When I first heard about the Purple Line, I was extremely enthusiastic about the idea. I envisioned a full-scale Metro line that would be completely integrated into the rest of the Metro system. In my mind, it would run completely underground and would connect directly from a transfer point at the existing College Park Metro Station with a stop directly beneath the Stamp Student Union on its way to Silver Spring and then Bethesda. Having spent the past year studying in England, I imagined a final product that would operate much in the same way as London’s Circle Line, connecting each of the intersecting lines. While this project would most certainly be costly, it would absolutely be properly constructed, long-lasting and provide a satisfying solution for all involved. Unfortunately, that vision was not to be realized.
Following the Purple Line debate during the past few weeks, I have been extremely disappointed to find that a full-scale Metro is not at all what the state has in mind. Of course, I do fully realize and appreciate the prohibitive costs of a heavy rail system. As unfortunate as it is, I have accepted that a proper Metro line is not going to happen. Nevertheless, I have become increasingly disenchanted with the watered-down alternatives that have made their way through the bureaucratic washing machine.
First of all, seeing the debate degenerate to the point of discussing turning the Purple Line into a possible bus route has left me feeling quite distraught. Why would we possibly need another bus route? We already have that! It is called Shuttle-UM, and it will take you to and from both the College Park and the Silver Spring Metro Stations free of charge.
Given the situation as it stands with regards to a light rail alternative, I would be inclined to favor university President Dan Mote’s position over that of the Graduate Student Government, for all of the reasons that he has repeatedly articulated. However, I am not entirely convinced that the proposed Stadium Drive solution will do anything to diminish those concerns. Yes, Stadium Drive gets less pedestrian traffic than Campus Drive, but nonetheless, a trolley-like train would still cause problems.
I am not naive enough to believe that a tram poses a serious safety risk on the basis of students being hit – though that is a possibility. I do, however, believe that it would be a very serious nuisance for pedestrians on what is currently a very pedestrian-friendly campus. Moreover, I also have yet to be persuaded that a light rail of any sort will not face the same problems and delays that regular traffic already does, even under restricted traffic conditions as proposed by the university.
Regardless of which of the two routes the train takes, it will undoubtedly detract from the pedestrian-friendly nature of our campus by limiting crossing of either road to about four designated areas. I enjoy the ability to jaywalk at my own leisure on the campus and I take that right very seriously! Furthermore, whatever steps the university officials may take to maximize its efficiency, the train will undoubtedly still be hampered by other vehicles and pedestrians and any number of yet unforeseen problems as it makes its way across Route 1.
I have very serious doubts as to whether the current proposal would really be that much more efficient than the shuttle system that we already have in place. Given the high development costs associated with this sort of project, I am not wholly convinced that it is really worth the trouble. Of course my vote would be in favor of a full-scale Metro line. Assuming though, that we cannot have a fully integrated Metro system, I would hate to see the university and the state commit so much time, effort and money to a project that is predestined to turn out half-baked.
Aaron Besser is a senior government and politics major. He can be reached at abesser@umd.edu.
