DC ParaTransit Info

Lena Sun of the Washington Post writes that the Metro Board has approved a plan to spend up to $1 million hiring “professional” mystery riders, who will go out and assess MetroRail and MetroBus services.

This isn’t a new idea.  As the Post notes, it’s been done before, albeit using trained volunteers - and is something we at DC ParaTransit Info has mentioned before.

Done properly, it can produce relatively unbiased metrics about the service, as opposed to the idea of using customer feedback.  Customer feedback tends to only concentrate on negatives - how many people actually take the time to call or write to WMATA to tell them they’re doing a good job?

Posted: 2 weeks, 1 day ago | No Comments
Categories: In The Media , MetroAccess , MetroBus , MetroRail , WMATA | Tags: Lena Sun, MetroAccess, MetroBus, MetroRail, mystery rider, paratransit, Washington Post, WMATA | By: Kathi.    Print This Post

Updated 4-16-2008 @ 8:26am

WMATA is geared up for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to DC this week, with fixed-route service changes to cope with the expected crowds. This includes running rush-hour scheduling from 5am to 7pm on both Wednesday April 16th and Thursday April 17th.

Several fixed routes will be affected by rolling road closures over the course of the visit. The WMATA web site estimates that up to 16 fixed route bus services may be affected. MetroRail especially is likely to become very crowded, with large numbers of people from outside the area riding the system over the course of this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Posted: 3 weeks, 4 days ago | No Comments
Categories: Events , MetroAccess , MetroBus , MetroRail , WMATA | Tags: MetroAccess, MetroBus, MetroRail, Nationals Park, Papal Visit, Pope Benedict, WMATA | By: Kathi.    Print This Post

Back in November of 2006, DC Paratransit Info reported in the introduction of the new 6000 series MetroRail stock.

As part of that report, we noted that the new cars suffered from the same lack of signage giving priority to people with disabilities - primarily wheelchair users.

This issue is one that seems to crop up frequently with MetroRail cars. The new 6000 series cars have wonderfully open areas at either end, as well as a place that’s perfect for wheelchairs in the center - but other than the seats at the center, there is no signage indicating priority usage.

Posted: 1 month ago | No Comments
Categories: MetroRail , WMATA | Tags: Accessibility, Disability, MetroRail, WMATA | By: Kathi.    Print This Post

In March 2004, a lawsuit was filed against WMATA¹, alleging that WMATA was failing to comply with federal laws with regards to the MetroAccess system.

Although the contractor providing MetroAccess service on behalf of WMATA changed (from LogistiCare to MV Transit) in 2006 the case continues to be in litigation.

Late last week, all MetroAccess subscribers received a “Notice of proposed class action settlement”²

At the moment, the Judge hearing the suit will be holding a “Fairness Hearing” on May 22nd 2008. This may be the last chance people have to comment or object to any part of the proposed Settlement Agreement.

Posted: 1 month ago | No Comments
Categories: MetroAccess , WMATA | Tags: ERC v WMATA, MetroAccess, MV Transit, WMATA | By: Kathi.    Print This Post