The impossible dream: Park and Ride

One of the ideas about public transportation is that it needs to be easy to use.  Because there is limited bus service in the outlying suburbs of the Washington Area parking lots have been built so people can park their cars and ride the bus to connect  to the Metro rail system.  Problem is, there is not enough parking.  At the Stone Road Park and Ride in Centreville, the lot is full between 8:30 and 9:00 most days.  Buses come and go from the lot much later, but since there is no where to ;arrk ridership is limited to those who can walk to the lot.

These feeder lots are important to getting people to use the public transportation.  If there is no where to park  it is easier to drive, even when driving is more expensive.  At Metro stations, Metro encourages people to fill the lots prior to peak times by the fee structure used at the lots.  Lots fill quite early making the Metro an inconvenient mode of transportation in the middle of the day from the outlying stations.  Higher parking fees might be a way to alleviate this issue and force driver to the outlying park and ride lots (of course these are also full).

More parking lots in the outlying areas with more bus  routes could help decrease car traffic.

What did they say?

Either in the cars or on the platform hearing the announcements is at best difficult, but more often impossible to understand the announcements, with the exception of one from the Metro Chief of Police who gives information about a phone number to call.  Interestingly, the phone number of hardly posted anywhere and many cell phones do not work in the underground.

Regular riders mostly pay no attention to the garbled noise.  Tourists or infrequent riders can be easily identified as the people who actually wonder what is being said.  The signs are somewhat more help.  However, the infinite list of elevators and escalators currently out of service also detracts from the important message that METRO maya be trying to send.

More recently we have learned that many of the call boxes, communicate to nowhere.  Basically, what most people have learned, you are on you own.

Leaving the Middle Earth

Escalators are the preferred path of the Metro Middle Earth.  Hopefully they will be working when you need them.  That they have been recently repaired or replaced will not be predictive if they are working.    If you are new to the Metro, it is important to know one of the most important unwritten rules.  Stand to the right, walk on the left.  Regulars can be very touchy about rule violations.  If you are not familiar with this rule, you also may not know that food and drink is also not allowed in Metro.  Even though DC is slowly being taken over by hipsters, bringing your cup of coffee on board is not allowed.  

Getting to the National Mall without getting a parking ticket.

The Orange Line provides a easy ride to the Smithsonian Station which one you get above ground is in the middle of the Mall.  It is near the Smithsonian castle.  On days when there are big events on the mall, which is nearly always, this is the best source of transportation, other than the Segway seen above.  Avoid Rush Hour!!!   This is during the time that the regular riders fill the trains to overflowing.  Also be aware that Metro is not so reliable these days on the weekends when they like to do repair work and the trains can be delayed.

The Washington Monument looks different these days.  This is not some artistic update, but a project to repair the monument when it was recently damaged by an earthquake that gave all of DC a big shake.

Guarding the metro

Metro stations are guarded by a set of sentries.  To many these are somewhat of a mystery.  Where do you put your fare card?  Hint-- the slot in front.  Most do not know that you do not need to let the gate close before you use your fare card or Smart trip card.  The gates can remain open for as many as 10 people.  Sensors in front of the gates can tell if you are passing through without paying.  Many do not know that Metro charges more for the use of paper farecards. You do not need to make very many trips to justify the purchase of the Smartrip.

Kiss and Ride

One of the interesting things about Metro is probably the only street sign that people have no problem following.  Where else is the direction to kiss someone.  Do you think it is effective?  What if you do not follow the sign, do they issue you a ticket?  Just be aware, this is about the best thing about Metro.