Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Metro's Traffic Management Leaves A Lot to Be Desired




As someone who now takes Public Transit (trains) for a good portion of the workday commute, I have spent a lot of time observing various things.

  1. I've observed that people can be selfish, and not give up the Federally Mandated seats for the elderly, disabled (and now, pregnant) passengers who enter the train (though some do.)



  2. I've observed that Verizon Wireless and Sprint customers (through roaming on Verizon's network) can be really inconsiderate in the use of their mobile phones while on the trains, not taking into consideration the fact that not everyone wants to hear their conversation.



  3. I've seen people go out of their way to talk very loudly, have fun and play on the train, at the expense of their fellow passengers, who often times want to prepare for their work day, or unwind at the end of one.



  4. I've noticed that many people will not move beyond the doorway of a train, bunching up in that area, and the result is, less people are able to get on or off at each stop when this happens.



  5. Most importantly, I have observed some things by the Washington Metro system by employees, by the way business is done (or not) and information provided to passengers, that makes me call into question whether or not the system is as safe as it should be, is as cost effective as it needs to be, and provides the first class service that it should.



Operations




This is my first time riding the rails on the Metro system on a regular basis in more than eight years. I never needed to, prior to now. I understand that the system is aging, as a 33 year old transit system is no spring chicken. I understand that repairs need to be conducted, and capital infrastructure need to be replaced or installed. What I don't get, is why the vast majority of it seems to happen during rush hour!




A key example: on Tuesdays I take 3 trains, versus 2 on the other days of the week. I take the MARC Commuter train, transfer at Union Station to the Red Line, which had its worst accident in 33 years on June 22nd. Then I get off two stops down at Gallery Place/Chinatown and transfer to the Green Line, which takes me to my ultimate destination. I do it that way for two reasons: firstly, if I take the MARC to Greenbelt, which I used to do, I would invariably miss the next train and have to stand on the platform until the next one comes. For someone like me who sweats a lot, that's not a comfortable feeling in the summer's heat and humidity. The second reason is financial. It actually costs me less to travel that route than it does going to Greenbelt.


The commuter rail ticket is $5.00 to Greenbelt, then $4.00 for a total of $9.00 from Greenbelt to my ultimate destination. On the other hand, if I go on to Union Station, the ticket price is $6.00, and the Metro ride, $1.65 for a total of $7.65 one way. In today's economy, every little bit helps.
Now, in riding through the different stations on the system, you get to see reasonably different ways that the trains and stations operate. Each station is like a station manager's kingdom for him or her to rule over as they see fit. And, there are some goings on that I'm not sure are under their control, but they should, if possible exercise some level of control over those situations.
As I mentioned before, the system is aging. Elevators fail, escalators fail. When these happen, the system implements a network of shuttle buses to ferry passengers around between stations. But what about cases where in some of the busiest stations, there is a failure of the escalators or elevators during rush hour? This is where efficiency and cost efficiency come to mind.
On Tuesday at the height of the evening rush hour, riders disembarking at Union Station on the Red line platform were greated with massive crowds. The crowds were not just of passengers waiting to board, but also passengers waiting to leave the platform from recently departed trains. Why did this happen? Apparently, one of the escalators was out of service. This was the one closest to the elevators, and as such, riders were forced to use one for both incoming and outgoing traffic.
It wasn't clear if work was actually being performed on the escalator, as a yellow barrier was placed in front of it, and workers were nowhere to be found. It was a mess of heat and confusion as people tried to hurry upstairs to their commuter trains or other transportation. Many missed their trains. Given that Union Station is not just another station, but a hub for Metro, AMTRAK, MARC and the VRE, it makes sense, to me, that if the escalator is down before rush hour, that it at least be set up as a stairway until the massive traffic has abated. This did not happen.
It wasn't clear if the station manager knew, or even cared, but it was chaotic. It could have been a lot worse if the elevator was out as well. Then this morning, at the Navy Yard station, an escalator stopped in mid operation, jerking the close to 50 or so people on it forward. There was no warning, no announcement. The look of quiet terror filled people's faces as they continued the long trek upward.
Communication
Metro is horrible at communicating. Period. Days after the accident on the Red line, people who didn't watch TV or listened to the radio or read the free newspapers had no idea what was happening. All they knew, from Metro signboards, announcements and the "traffic assistants" milling about some stations, was that there was either a "Police issue," a "mechanical problem," or my favorite, "a situation" outside the Fort Totten station. It took those who were in the know, themselves passengers, giving out possibly misleading information to fellow riders. That, to me is completely unacceptable. Then yesterday afternoon, a red line train heading in the direction of Union Station, sat with its doors open, passengers waiting, for about 5 minutes, before the operator made an announcement that the train was being held, and that it would be moving "momentarily." Momentarily turned into another 3 minutes or so, when she announced that the train was being held in place by 'control.' Time wasted - about 10 minutes, and for those going to Union Station, missed connections.
I could go on, but this post has gone on long enough. The bottom line is, Metro needs to do better. Period. Communication, operational issues and so much more, are making a first class system lag into the mire of safety and efficiency issues. Passengers are unhappy, and when they become unhappy, they stop riding. The Washington Metro area is regarded as the second worse area for congestion in the country - if lawmakers want to resolve this - they need to force Metro to clean up its act.

Picture source: AARP.com Full Story Here

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Robert Israel and Total Eclipse at Blues Alley 7/12/09

           a special performance by
Robert Israel and Total Eclipse
Blues Alley
Sunday, July 12 (shows at 8 and 10 pm)

Robert IsraelOn the heels of his sold out performance at Strathmore Mansion (where he has served as Artist in Residence), Blues Alley's longtime talent buyer and prominent events producer Robert "Bob" Israel will bring a summer offering of original new material (to be recorded in the fall) to Blues Alley on Sunday, July 12 (shows at 8 and 10 p.m.). Israel originally made his mark as the founder, orchestra leader and principal trombonist of the Washington Jazz Battalion, later known as the Blues Alley Big Band. The band enjoyed popularity and performed overseas, in NYC, and throughout most of the east coast. They have also backed such artists as Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson, Stanley Turrentine, Harry Connick Jr., Mary Wilson, Steve Allen and others in concert.

Joining Israel at the pre-album release shows will be Total Eclipse band members and Levine School of Music faculty Robert "Bob" Sykes on keys and Chris Battisone on trumpet. In addition, the band will feature Coleman O'Donoghue (drums), Bruce Swaim (tenor sax) and George Hyde on bass. All of these artists have collaborated with Israel on many successful projects, including the Washington Jazz Battalion. They have co-written the evening's much anticipated material.

Making a special appearance will be saxophonist and member of the Jazz Studies faculty at the University of Maryland, Leigh Pilzer, who composed and/or arranged original compositions for the Washington Jazz Battalion. Pilzer is also on the faculty of Towson University, where Israel studied and performed as one of the principal trombonists with the esteemed big band of composer and educator Hank Levy in the late 1970's.

The night's highlights will include the return of "Farmer Jon" Bloostein, following a twenty-five year hiatus from the music industry. Bloostein, now the owner and proprietor of Heartland Brewery in NYC, played trombone with Bob Israel throughout high school and college and was once the manager of the Washington Jazz Battalion. He will be performing a special composition written for him by Bob Israel and Chris Battistone entitled the "Return of the Mighty Spacebone."

During the second set Robert Redd, the former pianist and musical director for Kenny Rankin, will make a brief appearance as will jazz saxophonist and composer John Kocur, an artist Israel mentored while serving as Artist in Residence at Strathmore. Also lending his talents to the evening will be fellow Strathmore Artist in Residence and guitarist Jaimie Salazar.

 

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007
Daily 6:00pm-12:30am
Tel: (202) 337-4141
BUY TICKETS


 

Full Story Here

Thursday, June 25, 2009

A Tribute To Wayman Tisdale

Eldredge Jackson
Blues Alley
Monday, June 29

Eldredge Jackson Smooth Jazz Artist Eldredge Jackson and Bassist Robert Wilson Of The Gap Band will join some the industry top musicians as they pay Tribute to the late Wayman Tisdale.

Wayman's mentor - Robert Wilson Of The Gap Band says he is forever grateful to Tisdale for creating elements of his signature sound and making it his own. Eldredge Jackson is also honored to be the last artist Wayman would produced. Jackson's Debut project "Listening Pleasure" CD was produced by Wayman. Blues Alley in Georgetown has shows at 8 and 10. Call 202-337-4141 for reservations or get tickets online

www.eljack.net


 

Full Story Here

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Sanjaya's Not Gay (Wink, Wink)

We won't tell if you won't tell. Ok, Sanjaya? (Wink, wink)
Full Story Here

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Sherrie Maricle and Jennifer Leitham at Twins with JLQ

Jen Krupa - Leigh Pilzer Quartet
featuring Sherrie Maricle and Jennifer Leitham

Wednesday, June 24
Twins Jazz
1344 U St. NW, Washington, DC
Sets starting at 8:00 pm

Trombonist Jen Krupa and saxophonist Leigh Pilzer embrace the tradition of jazz collaboration. Think Mulligan and Baker; think J.J. and Kai; think Al and Zoot. Now think of trombone and baritone saxophone playing imaginative treatments of jazz standards and selections from the Great American Songbook and you've got JLQ, the Jen Krupa - Leigh Pilzer Quartet. Join Jen and Leigh as they welcome special guests Sherrie Maricle on drums and Jennifer Leitham on bass for one night only at Twins Jazz.

Sherrie Maricle
Sherrie Maricle is the leader of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, Five Play, and The DIVA Jazz Trio. The dynamic drummer is also an in-demand educator, conductor, and composer. Whether she's with a big band or combo, whether she's performing or conducting, Sherrie brings passion, energy, and above all, SWING to each of her musical endeavors.

For more information about Sherrie and her ensembles go to www.divajazz.com.

 

Jennifer LeithamJennifer Jane Leitham has been referred to by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather as the "left-handed virtuoso of the upright bass." Jennifer is best known for her decade-long stints with both Mel Torme’ and Doc Severinsen. She has played on over 100 recordings, including seven highly-acclaimed CDs of her own. Jennifer's incredible story has been featured in many publications, including April's JazzTimes.

Visit Jennifer Leitham online at www.jenniferleitham.com

www.jlqjazz.com
"Small group jazz with big band spirit"

 

Full Story Here

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Was this racial profiling or not?

I have a hard time believing that this was not a simple case of racial profiling, but you be the judge. According to NBC Chicago, two men went into a Bank of America branch to open an account, and they were believed to be acting suspiciously, so the police were called. It turns out that they did not commit a crime, and they were set free. But, what angers me more than all that, is the question that the reporter asked the man, after his humiliating encounter with the police.

Take a look:

View more news videos at: http://www.nbcchicago.com/video.

Full Story Here

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The South Strikes Again... South Carolina, that is.

I don't know how old this is, but, this is outrageous.

Full Story Here

Thursday, June 11, 2009

How's this for a School Excuse?

Full Story Here

Letterman vs Palin

Now who do you think is going to win this one?



I vote for Dave. Full Story Here

Friday, June 05, 2009

America's Best Christian - on Marriage

From Rodonline:

Full Story Here