What is so different about the Washington system to make these problems possible?
Repairs to Washington’s aging subway could require the closure of entire rail lines for months at a time, the system’s chairman, Jack Evans, said Wednesday. At the very least, Mr. Evans said, riders should expect the closure of segments of individual lines for extended periods.
Gross neglect in to 40 years the system has been operational. Deferred maintenance presents a high price when it comes due.
Wish there was a really nasty congressional accounting with past manageent on the hot seat. Among others Downs. Make it so bad that they take the 5th.
Hope this event will make all heavy rail operators realize the importance of continuing preventative maintenance but that may be too much to hope. Like all infrastructure it is " out of sight out of mind ". Amtrak’s NEC is a perfect example.
I suppose we need to wait for them to produce their long term plan. It is an indication of the past practices of this organization that they don’t have one.
However, every time they mention maintenance, it is coupled with a plea/threat regarding the need for a long term funding source. That may be a legitimate issue, but it also could be a form of bureaucratic blackmail. I’ll await the report, but I’d be more comfortable if we had comparisons of their maintenance effort with the operators of other systems.