RSS FeedPublic Meeting Tonight About “G Street Bus Depot”
We can’t say that we’re surprised. While most peoples’ intentions for relocating the DC to NYC buses were genuine at the start, this blogger is convinced that designating a de facto bus depot directly in front of a residential building is never a good idea.
Three weeks ago, we reported that the pickup spot for DC to NYC buses was moving from their usual office building-bounded location on 11th St at about F St. The new site was designated as G St between 9th & 10th, which is in front of MLK library, but also in front of a neighborhood condominium.
In the past, this blog has written and announced neighborhood meetings about the negative impact of idling buses, especially when they’re in front of residential buildings. But, some people may forget about the impact until they are newly subjected to it for 30 minutes at a time several times a day. An additional headache created by the DC to NYC buses is that crowds of people are either clogging up sidewalks or are seeking a nice climate controlled building to wait for the bus. And, buildings like the MLK library aren’t open 24 hours.
To that end (no pun intended), there will be a meeting tonight, Tuesday, January 13, 7:00pm at the FlashPoint Conference Room @ 916 G St NW. Any interested residents will be able to voice concerns with city leadership over the Bolt Bus and Mega Bus stop now in front of MLK library.
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Actually, there is a master plan for transportation. It can be downloaded at http://tinyurl.com/82hzp2
The old downtown Greyhound station was moved almost 20 years ago for a variety of reasons — including reduction of commercial traffic in the CBD (central business district.)
The new bus situation is unfortunate and was poorly implemented, but hopefully it can be resolved so everyone can live with it — the good and the bad.
Why were the stops moved in the first place? Was something wrong with the old location? Or was the MLK arcade deemed a nice rain shelter?
I’m weary that this sort of NIMBYism can result in unintended consequences, such as resparking some people’s desire to move the buses to L’Enfant.
For those of us who’ve chosen to live downtown, it’s safe to say that all of us want more mixed-use development. With that, though, comes certain hassles from having our homes surrounded by businesses, crowds, and noise. Idling buses or people on the sidewalk is just part of living downtown. (Of course, bus riders using lobbies to seek shelter in is completely different–but that should be an easy enough problem to solve.)
I think the master plan excludes the bus station issue this forum is discussing…the actual bus station located on First St. NE is very functional although the location is less than desirable. There needs to be a centralized bus depot (similar to Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC) for all bus operators, this eliminates the problem city wide of having large crowds congregating on the street in everyone’s neighborhoods and businesses. Otherwise put the bus terminal at Union Station where it would link up with Amtrak/MARC etc. South Station in Boston uses this model and its extremely effective.
Last time I checked all NYC buses dumped folks off at MSG… which is probably better than right in front of a brand new condo.
I second what “Bus guy” suggested. It’s reasonable to centralize the bus transportation. So called NIMBY shouldn’t even be an issue in this case. These buses don’t belong in anyone’s neighborhood. They belong in areas where other transportation is available (Union Station, another good idea).
It’ a free-for-all where it is now. Try driving down that part of G Street these days. What was DDOT thinking?
The buses don’t all stop at one location, so I’m not sure I understand the statement about the “usual” location being relocated. In any event, is it really that much of a problem? There are already rules about idling–just enforce them, if that’s an issue. And as far as crowds of people go, I see the passengers lined up in various places almost every day, and I have yet to see much of a disturbance. They’re a hell of a lot more orderly and quiet than the screaming mentally ill folks, screaming hooligan kids, etc. that we put up with every day. What would be the point of concentrating all the stops into one? I think it’s almost better that the various companies pick up/drop off at different locations. Spread things out.
Oh, and by the way, most of the buses we’re talking about here (Chinatown buses, Megabus, Bolt Bus, Washington Deluxe, etc.) don’t go to the Port Authority. They stop on the street up there just like they do here.
First, last I checked the buses sparking this debate (Megabus and, I think, Bolt) did not have a stop directly in front of the fancy new condos. Instead the stop is located across the street in front of the library. The travellers do not keep people from getting into their condos and are not loud. Second, I doubt that any of the business owners in the area are complaining about more people hanging out downtown. Want more shops downtown to stay open? Don’t get rid of people. Third, since I live downtown I personally like the convenience of not having to go to Union Station or the sketchy Greyhound station to get on a bus to NY. Fourth, I also checked the Master Transportation Plan (thanks Anon) and unless I missed it, it doesn’t seem to address this sort of issue. Finally, I hear what Bus Guy is saying about a centralized bus terminal, but if it means the Chinatown bus companies have another expense, I could see it destroying low-cost, long-distance bus companies. I can’t imagine their margins are that great and I can only surmise what an extra cost would do to them.
I have had buses park illegally across from my condo and they are so loud that they create a roar inside my unit. It is a crazy loud sound. That is why the folks at Mather are probably so incensed. They have just discovered that idling is a real problem. I don’t think that folks are out of line asking for a solution that works. I have heard no one ask for the buses to leave downtown just locate better and be considerate. That being said, there are some uses that should not be next to residential buildings.
Also, the folks waiting for the buses on 5th Street at H rarely move so I can have a piece of the sidewalk when I am walking by. The bus companies need to control their crowding on the sidewalks as they are using the public space. We should all work together to make this work instead of labelling folks as bad people for raising a legitimate issue.
What unmitigated nonsense by washingtonydc. S/he has obviously surrendered any claims to quality of life by moving into the city, but maybe we haven’t watched the same movies.
Living in the city does not inherently require that one accept bring mugged or assaulted, being hit by a vehicle, sub-standard education, bad water, unbridled noise or buses in front of your residence spewing pollution.
The only difference between living in the city and outside of it is density. In itself, density means nothing more than more people living in less space. I’ve lived in many suburbs, and they have many of the same problems as cities, sometimes more. How would you like the police in Prince George county in Maryland “protecting” you in DC? Many of these thugs would have been star performers in, say, Iraq when before Saddam was ousted.
There has to be a balance achieved in areas of high density — nobody’s calling for the downtown fire department to be relocated, are they? — but waving a white flag for anything but bus drivers seeking shelter in a lobby is ridiculous. While we’re speaking of the latter, why object to that? After all, it’s the city. Right?
In response to Flipperman75, I realize that many companies pick up in various locations, which is not a good idea because it puts street side pickup in everyone’s backyard whether in DuPont or Chinatown. An actual bus station provides shelter, security, and customer service compared to curbside pickup/dropoff. The online fares for Greyhound/Peter Pan are the same as Bolt, Mega, and Wash Deluxe. I wouldn’t worry about the Chinese bus companies (smugglers)they aren’t worried about us. Centralization is a key function of transportation. Delta and United don’t have separate airports for their airlines…neither should bus companies.
The distilled argument was that a bus depot is inappropriate in front of a residential building. DC does have laws against buses in front of residences. Jack Evans attended the meeting and agreed with the residents — needless to say, the MegaBus and the BoltBus will be moved to a new location in time for Inaugural activities.
DDoT will continue to draft regulations to control the gypsy bus services and get them off of public spaces and into private terminals or leased locations.
At some point, I’d like to hear what was determined, or at least discussed at the public hearing; if anyone knows.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
cuba is now allowing free market taxi’s.
the entire central business district has a history and tradition of being a bus stop. the new condo owners dont like the buses but were here in the central business district first. greyhound had a bus station at 11 and NY Ave NW, then sharon pratt(same person who leased the wilson building to developers and got rid of the redskins)had the peter pan/greyhound/trailways moved to north of union station to be near the proposed new convention center.
bottom line is there should have been a master plan for transit and there still isnt.