Both VRE and MARC are experiencing record train loads.
VRE announced that it had its first 20,000+ passengers on Wedensday. They admit that they are having capacity problems caused by 2 factors.
The first factor is lack of parking space for passenger cars during the mid-day layovers in DC. This requires many passengers to stand for the last few station stops before arriving a L'effant. Enough get off to have seats available to WASH. AMTRAK will not alot any more space for VRE cars because AMTRAK needs the space as well. VRE does park one train near L'effant now.
The second capacity problem of VRE is automobile parking at 7 of its stations. 3 stations have parking garages planned and 1 station will get relief when a station further out will be added.
MARC is adding 1000 seats per day by changing consists and adding 4 aditional trains to their Penn line schedule.
Capacity is constrained at MARC by a lack of cars (unlike VRE) so the additional trains were the only solution. The new schedule starts the middle of March.
Agaiin parking space for MARC trains is lacking in WASH for the same reasons as VRE.
All of this increase of commuter traffic into WASH begs for several questions to be answered.
1. How can more parking space for passenger cars be found in WASH?
2. Why the big increase in passengers at WASH when other mature markets are about the same.?
A. The answer to this may be in Fred Frailey's Blog about California HSR may succeed. His theory that a certain level of use by passengers of trains allows the political will to demand more service may be applied here in WASH.
B. Another factor may be an increase of government jobs in WASH?
3. More later
1. VRE and MARC need to figure out how to run at least some trains thru DC into each other's territory. This won't be easy since three parties are involved.
2. I think your "B" is the answer. The stimulus money grew the size of gov't. Although your "A" has merit. Heard a bit on NPR the other day about property values along Metro routes in DC held steady the past several years while they declined in other areas. Could be same effect along commuter routes. I know having a house within walking distance of a SEPTA station on the mainline in Phila is a big + for real estate value.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Running through DC is not much of a option as the major influx of the passenger count is into DC in the morning and out of DC in the afternoon...MARC does operate several trips back to Baltimore in both the morning and afternoon periods, this is done mostly to be able to utilize the equipment back to DC for additional trips and still make a few bucks for the limited passenger count that is destined Baltimore. There are no trips from DC to either Brunswick, Martinsburg or Frederick during the morning period or vice versa during the afternoon period.
oltmannd 1. VRE and MARC need to figure out how to run at least some trains thru DC into each other's territory. This won't be easy since three parties are involved.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
BaltACD Running through DC is not much of a option as the major influx of the passenger count is into DC in the morning and out of DC in the afternoon...MARC does operate several trips back to Baltimore in both the morning and afternoon periods, this is done mostly to be able to utilize the equipment back to DC for additional trips and still make a few bucks for the limited passenger count that is destined Baltimore. There are no trips from DC to either Brunswick, Martinsburg or Frederick during the morning period or vice versa during the afternoon period. oltmannd: 1. VRE and MARC need to figure out how to run at least some trains thru DC into each other's territory. This won't be easy since three parties are involved.
oltmannd: 1. VRE and MARC need to figure out how to run at least some trains thru DC into each other's territory. This won't be easy since three parties are involved.
No doubt...
I was thinking more along the lines of getting a couple of sets of equipment to the other guy's layover yard. Storing a couple MARC trains in Manassas, for example. It would be against the flow of inbound traffic, so there might be some slots available. Any reverse commute passengers would be gravy.
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I believe that it was tried sometime in the past? Anyone? The best I can remember is that there was maintenance issues with the MARC equipment that VRE did not appreciate??
C. Another reason may be the cost of gasoline is going up. We had a 10 cent gallon increase today and Orlando, Fl had a 15 cent increase.
blue streak 1 I believe that it was tried sometime in the past? Anyone? The best I can remember is that there was maintenance issues with the MARC equipment that VRE did not appreciate??
Just wonderful....
oltmannd Heard a bit on NPR the other day about property values along Metro routes in DC held steady the past several years while they declined in other areas. Could be same effect along commuter routes. I know having a house within walking distance of a SEPTA station on the mainline in Phila is a big + for real estate value.
Heard a bit on NPR the other day about property values along Metro routes in DC held steady the past several years while they declined in other areas. Could be same effect along commuter routes. I know having a house within walking distance of a SEPTA station on the mainline in Phila is a big + for real estate value.
I think the same is true of a number of commuter routes. 30+ years after it got going, what has been the effect of MARTA routes on property values, or any heavy rail routes in Atlanta?
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
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