FAQs

FAQs

Why transit-oriented development?

Transit-oriented development (a.k.a. TOD) focuses development at transit nodes and provides a convenient mix of housing, shops, and public spaces in a walkable environment. As part of a broader smart growth strategy, the revitalization of urban transit villages will help relieve pressure to locate jobs and housing in inaccessible, low-density developments. This will help reduce sprawl’s attendant traffic, air, and water quality problems.

• Places should offer convenience and a variety of activities.
• Mixing uses and compact designs make communities convenient for walking and biking.
• Housing close to Metro stations means safer streets for riders and residents.
• People should come first in creating places.
• Buildings, streets, and sidewalks should welcome pedestrians.
• Routes to Metro stations should be safe for people walking and biking.
• Public spaces should meet different community needs.
• Public spaces at Metro stations should encourage use, social interaction, and close connections to surrounding activity.

Why Rail on the Wilson Bridge?

Rail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge would offer commuters an alternative to sitting in traffic.

• Rail line has the passenger capacity of about six lanes of rush-hour traffic.
• Rail would create an additional transportation option for rush hour drivers, 80% of whom are local commuters.
• Rail would connect people to jobs in Alexandria, National Harbor, and beyond.
• Rail in place of HOV lanes and ramps would allow smaller interchanges and reduce environmental damage.
• Rail service can accommodate growing volume by adding more rail cars and more frequent trains.

Why the Purple Line?

The Purple Line would offer commuters a light rail alternative to sitting in traffic on the Capital Beltway and other east-west roads.

• Suburban Maryland is not served by any east-west rail system.
• The Maryland portion of the Capital Beltway is regularly congested, and commuters have no alternative but to clog local roads.
• Light rail is more effective in attracting passengers than other transportation alternatives such as bus rapid transit (BRT).
• The Purple Line would increase the accessibility of jobs in Bethesda, Silver Spring, and College Park (University of Maryland).

Why Increase and Improve Bus and Rail Service?

Increased and improved bus and rail service would provide residents with an alternative to driving.

• Although Metrorail handles approx. 727,000 trips and Metrobus handles approx. 426,000 trips daily, many areas are not served sufficiently (or at all) by bus or rail.
• With the region’s growing population, building or widening roads is not an effective transportation solution.
• The Washington, D.C.  area continually fails to meet federal Clean Air Act standards; additional ridership would mean less ground-level ozone.
• Contaminants from vehicles and road construction and maintenance activities are washed from roads and roadsides when it rains or snow melts.   A large amount of this runoff pollutes local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
• Transit saves money: Insufficient transit options force commuters to incur significant vehicle ownership costs.  According to the American Automobile Association, owning a vehicle can increase a household budget by as much as $7,000 or more each year.

What Can I Do to Help?

Volunteer to help us spread the word.  Contact your local elected officials.

• Contact information for state legislators may be found by going to http://mlis.state.md.us and by clicking “Contact your Legislators” or calling (301) 970-5400. The Maryland General Assembly meets from January to April every year.
• Contact information for elected county officials may be found by going to www.princegeorgescountymd.gov and clicking the “Government” tab or calling (301) 350-9700.
• Contact transportation officials studying the Purple Line by going to www.purplelinemd.com.
• Give Prince George’s ACT your volunteer time and/or ideas.