Dr. Transit Reads Today's Washington Post and says "If you don't read it, you don't get it."

Photo by furcafe, from flickr.

Today's Washington Post has a number of good pieces about transit issues. Dr. Gridlock, described on the Post website as being about "All Things Traffic and Transportation" today writes about more than the hardships of drivers, with a long piece on commuter rail and a shorter piece on ride sharing.

In "Close to Home"--the Sunday feature providing space for items longer than a traditional letter to the editor, but shorter than an op-ed piece--there are two transportation items. One is by Michele Dyson, who writes a monthly feature about Maryland issues. Her piece, "Helping Metro Helps Everyone," makes good points about how to promote greater use of Metro and has some excellent suggestions for WMATA about the "relationship building" aspect of "public relations" and marketing.

Bill Vincent, connected to an organization that promotes bus rapid transit, writes a piece suggesting BRT as opposed to subway/light rail to the Dulles Airport (it's called "Rail to Dulles is a Boondoggle").

I am not sure how I feel about BRT vs. rail in this instance (I do agree that reducing the need to transfer from one form of transportation--rail--to another--bus--to get to the airport will increase the overall use of public transportation to get to the airport), but it's good to see the Post featuring a longer piece that is still pro-transit, on the back page of the Outlook section.

Finally, in the "Metro In Brief" column on page 3 of the Metro section, the Post reports that:

Metro Adds Trains for Games

"Shortly after the Washington Nationals take the field today for the first time in the District, the Washington Wizards will also be tipping off at MCI Center. With crowds expected for both games, it makes for a busy day on area roads, and Metro said it is prepared with extra trains.

Metro officials said they plan to start running trains an hour early to help people get to the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-mile run. Trains will start at 6 a.m.

The Nationals debut at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium at noon, and the Wizards will take the court at 1 p.m. So Metro will run six-car trains all day today, with extra trains after the baseball and basketball games end.

As usual on weekends, parking at Metro stations will be free."