D.C. Metro unveils designs for next generation railcars (fewer seats, more standing room)

[marmar]

from the WMATA:



Metro unveils designs for next generation railcars
Final design benefits from extensive customer, employee and stakeholder input


Metro is advancing its next generation of rail cars (known as the 7000-series) with a final design that reflects extensive input from customers, rider advocates and employees.

“Our customers will benefit from an improved design that accommodates many of their preferences and ultimately delivers a more reliable and more comfortable rider experience,” said Richard Sarles, Metro’s General Manager/CEO. “The attention to detail of these cars will be evident to the customers, employees and stakeholders who invested their time to help us get this right.” Sarles said.



The new rail cars were ordered to replace the 1000-series cars – the oldest in Metro’s fleet – and to comply with recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).



After years of gathering rider input, with more extensive outreach to customers, employees and stakeholder groups over the last several months, Metro presented the final design to its Board’s Customers Service and Operations Committee today. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4971

[KamaAina]

1. *Fewer* seats?!

Why don't they just get rid of them all and have people shove passengers into trains like in Tokyo? :sarcasm:

More trains would, I suppose, be out of the question. :eyes:

[elleng]

2. Its a very good system; we like it, and they add more trains when they can.

'The cars will be in a “quad-unit configuration,” meaning that four railcars will be connected, allowing the accommodation of 40 more passengers per 8-car train than an older model railcar grouping because of fewer operator compartments.'

[KamaAina]

3. Well, I should talk.

The other day I got a snootful of BART at just past morning rush hour. The friendly midday and weekend trains that have linked me to civilization for the past couple of years turned into scary, jampacked monsters that made even the NYC subway seem reasonable! :scared:

[elleng]

4. Come on East, and we'll show you a nice system, doing its best.

:hi:

[KamaAina]

5. I've been on DC Metro many times

my buisiness takes me to Our Nation's Capital on occasion.

Same deal. Anywhere around rush hour, it's already a hellish scramble to find a seat. With these cars, everyone who doesn't get on at Shady Grove or Franconia-Springfield will be standing all the way. :scared:

edit: I will say this for Metro over BART. At least they add extra trains from intermediate points like Silver Spring. All BART does is run longer trains on the same 15-minute schedule on each line. Not cutting it.

[Leopolds Ghost]

6. According to the drawings, eliminating carpeted floors and padded seats. This'll be a disaster.

Trust me, riders will be FURIOUS if this design moves ahead.

Half of all riders on DC metro travel 15 miles or more to work on the Metro.

[Leopolds Ghost]

7. And don't try to tell me otherwise. The people I know and work with use Metro EVERY day

And I use Metro exclusively when I want to go into the city (which is infrequent because the system has become so barbarically underfunded.)

I don't know about Obama staffers who just moved here, and don't know a quality system when they see one, and think it should be like the NY subway,

but native DC residents are PISSED.