A couple of weeks ago, a reader, "Spataps," called me the "Rush Limbaugh of transit." It would have been better if they'd called me the Rush+ Limbaugh of transit but regardless, I invited them to guest post, and they did. It is unedited.
A Letter to the Blog and its Readers –
Other items:
Metrobus is not so green (City Paper)
Metro's busiest stations (GGW)
VRE could lose some funding (Examiner)
A Letter to the Blog and its Readers –
I was invited by the site’s author to write this because of comments I posted in his article expressing frustration at WMATAs slow response to FOAA requests. My question for the author and readers is this. Do you really want to improve the Metro? Or do you take your pleasure in attacking it and its employees, much like Limbaugh does with the federal government. If it's the former, as I hope, than I ask you to reconsider your reporting style.
I read Unsuck because I want to improve Metro. I hate when trains stop for no reason or have 30 minute headways. I wish metro employees were more courteous. And this blog is the main game in town for only covering Metros' needed improvements. Yet the attitude that the blog takes really frustrates me. I believe yelling at an alcoholic does nothing. To me, your style feels much like that. Much of the time, having taken the metro almost every day for 7 years, I've found it runs okay. Sure, there are problems, but to read this blog, one would think metro was a Florida DMV run by Chicago goons from the 1920s. It's not good, but it's not that bad. To ask for change, I think you need to acknowledge that, or risk being ignored.
While ideally metro would respond to FOAA and improvement suggestions systematically, they are human. They're going to be suspicious of the intentions of someone who reports only negative news in an unobjective style. For example, the October 26th update titled "Stalin Would Be Proud." The subject matter, Metro should reconsider its policies on releasing video from bus cameras is fair. The title and delivery are inflammatory, coming close to Godwin's law. This article almost certainly will not lead metro to release its videos, or take the blog seriously in the future.
The comparison to Greater Greater Washington is inevitable. GGW has become a widely read blog in the area, with David Alpert turning into the go to guy on smart planning for many in the media and city politics. They are critical at times but write in a style of constructive criticism and also identify bright spots. I'm not saying you need to support GGW's policies, since it's clear many of this blogs readers don't, but Unsuck should follow their growth as an example of success if it really wishes to improve WMATA.
Some suggestions to unsuck Unsuckdcmetro:
-Close the comments for a while or moderate them more strictly. Readers also read the comments and associate them with the website. Many commenters create elaborate conspiratorial, cartoonishly evil, and sometimes racist, depictions of WMATA and its staff. This is not a group that a WMATA staffer considering responding to a question from a reporter cares about pleasing. It'd be great if the comments were a place to share experiences and have real conversation. However, when I came in with some criticism, my comments got voted down and called out as trolls.
-Enact some journalistic standards. Not an insult, and correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think you have set up some guidelines. Often posts are put up that blame the metro for something that later turns out to be not their fault. See the fire alarm that closed the new Dupont escalators. While you put up a correction, the damage was done. Instead of instantly posting, make sure you’re right first.
-Get more contributors. I don’t know if Unsuck is run by one person or if you have help, but a diversity of opinions only improves a news outlet. How to best unsuck the Metro is a topic with a lot of different views that are not represented. By diversifying your writers, you will attract more readers who also care about improving the metro but are turned off by your currently inflammatory style.
-Avoid anonymous sources. You frequently cite anonymous metro employees as to the secret real reason why something bad has happened. I have no idea who these people are or if they are even who they claim to be. Maybe they’re about to be fired for sexual harassment or maybe they’re actually right. Many newspapers limit their use of sources or have laid out clear standards for their use.
-Lay off the union bashing. I’m not saying unions are perfect, but they do perform an important role in protecting workers.
-Get into more detail. What are rail ties? Why do so many of them need to be replaced? Does it really need to take so long? I don't know but I would like to. This leads down the road of more constructive criticism instead of repeated broad attacks.
None of this excuses bad bureaucracy, bad employees and late trains/buses. It is an attempt to try and improve those situations in a more constructive manner.
Maybe this letter is a waste of time.Maybe you all really just want a place to talk about how much you hate the Metro, much like I doubt Limbaugh cares about changing government for the better. But if you truly care about improving WMATA, than please consider a different type of reporting.
Other items:
Metrobus is not so green (City Paper)
Metro's busiest stations (GGW)
VRE could lose some funding (Examiner)
anon · 642 weeks ago
Alex · 642 weeks ago
In the last 10 years, I have traveled to a fair number of cities around the world and taken public transportation in at least 30 of them. At least. And I can say, unequivocally, without a shred of doubt that Metro in its current incarnation is THE WORST public transportation system out there right now. Not exaggerating in the slightest.
I think the writer of this piece fails to recognize the extent of the problems here. Yes we need to work cooperatively to fix them. But no, there should be no more excuses. The time for that has long passed.
@cajunjoel · 642 weeks ago
Radner · 642 weeks ago
SammyDC · 642 weeks ago
AGP · 642 weeks ago
AGP · 642 weeks ago
Kara · 642 weeks ago
emily · 642 weeks ago
No.
The Freedom of Information Act, which I assume is what you're referencing, is very clear that there is a specific amount of time an entity has to respond to these requests. Generally, it's 30 days, but in the case of WMATA, which is a weird public/private partnership, it might be more or less. I'm not a lawyer, so I truly don't know the details. BUT: there is a legal requirement for response, and WMATA routinely violates that.
WMATA gets away with these years-long lags and denials because it knows that this blog is not well-financed enough to take it to court for the violations. In this case, it is wholly appropriate for the blog to call out WMATA's failings, because a loud voice is the only power it has in this fight.
F'n JD · 642 weeks ago
stephanie · 642 weeks ago
@VeggieTart · 642 weeks ago
But hey, if Metro management is willing to listen--and it seems they aren't--great. As for government, there is a remedy for politicians you feel don't listen to the needs of their voters: It's called an election.
John Antonelli · 642 weeks ago
Everyday reader · 642 weeks ago
Annie · 642 weeks ago
jdd · 642 weeks ago
yelling at an alcoholic is a good metaphor.
Bill · 642 weeks ago
Radner · 642 weeks ago
Joolz · 642 weeks ago
dcn8v · 642 weeks ago
So perhaps Spataps is not entirely wrong. I think that the tone of the blog (both in writing and in commenting) is partly the reason why WMATA won't communicate with Unsuck. I do think, however, that it's Unsuck's job to be at least somewhat skeptical of information issued from WMATA's PR Army. Look what happens when it's swallowed and reported hook, line, and sinker: Dr. Gridlock. I think we can all agree that that's not the way to go either.
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 642 weeks ago
Before Stessel and Sarles came to town, Metro regularly engaged with the blog. In fact, it led to a couple of clarifications. The tone of the blog was not any different than it is now.
Since then, Metro will not respond to basic requests for information. I'm not talking Freedom of Information stuff, nor do I ask them petulant questions. I'm talking every day stuff. They will not respond. Not here, not even on Twitter when the vast majority of their customers might benefit from an answer.
I think it's childish and unprofessional to act this way.
F'n JD · 642 weeks ago
certifried 88p · 642 weeks ago
mike · 642 weeks ago
Daily Rider · 642 weeks ago
How does this get any negative votes?
Jones · 642 weeks ago
Negative criticism is not an impetus for change.
anon · 642 weeks ago
Bill · 642 weeks ago
EVER anony online · 642 weeks ago
I've taken metro for 35 years. I have problems with the service at least once a week if not more for a very long time. I am one of the real old-time riders. My facts are based on real experiences, not theory nor general hate towards the service. You, however, obviously hate this blog–why do you even visit?
...close comments.
THAT'S your ideas for improvements to this blog? Forgot about the concept of free speech did ya? Never got the point of this blog either I suspect.
...avoid anonymous sources, too, eh? Like me?
Become more realistic to what this blog is, does and stands for and I might actually agree with some of your next guest blog comments. Your post simply slams a valued blog and doesn't provide any ideas for Metro improvement for the rest of us. (Lucky you to have such a perfect Metro system. Interesting as the only people who seem to have a perfect Metro system life are Metro spokesmen.)
As it is, I reject your lack of reality and logistical common senselessness. As I step off my soap box, stage right.
@irrationalratio · 642 weeks ago
Vienna Bound · 642 weeks ago
To the OP, I hope that you will continue to share your views on WMATA's successes and failures too. Everyone deserves to be heard.
unsuck fan · 642 weeks ago
You're a troll. No one that has really utilized Metro service for the past 7 years would be so forgiving and willing to spend their own time defending it. Only someone whose job it is would be such a long winded apologist for a pubic service that's so deserving of the rage vented here. Rush on outta here Ditto-head!
hrh king friday 13 · 642 weeks ago
That said, it seems contradictory to critisize Unsuck for doccumenting serious system failures and demanding FOAA responses while at the same time reccomending that Unsuck "enact journalistic standards" and "avoid anonymous sources" and "get more detials" and "get more contributors." I wonder if the reader (contributor?) actually follows this blog.
WMATA and ATU derseve every bit of frustration (and occasional praise) expressed on this blog. Thier hurt feelings do not trump my wanting to be alive. And the last thing this city needs is another blog or Dr. Gridlock lacking the balls to dig deep and call them out.
Jason · 642 weeks ago
I'm not sure you understand what the purpose of FOIA is because what you just described is exactly why there are FOIA laws.
drew · 642 weeks ago
Trollopian · 642 weeks ago
The comments (which we all know to be unmoderated) are often hilarious and incisive. It's heartening to see that the occasional unfair or racist comment gets vigorous pushback and lots of thumbs-down.
Keep it up, Unsuck.
Hal · 642 weeks ago
Hal · 642 weeks ago
Comment posted.
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^Did you not see that when you commented?
Trollopian · 641 weeks ago
@NoPants_McGee · 642 weeks ago
NoNo · 642 weeks ago
Isn't it supposed to be Metro's job? to explain what they do during their track 'maintenance'?
Earlier this year , Metro 'single-tracked' for 6 weekends in a row in Cleveland Park, with only one train every 24 to 32 minutes. The only reason mentioned on the website was that it was for "rail fastener replacement". I sent them many emails asking them details:
- What is a rail fastener?
- How many are they between Dupont and Van Ness?
- How many needed to be replaced?
- How long does it take to replace one?
- How many have been changed so far?
Here is the answer I received from metro:
" "
...
Nothing.
And the funniest part: A few weeks after the last track maintenance, we got a "Metro Meltdown" due to a track malfunction between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park...
==> "METRO FAIL"
Be sarcastic or not, you can not ignore that...
n2deep · 641 weeks ago
a rail fastener is the one foot by one foot steel plate that is bolted to the concrete floor by four 8 to 10 inch bolts. it also has two latches that attach the rail to the fastener. the latches allow the track to move laterally to allow for expansion and contraction. in other words the rail "floats".
rail fasteners are spaced every two feet apart. lets say for the sake of argument it is 2000 feet between the two stations. that would be 4000 rail fasteners on both tracks combines. this does not include switches, and cross-overs.
generally when doing rail fastener replacement all are changed. to replace just one is a trick question. to remove one you need to remove the fasteners on many in each direction to allow the rail to be raised so it can be slid out. so changing one is never done.
the biggest time consuming issue i would think is that the rail fasteners sit slightly elevated on concrete. there are gaps between around every 7 or 8 i am guessing. during inspections if the concrete pads are cracked or deteriorating then they are removed, a frame is built and a new concrete pad is poured. after the pad has set then they need to drill four new holes for each rail fastener. so if the new pad had ten rail fasteners then 40 new holes drilled and anchors set in each new hole. also the rail must be raised up to allow the work underneath to be complete. very time consuming process.
sometimes section of rail is replaced while doing rail fasteners. rails wear out over a certain period of time due to the constant metal to metal contact with the steel wheels
hope this helps
Tim · 642 weeks ago
Unsuck is at its best when it identifies a problems or explains a situation without the spin. Please give me the facts, I am capable of making up my own mind. It was great when Unsuck explained the cause of the Rosslyn derailment and reported the opening doors on a moving train.
The biggest problem Metro faces is the result of chronic government underfunding, over reliance on fares for operating capital and deferred maintenance. That is a formula for problems that will take a long time to resolve. It doesn't excuse the problems, but "yelling at the alcoholic" is not constructive.
Sweet Bobby · 642 weeks ago
hrh king friday 13 · 642 weeks ago
Karl Marx · 642 weeks ago
Eroding labor standards isn't our goal, fixing metro is.
Bill · 642 weeks ago
Karl Marx · 642 weeks ago
Bill · 641 weeks ago
hrh king friday 13 · 642 weeks ago
Your college freshman year is on the phone, it wants it's social justice outrage back.
Karl Marx · 642 weeks ago
On a hilarious note, America doesn't actually have any form of mandated paid maternity leave. The federal government requires that employers allow up to 8 weeks of UNPAID leave, but that is it. There isn't much to eliminate, although I'm sure you and all of your Romney backing friends would enjoy eliminating it.
Matt G · 642 weeks ago
anon · 642 weeks ago
If you're looking to call someone the Rush Limbaugh of transit, look to someone who does no reporting and just repeats the party line--the Washington Post.
@MegE_N · 642 weeks ago
Dan Stessel · 642 weeks ago
John · 642 weeks ago
To go after Unsuck for bringing up the fact that all the escalators at dupont broke within a week is ridiculous. None of the news outlets brought it up. But they were there to cover that idiotic ribbon cutting ceremony.
"Get more contributors" A good portion of the articles on this blog are written by other contributors. Pay better attention.
"Avoid anonymous sources" Do you know how sources work? He isn't going to out current metro employees, they could get into trouble. Do you prefer the coverage of say, the Washington Post? Where their only source is Dan Stessel, the PR Guy? You think "I asked Dan Stessel about it, and he said..." is good journalism? And furthermore, his sources have time and time again been rather solid, as Metro has had to admit things that have came to light from these sources. If not for unsuck these stories would not have been picked up by the local media.
"Lay off the union bashing" Its not bashing unions in general. Its bashing this corrupt union that makes it damn near impossible to get fired. You might want to look up a couple of articles regarding the Union leader, Jackie Jeter, and her racist tendencies. Read the story about the bus driver who punched an off duty cop while on his bus route, who managed to get his job back with back pay thanks to the union. If you don't find this ridiculous, then you are insane.
"Close the comments for a while or moderate them more strictly." You're right, Unsuck should just censor comments he doesn't like, sort of how Rush Limbaugh hangs up on callers who don't agree with him. Good point.
In conclusion, you either have completely missed the mark, you have an agenda, or you haven't been reading this blog long enough. This blog offers solutions and constructive criticism ALL THE TIME! Sure, it can be sarcastic, and at times snarky, but it gets the job done.
Kevin · 642 weeks ago
Joolz · 642 weeks ago
F'n JD · 642 weeks ago
Other than that...Metro gets what it deserves. We should be angry. We should have more accountability. We should elect the Board directly as riders.
ROger · 642 weeks ago
Skip · 642 weeks ago
Hal · 642 weeks ago
I think it does well to remember that just as WMATA employees are human, so is Unsuck, and I'm pretty sure it's just one guy pouring a TON of his energy and time into providing riders with an outlet for their frustrations and a source for answers to some of the questions WMATA refuses to answer. What is he even getting out of it, anyway? He doesn't get paid, he doesn't get credit, as he's anonymous, and he has a life and a full time job like the rest of us riding metro do (remember that time he tried to take a vacation?).
I love Unsuck. Yes, I would love to see it improve in a few areas, but unlike the failing Metro system, I don't PAY Unsuck for his services, so I don't feel very comfortable making demands of him.
Chris · 642 weeks ago
n2deep · 641 weeks ago
employees can point out even more inadequacies and provide even greater details to properly indentify problems and what actions would quickly and safely remedy most situations. i have been doing this for many years. however 99% of what i have reported has gone unanswered. is metro going to listen to riders? something about snowballs and hell comes to mind.
John · 642 weeks ago
SEA · 642 weeks ago
Daily O-Line Rider · 642 weeks ago
Pookie · 642 weeks ago
M-Z · 642 weeks ago
Well, nothing else directly managing WMATA is left for criticism, so everything must be all rainbows and unicorns for commuters! Now, let's all go make like David Alpert and wax philosophically about how bike sharing and green space will bring about utopia for mankind.
steve · 642 weeks ago
Unsuck is honest. If Metro didn't suck, it wouldn't need unsucking.
Tim SA · 642 weeks ago
Stan Dessel · 642 weeks ago
You're welcome!
stephanie · 642 weeks ago
russell.j.coller.jr · 642 weeks ago
Stephanie · 642 weeks ago
Even if they were under FOIA, a good lawyer on their side can still prevent things from being disclosed either way.
But, yes, triflin' indeed.
Guest · 642 weeks ago
That is to say, coverage that is utterly lacking original reporting, such as say, interviewing RIDERS who actually witnessed events.
That is all.
Wes · 642 weeks ago
Guest · 642 weeks ago
@savemetro · 641 weeks ago
Unsuck, keep up the good work.
mr_brennan · 641 weeks ago
Personally, I gave metro the benefit of the doubt for two years before I became a frequent critic. But after being the subject of frequently late trains, egregious malfunctions, jerky rides and verbal abuse by metro employees, I've given up.
I reserve my right to give metro frequent constructive criticism until they shape up. End of story.
D.C. · 641 weeks ago
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 641 weeks ago
Take your comment, for example.
olgaindc 22p · 641 weeks ago
Close comments? why? It's a free country, people should be able to express their opinions freely. Our Constitution says so.
I also encourage this author to read today's blog post about lack of whistleblower protection. This is WHY there are anonimous sources.
I've lived in DC area for 15 years and used public transit all this time. In the late 90s the Red line used to be like a clockwork, there was no crowding and very rare malfunctions. Never, ever, ever was there 20 min between trains, even on weekends. All that has been run into the ground by poor management. I applaud the person behind Unsuck blog for brining it to light.
OnlyLeftyinDC · 641 weeks ago
1. Anti-union and anti collective-bargaining screeds against public-sector workers. Labor unions evil; private-sector managers heroes. Government workers lazy; private-sector workers hard working. I get it.
2. Code words with racist connotations thrown against Metro workers. Apparently, people have a problem with black workers who can earn a decent wage without a college education. The same code words were used against DC public school teachers during the God-awful Michelle Rhee reign.
3. Supports the complete destruction of a public transit system that harms poor people and supports fossil fuel industries with more automobiles on the road. Burning more gas is a job creator, right? Let's face it: conservatives who do not live in cities have a philosophical problem with public transportation. The word "public" is a dead giveaway. Drive or walk to your job on your own!
The type of people who post here? 1. White 2. Suburbanites 3. Love reading the paranoid news articles about union corruption and WMATA "scandals" in The Examiner. 4. Trend more Republican and conservative 5. Did I mention that UnSuck readers don't like black people earning a decent wage and labor unions in general?
So my two-part question to the creator of the UnSuck DC blog: why do you want to destroy public transit unions and why do you support the reduction of the black middle-class in Washington, DC? Just curious.
anon · 641 weeks ago
anotherLeftResident · 641 weeks ago
Maybe you missed the election.
People will interpret things as they see fit. Thank you for sharing your opinion.
unsuckdcmetro 92p · 641 weeks ago
Take your comment, for example.
Bona Fide · 641 weeks ago