Because I’m Starting To Worry That This Flood Of People Might Prevent Me From Getting To The Inauguration
Posted on November 21, 2008 by andrew
Matthew Yglesias notes that Metro plans to handle the Inauguration Day traffic in a completely irrational manner, namely by offering free parking on a day when demand for parking will be incredibly high. Yglesias encourages our public transportation system to rethink its decision from a position of sound transit management.
Being something of a deranged idealogue when it comes to DC’s status, I would push this a step farther: Fleece the tourists for all they’re worth. Can we still fill most of the Metro parking lots if we charge $20 per car? Then let’s charge that. Who gets hurt? A bunch of fat Midwestern suburbanites with their annoying kids, that’s who.
They take my tax money and don’t let me vote, so I’ll be damned if I’m going to subsidize their little pleasure cruises into my city.
Sphere: Related Content» Filed Under DC, Inauguration '09, Metro, public transportation
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Yes, I believe Obama rode the “fat Midwestern suburbanite” vote to the presidency. They will ALL show up for the Inauguration.
I think the issue of selling SmartTrip cards to everyone for one time use paying for parking is probably a factor in this decision. There would be a real problem if they run out of cards to sell at the stations, particularly given a large crowd of non-locals or non-metro riders.
If Metro is worried about the SmartTrip card supply, why not stick cashiers at the windows for one day? It would be worth the money it cost to pay those employees to be there.
(The “one time use” thing shouldn’t really be an issue, either, if they have the supply. Tourists under normal circumstances always have to buy a card to park at Metro lots; why should inauguration travelers be any different?)