I have no issue with the Dulles Airport Aerotrain "rubber tired" terminal subway that opened a few years ago. It does a great job replacing the Budd mobile lounges that were slow and subject to weather delays. Since the Aerotrain is purely a underground system no weather related delays. Light subway cars that roll on tires means no rails or associated track maintenance. The Aerotrain cars tires are maintained off the mainline which does not affect service like steel track work. The DC metro system runs above, on and below ground. As such it uses a more conventional steel rail track. Also the cars are much heavier due to their higher passenger loads. Steel rails are optimal for all weather subway operations but they require periodic maintenance. Over its 40 year life the DC Metro system has put off track maintenance so much that now many lines are subject to delays due to scheduled and unscheduled track repairs. That said I'm looking forward to the opening of the Metro Silver line extension to and beyond Dulles Airport.
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