Washington DC Faces Subway Management Problems, Rising Vacancy Rates, and Restaurant Closures Post-Coronavirus

In Washington, the capital of the United States, where working from home has become the norm even after the coronavirus pandemic has subsided, there are subway management problems, rising vacancy rates, and restaurant closures. have become big issues. Crime rates also increased in urban areas where the population decreased. Experts point out that the issues that have emerged in the post-corona era are “serious problems that are common in urban areas in the United States.” ” (Washington Ryuji Suzuki, also pictured)

◆ You can sit comfortably even during rush hours

When I went to a subway station in the center of the city during rush hour on a weekday morning, there were no lines on the platform and the trains were obviously empty. A female passenger said, “Before the coronavirus, we had to wait in line for the next train, but now we can sit comfortably.”

The rail network, which connects Washington and its two neighboring states via subways and other means, is a major transportation artery, with an average of about 500,000 people riding each day before the coronavirus. However, in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people decreased significantly to 100,000. Even in 2022 and 2023, when the disease was under control, the number of people remained at the level of 200,000, at a rate of 40-60%.

According to a national survey, 25% of Washington workers will continue to work from home in 2022, significantly higher than the pre-coronavirus rate of about 5%. Many white collar workers who work in government agencies and companies still work remotely from home.

◆ Business lunches have disappeared, and violent incidents have increased by 40%

Without commuters, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates subways and other services, is in dire straits. In 2023, the company announced the closure of major stations, reduced service, fare increases, and restructuring measures. In response to feedback from users, it is expected that the service will be maintained at this time with more public financial support, but there are few clear points. Companies are still moving out of major Washington office buildings because they no longer need staff desks or conference rooms. According to a survey by a leading real estate company, the vacancy rate at the end of 2023 was over 20%.

Restaurants that have been meeting businessmen’s demand for lunch and drink parties have been hit hard. According to a study by a Washington business group, a total of about 100 stores will close in 2022 and 2023. A pizza shop that closed last year still has a sign that reads, “Due to the shift to remote work, we can no longer continue to work. We did our best.”

In addition, it was pointed out that there is a connection between the serious decline in security in Washington and the decrease in the number of people walking on the streets. In 2023, violent incidents including murders and robberies increased by about 40% compared to the previous year, and the number of car thefts increased to almost 1,000. Public concern is so strong that at one point there was a plan to move the Wizards headquarters, where professional NBA basketball player Rui Hachimura (Lakers) played as a rookie, to a nearby state.

◆“Rethinking the special charm of cities”

The Biden administration has taken note of the negative effects of working from home and is urging government agencies to increase the number of workers who work from home, but the impact has been limited.

“We now live in an era where flexible work styles are the norm.” A 43-year-old man who works for an IT consulting firm in Washington commutes four days a week to a client government agency. before the coronavirus, but now he mostly works online from home and rarely goes to work. “It’s more efficient because there’s no time wasted going back and forth ,” he said, adding, “Many people who choose to work from home feel burdened by the high costs of daycare centers, pet sitters, etc.”

Regarding working from home in general, Shari Pochet, an assistant professor of urban economics at Georgetown University, says, “Most cities are looking for solutions because they don’t have their central districts have regained their vibrancy.” Policies to reduce public transport operations in response to declining ridership will disrupt services and other sectors, leading to a vicious cycle in which tax revenues fall. “Before the coronavirus, the main focus of the city was business, but we need to develop the special attraction of cities, such as entertainment and social interaction.”

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