Why does MTA keep small "useless" stations in operation?

[MCL1981]

Why does MTA keep these little stations in operation? Stops like Garret Park, Washington Grove, and Boyds for example. It seems these stations support about 20 people grand total on a good day. And they're only a few minutes from a major stop like Gaithersburg, Kensington, or Germantown. You can almost see Gaithersburg from Washington Grove. By doing away with these stops, you get longer high speed stretches and can shave about 10 minutes off the schedule. Less fuel due to less starting up from a stop. And they wouldn't need to waste money on keeping the stations in operation. I'm all 5 people that use Washington Grove would be sad to see it go. But really? It's not a bus.

[deathtopumpkins]

Garrett Park sees 54 riders a day, as of 2013. 54 is pretty decent seeing as only 5 trains each way a day stop there. That means on average 11 people get on or off each train that stops there.

Washington Grove sees 44 daily riders, with 4 trains each way. Again, that's an average of 11 people getting on or off each train that stops there.

Boyds only sees 16 daily passengers though, which is an average of 4 per train. This one I might agree with skipping, but it consists of little more than two short strips of asphalt and a bus shelter, so it hardly costs anything to maintain. The MTA probably keeps it open because there's been a station there since the B&O days, and it's less of a hassle to keep it open as a bare-bones minor station served by a handful of trains than to try and close it. Plus I could see it becoming more heavily used in the future if growth around Germantown keeps up.

[MCL1981]

OK, so the 54 people at Garret Park can go to K-Town. The 44 at Washington Grove and can go to Gburg. And the 16 at Boyds can go to Germantown or Barnesville.

All of those stations require snow removal and ice treatment. They require walkways to cross the tracks that get beat up and fall apart all the time. They all have voice and data circuits for the signage and PA speakers. They all have parking lots that need to be maintained, repaired, re-striped, and patrolled. And the general wear and tear upkeep of everything at the stations. The train stopping at the station is wear on the brakes. The train waiting at and departing from the station is extra fuel. All of that costs money.

I'm just surprised that given all of those ways to save money, with negligible impact on riders, they haven't done it.

[The EGE]

Closing a station is a very difficult legal process, particularly in wealthy areas where residents have the time, money, and connections to advocate for continued service. That is not a new situation whatsoever - as far back as the 1800s, the state boards of railroad commissioners had to approve station closures.

The tactic of the 7 large legacy systems (MARC, SEPTA, NJT, LIRR, MNRR, MBTA, Metra) has generally been to close underperforming stations that are easy to close, but maintain minimal facilities and minimal service to those that would be expensive and political difficult to close. Suburban stations where most riders and commuting by car are easier to redirect passengers; those in residential centers like these three are more difficult. There are exceptions, of course; for example, SEPTA keeps Highland open as an overflow for Chestnut Hill West.

At Washington Grove, a little investment in actual sidewalks would go a long way towards encouraging use, especially from the apartments closer to Midcounty Highway.

[MCL1981]

I'm of the type that says "I do not care how special you feel you are or how much you paid for your car." But I guess that's now how politics works.

[ExCon90]

It is sometimes the case that where little-used stations are involved the number of passengers is less important than their identities. Would there be any influential politicians who use those stations?

[MCL1981]

Highly unlikely. Anyone that influential wouldn't be found among the peasantry like that.

[Backshophoss]

It will take time to close stations,MARC would start the process with a public announcement,then the
"Legal notice" as to be published,a round of "Hearings" at the towns affected,the MTA board approves
the closures,Legal challenges in court tended to,then the state approves or not the closures,
figure on another round of Legal challenges in court to be tended to.
Maybe a "Final day of service" notice is posted at the soon to be closed stations by MARC,
after everything is settled.
The process could take years.....and a lot of $$$$$$$$ on both sides!

[MCL1981]

I can totally see that process costing more money than they'd save.

[STrRedWolf]

It will take time to close stations,MARC would start the process with a public announcement,then the
"Legal notice" as to be published,a round of "Hearings" at the towns affected,the MTA board approves
the closures,Legal challenges in court tended to,then the state approves or not the closures,
figure on another round of Legal challenges in court to be tended to.
Maybe a "Final day of service" notice is posted at the soon to be closed stations by MARC,
after everything is settled.
The process could take years.....and a lot of $$$$$$$$ on both sides!

There was a bit of pushback over closing the Jessup and St. Dennis MARC stations, closing namely because Jessup's too close to Savage (and got easier to get to now) and they were too small to maintain. Jessup only gets one train in ether direction on average, though.

[scratchy]

When did St Dennis get phased out?

[jkovach]

It is sometimes the case that where little-used stations are involved the number of passengers is less important than their identities. Would there be any influential politicians who use those stations?

Highly unlikely. Anyone that influential wouldn't be found among the peasantry like that.

Garrett Park is quite nice. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more Very Important People live within walking distance of the station and use it to commute downtown, avoiding the hell that is driving into DC from the northern suburbs.

[STrRedWolf]

When did St Dennis get phased out?

It hasn't. There's one regular and three flag stops to that station each way. Jessup only has one stop each way.

[scratchy]

And laurel Racetrack is also a almost never used flagstop. unless that new development goes in. I'm under the assumption that no engineering for three tracks through there has even been considered, yet.

[STrRedWolf]

Only the 2007 expansion plan, but no actual engineering. It's a sure bet the cost has doubled to three-track from Camden Yards to Washington Union Station. Last I heard, CSX definitely wants MTA to foot the bill.