Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Rider Declares Independence from Metro

From Paul:
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the bands which have connected him with his mass transit system, and to find alternate routes to work, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Travel and of Travel’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of the DC Metro area requires that he should declare the causes which impel him to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Metro customers are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are timeliness, safety, and a cost-efficient means of transportation.--That to secure these rights, mass transit systems are instituted among cities, deriving their just powers from the appropriate governing body, --That whenever any mass transit system becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of an aggrieved person to forego mass transit as a means of transportation, and to drive to work, thus maximizing  their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that mass transit systems long utilized should not be abandoned for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer delays, while delays are sufferable, than to right themselves by finding alternative means of transportation. But when a long train of delays and fare hikes, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to inconvenience riders without relief, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such forms of travel, and to provide alternate means of transportation for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these riders; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former method of going to work. The history of the present Metro Rail System is a history of repeated injuries and even deaths, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Incompetency. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Metro has refused an open accounting of its internal deliberations.
Metro has instituted a bizarre and cruel pick system for escalator repair, thus causing such repairs to be of an unduly long duration.
Metro has repeatedly caved to the local union, thus enabling boorish, discourteous and even illegal behavior among its employees.
Metro has increased fares with no corresponding improvement in service.
Metro officials repeatedly deny malfeasance, its public relations representatives insisting that, to quote Kevin Bacon in Animal House, “all is well.”
Metro service has continually deteriorated, to the point where riders must now factor excessive delays into their travel time.
Metro officials refuse to provide adequate security, rendering certain stations and sections of the system completely unsafe for travel.
Metro’s flawed initial design and lack of a third rail means that future systems will be insufficient, and riders will continue to experience lengthy and unnecessary delays.

For these and other causes, and because now I have a parking pass and can drive to work, I consider myself a free and independent rider.
Signed this 31st day of October, 2012, AD.

Comments (15)

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Congratulations. Sadly, there is no end in sight to my dependence on Metro.
1 reply · active 644 weeks ago
Ever n Anon's avatar

Ever n Anon · 644 weeks ago

Same here. Wonder if we sent this to every official in Congress, what would happen?

Love it!
As we all know, something is horribly wrong when people would prefer to deal with DC traffic than the Metro.
Paul Zummo's avatar

Paul Zummo · 644 weeks ago

As you can see I had a little extra time on my hand. :)

So far it has been as freeing and as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. Yes, there's a bit of traffic on the way into the city in the morning, but 16th street is actually pretty smooth sailing in the evening. All in all I'd say I've cut my total daily commute time not quite in half, but close.
1 reply · active 644 weeks ago
I had the same thing happen when I commuted on I-66 from Fall's Church to the White House area- cut my commute time and half, and even with the parking garage saved money (carpooled with husband), not to mention headaches and nausea. It was bliss. Unfortunately, we moved and there seems to be no logical driving commute from Southern Maryland to the White House area.
I switched to a Scooter back in June and haven't taken metro once since. I almost took metro during Hurricane Sandy, but WMATA decided trains and buses couldn't handle some wind and rain. I cut my commute from 1.5 hours to 20 minutes, I spend $8 a week on gas as opposed to $10 per day on WMATA, and I never have to worry about getting stuck in a tunnel. Riding a Scooter on 395 and through DC is a lot less scary than I would've expected and I never have to sit in traffic so it's pretty awesome.
2 replies · active 644 weeks ago
Where do you live (as in how far do you ride every day)? I've been eying one for a while now, I live in Orange Line Arlington and work near the Pentagon so none of my public transit options are particularly splendid.

Also how do you feel about it now that it's getting cold out?
Patrick J's avatar

Patrick J · 644 weeks ago

Lurker here... what's that like? I've been wanting to get a car for awhile but I'm not in the position I want to be yet. Would love the moderate modicum of freedom that might provide.
I'm in Montreal and I'm loving it. I mainly walk but the Metro is easy, clean, bright. It doesn't go to the airport so it has a drawback. But it's not WMATA.

Now if only I can find an affordable home for a wife and two kids a mile and a half from 14th and Penn.
I agree... with this last post. I left the area completely. If you cram too many rats in a cage they become aggressive. I fear that is what has happened in the DC metro area. People are living on top of each other, services are overwhelmed, and everything costs way too much for what you get. I hate to say it but me and my family are really enjoying life elsewhere. I love getting what I paid for, amazing service, and a great quality of life without having to fight for every inch or pay through the nose for it.
1 reply · active 644 weeks ago
I left the area completely... back to my native New York. I love DC and I wasn't planning on going back, but my office offered me a transfer/promotion, so here we are. I was a blue line rider and left the weekend before Fail+, could not have asked for better timing.

Sure, there are way way too many rats in this cage, but the commute is a million times better! And I say that as someone who's been walking 50 blocks to work the past week due to post-Sandy subway crowding. It's much more WMATA than the number of people they're dealing with.
Uh, Katie, if anything, DC suffers from TOO LITTLE population density. The Metro has to travel further to haul fewer people, stores can't locate conveniently because there aren't enough shoppers to provide the services people desire, commutes are long, real estate prices for the few convenient neighborhoods are through the roof, etc. Montreal has a population density nearly 2.5x DC. DC is one of the lowest-density major U.S. cities.
PrettyInMD's avatar

PrettyInMD · 644 weeks ago

I wish I could completely ditch Metro, but my current financial and physical situation will not allow me. I guess I have to put up with it for now.
I stopped riding Metro on the weekends, due to the trackwork and station closings. if I want to go someplace in
DC i just use http;//washingtondc.bestparking.com to find a garage or lot that is open. If I want to go to a Verizon Center event I just use http://www.parkwhiz.com/verizon-center-parking/ to find a garage that is open. The rates aren't bad even if you want to reserve a spot in advance, but they may be slightly cheaper if you just get there early enough and just drive into the garage that you choose. Remember the more passengers you have in your car the better the rates are per person.

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