Bus rac(k). Photo by M.V. Jantzen.

Tonight’s RAC meeting will cover two main topics: service cuts and (tentatively) NextBus. You can see the minutes from last month’s meeting here (PDF).

For service cuts, we will discuss the most recent proposals. RAC members plan to introduce a resolution suggesting some key principles for determining any needed service cuts. They include:

  • Maintaining basic transportation for residents across the region, seven days a week, beyond just use as a system for commuting;
  • Accounting for the impact on safety from frequent late-night service;
  • Valuing the “social equity” of service for transit-dependent riders instead of simply cutting lines based on performance metrics;
  • Targeting adjustments to individual areas’ demand by time of day and day of week, such as closing little-used station entrances on weekends; and
  • Strong communication with the public.

Weigh in with any opinions you’d like me to raise about the proposed cuts.

The agenda also tentatively includes a presentation on NextBus. If we get a presentation, I plan to ask whether WMATA asked NextBus to disable access following our story, and if so, why. Either way, I plan to introduce the following resolution:

Whereas, the NextBus system allows riders to access real-time information about bus arrivals on the Web and on mobile devices;

Whereas, real-time information is extremely valuable to riders, allowing them to who can better time their actions to catch a bus or make decisions about which bus to choose;

Whereas, according to a UK study, real-time information also improves riders’ perception of bus reliability and frequency;

Whereas, WMATA has been working with NextBus to set up a new and more accurate eral-time information system for Metrobus;

Whereas, in 2007 WMATA discontinued access to NextBus;

Whereas, some Metrobus riders have been using NextBus via an unpublished link for many months, and finding it useful despite its limitations;

Whereas, several blogs such as DCist and New Columbia Heights recently published the link to the NextBus system, but public access was then removed shortly thereafter; and then another link discovered and published on March 3rd, but access again removed within hours; and meanwhile many riders had been using the system at their own risk and nevertheless finding it valuable;

Whereas, allowing riders to access unofficial information, provided it includes any disclaimers as to its potential inaccuracy that may be legally necessary, benefits riders with minimal risk to WMATA; now, therefore be it

Resolved, the Riders’ Advisory Council urges WMATA to work with NextBus to complete and officially release the system as soon as practical, and

Resolved, the Riders’ Advisory Council requests that WMATA encourage NextBus to allow RAC members and any other individuals interested in “beta testing” the system to access the current test system in an unofficial and unpublicized manner beginning now and continuing until the system is officially launched.

I will collate many of the comments posted here and on NCH’s petition to present to the RAC members. The testimonials from many of you about how useful NextBus is, even without perfect accuracy or official sanction, make the case quite effectively.

David Alpert created Greater Greater Washington in 2008 and was its executive director until 2020. He formerly worked in tech and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco Bay, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He lives with his wife and two children in Dupont Circle.