Unsuck DC Metro: Reader Making Documentary About Post-Metro Life

Hey Fellow Biker,

Thanks for your words of encouragment. I started out biking in the same way as you, just doing it sometimes and not necessarily every single day no matter what, but it was so rewarding to bike in. It is fun riding during the winter because there is almost nobody out there, but it is also a little tricky when there is snow like yesterday and some residual ice like this morning. Its just a matter of being extra careful, going slower, and avoiding the ice as much as possible. Truth be told though I did crash yesterday trying to go on a little shortcut through some grass and it didn't work out so well!

If you are able to support my project I just want you to know that no donation is too small to help a ton. Not only does every little bit help, but my project gains popularity eith each new backer. Thanks again for your encouragement!

karah 81p · 633 weeks ago

Great work! Alternatives like that are great. I prefer to walk home on good days -- I can not ride a bike and it means several miles uphill so biking and/or bad weather are out.

Yeah I know what you mean, before I started biking to work I would sometimes get off the metro a stop or too early if I had time and just walk the rest of the way. I think it saved me like 50 cents or something, but I still liked 'sticking it' to the Metro.

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Stevey Jones · 633 weeks ago

Nice work Chad-bro. Sounds like you a real champ bro.

I plan to start biking at least half-time in the spring, once my currently pregnant wife is at home with the ol' baby. Right now, I like to ride metro with her so she isn't alone and besieged/accosted by metro riding criminals/harrassers.

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

Thanks Stevey, your encouragement means a lot to me. I totally know where you're coming from, I too have a newborn son and the thought of my pregnant wife riding the Metro was a little worrisome. If you need any help figuring out the routes you should take I would be than happy to help you out with that when you are ready to start or when the weather warms up. Let me know!

On a separate note, I just wanted to personally let you know that if you are able to support my project, it only takes 5 minutes and even a donation of one dollar will help me a ton! Thanks, let me know when you're ready to start biking in!

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Cletus Jenkins · 633 weeks ago

Maybe you can do some reenactment scenes. I can put on a fat suit like in "Big Mommas House" and play a bus driver or two or the guy who sits behind the kiosk. What do you think dude?

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

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Cletus, that sounds like a brilliant idea! I am sure it would be easy to capture the real thing on camera, but it would be a lot more fun to reenact it instead! I would really need to channel my inner frustration to make it accurate.

Thanks for your positive comment, it means a lot to me. And if you are able to support the project, literally no donation is too small! I'm not kidding, even a dollar will help me go a long ways.

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iolaire 71p · 633 weeks ago

Finally someone who is asking for actionable support, as compared to those filing FIO requests who refuse community money to get Metro to fulfill those FIO request....

2 replies · active 633 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 633 weeks ago

If you're referring to conversations that have bubbled up here about asking for donations to pay Metro's exorbitant PARP (FOIA) fees, there will be a post soon about just the kind of money Metro is asking for.

Besides, this information should be free. Relenting and paying Metro thousands of dollars only reinforces their bad behaviour.

Vienna Bound · 633 weeks ago

Unsuck, can you befriend a staffer on an oversight committee that would be willing, and able, to obtain the PARP/FOIA information and share it with you. Even if that's not the case, I'd think you can ask perhaps as a constituent for that information via your Member of Congress. I don't think Metro would charge the Transportation Committees or a MoC for such information.

Just a thought so you don't have to pass the hat.

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Jason · 633 weeks ago

In NYC you'd never see something like this (complete with congratulatory comments from other people who ditched the subway). Yet people wonder why I complain about moving here from NYC, with the Metro usually being at the heart of my complaints.

8 replies · active 633 weeks ago

I know what you mean, the Subway is very popular in NYC. I have family there and they use it for virtually everything. Also, the monthly pass for the subway that is offered in NYC is very reasonable! Only like $90 I beleive for unlimited use for one month.

One reason that I got so frustrated with Metro here in DC is that they don't offer an unlimited use monthly pass. Or at least as of the last time I took the Metro they didn't. I was paying over $10 a day for my round trip so it would have been worth paying quite a bit for a monthly pass, like the ones they have in NYC.

Jason · 633 weeks ago

The monthly unlimited is $104, and going up to something like $112 soon--but accompanied by a base fare increase from $2.25 to $2.50 per swipe. So yeah, an unlimited doesn't make sense if you don't use to it to get to work since you'll probably never reach the break-even point otherwise, but if you do, it puts you close to the break-even.

It's also nice because it encourages things you might not do if you had to pay for two swipes, like getting off halfway home to do an errand or go to a restaurant and then getting back on the subway.

The subway is like $2.25 flat fee for wherever you go, right? So if you're using it to commute to and from work and also run some errands, it could really end up being a great choice. I know my friends/family up there just straight up don't even need a car because everything is accessible by the subway and they have the monthly pass anyways. I think that works out in their favor big time in their case.

Jason · 633 weeks ago

Yes, $2.25 flat fare that's going up to $2.50 soon. I never had an unlimited while living there but that's because I was a grad student and lived near my school--so I was tied to the area most of the week doing homework and what-not. But like I said, if you use it to get to/from work every day you're already at $90 for the month, using the current fare structure (using 2 rides per day * $2.25 per ride * 20 work days per month) so you only need to take 7 more subway rides to come out ahead for the month. With the fare increases you'll only need to take 5 more subway rides to come out ahead.

As for car ownership, NYC is the only city in the country where most of the population doesn't own cars, and it's particularly pronounced in Manhattan. It's very common for people from NYC to not even know how to drive, because unless you live in some far-flung corner of the outer boroughs there's just no reason to get your license if you live there.

Pretty cool that you can go anywhere for $2.25. As I've said before, I was paying over $10 a day for my commute. It's nice that they don't try and jack up the price if you are going far.

jkuchen · 633 weeks ago

And the MTA still offers a bonus for getting a decent amount of fare on your card--something like 70 or 75 cents if you put $10 on it. Remember when WMATA used to do that for a $20 fare card?

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karah 81p · 633 weeks ago

Even the short trip passes (I think they got rid of them now though). Most of my jobs have been near where I lived at the time so I almost never would have gotten to the break-even points. On two jobs it was just slightly worth it to go with the short trips but they were not the norm. Here I thought we were supposed to be *encouraging* people to be near their workplace for ecological reasons and such, my mistake.

NoNo · 633 weeks ago

WMATA now has a 'monthly' pass... For the outrageous price of 230USD, you will have unlimited access to the metro... for 28 consecutive days.
Yeah... you read me right... 28 consecutive days.
Metro just invented the 13-months-long year.

Another evidence that Metro doesn't give a shit about customers having to ride the metro on the weekend... When people will realize that Metro's plan is to simply shut down the metro on the weekend, and turn the entire system into a commuter train...
This metro is pathetic.

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Guest · 633 weeks ago

Will the documentary show you blowing through red lights and stop signs, and almost hitting pedestrians, like most DC cyclists do?

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

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About 90% of my commute is on trails and paths and I leave early enough that there rarely others out there, especially right now in the winter. I start out on 4 mile run and Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria, cross the 14th street bridge, and basically take the Rock Creek Park trail all the way up to where my school is.

My commute 14.1 miles and I would say no more than a mile is even on streets with cars, traffic signals etc.

I won't pretend what you're talking about isn't out there though. All of the cyclists (including myself) are lucky to have such a bike friendly community, we shouldn't betray the public by breaking traffic laws. At the same time, there are occasionally cars that don't respect cyclists rights.

In my experience cycling around 150 miles a week in and around DC for around two years the overall situation has been good though.

guest · 633 weeks ago

14 months sans Metro. I carpool now and have actually made some nice friends as a result.

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

Way to go, I am sure you are much more comfortable as well this way. I think I would be at least...sometimes the Metro seems to be really dirty.

Charles · 633 weeks ago

Hey Chad,

I think this is all great, and wish I could do it too. I'll be sure to check out your Kickstarter page and see what I can pony up for this. I used to live in the DC area but now live outside of NYC and it just isn't logistically possible for me. I could really use that exercise though. In any case, one question, if you haven't addressed it already: what do you do when it rains?

Good luck with the documentary!

2 replies · active 633 weeks ago

Hey Charles, I meant to repond to your comment but ended up creating a new comment (below) instead.

At any rate, thanks so much for your support, it really means a lot to me and any donation goes a long long way.

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ANON · 633 weeks ago

Hey Chad- I bet there are insiders who would love to tell of the waste, fraud and abuse that goes rampant in each department. Not to mention the abuse that is dished out when someone wants to be safe and reports safety issues to their superiors. There are many stories former employees can write and even current employees but they are scared of the back-lash.

Great question, Charles. Rain is tricky. Not because it is any more difficult to ride in, but because getting wet is annoying. It weighs you down and is quite uncomfrotable.

I have a 'weatherproof' jacket and pair of workout pants that are water and wind proof. These do an excellent job at keeping you dry from the rain, it really does the trick! There are also waterproof biking shoes, gloves, etc. but I actually haven't invested in those yet.

To be honest though, the 'weatherproof' clothes does pose a sort of problem of its own. It does such a good job of insulating you that you are bound to end up sweating a TON and probably end up pretty wet because it doesn't breath hardly at all. Where these clothes really come in handy is in the cold weather.

So in conclusion, to answer your question, if it is cold enough I will wear my weatherproof gear, but if it is raining and not very cold I usually just bite the bullet and get totally sopping wet on my bike ride in. I change clothes immediately upon arriving at work though and hand up my clothes to dry for the ride home.

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iolaire 71p · 633 weeks ago

Sorry, I rushed to support the project before a meeting, now I've taken time to review the site and see zero mention of Metro? Honestly I'm not really interested in supporting a movie about Triathlon's, but will continue my support if it is true to its stated purpose here:
" 1) How low my morale had sunk from enduring the frustrations of the Metro -- showing just how frustrating and problematic riding the Metro can be 2) How this frustration turned into a life-changing event which included developing an interest in the sports of cycling and Triathlon 3) Show my daily routine of training for Ironman Triathlons and even document my competition in my fourth Ironman Triathlon for the world to see. "

I guess what I'm saying is based on the current project description on Kick Starter I'm re-considering my support.

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

I really appreciate your support, and I assure you that the description which you have quoted there in your post is completely accurate.

Please click on 'See full bio' under the picture of me on the Kickstarter website and you will see even in the first paragraph I describe myself that I indeed have talked about my frustrations with the Metro and that that is what got me to make one of 'the most influential decisions' of my life.

Thank you again for your support, and I promise you that the description is accurate.

MPM · 633 weeks ago

It's odd, your Kickstarter campaign page makes absolutely not a single reference to Metro, though to this community here, you seem to say the Metro aspect will be a major piece of the film.

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago

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I talk about my frustrations with the Metro in my full bio which you can find on the website under the picture of me. There, I attribute my frustrations with the Metro for being what got me into cycling.

hrh king friday 13 · 633 weeks ago

I think it says something about Metro when a commuter is more than willing to brave the elements on a bike rather than ride those s*hit trains. This will be good.

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Kevin · 633 weeks ago

Chad: you are awesome! As a fellow triathlete and bike-commuter, your story is very motivating, and has provided me with a much-needed dose of motivation. I have been biking intermittently from Vienna in lieu of Metro for about the last 10 years (I have been lagging a lot lately). In addition to saving buckets of money, I have found that biking greatly improves both my physical and mental state.

Here is one thought for you to consider in your documentary. I have long believed -- and may be willing to bet -- that in many instances the bike commute from the Vienna area to DC actually matches (and in some cases BEATS) Metro's time. In other words, according to Metro's trip planner the Vienna to McPherson trip takes about 30 minutes. Tack on another 5 minutes get from the parking garage to the station; and another 5 minutes to wait for the inbound train at Vienna. That's already at 40 minutes -- then throw in the inevitable 10 minute delay and you are at 50 minutes. Then tack on the five minute walk to the office. Now you are at 55 minutes.

My bike commute from Vienna to McPherson usually takes about 50 minutes. And for what it is worth, I stop at traffic lights. I bet you could grab some Unsuck guinea pigs to provide you with their smart trip data (which captures travel time), and then compare that to several different bike commuters on the same day and at the same times. It would be powerful testament to Metro's suckiness, and cycling's viability.

Keep it up, and I will look into throwing some money your way on kickstarter.

1 reply · active 633 weeks ago