20 December 2007, 7:00 pm
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Uncategorized: Metro Closes Doors
I just found out that metro rates are rising as of January 6th. The fare for me from the Shaw-Howard Green line to Farragut West Blue line just jumped 0.30 during peak travel times. Also, the parking rate has increased 0.75 a day. I know the latter because I heard the screams of the Public Policy chick who sits down the hall.
On the bright side, I need to get more exercise anyway. Maybe I should get around to buying a bike.
Addendum: Relax, metro lovers. I like it to, it’s just no longer feasible for short trips, which is what I usually use it for. It makes more sense to walk or ride a bike unless you are taking a longer trip. The signs of the metro degrading due to lack of funding is fairly obvious if you’ve been in the city for a while.
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Ben, you should really just walk to work. It’s only 1.4 miles between those stations, which you could walk in under a half-hour. Between the going up and down escalators and the 20-minute trip time between Shaw and Farragut West, it’s practically a wash.
And really, let’s give Metro a break. We haven’t had a fare increase in 4 years and the system is in dire straights. I’ve been following their situation over the past year and things just aren’t getting resolved. The primary reason for all the system failures is a lack of funding to do all the required maintenance. And you’re complaining about a lousy $0.30?
A great editorial in the Post from Sunday gives a good summary of the situation.
The fare increase was on the front page of the Washington Post on Dec. 9, but just to put your gripe in perspective, Metrorail is one of the most affordable and efficient systems in the country. Baltimore charges a base fare of $1.60 for their single line; NY, Boston, Philadelphia all charge a base of $2; Toronto and Montreal charge $2.75 per ride.
I spend a bloody fortune on the metro, and now that I have to start adding trips to my new office, it’s going to be even more, so I understand complaints. I would save money if metro were $2 a ride like New York is.
i sit for most of the day.. so I kinda look forward to walking 1.2 miles to the gym after work. Metro’s great for long distances and aweful weather.. otherwise walk off some extra fuel! and save a little money in the process :D
Since when has public transportation ever been considered a money-making proposition?
If you want a city, you enable its residents to move around relatively cheaply and quickly. Period.
What’s next? Defunding roads? Oh, wait…
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