Suddenly You Are a Bus Rider?

We all know it is hot in DC. I mean really hot. Today when I was trying to get home, I noticed that every bus stop had at least 20 people waiting for a bus. I don't mean those commuter buses, I mean the city buses that go up Conn. Ave and Mass. Ave.

It just annoyed me that suddenly we had a surge of Bus Riders in DC. How do I know these weren't the usual commuters with me? Because they were all paying with cash and coin on the bus. It was insane. Person after person piled into these mobile air conditioned methods of transport as they tried to get home.

It doesn't help that the metro trains have no AC either. I see people getting ready to pass out as the train approaches the platform and the famous Express or Examiner being used to fan themselves. This is sign number one the metro is suffering big time this summer. The other sign is the masses of people piling on buses - suddenly and surely to get a little AC and try and get a little closer to home before they have to walk in the swamp of soupy humidity.

Can we get a break? Or a few like the amount to equal the broken escalators on this crippled capital metro? Stay cool out there.

Buckle Up on the Bus?

I just heard the following automated announcement on the bus I am riding: "Buckle up. The belt around you can save your life." Huh? The belt around me? Like a fool who hasn't had their coffee yet, of course I go looking to find the seat belt on the bus. Wait, buses don't have seat belts. Never have - right?

Is this a sign of things to come? Now, we will be strapping ourselves in on our local bus. Or is this just another reminder to buckle up when we are in our cars?

Giving Directions to a Hilarious DC Bus Driver

This morning I got to start my day laughing. I got on the bus and the driver was all excited to see a passenger. She was new on the route and was driving around all morning with no passengers and she wasn't sure she was going the right way. She said she would turn down a road and people would be waving her off like she was going down a one way street or something. She assured me no one chased her bus though. I guess that is always a good sign! I assured her she was on the right road for her route. She was relieved to say the least.

A few streets down she had to ask me which way to turn and where to stop. I was laughing so hard, because she was all nervous and flushed, trying to find her cheat sheet. She told me that she paid attention during her training on this route, but she must have forgotten it all. I told her not to worry, I would direct her to where the route ends.

She said that this route may be cut back due to funding, and she understands why now. Probably because I was her only passenger all morning, and that is not much justification for running a circular route during rush hour.

I told her I would prefer to stay on the bus all day and ride around with her, because she was cracking me up. I have a lot of respect for DC bus drivers. I also hope they don't cut the route. I look forward to riding that bus again. What a great way to start a Monday.

New Fleet of Buses for DC?

Almost forgot, on my way into work this morning, I took a brand new swanky Metrobus. It even comes with sensors that yell at people standing near the rear door. Yep, yours truly got yelled at by an automatic sensor. And of course I had my iPod on, so I didn't hear it. I only noticed when people around me were beckoning me to move away from the rear door. Sorry fellow commuters. So much for my safe haven spot on my commute. No more first off the bus :(

1,544,721 Trips on Metro for Inauguration

Normally, when it comes to WMATA, I would be logging a complaint, but on this one I have to give a kudos. I heard nothing but positive feedback from the many visitors in town on how well Metro handled the crowds during the inauguration. Today, I read that they handled 1,544,721 passengers - the most in their history. Job well done Metro. DC did an amazing job moving people in and out of the city. I also want to thank the 10,000 or so additional police officers, state troopers, and national guard who came into town to assist with this monumental task. We hope you enjoyed the buzz of the city. Come back soon! Our economy needs the consumer spending.

And the debate continues on ridership increasing versus service decreasing over at the WashingtonPost. Tune in for some interesting discussion.

My Route to Work Today

I was on my way into work today when I realized I forgot my ID. When I went back to get it the metro was already jam packed. I decided rather than wait it out for three trains I would jump on the bus and take it as far as I can before braving the rails during rush hour again. As a result, I had an adventurous route into work today. Over bridges, under rivers, through a cemetery - all just another commute in the Nation's Capital region. I wonder if my commute home can top it? It might make for a good feature story - different modes of transport to get to work today.

Do You Line Up on a City Block?

This is a blog entry for all those Commuter Bus people. I walked through the city today, because it is so nice out - did it really reach 71 degrees today? Are we still challenging Gore's concerns? I digress.

I was walking down L street and noticed a line of people, all the way down the block. I followed the line, curious as to what was at the other end. Strangely enough, it led to a gentlemen reading a book while standing on a street grate. I thought to myself, this is odd. Then, I looked to see all the people in line peering down the road hoping to see something come around the corner or past the next intersection. I realized that these are what we call the commuter bus people. I guess their bus was late, way late. They were pissed. Humming and hawing and throwing their arms up in the air. I had to laugh.

Do you commuter bus people ever feel silly standing in the middle of the city waiting for your bus to come? I hope not, because you are doing a good thing by taking this transportation option. Please don't take my laughter as criticism. I applaud you for your dedication to efficiency and to the environment. And if you want, you can just pass my laughter on to those people who you see sitting in their cars on the beltway when you are passing them in the HOV lanes.

In all honesty, I hope that this commute option gets you home faster than most, or that you are able to get a ton of work done on the bus. I hear you can't talk on them though and no cell phones. Man, I wish we had this option on the city buses. Just the other day there was a gentleman who had an entire conversation on his cell phone...which was on speaker! We all shot him horrible looks, but he just did not get it. Same goes for those push-to-talk losers. Beep! Beep Beep! I have two words for you - BEEP THIS!

Well, it is getting cold and I stopped at a Starbucks to write this entry. Time to go out and wait for my bus. I hope when you all drive by - once you get on your bus - that you don't laugh at me standing there waiting and peering for that big red, white and blue beast that is the city bus. Safe travels!

Did You Take a Fare Hike?

Yesterday afternoon, while trying to get home on a very slow and very packed red line I overheard these words, "And they raised the fares today." Could it be true? Did metro really hike their fares already? How did I miss this? I thought it wasn't supposed to happen until the spring. Can anyone provide me with some intel here?

I tried to pay attention to the amount on my Smartrip today, but didn't notice much of a difference. I can only say that is they have already hiked the fares, then I want to see some improvements STAT! No more crowded four car trains during rush hour please! No more "no passengers" trains blowing through stations leaving us all to stare down the line like zombies. No more "we will be moving momentarily, there is a train ahead of us."

Of course there is a train ahead of us. Why do you feel you need to tell us that there is a train ahead of us. Isn't this redundant? How about telling me only when there is something UNUSUAL in front of the train, like a person, or a cat or something. Save your pathetic updates please driver for the tourists, on the weekend, when they are fascinated by the big booming voice over the PA system. Leave me in peace. I wonder if I can take the bus home from here, maybe I will get the 38B from Ballston to Georgetown. I feel an adventure coming on.

Who Decides The Code Red?

Do you ever wonder who gets the decision authority to declare a code orange or code red day in the Nation's Capital? Is it the weather man? Is it the mayor? Is it a health official? I just want to know who I can send a thank you note to when I get a free ride on the bus or a free ride on the metro. Of course, a free ride on the bus comes with drawbacks - namely everyone takes the bus. Thank goodness I get a seat early in the commute, because otherwise I wouldn't not be happy about standing face to armpit with someone trying desperately not to fall with every touch of the break pedal. No, instead I get there early, get a seat and read the paper all the way home while people fight their way to the back of the bus - "Can you please move down?"

Although the other day, there was this guy who had a huge umbrella. You know the type that look like jousting sticks. He was listening to his iPod and with every beat of his music he would pound the tip of his umbrella on the floor of the bus. Well, it drove me absolutely batty! I turned around and shot him several looks that said, "Cut it out!" He was clueless and had no idea. He continued to do it until the bus driver got pissed and stopped the bus to ask him to stop. Of course, the man did not hear him because he had his iPod earbuds in his head. Finally some woman tapped him and got his attention. The bus driver explained to him that every time he would pound his umbrella on the floor, the driver would think there was something wrong with the bus and it was making that noise. So, the idiot stopped. I was able to enjoy the rest of my code red bus trip all the way to NW D.C.