I almost wrote “Everyone Go Buy Cars” as the headline for this blog post. But that’s not going to happen. So, just read and try not to get too exasperated.
Yesterday, Metro General Manager John Catoe appeared before Metro’s Board of Directors to present plans that would address the system’s budget gap. And of course, “plans that would address the system’s budget gap” ultimately mean a spreadsheet or two outlining exactly how peeved you will be waiting on a train platform sometime in the future. So, here’s the one for METRO rail service. And here’s the one for buses.
A few “highlights” affecting train service:
- Weekend headways will increase, depending on the time of day by three to ten minutes from their current times (For example, late Saturday night, we’re now waiting roughly 20 minutes for a train. Under the proposed changes, the wait will be 30 minutes.)
- Weekday headways will increase anywhere from three to 10 minutes, depending on the time of day. (The chart only notes “mid-day” and “late night,” so I assume rush hours aren’t included.)
- Weekday trains will come less frequently between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
- Five station entrances will close at 8 p.m.: Those include Stadium Armory North, Shaw/Howard U South, Friendship Heights South and McPherson Square West.