Introduction to Public Transportation

Submitted by terri_stocke on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 01:05

If you plan to drive in D.C., get a local map, lots of patience and ask local folks for directions. One interesting thing to point out about Virginia-D.C. corridor: certain portions of I-66 and I-95 between Virginia and Washington, D.C. have two-lane HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) sections of the road, located in the median of a highway. During certain hours on weekdays, it is designated only for use by bikes, motorcycles, buses, and vehicles that have 2 (or 3) or more passengers (including driver). Originally, HOV was HOV-2 (2 people per car), but I-95 lanes were quickly jammed, so the restriction on I-95 was changed to HOV-3.

The traffic direction changes- toward D.C. in the morning, and toward Virginia in the evening; HOV restrictions are active weekdays during rush hours and are lifted at set times. The lanes are also available on the weekends, without the HOV restriction. See Commuter Page for times and directions.
 
Commuter buses (discussed here) use HOV lanes. 
 
Public transportation provides more frequent service during rush hours. It is wheelchair accessible. It appears that the schools’ Easter break, and the famous Cherry Blossom festival will be taking place before the SAM, but you still might see lots of tourists in April, so book your travel in advance and make sure to ask for advice from the locals. Metrorail is the most reliable, cheap, comfortable (very nice seats and carpeted train cars) way to travel inside D.C. You only need to carry one pocket-size map of the system to find your way around. Metro stations are usually good land-mark points when you are asking for directions in downtown D.C. No food, drinks, pets (except for service dogs), smoking allowed inside stations, and onboard a train/bus – helps to keep the place clean. Up to two children, under age 4, ride free with each adult paying full fare. Children 5 and older pay adult fares.
 
I will concentrate on Metrorail trains. It is referred to as METRO, not subway.  If you want to rely on and use any of the alternative means, let me know – I will try and help you with specific routes and schedules. 
 
You can also look into using other commuter services: Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, VRE trains and PRTC buses (Virginia), MTA buses and MARC trains (Maryland). See details here.

 

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