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GauchoBearBulldog t1_itv48jy wrote

Reply to comment by oxtailplanning in Metro studying Silver Line Express service by walkallover1991

Rather than four tracks for the entire line, could the express function be accomplished with the existing or additional pocket tracks or passing loops as suggested in the ggwash comments?

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oxtailplanning t1_itv9g0b wrote

Maybe, but you really have to ask if that would be worth the extra money. And besides, for long distances, metro is already faster than almost any other form of transit, so is it really worth saving the 5 - 10 min? As demonstrated by OP, it wouldn't increase ridership, it would not greatly reduce the need for single tracking, and it would come at the expense of other improvements.

Frequency improvements would do more to reduce travel time way more than express lines. And as GGWASH points out, additional lines would do more to alleviate the pain of single tracking more than extra tracks.

I'm not saying that they wouldn't be good things, but with limited resources, is it the best bang for your buck?

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jumperalex t1_itvv0m0 wrote

> for long distances, metro is already faster than almost any other form of transit

I hear you for a lot of situations, especially anything that compares to I66 travel. But for the airport, with the free airport lanes, I probably have to disagree.

Of course parking isn't cheap nor is a Taxi/Lyft.

But going with the theme that more lines would be better, I would REALLY like to see a line from Springfield to Dulles with stops along the way. Or if not Dulles, probably makes more sense to go Springfield to Tyson to bypass the core for anyone coming from points south. I'm not sure if hitting E Falls Church would be better (a hub) or worse (over crowding).

Or basically, a beltway line I guess [shrug]

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oxtailplanning t1_itw3khr wrote

I would make the argument that Springfield to dulles would make more sense as a VRE spur, but I agree with the sentiment.

The next, most likely metro line is the blue line loop.

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jumperalex t1_itwh1o2 wrote

Sure I'd buy that. Literally :)

And OMG Blue Line Loop would be AMAZEBALLS ... if it existed for the last 8 years of my life because I don't plan on needing to go where it goes by the time it would happen :( but still a great looking idea. The places that would connect need it SO SO bad.

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oxtailplanning t1_itxnq0x wrote

If I were king of the world I would have it go a little farther north after hitting Georgetown to connect it to Adams Morgan , plus I would have it go a touch farther east aftr Union station in order to get something in Trinidad and then come down and hit Capitol Hill.

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jumperalex t1_iu2foqe wrote

You've got my vote! And I don't even live in DC. But I would LOVE a way to get there faster, cheaper, and more regularly so I can stop using Lyft.

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