Comments on: Watch Out Arlington Parkers! http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/ Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:28:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Joseph LeBlanc http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/comment-page-1/#comment-3214 Joseph LeBlanc Thu, 02 Mar 2006 02:56:36 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/#comment-3214 So... what would you suggest instead? Six-word long route names? So… what would you suggest instead? Six-word long route names?

]]> By: Stacey http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/comment-page-1/#comment-3213 Stacey Wed, 01 Mar 2006 03:59:05 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/#comment-3213 Um... that's exactly what I mean. Completely confusing. Um… that’s exactly what I mean. Completely confusing.

]]> By: Joseph LeBlanc http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/comment-page-1/#comment-3212 Joseph LeBlanc Wed, 01 Mar 2006 01:29:22 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/#comment-3212 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. 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.

]]> By: Don http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/comment-page-1/#comment-3211 Don Tue, 28 Feb 2006 23:38:14 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/watch-out-arlington-parkers/#comment-3211 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. 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.

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