LTE: The Myths of Metro

It's funny reading all the panic and paranoia from opponents of Metro when it comes to connecting us with the city and "urban" people. Funny, that is, in the absurdity of it all. They apparently believe that the Metro will lead Loudoun down the road to rampant crime and poverty. Their misguided views fly in the face of facts. For instance, despite having eleven Metro stations and a population density more than thirteen times greater than Loudoun's, Arlington County has not had a single homicide in well over two years. Can we say as much?

Here's an example from abroad: In Bogota, Colombia, immediately following the installation of TransMilenio, their own controversial public transit project, violent crime dropped by fifty percent (not to mention traffic deaths, noise pollution, and commute times each dropping by a third). Of course we can't contribute such an incredible decrease entirely to the transit project, but even giving it credit for a tenth of that is impressive.

Most opponents of rail are stuck in a late-1900s mindset that makes them believe that subways are dark, dirty, graffiti-stained places. I'm not certain if these people have ever ridden the DC Metro, because that image is entirely incorrect. The Metro is safe and clean, and no amount of racially-tinged fear-mongering can change that.  

Georgetown gave in to the same mindset and opposed Metro in the 1970s out of fear of bringing in inner-city people, and that same neighborhood is, today, calling for a Metro station that they probably won't get. We don't have to make the same mistake. Don't be swept up by the myths of the most fanatical enemies of development in Loudoun.  

Darryn Castle
Ashburn