Unsuck DC Metro: Service Reptile?

Friday, June 15, 2012

Service Reptile?

Via Pacific

Other items:
Do you really want to take Metro this weekend? (WMATA)
Emergency exit problems remain (Examiner)
Arlington, Alexandria compromise on transit corridor (WaPo)
Metro thieves sentenced (WJLA)

Comments (25)

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0 Vote up Vote down

Ever n Anon · 666 weeks ago

Wonders never cease. Especially on Metro. :D

+4 Vote up Vote down

anon · 666 weeks ago

hahahahaha! that's great!

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@rix0rz · 666 weeks ago

One thing I hate about trackwork is the amount of bait and switch Metro does. Look at this weekend on http://www.wmata.com/trackwork -- Blue line only. They just randomly add the other lines in with a few days notice. How about updating that page when you know more needs to be done?

2 replies · active 666 weeks ago

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Anon · 666 weeks ago

Not than it's an excuse (because lets be honest it's ridiculous!) but that page only lists major trackwork. Apparently major trackwork is only the kind that requires buses to replace trains and the horrible 24 minute headways on the red line aren't considered major (nor is any other trackwork).

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@rix0rz · 666 weeks ago

Yeah I love Metroese!

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@VeggieTart · 666 weeks ago

YIkes! I would not want to be sitting next to someone letting a lizard crawl around on his torso.

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@ChrisHowdy · 666 weeks ago

Rules are rules, but I'll allow this under the "It's Awesome" corollary.

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Guest · 666 weeks ago

Maybe GEICO is a new Metro sponsor.

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Arl Fan · 666 weeks ago

@Unsuck - the Arlington/Alexandria compromise is about the Crystal City/Potomac Yards transitway, not the Columbia Pike streetcar.

1 reply · active 666 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 666 weeks ago

Yikes. Muscle memory. Fixed. Thanks!

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Arnaud · 666 weeks ago

I wish I had a big lizard I could ride, so I won't have to rely on this shitty metro to go to work during the weekend...

1 reply · active 666 weeks ago

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anon · 666 weeks ago

Buy a shitty car and stop riding metro crybaby

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One take · 666 weeks ago

Service Komodo

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Stan Dessel · 666 weeks ago

Shopped.

You're welcome!

+4 Vote up Vote down

DC Denizen · 666 weeks ago

A lizard made it through the random bag searches? Shocking.

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The Anti-TB Guy · 666 weeks ago

Is that black thing a collar and leash?
I wonder how well it obeys the command to "heel"...

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Trollopian · 666 weeks ago

Actually, this may qualify as a "service animal" if it eats the roaches that infest Metro.

More seriously, does anyone notice contradictory WMATA policies on animals? I think the signs in cars say flat out "no animals, except service animals." But the website (http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/safety_security/safetyfaq.cfm) states that "[I]t is also against the law to smoke, eat [hah], drink [yeah, sure], transport dangerous/flammable materials, spit, use audio/video devices without earphones or transport animals with the exception of service animals and animals transported in a box or basket so as not to endanger or offend other passengers." I know I've seen nicely-behaved cats in carriers riding to and from Friendship Animal Hospital, near Tenleytown.

6 replies · active 666 weeks ago

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RGG · 666 weeks ago

The signs in cars are too brief and aren't necessarily 100% accurate. For instance, while they state "No animals, except service animals" the actual policy is: "Service animals that assist people with disabilities are the only animals permitted to ride unconfined on Metrorail and Metrobus. However, a pet may be transported on Metrorail and Metrobus, provided it is carried aboard in a secure container from which it cannot escape." So, the caged kittys are fine.

Many say "no food." That's incorrect, as you can carry all the food/drink that you want. Legally, it can be an open container or cup. Actually consuming the food/drink is what's unlawful. And because of a judge's ruling many years ago, those laws are normally enforced on the "paid" side of the faregates. Unless you're a complete moron, you won't get cited until you process your farecard and enter the system (though being an ass can get you an exception to this policy). Another "vague" one? Audio/video devices without earphones. The actual law adds "that limit sound to the individual user." How many times have we all heard the knucklehead with the volume so high we all get to "enjoy" what he/she is listening to, headphones or not? The modern "open design" of these earbuds doesn't help. Those people could legally be sited for a violation, too.

See??!! Clear as mud!!!

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dddddda · 666 weeks ago

Thankfully, this seems to be the *one* policy Metro has well-educated their staff on. I'm car-free with a dog, and I've only gotten a passing "hey, your dog's with you" or "your dog was so well-behaved!" or the like from Metro drivers/staff when taking my dog on Metro (rail or bus) in a secure carrier. While it would be awesome if Metro followed other cities' leads and allowed pets outside of carriers (still securely leashed) outside of rush hour, putting my dog in a carrier is a minor inconvenience for a short trip. For once, Metro has the right idea.

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dddddda · 666 weeks ago

Oh, also, I once had a station manager at Gallery Place insist that I remove the straw from my drink before entering the station. I'm not sure what the official policy is, but either she was misinformed (likely, given that it's Metro) or open beverage containers are not actually allowed (possible).

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RGG · 666 weeks ago

I know they "suggest" the straw thing, but by law, it's only illegal to "consume" the drink/food....straw or not. I think they're just trying to help you to not make a mistake that could get you a citation. Not so sure about the "out of carrier/leashed thing." I'm still leery of Petsmart!!!

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dddddda · 666 weeks ago

She was relatively polite about it, so I'm not complaining. I will note, however, that I just stuck it back in my drink after reaching the platform, so it doesn't seem particularly effective as an enforcement "suggestion."

As to the leashed-not-crated-outside-of-rush-hour policy, that was the policy in Boston, and I never had any issues with it (I did not have a dog at the time, but my roommate did, and we took her friendly, well-behaved dog on the T all the time). However, for safety purposes (not everyone's dog is well-socialized and/or well-behaved, and the people whose dogs aren't well-trained and social are typically the most clueless that their dogs are a danger/nuisance), I don't mind the carrier rule. I just have a soft carrier that I carry to the Metro/bus stop and put him in right before entering, and vice versa when leaving the bus/train station. Most dogs up to 40 pounds or so (my pup is about 20 lbs) will fit in SOME soft carrier that is widely available on the internet or at pet stores (some even have wheels, like rolling luggage, or fold up, so they're even easier to tote around), so I don't see it as a major imposition on the owner. You CHOSE to get a pet, you should make sure you can properly care for it and transport it before making that decision. It's my understanding that the "other pets in a secure carrier/container" (i.e., not service pets) is relatively new, and I do think it's one of the more enlightened and well-communicated Metro policies (to both their employees as noted above and the public...it took me only a minute to find the answer to this in their FAQ while considering getting a dog). Sure, where I NEED to get my pet around (i.e., to the vet), not owning a car, I can easily use Zipcar or a taxi (which also require crating, BTW), but it's nice that I can just toss him in his crate and take him to softball games, parties, etc. without totally altering my plans and/or incurring significant extra transportation expenses. He gets more time hanging out with me/friends/other dogs and getting fresh air, stimulation, attention, and exercise, and I don't feel obligated to limit my social schedule because it's just irresponsible to leave a dog alone/with only brief dog-walking visits for many hours every. single. day.

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dddddda · 666 weeks ago

Also, in retrospect, I kind of like the carrier rule because of rude tourists. I have had some people poke at my carrer while carting my dog around, because, you know, every dog looooooves your misbehaved 6-year-old getting in their face. While my dog is very gentle and will just hide from obnoxious children when he's had enough of being manhandled, I do enjoy the ability to yank the carrier away and protect him from inconsiderate riders or prevent those interactions in the first place.