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Dulles North Parking Issues

Discussion in 'Broadlands Community Issues' started by khushi2005, Sep 29, 2009.

  1. khushi2005

    khushi2005 New Member

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    Hi All ,
    I commute everyday to DC and most of the time I use LC Transit
    The problem I/We are facing now a days is parking lot is full before 8.00
    I have to drop my son to school and reach there for last direct bus to DC at 8.30(Most of the time it is like running a horse race for me since Wax pool road is always blocked)

    now after doing all this juggling and racing I reach there to find no parking space and also the bus almost ready to leave

    Now goign through all these hassle and then parking my car at curbside and then waiting for West Fall Church at 8.50 what I ultimately get at the end of the day is PArking Ticket

    Is there a way I can voice out this issue
    I have already called LC Transit and to defend my case I have to go to court ..which will take my whole day

    Hopefully they come up wth better solutions

    Thanks
     
  2. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Have you considered the Ashburn Farm Shuttle bus? You could park at the ole Shopper's or the Giant parking lot, catch the shuttle to Dulles North and you will avoid the parking crunch at Dulles North.

    Good luck in court. Illegally parked is illegally parked. Maybe a judge will be lenient and waive the court fee. I think I'd go ahead and pay it. Time is worth money. BTW, how much was the ticket?
     
  3. khushi2005

    khushi2005 New Member

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    I understand illegal parking and the cost of ticket is $40 which is worth paying than defendnig
    but my issue is what LC Transit is doing to get control of this situation
    Also taking Ashburn Farm Shuttle is like going all the way back from school and then also loosing my 8.30 bus
     
  4. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    I am not sure I understand. What do you want them to get control of? The lot fills up. You need to get there earlier or us the shuttle buses. Alot of people are using the shuttle these days due to the parking. BTW, the shuttle is free.

    I've been using the shuttle and the Loudoun Commuter for over a year. Extremely efficient, almost always on time. If they are delayed they send email alerts. It's a very popular service. If anything they need to add more buses going downtown, as on occasion the buses are standing room only. I am a big fan.
     
  5. teak

    teak New Member

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    How about writing your complaint to the local politician whom ever that person would be. I'm not into politics so I don't know if that's your mayor, governor, etc. Tell them what your problem is. Also maybe notify the Sheriffs dept about this issue and maybe they'll ease up on the parking enforcement.
     
  6. Chsalas

    Chsalas Active Member

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    Yes, I noticed that the North Dulles lot is completely full by 745 in the am. It's really bad and people are parking on the street. We could certainly use more parking at that lot.
     
  7. hero

    hero New Member

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    Wouldn't it make sense to do some early parking lot work at the proposed metro site near Home Depot? Perhaps, establish some bus service from there that would be similar to the type of service you'd eventually get via rail? I know that funding is probably a huge issue since metro is already short $ and I can't see our county coughing up $'s for anything new. But there is a program of work underway.

    Given that you have bus service already in place at many of the locations where they are now dropping metro stations, I would think you'd want to do the same here to confirm the basis of your ridership estimates for the program.

    Don't get me wrong. I am a huge rail supporter. But it would be nice to get even a fraction of that future service now via bus.
     
  8. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Good idea hero. They have done similar work at the Herndon/Reston bus stop on the toll road. I notice from http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=785&zoom_highlight=bus that a new commuter parking lot is being built in Leesburg. (noted in the CBAB minutes)

    There is a Commuter Bus Advisory Board (CBAB) that appears to meet once a month and discusses citizen input, complaints, suggestions and ideas. Website notes they do not have a set monthly meeting date. Here is their email address for input and questions: CBAB@loudoun.gov

    Additionally, the Loudoun Connector is managed by the County. Stevens Miller would be the elected county official you could talk to about getting a commuter bus lot built at the planned metro stop. For those who don't know Miller is the Dulles District County Supervisor. He's not been very active in our county government since he moved to Sterling and announced his campaign for state delegate, but it might be a place to try.

    With the good chance Miller won't have time to deal with this District issue, you can also contact Nancy Gourley. She is the staff contact for the Commuter Bus Advisory Board in the Office of Transportation Services, 703-737-8384 or e-mail nancy.gourley@loudoun.gov.
     
  9. khushi2005

    khushi2005 New Member

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    Well what you say is perfectly understood
    Only catch is I have to drop my son to school at 8.00 and his school is on Loudon County Pky
    So it means after I drop him I go back ,park my car at the Shuttle aprking lot and then take a shuttle and then come to Dulles North and eventually loose my 8.30 last bus going to DC and mostly if there is traffic loose 8.50 bus to West Falls Church also
    So in any cae I loose the bus

    If i do not drop off my son to school I mostly take 6.20 bus so going early is not the option right now for me

    I hope you are getting my point


    what I am trying to say is there is some recent ridership increase and County or LC Transit has not taken any efforts to increase the parking lot but instead have started submitting parking tickets
     
  10. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    khushi, have you considered the Ashburn North bus depot? They may have another option for you.

    I have no sympathy for you with your ticket. You parked illegally. Pay the ticket.

    With that said, I do think they need to work on the issue. Maybe more shuttle services to Dulles North would work. Maybe there is a way to squeeze in a few more "legal" parking spaces within the lot. Doesn't look like there's much room to expand the parking.
     
  11. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

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    I'd share your feedback with these folks below- the more wheels that squeak, the higher priority the issue may become! (from the loudoun.gov website)


    Transportation Services: ots@loudoun.gov
     
  12. teak

    teak New Member

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    It seems you're basically screwed. Sorry! If you drop off your kid at school, there's a great chance you won't find a parking space + ticket. If you leave early, your kid can't be dropped off at school. And it seems you're already cutting it close. I'm shocked that the bus stops running after 8:30. There should be at least an 9pm.

    Maybe you can find a friend/neighbor/relative who can drop the kid off to school - even if you had to pay $$$.

    Motorcycle??? Maybe there's a designated area for parking bikes. You can get your motorcycle training in one weekend.

    I bet Loudoun Co Transit could rent one of the empty AOL parking garage for cheap and use that as a pick up location. AOL might rent it out cheap if they're hurting for some $$$$.

    Someone should invent a zip line from Ashburn to West Fall Metro.
     
  13. gb10

    gb10 General Lurker

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    The Ashburn North stop's latest run into the city is before 8:00am. I have the same problem in that if I have to drop offmy daughter in the morning at school, I am really in a bind to get into work. One thing I haven't tried yet is driving to Manassas and taking in the VRE. I'm quite sure it's not at all ideal, but it's a more flexible option.
     
  14. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    Sounds like the suggestion for a later bus should be made to the CBAB.

    From what I read 55% of the budget comes from fares, 30% or so comes from State grants. Not sure where the remaining comes from. Point is they aren't in this for a huge profit, if one at all. It's a quasi government operation. So they would need to buy additional buses for additional routes and any fees to rent parking lots would also have to be squeezed in.

    It's worth getting on the radar with your request, as the ridership has jumped significantly each year. My observation has been that it's pretty well scheduled. Buses are usually full (maximizing revenue) and on several occasions travel with people standing. I've not been on an empty bus. There is a demand for additional bus routes during the morning hours already service if you ask me.
     
  15. teak

    teak New Member

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    I didn't think of this solution before. If the lot is full or you've missed your 8am bus, you could always park at the airport long term parking for $9 or $10 for the day and take the Washington Flyer bus to West Falls Church for something like $9. Yes it is costly but it will get you to West Falls Church metro hopefully quicker than sitting on the toll road. So it'll be a $27/day but at least you don't have to sit 2+ hours in traffic. Just a thought. Of course this all depends on timing. I think the Washington Flyer leaves dulles airport 2 times per hour. There's also a Metro bus 5A or something like that. Good luck.
     
  16. afgm

    afgm Ashburn Farm Resident

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    How about dropping your kid off then driving to the Herndon/Monroe bus stop on the toll road? Then take the bus to the metro then down town.
     
  17. Buffettbassman

    Buffettbassman Troll Extrordinare'

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    khushi,

    I'm afraid the answers you seek won't be found on this board...
     

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