Could MARC be wising up?

Could someone at MARC have finally taken a look at their own schedule and altered the Aberdeen parking improvement meeting hours so that their customers might actually be able to attend?

It's possible!

Pat, "the queen of Aberdeen," just forwarded a message from the MTA :
(I've highlighted the important part):

Meet The MARC Managers at Aberdeen Open House For Parking Expansion
Project

MARC officials will set up a "Meet The MARC Managers" table at the MTA
community open house in Aberdeen on July 22, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. - 8:30
p.m. regarding the proposed parking expansion at the Aberdeen MARC Train
Station. The Open House will be held at the Grove Presbyterian Church
Hall, 50 East Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD, and NOT at the MARC Station.


The Aberdeen MARC Station Parking Expansion project will include
construction of additional surface parking to complement existing
station parking. The construction of the parking facilities will
provide approximately 165 new parking spaces. The project will also
include pedestrian access improvements, lighting, storm water management
and landscaping. Attendees will be able to view conceptual project
plans, and discuss any concerns with MTA representatives.

I haven't called to verify the hours of the meeting. The email I received last week said 4 to 7. And the ad in the Havre De Grace Record said 4:30 to 7 p.m. In last week's posting on this subject, I concluded that by having such an early ending to the meeting, MARC officials were either ignorant of their own schedules, or didn't didn't want commuters to attend the meeting. As I noted last week, the only northbound trains that would get a commuter to Aberdeen before 7 would require a very early departure from work. Most of the most popular trains drop commuters off at Aberdeen much later than 7. (Typically, for example, about 50 people board the Amtrak that leaves DC at 7:10 and is supposed to pull into Aberdeen at 8:14)

But if Pat's information is correct, we commuters should give two cheers for MARC officials:
1) They are at least talking about doing something about the parking crunch.
2) They appear to have altered their schedule to accomodate us - their customers!
That's great, MARC! Thanks!
:-D

But we shouldn't rest now. The price of democracy is eternal vigilance!

1) It would still probably be even better if they held a meeting in the train station from say, 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 in the a.m. to really catch more affected commuters.

2) We should carefully scrutinize and question the plan they are proposing. What would be the cheapest, fastest solution to the parking crunch? What would be the best long-term solution? Is there a way to consider and weigh the net carbon impact of the various alternatives?

I hope you'll all attend and thank the MARC officials for responding to our concerns, but voice your own ideas about how to make train commuting more successful!