A long time coming
The DC Metro system has been planning for years an addition to the system, the Purple Line, the problem is, everyone’s vision has clashed. Inner lines, outer lines, loops, oh my. It seems as many people that ride the Metro system there are ideas.

Georgetown Branch Light Rail Project
Well it looks like after many years, there seems to be somewhat of a consensus, well at least a “first stage” of the project. If finances come through, there will be a light-rail connector from Bethesda to Silver Spring. There are still certain aspects on if it will be above ground, below ground, and there is a possibility it will be a Trolley Car system instead of the current light rail system WMATA uses.

This route would run on an abandoned part of the CSX rail system in the area known as the Capital Crescent Trail, a popular bike route. Naturally there are some opponents who are afraid to loose precious land. Other people that use this popular route feel that there can be positive sharing of the area. Only time will tell and plans drawn up will we see the full effects of this connection route.

The Trolley Car Debate
The trolley angle is a revitalization of an old idea that DC had until the 60’s. A light rail option that runs along side traffic. This might be an OK idea within the city proper, but I think running a trolley outside the city would not attract the rider ship necessary to operate. Combine that with the idea that people don’t want to have to switch services from light rail to trolley. I think even if owned and operated by Metro, they probably cannot merge the two different systems seamlessly. For starters the Bethesda Metro stop is underground. Do they propose having this same trolley underground? If not, how far away from the current Metro stop will it be? Questions like that puts serious doubt in my mind that a trolley link would be best in this situation. Others think different (Washington Post article).

Expanding the Purple Line
The Purple Line is supposed to be more than a single connector of two areas of the Red Line. Some original proposals called for the Purple Line to run adjacent to the Beltway, but this first connector of Bethesda and Silver Spring ensures that there will be serious deviation from that plan. Others hoped that the Purple Line would go well beyond the Beltway, encircling the area and touching the furthest stations. That vision is not what the Metro systems needs to thrive. The system must connect important areas of commerce, residential, and government so people have valid choices to get to work.

Conclusion
Serious debates and decisions must be made soon to get the Purple Line on course and completed to help increase rider ship and give real solutions to traffic congestion. The Purple Line is only one element to make this happen. Other big projects like the Orange Line extension to the Dulles Corridor, expanded rail service in DC proper, expansion of the Red Line to at least Germantown, and increased parking are some items from a long laundry list that must be implemented to make the most out of the system.

Addendum: The Shady Grove Metro (Red Line Stop)
The Shady Grove Metro stop is a highly used stop that is accessable from I-270, I-370, Shady Grove Rd, and Rt. 355. This stop takes the majority of riders who take very long drives just to get to that station.

I have a huge gripe on how Metro does not address the needs of the Red Line beyond the Grosvenor stop. For starters, they run every other train to Grosvenor and Shady Grove as their terminus, but more trains are needed to accommodate the volume of passengers all the way up to the Shady Grove stop. A large amount of passengers that ride the Grosvenor train get off at Grosvenor or Medical Center to catch the train to Shady Grove, but space is very limited. In the morning, the train is standing room only by the Bethesda stop till at least Metro Center (where I get off). On the way back you are almost guaranteed it’s standing room only for the entire 45 minute ride to Shady Grove. Why not run more frequent trains to the Shady Grove stop? Why not stop using Grosvenor as a terminus during rush hour? Why not run every three minutes instead of the six minute wait?

Another gripe is how the Shady Grove station is designed poorly. Whether it’s due to the miscalculation of riders using that station, or if they really plan to continue the line north to Gaithersburg, Germantown, or even farther, I am unaware of any of those efforts. During the evening rush hour, I would classify the off-loading of passengers as dangerous. There is only one area to go down a level to go through the gates. This area has two escalators separated by stairs in the middle. Problem is the volume is so heavy, this exit area is dangerously overfilled. Passengers traveling up the escalators has the virtually impossible task of weeding through the off-loading passengers to board their train. The solution is to create a second point of exit from the platform to dissipate the crowd. This must be addressed immediately to address safety concerns and the quality of service.