GREAT, EXCITING NEWS?!?!? EXCEPT...

Wow! We're finally getting some action!!!!!!!
The MTA has announced plans to increase parking facilities in Aberdeen!!!
I just received this email:
Aberdeen MARC Station Parking Expansion Project Open House

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will host a community open house in Aberdeen on July 22, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. regarding the proposed expansion of the Aberdeen MARC Train Station. It will be held at the Grove Presbyterian Church Hall, 50 East Bel Air Avenue, Aberdeen, MD.

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.


So does anybody see a problem with this?
I do!
1) The timing: the open house will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on a Tuesday. Hmmm. How many of us can get home in time for that?
People who work in Washington would have to catch either the 3:05 Amtrak or 4:24 Marc train to make it. And that means leaving work kind of early for many of us. (It would be easier for Baltimore workers, who could catch the 3:49 Amtrak or the 5:14 Marc train. ) The timing of this event reflects, to me, the lack of understanding MTA has about its customers. Or maybe they don't want a lot of us to show up to the event? If they really wanted to find out what real commuters thought, they should schedule it later, so that people who arrive on the last Amtrak (at about 8:15) could attend. Or they could schedule it in the morning in the station, say from 6 a.m.to 8:30 a.m. so that we could hear about it while we wait for the train.

2) The lack of alternatives: Listen, I'm THRILLED that the MTA is finally taking action, but I'm concerned that they may be simply imposing the same old tired "solutions" without considering better, faster, cheaper alternatives. A bigger lot may, in fact, be the best solution. But given today's reality of $4 gasoline, have they even considered alternatives such as rewards for carpooling or ridesharing to reduce the number of parked cars? How about some sort of public transportation to the train station from various population centers such as Bel Air, Havre de Grace or Churchville? How about extending the line northward to serve the dozens of people who drive south to catch the Aberdeen or Perryville trains? How about a safe place in the station (such as that big empty storeroom area) to store bicycles or scooters? I'm sure our commuters have many alternative ideas that could save money, solve the crunch quickly, reduce congestion, reduce pollution, etc., etc., How about it?