alatennaub

alatennaub t1_jecepmc wrote

Well, on this — although not really a tiny thing to fix, Metro really desperately needs more entrances for stops.

So many stops have only one or two entrances, often on opposites sides of a single block. Platforms are gigantically long relative to many metros (as if we needed more proof it's not really a metro and actually a commuter rail). Putting entrances/exists on the far end of each station can save folks a lot of time. It's always annoying when I literally walk the entire length of a station above ground just because there's no entrance on the other side

2

alatennaub t1_j04u499 wrote

It's nice if you don't arrive late or leave early, and live on the silver line. On the weekends, the price is more than well worth the extra time.

Just wish they had an express bus from downtown. Madrid does that despite having not one but two separate rail connections (metro and commuter rail), but the bus route is available 24/7. That makes it the best option in the evening hours when train service slows or ceases. Actually, would be awesome if any of our airports had that.

1

alatennaub t1_itxn6ar wrote

Honestly I've felt much of the silver extension might be best spun off as its own line in recognition of the dual nature. Run it at 10 or 15 minute intervals, and then try to bring the urban core of the line to 5 or less. If you do that, you could do an airport express train that saves real time too without sacrificing too much.

1

alatennaub t1_itx0ocp wrote

The RER in Paris absolutely has express trains and has density closer to that of DC.

The problem is that the DC Metro can't decide if it wants to be RER or Métro (or S/U-Bahn for those more familiar with Germany).

That said, express trains don't require 4 tracks. If you go to Madrid, most of Cercanías (their RER/S-Bahn system) generally has 2 tracks, but will break into 3 tracks at many stations to enable an express train to jump a local train at certain stations. Their Metro, though, like Paris, is exclusively 2 track.

2