| I’m writing to you today to encourage you to tell Metro what you think of the proposal to permanently end late-night Metrorail service.
As you know, late-night weekend Metro service has been temporarily halted during the SafeTrack program with Metro now closing at midnight on Friday and Saturday in order to facilitate repair and maintenance work. Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld recently began the formal process to make that change permanent.
In my latest op-ed on this subject from the Washington Business Journal, “Like late-night Metro? Voice Your Opinion,” I write:
“No one questions that SafeTrack is necessary to bring Metro into a state of good repair, but a permanent change in Metro’s late-night hours represents a step back for our economy and quality of life… Downtown D.C.’s late-night economy is a hard-won reality achieved only recently. ‘Night life’ may be misinterpreted as an expendable amenity, but the job and tax revenue generated by the entertainment and hospitality sectors refutes that point of view.”
The public comment period on the proposal to permanently end late-night service is open now through 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 25.
Metro is asking members of the public to share their opinion in the following ways:
Public feedback will be provided to Metro’s Board of Directors this December as part of the final decision process.
I understand that many of you, your businesses and employees are already feeling the effects of the end of late-night Metro service. I encourage you to comment today.
Thank you for your participation. |
