Insights from a Metro and MARC Train Commuter in Washington, DC

Riding the Metro and MARC train can be a frustrating and challenging experience. The author has attempted to make some sense of it all in this series of classic commuter tales.

Late Trains - the Commuters Nightmare

Many things are forgivable of Metro bus drivers. We forgive hard bumps. We forgive jerky stops. We forgive missed streets and fast turns. We even forgive them when they are late. But there is an unforgivable sin. Not forgiven in this life or the next is arriving and leaving early. 

The bus that arrives and leaves early is food for cussing and swearing and all sorts of behavior that your normal, steadfast bus rider would never display. Being early on a morning run is particularly unforgivable. Some of us need that last two minutes just to get to the stop. 

One friend had a Metro bus leave early two days in a row, leaving her as she was running to catch it. This businesswoman, wife, mother, logical and courteous human being, stomped her foot and displayed the best temper tantrum I've ever witnessed in an adult. "Look at me," she said, "I'm so angry I have tears in my eyes. This is twice he's done this to me! Two days in a row I'm left as I'm running for the bus. I'm going to call Metro, this is unforgivable.!" (See, didn't I say just that word?)
She carried on for a couple more minutes, until reason and rational thinking once again took over and she was able to regain her calm. I don't know that she did anything about it, but we don't have that bus driver any more.

Commuter Relationships

Some people feel out of place on a Metro bus. I don't think it's anything we do or don't do that makes them feel ill at ease, but it's as if royalty were traveling the train and felt very uncomfortable with the peasants. Every so often you see them. They sit very primly, eyes glancing sideways in a "What have I gotten myself into?" look. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with wealth or elegance. We have some very elegantly put together Metro riders who seem quite comfortable and fit in well with the rest of us. It's more of an attitude.