ago

I think this is a good step for Metro Bus. I'd love to see a lot of things that haven't happened and may not happen, but this is at least a step towards the future.

+1 Vote up Vote down

anonymous · 644 weeks ago

This comes to mind: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/06/us/06bcseats.ht...

+4 Vote up Vote down

anon · 644 weeks ago

I saw one of these on the F14 recently; I'm fairly sure these are buses meant for "longer" routes that just happen to end up on other random routes because of scheduling or whatever else...

+2 Vote up Vote down

PrettyInMD · 644 weeks ago

Yes, I have noticed these seats the last few times I took the B30 and the 5A...very comfortable and easy to take a nap on :-)

+1 Vote up Vote down

apple1 · 644 weeks ago

I was on a D1 last week w/the cushy seats and asked the driver about them b/c I had never seen them before. Confirming some of the comments above, he told me that it is an old bus and definitely made it sound like it is not something Metro is introducing. The seats were kind of comfy and didn't seem too dirty. However, there did seem to be somewhat less standing room making them slightly less practical for busier routes.

0 Vote up Vote down

dcn8v · 644 weeks ago

Those were on the 11Y three years ago. It was nice in winter, but in summer I was really grossed out by the idea of all the sweat those things would soak up.

-1 Vote up Vote down

spataps -116p · 644 weeks ago

These seem like the seats on most coach buses, which tend to be fine. Glad they're testing out improving seats, though odd that this has been going on for years so sporadically. Maybe they're starting a bigger roll out now?

Also pleasantly surprised no one has suggested these seats are just stuffed with money metro is going to transport around and launder.

0 Vote up Vote down

dcmetro626 · 639 weeks ago

This is nothing new, the 4400s always had those seats. When the new Shepherd Parkway Divison opened on Sep 30, those buses moved to Bladensburg Division which operates most D1 trips. Most of the 4390s have these seats too, as well as 4388 and 4389. Why they moved to Bladensburg? I have no idea. Before then, they were at Royal St Division which operated the W19 before Shepherd Pkwy opened. Because they were at Royal St, that's why they were also seen on the 11Y, and even on regular routes like 28A and the 10 line (very rarely though)