Sometimes a little common sense can go a long way. For example, wouldn’t it make sense for highway crews to have trucks applying new asphalt follow right behind the trucks that are milling the pavement down?
In too many cases, road surfaces are left in their milled state for days or weeks or months before the new asphalt is put down. The milled pavement, especially that with uneven joints between the lanes, is a driving hazard. It’s made even worse when lane markings are nowhere to be found or they are so faint that they can’t be seen.
Here’s another example of a lack of common sense from a reader: “8:50 a.m. Bethesda Metro Station. One escalator under repair, one working, one open but not working. Would you care to guess which way the one working escalator is going? You guessed it, down. Up riders could wait for the one elevator not designed for this volume or walk up over 150 steps to the top. Didn’t someone die of a heart attack at Medical Center under similar conditions?”
The basic concept of gravity might be of use here. I suspect the reason that would be given is that the system wanted to have (is it mandated?) the one working escalator heading in the direction where they felt most of the passengers were going, and that at this time of day, that was down. I would argue that at that time of day Bethesda is more of a destination and, given the small number of residences in the immediate area, not a starting point for many. Perhaps we can get an explanation from the good folks at Metro.
Out of circulation?
Howard writes: “My wife and I own a K Street condo and use the Circulator bus frequently. We find it convenient and a bargain at one dollar per ride.
“Recently, the folks who run Metro extended the Western terminus of the published Circulator route as part of a six month experiment to Upper Georgetown (Whitehaven Street and Wisconsin Avenue, Northwest). They also extended hours on weeknights until midnight and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night. The Web site, though, says the extended hours only apply to buses operating between Wisconsin Avenue and Whitehaven Street and a turnaround point at 17th and I streets. Nevertheless, we continue to see Circulator bus pass by our condo at 11th and K streets, well past 9 p.m. each night continuing on to and returning from Union Station. Is the Web site information incorrect?”
The D.C. Circulator is run by Metro, the District’s Department of Transportation and a group of business groups. It has proven very popular, and that was one of the big reasons for experimenting with expanded services.
I have not heard of any changes in service hours such as those Howard describes, but I would say that it’s better than having fewer hours than those posted. We’ll see if we can get an answer to this question for you Howard.
In the meantime, enjoy the ride.
