An idea to expand regional rail service around D.C. has new substance after the Greater Washington Partnership revealed the first details of a plan to convert the MARC and VRE commuter train systems into high-frequency, all-day regional service.
Luz Lazo reports in detail on the efforts of the Greater Washington Partnership to create and implement a regional plan for rail transit in the region surrounding Washington, D.C.
If the new vision is achieved, "A Maryland resident would be able to ride MARC commuter trains to a job in Northern Virginia, and a Virginia resident could catch the Virginia Railway Express on the weekends, then travel to Baltimore in a one-fare, one-seat trip," explains Lazo.
The regional rail transit plans first emerged earlier this year, but Lazo's coverage in The Washington Post will serve to raise public awareness about the effort after the Greater Washington Partnership last week revealed the "Capital Regional Rail Vision," including a fact sheet, technical report, economic impact brief, equity analysis, and some conceptual work by Gensler to imagine the rider and station experience [pdf].
The plan already has significant backing in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., according to Lazo.
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