Million Dollar Bus Stop
October 23, 2013 Neighborhood: Columbia Heights
Columbia Pike & Walter Reed
03-14-2023 NEW BUS STOPS ARE BEING INSTALLED ALONG THE PIKE AT THE MOMENT
Updates
The Streetcar cancelled November 2014
New bus stop design October 26, 2016
There's a bright shiny bus stop where Walter Reed meets Columbia Pike. Its kinda neat and very futuristic, all stainless steel and glass with heated concrete floors.
This is the first of 24 Super Stops (now called Transit Stations) planned for Columbia Pike which will accommodate the long awaited streetcars and current buses.
This is the first of 24 Super Stops (now called Transit Stations) planned for Columbia Pike which will accommodate the long awaited streetcars and current buses.
Pros
Arrival Board
The electronic Arrival Board gives the times when the next bus is expected to arrive. This particular bus stop services a number of buses and gives the wait time for each.
The Map
It also has a map of the area. Which could have been more interesting and helpful if it had been electronic giving the rider access to maps of local neighborhoods.
Magazine and Newspaper Boxes
The new magazine and newspaper boxes look much better than the rag tag assortment of different color boxes often seen at bus stops.
Cons
There is not Enough Space
Arlington County states that this super stop will shelter up to 15 riders, but there is not enough room, even if some of them were standing.
No Real Protection
The roof and walls of the structure are all style and no substance. None offer any real protection from the elements. The rider will be at the mercy of the wind, its direction will determine whether they stay wet or dry during a storm.What little protection the roof gives only extends to one set of seats. There is not much point in having an heated floor if we are exposed to rain and snow.
One Million Dollars
The major complaint from many in the county is the price. This one bus stop cost a Million Dollars. I cannot even begin to fathom how it could have cost that much.
After so many complaints the county has put the other 23 Transit Stations on hold while they rethink the entire structure and price.
Update Nov 18, 2014
On 11/18/14: Arlington County Board Chair, Jay Fisette announced (view on youTube) that the Streetcar for Columbia Pike and Crystal City is being cancelled. In the last year opposition to the Streetcar had become more organized and the recent election of the candidate, John Vihstadt an Independent who ran on an anti-streetcar platform seems to have convinced the board that transportation for the Pike and Crystal City needs to go in a different direction.
I believe that debating the streetcar issue further, with continued discord and dueling facts, will not serve our community and will distract us from addressing other pressing issues before us.Fisette
I have come to the conclusion that the only way to move forward together to rebuild the civility and consensus that have been the hallmarks of our civic life and community success for decades is to discontinue the streetcar project.
Fisette acknowledged that many business owners and residents along Columbia Pike will be disappointed by the streetcar project cancellation.
There are those who moved there or developed in anticipation of the streetcar. I will say that we are committed and remain committed to the Columbia Pike corridor. We will continue to work towards the realization of that vision in a modified form, and that is the commitment of this Board. We will enhance the bus system to the extent possible.
November 18, Washington Post: Arlington officials halt efforts on streetcars for Columbia Pike, Crystal City