Metropocalypse

Latest Episodes:

Episode 7.5: Live At Kramerbooks In D.C. Jul 13, 2016

Show notes

In front of a live audience, we nerd out on questions about ridership and "death spirals;" expansion plans and bus lanes; and the 1990s technology we can't seem to escape.

Episode 7: Nerd Riders Jul 11, 2016

Show notes

Greater Greater Washington founder (and fellow transportation nerd) David Alpert tells us about his website's MetroGreater contest. We answer hot questions from Metropocalypse listeners. And experts on the psychology of commuting explain how SafeTrack might affect Washingtonians' habits.

Episode 6: How Will Washington Get Around In The Year 2026? Jul 05, 2016

Show notes

In the latest Metropocalypse, we explore the future of Metro: What will the system look like in 10 years? Should responsibility for running the system be passed off to the private sector? How will the introduction of driverless cars and other technologies impact the system?

Episode 5: Why 1986 Still Matters Jun 27, 2016

Show notes

In 1986, a federal official issued a warning: If Metro continued to expand rapidly, the system faced a future of stark choices over maintaining existing infrastructure. Metro chose expansion. We talk to a historian about that decision. We also hear from a former Metro general manager about the following years, and from an Arlington planner about measuring how riders are responding to SafeTrack.

Episode 4: Historic Blunder Of Epic Proportions? Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

SafeTrack hits its second phase, with full shutdowns of sections of the Orange Line forcing commuters to use bus "bridges" between stations. What if Metro had built extra tracks, though? We talk to a historian about why redundant stretches of rail weren't part of the system's blueprint.

Episode 3: Filling The Information Vacuum Jun 13, 2016

Show notes

We talk to civic hackers who use WMATA's open data sources to share information about delays, accidents and more. The principal of a charter school with many non-native speakers of English talks about how language barriers can affect transit riders. And we ask: Is the latest Orange Line work boosting bike traffic in Arlington?

Episode 2: Dispatches From Day One Jun 07, 2016

Show notes

The Metropocalypse crew is on the scene at the Ballston station in Virginia as the "new normal" takes effect. We also ask key questions of Metro's general manager and D.C.'s mayor, and we discuss what the end of late-night service means for everyday people.

Episode 1: The Surge May 31, 2016

Show notes

Welcome to the inaugural edition of Metropocalypse, WAMU 88.5's new podcast about Metro. WAMU 88.5's Martin DiCaro and Politico's Martine Powers explore what the "new normal" will be for the Washington region's subway system, and we talk to the chairman of Metro's board about why commuters will have to pay peak fares during disrupted service.

Metropocalypse: Trailer May 25, 2016

Show notes

Explosions and smoke-filled tunnels. Turf wars between government agencies. Frustrated riders and epic commutes. This has become the new normal for the Metro system. Metropocalypse, a weekly podcast from WAMU 88.5 News, explores the latest developments, answers riders’ burning questions and finds humor and insight amid our region's commuting nightmares.

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