Don't forget WMATA really is best in class in North America

Of course, we're critical of WMATA because it's all we have and know. Last week, I was in NYC and Philadelphia, and the week before in Baltimore. Here's something to think about:

Fares in Washington on buses are $1.25. In NYC and Philadelphia, fares are $2. A bus transfer in Philly costs 60 cents. In DC, a bus transfer is free. Bus fares in Baltimore are $1.60.

Plus on Metrobus with a transfer, you can connect to other buses (even go back to where you started) for two hours!

The base subway fare in DC is $1.35. In NYC and Philly it is $2. Granted, DC's fares are set up by distance, so the farther you travel, the more it costs, but still, according to this article from City Journal, "How to Save the Subways—Before It’s Too Late", NYC collects less than 50% of the cost of providing subway rides through farebox revenues. It's my understanding that DC collects 80% of the cost of subway operations through farebox revenues, with a much lower base fare. By the way, this article says that the actual cost of a trip on the NYC subways is greater than $4/ride!

This is one indicator that WMATA is relatively efficient. (Granted the NYC system is much older and more expensive to maintain, as well as much much bigger in scope and scale, with much greater service levels.)

I'm not saying that we should be happy with where things stand. Service is deteriorating. One can no longer rely on the subway to get to someplace "on the button"--it now is safer to allocate extra time in advance, if you really need to be somewhere on time. Still, through APTA self-studies and other research, WMATA is well-respected. And we have pretty good bus frequency in the city.

Subway frequency is nothing like NYC, but we get around, without having to drive.