I’m not sure what to make of it, but I find it rather curious that when Metro-related projects go outside of the federal system, it tends to buy foreign. Metro gets a good deal of money from the federal government and those dollars come with restrictions saying that the agency must purchase its railcars and buses from companies either based in the U.S. or with whom there is some sort of understanding — perhaps it’s like a secret handshake or something. Even though Metro was going to oversee the D.C. Circulator project, it was being organized by another group so it didn’t have to conform to the federal mandate. What did Metro do? It bought a bunch of really cool buses that were built in the Netherlands. These buses were actually bought by “mistake” by the bus system in San Francisco, which had to unload them at a pretty good price when somebody there realized they were putting all of their federal money at risk by buying foreign.
The Anacostia rail project is being overseen by Metro, but operated by the District’s Department of Transportation. So what kind of railcars are being used? These railcars are being constructed as you read this in the Czech Republic. I’m not sure how this works, because the last time I checked, a good deal of the District’s budget comes from the federal government but I guess it doesn’t have the same restrictions.
I find all of this kind of ironic because here we are in the nation’s capital where they made all of the laws regarding how transportation dollars can be spent. On any given day in the future, a senator or congressperson could take a Dutch bus to the light rail station and board a Czech-made train. It should be noted that there really are no more railcar manufacturers left in this country and anything Metro buys must come from outside our borders, though the assembly is done here. Are these buses and railcars better or cheaper than those the feds want us to buy?
Getting dirty about eating on trains
In response to a recent letter about eating on Metro, another reader sends us these thoughts: “I have noticed a marked decline in the cleanliness of Metro trains and buses since moving here five years ago. Riders eat, drink and rest their feet on seats with abandon. The floors of the cabins and buses are filthy and the seats are dirty. Except for new residents or visitors, who may not know the rules of ridership, passengers do not care and no longer feel obligated to comply with Metro’s indifference. Last week, thinking I had encountered a new resident or visitor, I advised the rider that no eating was permitted and could result in a $250 fine (hotdog in hand, dripping with mustard). She said, ‘I know, but people make choices.’
“Metro should go back to a strict enforcement policy. The trash, dirt and odors are offensive. Why not post signs stating, ‘no eating’ and ‘no feet on the seats.’ These rules should be reinforced with announcements after the doors are closed. … Maybe we need monitors towalk through the Metro trains or undercovers on the buses. It’s time for serious attention to this issue.”
Questions, comments,
random musings? Write to [email protected].
