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Okay, I just got to write about this. I take the Light Rail up to work and back, but lately it's been running very late and over crowded. MTA's initial responce was "Here's the reason why. We're going as fast as we can to get things back to normal." Now, it's a jumble.
The short end: They're short on trains, and they're running against a 40 mph speed limit. Compare to 50+ on certian sections, including between Lithicum and Ferndale. Expect delays and overcrowding. Shuttle bus between Penn Station and Mt. Royal Avenue. I myself plan to take the Penn line, the 61 down, and the 3X up.
The long end: April 23rd, 2008 -- a train heading to a maintaince facility (North Ave? Cromwell?) splits a wheel into two. MTA Light Rail division checks a few other trains and see more trouble. They order the entire fleet inspected for wheels that are at the same level of wear of the ones on the train that broke... leaving too few trains. They also slap a 40 mph restriction on the line.
Thus the current situation.
The immediate future: On May 12th, they will redeploy the schedule. A trains will run from Hunt Valley every 15 minutes. At Lithicum they will alternate between BWI and Cromwell. A bus bridge will also operate, serving Cromwell and Ferndale to North Lithicum.
As soon as they get more trains cleared, they will, but they estimate it'll take much of the summer to do it. Burn the overtime, boys!
The short end: They're short on trains, and they're running against a 40 mph speed limit. Compare to 50+ on certian sections, including between Lithicum and Ferndale. Expect delays and overcrowding. Shuttle bus between Penn Station and Mt. Royal Avenue. I myself plan to take the Penn line, the 61 down, and the 3X up.
The long end: April 23rd, 2008 -- a train heading to a maintaince facility (North Ave? Cromwell?) splits a wheel into two. MTA Light Rail division checks a few other trains and see more trouble. They order the entire fleet inspected for wheels that are at the same level of wear of the ones on the train that broke... leaving too few trains. They also slap a 40 mph restriction on the line.
Thus the current situation.
The immediate future: On May 12th, they will redeploy the schedule. A trains will run from Hunt Valley every 15 minutes. At Lithicum they will alternate between BWI and Cromwell. A bus bridge will also operate, serving Cromwell and Ferndale to North Lithicum.
As soon as they get more trains cleared, they will, but they estimate it'll take much of the summer to do it. Burn the overtime, boys!
