A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I hope that all of you managed to get out this weekend and go downtown. Sunday was one of the most amazing days because of the combination of the weather and the blossoms being in full bloom. The National Mall, the Tidal Basin and just about everywhere else was packed. It wasn't just tourists that were drawn to the beauty that is Washington at this time of year, many of those were locals. I know because I was one of them. The bike/pedestrian trail on the west side of the Potomac could have used traffic cops there were so many people. It was incredible and it really makes you appreciate what we have in this area. It's too bad that more people don't take advantage of these amenities more often during the year.  Maybe I'm talking more about myself.

Look, I will admit that I am one of those people that likes to have a destination or something to look at when I pack up my bike to go for a long ride. This weekend offered a little bit of everything. The neat thing was that people, locals, would just stop in the middle of their ride or their jog or their walk to take a picture.  It was truly stunning and one of those days when you really appreciate where we live.
 
For those not biking or walking across the river (hopefully on one of the bridges) the only way into town was Metro. I know a couple of people who tried to drive to see the cherry blossoms and they were very disappointed. Back in the old days you used to be able to drive in a big circle around Ohio Drive and come back to one of the bridges after getting a look at the trees. Not any more. Ohio Drive is blocked off for the most part and vehicles coming in on the Roosevelt Bridge are sent way down Constitution Avenue where there are a few flowering trees but nothing like those around the Tidal Basin. They left disappointed and a bit frustrated. Those who took Metro had to walk a bit but they get to see everything in detail. They got to smell the smells of spring; to touch the bark and to hold one of those magnificent soft clusters of pink flowers in their hands (as long as they didn't take them with them). Because of the blossoms and the fact that the Nationals were playing the Orioles and there was a soccer game at RFK Stadium on Saturday and the Capitals were playing the Thrashers on Sunday Metro ridership was sky high. In fact, both Saturday and Sunday finished in their respective top fives for ridership. Too bad the system can't figure out a way to make money.
 
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It's good to see that the DC Circulator bus service is expanding. With service now going into Adams Morgan those big beautiful buses will be an even more common site around town. Last week the District's mayor, the acting chief of DDOT and Councilmember Jim Graham were all there to cut the ribbons and take some credit for getting the routes expanded. The group that seemed to be missing from all this was the business community for whom the service was really launched and who is footing at least some of the bill. What a lot of people seem to forget is that the goal of the DC Circulator is to make it easier for locals and tourists to get to areas where they can spend money. It was not created simply as a means to get from one point to another although I guess it was — as long as that point has a place to spend money.  Since it has more than its fair share of bars and restaurants I'd have to say that Adams Morgan fits that description.

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Steve Eldridge is a long-time reporter, observer and commentator on the Washington region's transportation issues. You can contact him directly by writing to: Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com. Unless otherwise requested, letters or portions of letters can be used within future columns. Letter writers will be identified by their first name and city/neighborhood.

Comments

[Sprawl and Crawl Steve]

It was the Desert Storm Celebration, also known as the Parade of Tears. It was the day when all of the military aircraft flew directly over the city.

[Sprawl and Crawl Steve]

Way to take one line and turn it into a launching point for a soapbox session, Richard. You may have heard the Metro is losing much more money than anticipated and is considering service cuts and other things to make up the difference. The phrase "make money" does not equate to the phrase "make a profit" which, as you note, few if any transit systems (or roads) do. Even still, it would be interesting to see what it would take for a system such as Metro to get closer to break even. To jump to the conclusion that my statement was unfair and unproductive is, I think, unfair and unproductive when all you did was read what you wanted to see written and not what was actually there in a piece that was rather favorable to the use of transit.

[Scott]

What happened on June 8, 1991 that brought all those Saturday riders? "Desert Storm"? I googled that date and can't find anything of import.

[RichardatCourthouse]

"Too bad the system can't figure out a way to make money."

This is the wrong way to look at Metro. Transit systems do not make money, and that is not their purpose. They move people in an efficient, environmentally-friendly way that supports a vibrant, walkable urban environment (and independence from foreign oil). It's worth noting that our road system does not "make money" either, so an unsubsidized transit system cannot compete with a subsidized road system.

Perpetuating the myth that transit systems (and intercity rail) and supposed to make money is unfair and unproductive at a time when we should be transitioning to more fuel-efficient ways of getting around.