It’s nothing but intentional mockery at this point.

We’re starting more robust conversations about advancing rail automation by investing in modern tech & infrastructure. Transitioning to full automation would mean fewer accidents & delays, & increased capacity. It’s already being used around the world to make transit BETTER!

I've taken MARC to Harpers Ferry on Friday evening and then taken Amtrak back to DC on Sunday morning (departure is at like 11:00am IIRC).

The Amtrak fare is only a bit more expensive than MARC.

Metro says they can install full automation (GoA4) w/ CBTC & PSDs for just $5.5b. If the financials are accurate, that’s a fairly decent price tag.

This compares to any new like that will cost AT LEAST $50B, if not significantly more.

Likely far easier to get federal funding for automation, too

The current signaling system is obsolete and will eventually need to be updated. A shift to CBTC will ultimately need to happen. Adding PSDs and shifting to GoA4 at the same time just makes the most sense from a financial perspective in the long term.

The reality of the situation is constructing new lines (especially in a dense city where tunneling will be required) is outrageously expensive. Funding being what it is, it’s far more equitable for WMATA to use the limited resources it has access to and improve service/reliability.

I understand what you are saying - I’d like nothing more than to see Metro build new lines to underserved areas. I envision the YL splitting off from GR and continuing up Georgia to serve Brightwood before ending at Silver Spring. I’d love to see Metrorail in Mt Pleasant, Georgetown, West End, etc.

The new LRT in Ottawa has CBTC, yes? I vaguely remember reading about this.

To my knowledge I don’t think there has ever been a LRT line that is completely automated/driverless. IIRC the Green Line in LA was built to such standards but they had union issues regarding staffing.

This is great, thanks!

Was there ever a direct transit connection to Great Falls Park? Obviously more significant hiking destinations are far and realistically cannot be served by transit, but GFP seems to be a good candidate.

Perhaps a Saturday/Sunday hourly Metrobus service from say Spring Hill station to the park.

The WMATA board will be meeting on Thursday and will discuss this deck - I'm sure there'll be questions regarding the future of rail operators as the agency shifts to higher levels of automation. It'll be interesting to see.

Great piece!

I'd love to see more data about the comparison of the cost of building transit in Canada vs. U.S., Canada vs. Anglosphere states, and Canada vs. Non-English speaking countries.

Hidden in this is news that WMATA will not be pursuing the "bloop" line as part of the B/O/S study, choosing automation to expand capacity. I agree w/ this take, especially given current funding constraints.

Excited to see @lohplaces.bsky.social's questioning at the next board mtg on this!

The full automation project will be constructed at the expense of building any new lines in the near (and long term) future.

The B/O/S study that proposed de-linking the Blue Line and constructing a new tunnel under the Potomac will be shelved as part of this announcement.

IIRC, Metro has previously said that operators would be shifted towards more of a CS-like role and walk through the train and be available for questions etc.

Can't say that operators would necessarily want that or look forward to that, but it negates the job loss argument.

no no $1,100 in cash while driving around other gang members is middle management

$3,000 at a fancy restaurant is def senior gang leadership

People who think this will stop at LPRs or visa holders are delusional. They will absolutely come for naturalized U.S. citizens next. Don't have another citizenship to deport you to? No worries, Bukele has a place for you in El Salvador. After that, it's native born U.S. citizens.

The cruelty is the point.

The fact that officials used the legal process for becoming a citizen to purposely trap him and then arresting him is beyond disgusting, because if he didn't show, his citizen application would have been rejected.