WMATA Riders' Advisory Council

WMATA's Riders' Advisory Council advocates on behalf of riders to the #wmata Board. DMs open or e-mail comments to [email protected]

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

The DMV needs a strong and thoughtful voice for riders, now more than ever.

https://t.co/C6YW10KkEy

[Justin George @justingeorge]

Got to say @wmataRAC has had little to no apparent impact influencing Metro or speaking for the public since the Metro Board ran off former chair @anelki Andrew Kierig who was vocal & critical on social media and during Board meetings, representing riders' best interests.

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

Rt:

https://t.co/081s7XzVAy

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

hrmm, kinda gettin' a little dusty around here. #wmata

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

Better late than never. #wmata

https://t.co/E6pywADUCY

[Metro Forward @wmata]

#FactFriday Did you know? Metrorail cars complete a full air change approximately every three minutes. #wmata

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@HeadwaysMatter @gurleygg @unsuckdcmetro @SEPTA @MBTA @wmata RAC meetings, every first Wednesday, you're welcome to attend and listen in and/or make a public comment. See you next time?

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

Had a good Q&A at last night's #WMATA RAC meeting with GM Wiedefeld on budget and proposed service levels, transit equity, and bringing riders back to the system. https://t.co/w8OlAEmIOq

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@srepetsk @jamespizzurro Meanwhile, same Board, same Board meeting... https://t.co/8sARNNg4eR

[Jordan Pascale @JWPascale]

Board member Michael Goldman says the "budget sausage making machine" made something that is inedible.

Service cuts/budget proposal is too conservative, causes too much pain. Don't think it's one we should present to the public.

He also thinks Metro should wait a month. #WMATA

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jeremy_d_smith1 @jamespizzurro The response has been that it's easier to start with a low ridership assumption and adapt service higher if more riders materialize. True from a process perspective, but doesn't shed light on the basis for the assumptions.

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

Et tu Canada? A reminder that this isn't just a #WMATA issue, it's a public transit issue. https://t.co/m0nbokR4PX

[DDOT DC @DDOTDC]

TODAY is the last day to tell us your transportation priorities at https://t.co/KM0929RZxa.

And, find out how you can see nearly 10,000 #CherryBlossom trees in #PeakBloom without heading to the Tidal Basin.

This and more in today's edition of #DDOTDirect. #DDOTDelivers

[Metro Forward @wmata]

Beginning next week, Metro will host a transit-accessible community vaccination center run by FEMA at Greenbelt Station. https://t.co/cBt4fhePbQ #wmata

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@GeorgeFTrain @HeadwaysMatter That's exactly the argument the city of Alexandria made when it explained how it will pay off the financing - thru net new taxes in Potomac Yard, developer contributions, and two special tax districts. https://t.co/1FTgzF7LKt

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @NASEMTRB Yep, most surveys rank service near top of the list. That said, not sure I'd agree that riders "don't want" free service, but that it's not the #1 deterrent to riding. That said, among some riders it does rank very highly.

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @NASEMTRB And FWIW the free Circulator pilot appears to have goosed ridership, but guessing those are highly discretionary rides; https://t.co/mmQU42pEfA

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @NASEMTRB Finally clicked the article and it's unclear to me anyone is "pushing" free transit, but open to it as part of a broader strategy on ridership. If nothing else the discussion might get us out of the 'public transit should pay for itself' rut and accept it as a public good

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@HeadwaysMatter @HakunaWMATA @unsuckdcmetro Is Twitter snark working?

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @CurtisWalkerMD @gloverparkfox @HeadwaysMatter Exactly - the current system responds to any drop in fare revenue, for any reason, with service cuts or fare increases, which is the exact opposite of what's needed to appeal for more riders.

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @CurtisWalkerMD @gloverparkfox @HeadwaysMatter Agree, free isn't a current solution to the ridership crisis. But longer term it's an interesting idea to drive ridership and all the knock-on effects of increased commerce, mobility, and economic well-being. If jurisdictions keep treating transit as cost, they will seek to cut.

[WMATA Riders' Advisory Council @wmataRAC]

@jamespizzurro @CurtisWalkerMD @gloverparkfox @HeadwaysMatter That caveat is useful when ridership is growing and demanding more service, but doesn't address the current scenario where ridership has declined. There's no need to increase service, just maintain or merely stop the bleeding.