My name is Eric, and I love riding Metro bus.
I feel like I am entering a 12-step program when I say that. When I tell people where I work (Shirlington) and then tell them I usually take Metro to work, I always get this strange look, and then the conversation goes something like this:
Eric: I take the bus from Pentagon station.
Other Person: Oh, isn't that hard?
Eric: No, it's really easy, and frequently takes less time than driving to work, plus it's a great time to read, which is the best part.
Other Person: Oh. I didn't know it was that easy.
So, to everyone out there who doesn't ride the bus becuase you think it's too hard or too inconvenient, you don't know what you are missing!
First, www.wmata.com makes it really easy to find the bus you want to take, and SmartTrip makes it really easy to pay. Second, it doesn't take that much longer than driving. Third, you get to relax and read. Metrobuses are often less crowded than trains, so it makes a nice trip. Did I mention, I get to read? Yes, the bus isn't always perfectly on time, but it's generally really close.
I confess, sometimes I'm tempted. Sometimes driving seems so much more convenient. And then I remember how much good I do for the environment by leaving my car at home and that often will push be back towards the bus. Yes, I do take my car some days; sometimes I have to go somewhere after work, or have a late meeting, and feel like I need my car. But I know that each bus trip I take helps (does anybody out there have a great statistic on that?), and so I'm going to take the bus as much as I can.
So for all you out there who think you have to drive because there isn't a train stop near your home or work -- it's time to catch the bus!
Eric Legg, Editor, What's Up Arlington!
Hi Eric,
Good work. If you look back on this blog, you'll see one of my rules of thumb: 1 mile=1 pound. Each mile you don't drive your car saves roughly one pound of greenhouse gas emissions.
Posted by: steve | April 13, 2007 at 02:16 PM