Hats Off to Mike!

Red Line rider Mike first made us aware that Metro employees were parking in the Kiss & Ride parking spots at Takoma station, leaving true kiss and riders with few options. Mike followed up with Metro, and today he got an email from a Metro police sergeant, which read:

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. There will be an officer out there ticketing the vehicles today. If this problem continues please feel free to contact me directly at the following listed numbers or e-mail address.

We look forward to seeing if this stops the abuse once and for all.

Other news:
If you're interested in Arlington's "Smart Growth Journey," there's a screening tonight. Click here for details. (Thanks Campariman)

Even In the Event of Possible Decapitation, Do Not Block Doors!

From "M" on the Red Line:
At approximately 8:35 a.m. yesterday morning, I was on a train to Shady Grove heading into work. At Takoma Park, a woman with a rolling suitcase began to board the train. It had rained overnight, so the platform was wet and slippery. As she headed in, she tripped and fell quite hard on the platform. She looked to be in pain, and both passengers inside the train and outside came to her aid. She was visibly upset and clutching her wrist.
A passenger on the platform was waving to the conductor to not close the doors and to wait. From where I was sitting, it appeared that part of her had landed partially in the doorway, so I wasn't surprised that one of the inside passengers attempted to hold the door open when the chimes rang that they were closing. Frantically, the passenger on the platform pulled the woman out of the doorway just as they were closing.
As the train pulled out of the station, the conductor angrily announced over the intercom that "passengers are advised that no matter what, do not block the doors from closing. Ever." This "announcement" elicited more than a few middle fingers and "what the hell?" grumblings from the passengers in my car who were simply trying to help an injured woman.
I am completely at a loss as to why this conductor handled this situation SO poorly. I have no idea if the women hit her head, or suffered any other injury where having to move her that quickly could have injured her further. Conductors have a responsibility to be aware of their surroundings and respond appropriately. Today, they did not.

Perhaps they were ogling again.

Other news:
Just when you thought federal funding was looking good... (WTOP) We disagree with the writer saying the federal funding "would" fix Metro's problems. We would have gone with "could."
Dulles Rail gets stim $ (WTOP)