Watch Out Arlington Parkers!
If you’re one of those people that definitely wants to take Metro in to the city each morning, but is super confused by the bus system (ok, maybe that’s just me that’s confused) or hate paying for that Metro parking garage each day, watch out for newly increased meter violations.
I’ve never done this myself, and I have to say only because I haven’t thought of it, also because I have a parking spot under my building. If I had to Metro every day I’d most likely be trying to think of ways to scam not having to take the Confuser Bus to the Metro. E9? A14? Sounds more like Bingo than commuting to me… but I also know I’m not willing to pay the new $40 zone-violator rate!
I don’t think it’s just you; I can never figure out what bus goes where and am always amazed by people who can do multi-transfers with aplomb. Rail always goes the same place on the same route and there’s a pretty picture at every pickup point showing me all the places it does. A comprehensive bus map? Don’t make me laugh. Most bus route guides read like stereo instructions in my not-so-humble opinion.
The bus system isn’t that hard to figure out. From my observations:
Routes beginning in Virginia are number-letter combinations.
Routes beginning in Maryland are letter-number combinations.
Routes beginning in DC are either letter-number combinations or number only. It appears that the letter-number combination routes are centered around specific stations (D1 goes to Dupont Circle), while numbered ones are more district wide (32 goes from Anacostia to Friendship Heights).
With the number-letter and letter-number combinations, the first piece determines the general route while the second determines the destinations (3A, 3B, and 3E all run along Lee Highway in Virginia. Y5, Y7, Y8, and Y9 all run along Georgia Avenue in Maryland). Usually, if you miss one bus, you can catch the next one to go generally where you’re headed.
Reliability, on the other hand, is another issue entirely.
Um… that’s exactly what I mean. Completely confusing.
So… what would you suggest instead? Six-word long route names?