The Connection

“We would like to see focused attention on the noise that is created,” said McLean Citizens Association (MCA) president Sally Horn. She said that residents who live on the path of the Silver Line, particularly on the Dulles Access Road to Route 123 curve, experience rattling windows when the trains pass by. “It’s loud…We want a serious address and mitigation to this issue,” she said.

MCA also wants to bring attention to the parking options on the new stations. “There is not enough publicity about available parking in Metro,” said Horn.

The Silver Line was also expected to affect crime rates in the area, and the Tysons Urban Team was established in 2013 to supplement the McLean District police station in patrolling shopping areas and Metro.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority spokesperson Morgan Dye said that there have been eight reported crimes in the five new stations since opening day—one at Wiehle-Reston East, 4 at Tysons Corner, two at Spring Hill and one at McLean.

Bob Maurer, senior marketing manager for Tysons Corner Center, said in an email that there has definitely been an increase in shopper traffic from Metro but not necessarily a crime element.

Scheduled activities and festivals at Lerner Town Square reflect Tysons Corner’s burgeoning community that is not just a commercial center. Tysons Partnership is working on increasing signage and visibility that will inform people about Tysons Corner as a destination.

Seda Yener, nonprofit employee, Fairfax: ”It’s convenient because it’s a lot of lines so you have a lot of options. The fees are extremely expensive especially during rush hour. Sometimes the cars are really dirty. Maybe they can put more trash bins so people can throw their stuff.”

O.G. McClinton, III, EMR consultant at Sunrise Senior Living, Hyattsville, Md.: ”I wish the old stations could start to look a little brighter like the new stations. I dislike the fact that there aren’t restrooms at every station. I mean Tysons has a restroom and it’s nice and it’s clean, there’s like three of them. It’s very convenient because when you’re on the train and you’re waiting an hour and there’s delays and there’s no restroom, that could be a problem.”

Donmale Gbaanador, contract attorney, Silver Spring, Md.: ”It definitely made it easier. I have more commuting options. It’s nice to have options. There’s not really much I don’t like. Sometimes the fares can be a little higher than expected. Other than that i don’t see any disadvantage.”

Brennan Price, chief technology officer, American Radio Relay League, Inc., Vienna: ”The reliability of the service is a little bit suspect at times. That being said, when the system works, it works very well. it’s something that still needs to be perfected. I realize that funding is difficult but it is a worthwhile investment in my view, not only of of my tax dollars but of my fare money.”

Paula Hancock, facilities planner, Kaiser Permanente, Reston: ”I’m not real thrilled with the bus service. I think there could be more bus connections to the station but other than that…It’s little more expensive than I expected it to be but it’s not a deal breaker.”

--Abigail Constantino