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How to Beat the High Price of Gas

Lyle Harris works at a telecommuting center in Fairfax County, where he lives, to avoid the drive to his office in Germantown. Many centers offer copiers and other help.
Lyle Harris works at a telecommuting center in Fairfax County, where he lives, to avoid the drive to his office in Germantown. Many centers offer copiers and other help. (2005 Photo By Jahi Chikwendiu -- The Washington Post)
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Sunday, July 13, 2008; Page C02

With gas prices at record levels and traffic congestion worsening, we've pulled together some options for commuters trying to save time and money. Whether you want to carpool, bike, take transit or telecommute, the Washington region offers a variety of choices.

METRORAIL

Metro ( http://www.wmata.com) is the most obvious alternative for commuters who want to get off the roads. There are 86 Metro stations in service within a 106.3-mile network. The transit system has 40 stations in the District, 26 in Maryland and 20 in Virginia. All trains and stations are accessible to people with disabilities. During rush periods, trains arrive about every five to six minutes.

Hours: Metro opens at 5 a.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. weekends. Stations are open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Regular fare (Weekdays from 5 to 9:30 a.m., 3 to 7 p.m. and 2 a.m. to closing)

$1.65 minimum; $4.50 maximum

Reduced fare (All other times)

$1.35 minimum, $1.85 midrange, $2.35 maximum

Seniors 65 and older, people with disabilities and customers with a Medicare card and valid photo ID ride for half the regular fare.

A subway novice?

Metro has an easy online tool that can help you plan your trip using rail, bus or a combination of the two. Just plug in the time, starting place and destination. Go to http://www.wmata.com/tripplanner.

Parking

Metro operates parking facilities at 42 Metrorail stations, which offer daily or hourly parking; 35 stations offer reserved parking in which customers buy permits and park in reserved spaces. Short-term metered parking costs $1 an hour; parking at Metro lots is free on weekends and federal holidays. Daily parking fees at most facilities must be paid with a SmarTrip card. The cost of a permit for monthly reserved parking is $55 at all stations, and customers with such permits also are required to pay the daily fee each time they park.


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