Once again, I?m going to write something positive about Maryland?s Transit Administration, but I promise that I have not sold my soul to the devil. I would also point out that the base problem outlined below continues to be a problem. The fact that a deputy administrator took the time to explain what was going on marks, I believe, a new day for the MTA.
William writes: “Every day [last] week, the 534 (5:25 p.m. Express from D.C. to Perryville, first stop is BWI) was so crowded, the conductors were not able to get around to collect tickets at all, or only after we?ve discharged passengers at BWI (normally this averages about once a week). In fact, so many people get off at BWI, Halethorpe and West Baltimore that this ?express? train often arrives five to 10 minutes late into Penn Station, which negates any benefit of taking an express train. And when I say crowded, I mean CROWDED: aisles full, stairways occupied and copious amounts of large luggage all over the place (vestibules would be tightly packed too, but they?ve finally started enforcing their rules to keep passengers out of vestibules when the train is moving).
I?ve asked MARC this question on several occasions and never received a satisfactory answer: How crowded is too crowded?”
I asked the questions, as well, and got the following response from Deputy Administrator for Transit Operations Earl Lewis Jr.:
“Train No. 534, the 5:25 p.m. departure from Washington, is the most heavily used train in the MARC system. It regularly has 300 to 400 passengers standing between Washington and BWI Marshall Rail Station. Like mostother commuter railroads, MARC does not sell tickets on a reserved basis.
“Though there are no federal regulations of which we are aware, for the safety of our customers, MARC?s policy prohibits passengers from standing on the steps. In fact, there are prominent yellow signs on the steps of our bilevel cars stating that standing on the steps is prohibited. Conductors enforce this rule, but passengers often resume standing on the stairs as soon as the conductor leaves the area.
“At this time, due to equipment availability and Amtrak track availability, train No. 534 cannot be expanded beyond the existing eight-car train (which is the largest train in the MARC system). MTA is continuing discussions with Amtrak (who controls train movements throughout the Northeast Corridor) regarding options for expanding capacity during this peak period. By way of background, in 2006 we proposed to Amtrak to operate an additional train to Baltimore just ahead of Train No. 534, which would have provided other alternatives for the MARC passengers. However, Amtrak would not permit the additional train due to infrastructure capacity constraints on the Northeast Corridor. Ultimately, any decision regarding the expansion of MARC trains on the Penn Line depends on Amtrak. While MARC works closely with Amtrak, as owner and operator of the Penn Line, Amtrak has authority to disallow additional train service.
“The MTA shares the writer?s concern regarding safety on the MARC service, and MTA continues to pursue with Amtrak the operation of an extra train. Any long-term solution to capacity on the Northeast Corridor will require federal and state money and time to construct any improvements to Amtrak?s infrastructure between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.
In the fall, MTA requested a proposal from Amtrak on the capacity improvements Amtrak believes are needed between Washington and Baltimore. Once provided, we will be able to determine the feasibility ofincreasing capacity.”
Transportation questions? Thoughts, comments, random musings? Do you have an idea on how to make Baltimore?s commute a little easier for everyone? Write to Steve at [email protected].
