For Immediate Release: Monday, December 10, 2007
Montgomery Council Members Enthused By Revised Purple Line Ridership Report
County Councilmembers Like Latest MTA Study Showing Estimated Ridership Would Exceed
Earlier Projections Purple Line Information Meeting Set For Bethesda on Wed., Dec. 12
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 10, 2007—Members of the Montgomery County Council are expressing their enthusiasm over projections released last week by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MTA) that showed ridership on the Purple Line would exceed earlier expectations.
The County Council has already gone on record with its support of building the Purple Line, an extension of Metro that would provide a direct connection between the Bethesda and New Carrollton Metrorail stations.
On Wednesday, Dec. 12, the MTA will hold an open house from 5-8:30 p.m. at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School at 4301 East-West Highway in Bethesda to solicit opinions and explain details of the Purple Line plan.
The revised ridership projections released by the MTA estimate about 47,000 riders would use the Purple Line if it was built as a light rail line and 45,000 riders would use the route if it was a dedicated bus line.
Councilmember George Leventhal is among the members of the Council who said the latest ridership numbers are further reason to start moving the 16-mile line, which would provide a nine-minute connection between the Bethesda and Silver Spring stations, to the preliminary engineering stage. In his State of the County speech on Dec. 3, County Executive Isiah Leggett also called for the building of the Purple Line.
“The latest projections show what many people have long known—the Purple Line is a needed project for the Maryland suburbs,” said Councilmember Leventhal, who has been instrumental with a collaboration of residents, elected officials and business representatives advocating for the building of the Purple Line. “We should not wait much longer. We need to get the Purple Line started now.”
The revised MTA ridership projections compare favorably to user projections for proposed mass transportation projects currently under study in other areas of the nation. Strong ridership projections are important to the Purple Line gaining support for funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
On Thursday, Dec. 6, the County Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee, which is chaired by Nancy Floreen and includes Councilmembers Leventhal and Valerie Ervin, held a worksession on the Purple Line.
“I am encouraged by our Purple Line discussion,” said Councilmember Floreen. “Resolving gridlock should be a top priority for all levels of government, and this transit project is an important piece of that puzzle. It is a key element in the County’s future economic vitality and quality of life. Now we need to keep the momentum going.
Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg said the Purple Line is important for three reasons.
“First, of course, it will encourage mass transit use, which is good for the environment and reflects our commitment to conserve energy,” said Councilmember Trachtenberg. “Second, it will link and strengthen business districts and communities in Silver Spring and Bethesda. And third, it will put students into the public transportation grid as they commute to Montgomery College and the University of Maryland.”
Councilmember Valerie Ervin said she shares the Purple Line enthusiasm of the revised ridership results.
“As an advocate for mass transit, I share my colleagues’ enthusiasm about the updated ridership numbers,” she said. “However, as both a Councilmember and a homeowner who lives next to a potential alignment, I want to ensure that the MTA has assessed all viable options associated with constructing the Purple Line.
“Ridership numbers are only one piece of the puzzle. The MTA also needs to evaluate travel times, potential locations and environmental, pedestrian safety and traffic impacts. This is why it is so important for the Council to hear from residents, so we can pass your concerns onto the MTA. This is a critical project for the County and we want to ensure that it is done right.”