84 replies to this topic

[NewMarketSean]

So years later, what's the final verdict on the impact of that? At the time it seemed like little more than window dressing drawn up to try and appease the constituency that was angry over losing the Red Line. Any indications the incoming governor wants to make changes, or even try to revive the Red Line?

It was really just a rebranding. I remember the changes caused some people to get angry when they first went into effect but overall it seems a lot like it was before.

 

I just downloaded the Charm Pass. Basically an app to buy tickets on your phone but that's all it does. No schedules, no maps, no GPS, no "next bus will arrive in 4 minutes".  Any route help takes you to a page to download a separate transit app. Ugh.

[BSLMikeLowe]

Well that is why building mass transit is so unpopular, it's expensive.

 

It's also because many don't see the full perspective on the returns. Mass transit isn't going to pay for itself via fare revenue, so obviously the agencies that build and operate the systems will require other sources of funding. But when you look at how people utilize those systems to go to jobs where they earn a living, the businesses that profit off those employees' productivity, and other businesses that profit when people go out to spend their money, you start to get closer to evening the scales.

[BSLMikeLowe]

I just downloaded the Charm Pass. Basically an app to buy tickets on your phone but that's all it does. No schedules, no maps, no GPS, no "next bus will arrive in 4 minutes".  Any route help takes you to a page to download a separate transit app. Ugh.

 

That's pretty weak. Portland has had mobile ticketing for what seems like 10 years now. They did change apps a few years back, which I think caused some headaches, but nothing major. Though truth be told while I used to use the system here frequently, I haven't used it at all since COVID. Not that I'm uncomfortable getting on a train or bus now, just haven't had the occasion yet.

[NewMarketSean]

That's pretty weak. Portland has had mobile ticketing for what seems like 10 years now. They did change apps a few years back, which I think caused some headaches, but nothing major. Though truth be told while I used to use the system here frequently, I haven't used it at all since COVID. Not that I'm uncomfortable getting on a train or bus now, just haven't had the occasion yet.

It feels like Baltimore (Maryland, actually) is ashamed of its transit. It's not perfect, but it's safe and cheap. It works great to get in and out of the city for sporting events. They should be proud of what they have and advertise it as such and make the apps cool and fun and helpful. We basically got the MASN app version of a transit app. It does one thing and barely even does that.

 

Still, it's better than what we had before: A Charm Pass that worked like the DC metro pass but still required a paper ticket to be generated for light rail and metro.

[BSLMikeLowe]

It feels like Baltimore (Maryland, actually) is ashamed of its transit. It's not perfect, but it's safe and cheap. It works great to get in and out of the city for sporting events. They should be proud of what they have and advertise it as such and make the apps cool and fun and helpful. We basically got the MASN app version of a transit app. It does one thing and barely even does that.

 

Still, it's better than what we had before: A Charm Pass that worked like the DC metro pass but still required a paper ticket to be generated for light rail and metro.

 

When I was back there working at Hopkins and before I lived in Canton, I lived in Owings Mills a couple years. So I definitely rode the metro to work every day. As long as I didn't have to work too late (since the trains ran a lot less frequently as soon as rush hour was over) it was absolutely perfect. A lot of my coworkers that lived out in the suburbs that weren't in that NW area were pretty envious and wished the rail system went out their way.