For those of you unfamiliar with the project, it’s an addition to the D.C. Metro transit system that would connect the inner-suburbs. When the Metro was designed it took a spoke approach to let commuters get into and out of the city. However, at this point, a lot of travel takes place between the suburbs and would be well served by a dedicated light rail line.. For more, see purplelinenow.com.
The environmental impact study just came out and their seeking citizen comments. Here’s some scheduling details and an alternative for those who can’t make it:
You may also email testimony by January 14, 2009. Simply send your comments totestimony@purpleline.info with "Purple Line DEIS Comment" in the subject line and include your name and address in the message.
I put my three minutes worth of speech in at the New Carrolton event this past Friday. I mostly covered all the ways I could have used a good high capacity line while growing up in this area and waiting most of my life for anything to happen. On Sunday a post editorial does a pretty good job of explaining the advantages of doing light rail over bus.
The report does conclude that bus rapid transit is more cost-effective than light rail. But those numbers are based on estimates through 2030. Light rail requires a bigger capital investment initially but is sturdier and, in many cases, more cost-effective in the long run. If Metro, which has operated for more than 30 years, is any indication, the Purple Line is likely to operate far beyond 2030. Light rail also provides more flexibility in the probable event that ridership exceeds estimates — just add more rail cars. Even critics of light rail acknowledge that the trains will be significantly faster than buses.
If you want a quick way to show your support, here’s a petition to elected officials and the Purple Line Facebook group.
Image from http://www.innerpurpleline.org/
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