Here’s my problem with commuter rail... I live in the DC area, on the Maryland side, and work in Arlignton county in Virginia.
In order to get to work, I would have to drive or take a bus some 8-10 miles to the nearest Metro station, take the train downtown, switch to another line, and then walk a few blocks to my destination.
That last part isn’t a hassle, but the rest of it is. By the time I deal with driving to the Metro station, I’m through the worst half of my commute in (and going into the worst half of my commute home), I have to pay for parking, and the whole trip takes my roughly 75-80 minutes each way (as opposed to the 45-50 minute average of direct driving at off-peak times).
If I take a bus to the Metro station, it simply adds extra time, though bus fare would be cheaper than Metro parking.
If I could enter “the system” within a few blocks walk of origin and destination AND take less than hour to get from point A to point B, I’d be doing it. But I can’t, and therefore I’m still driving 30 miles each way.
I rode the rails to work for about 7 years. Before that I commuted by "slug line" ~ which I originally called "Northern Virginia Commuter Pickup Point" ~ but "slug line" won the popularity contest.
The "slug line" is free.
If I could enter “the system” within a few blocks walk of origin and destination AND take less than hour to get from point A to point B, I’d be doing it. But I can’t, and therefore I’m still driving 30 miles each way.
Nice spider web LBJ gave us. It serves two clientele, govt workers and tourists. We lost an effective and efficient trolley system for Metro plus GM Buses. Oh, BTW, don’t try and take a coffee on Metro, they don’t allow it.