Minutes: Meeting with Chris Zimmerman on Blue Line Service
Feb 27, 2008, 4PM at the County Building

Present:
The Honorable Chris Zimmerman, Arlington County Board
Jerry Auten, Chair Arlington County Civic Federation (ACCF) Transportation Committee
Paul Derby, Director North Rosslyn Civic Association
Paul Mulligan, Director North Rosslyn Civic Association
Mark Antell, President North Rosslyn Civic Association

Materials Distributed
"Blue Line Realignment" A report presented on 2/14/08 to the WMATA Board.
"Meeting with Mr. Chris Zimmerman on Metro Issues and Concerns" dated 2/27/08 from NRCA and signed by Paul Derby.

Mr. Zimmerman led off by pointing out that Metro travel across the Potomac is limited to two crossing locations. He indicated that it is important that NOVA travelers have improved access to the growing employment areas on the eastern side of downtown.

Mark Antell stated that the existing rush hour connection between north and south Arlington is quite important. He questioned the trade off of expanded access for Blue/Yellow riders to eastern DC, vs. loss of access between northern Arlington and points south. Mr. Zimmerman indicated that the connection between north and south Arlington was not very good right now and that express bus transit could replace (or improve upon) the current Rosslyn-Pentagon connection.

Mark noted that the current "realignment" proposal probably will not hurt anyone very much. However, he was very worried for the future. It seems a physical certainty that the Silver Line will displace Blue Line traffic away from Rosslyn, probably to zero during rush hour. Mr. Zimmerman stated that this has been known for a decade, but that Blue Line service to Rosslyn would not be eliminated.

Paul Derby spoke about Metro maintenance. NRCA monitors conditions in the Rosslyn and the Arlington Cemetery stations. The Station Master structure is an improvement, but the Station Master has very limited powers. Paul recommends that Station Masters be given administrative responsibility. Chris thanked Paul for his activism in this area.

Paul Derby also noted that the problem with Rosslyn station capacity is not tunnel capacity. Rather it is in the loading and offloading of passengers. This could be accomplished much more quickly if queuing spots could be arranged. This is turn would require that each train stop at the same location (precision stopping). Zimmerman commented that consultants had made the same point about slow unloading and argued that the new car configurations with fewer seats would help address that problem.

Paul Derby indicated that travel to Rosslyn work sites will be increasing greatly soon. People in south Arlington need Blue Line access to Rosslyn. Commuting from Rosslyn to points south is also substantial and increasing. Direct rush hour service between Rosslyn and Pentagon (and points south) is quite important.

Jerry Auten pointed out that ACCF has passed a resolution indicating interest and concern about changes in Blue Line service and requesting a study, ridership data and a public process. To date ACCF has received no feedback from WMATA on that resolution. Mr. Zimmerman indicated that this discussion probably should happen before the transportation commission acted, and that he would assure that the Civic Federation as well as WMATA would be represented. He suggested that we send him an e-mail with our specific questions about the proposal.