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Arlington County Republican Committee Chris Berg, Chairman
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Issue brief:

Columbia Pike transit

More resources
on Pike transit
From WMATA: From the County: From ACRC: From community groups:
Press coverage
UPDATE!
In March 2006, the County and WMATA held a public meeting, which was heavily slanted in favor of the streetcar alternative. Presenters showed little interest in addressing concerns raised by many in the audience. In late April, the County Board voted to approve the project, despite the unresolved questions on financing and other issues. See news coverage.

Arlington County is planning to put a streetcar on Columbia Pike, contrary to the advice of its own transit advisers. It's a costly option, with little promise of improved transit, and the potential to snarl traffic for miles.

The $120 million line would start in Pentagon City, and then extend along the Pike to the Skyline area of Fairfax County. The streetcars would run in existing travel lanes, requiring installation of trolley tracks in the roadway (a hazard for pedestrians and bicyclists), and construction of a specialized maintenance facility.

Improvements in travel time would be marginal, resulting primary from fewer transit stops on the Pike. That might benefit some commuters from Fairfax, but would inconvenience those in Arlington. And the trolley system would still require buses to run during rush hours, to meet the full demand.

A study by WMATA examined options for bus and streetcar service, and found that enhanced bus service could provide similar service for less cost. Outside commenters found multiple flaws in the study, which overstated the benefits attributed to trolleys. The federal transit agency said the streetcar project wouldn't qualify for federal funds. The state transportation agency expressed serious safety concerns about squeezing trolleys, vehicle, pedestrians, bicyclists and parked cars together in the narrow Pike roadway.

In February 2006, ACRC adopted a resolution, urging the County to defer a decision until those open questions were resolved. In March, the County's own Transit Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend an enhanced bus system, rather than the streetcar proposal.

But the County Board and WMATA simply brushed off those concerns and recommendations. They now seem poised to approve the streetcar project -- with no indication of how they plan to finance it. The likely targets: County taxpayers (through general taxes) and property owners along the Pike (through special assessments).

How Pike transit works: Transit service on the Pike is currently provided by Metrobus (run by WMATA) and ART (run by Arlington), under the name "PikeRide". It's the most heavily traveled bus line in the state; service is frequent, and it works well. The proposed streetcar would be built and operated by WMATA, but Arlington County would be expected to come up with the funds for construction and operation -- in addition to the costs of continuing some bus service as well.

Next steps: The proposal is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board on April 22 and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in early May. And while Arlington and WMATA has given little indication of willingness to consider alternative viewpoints, one can always hope they will pay attention to public opinion. Citizens who wish to make their voices heard are encouraged to contact the County Board.