Metro’s next two SafeTrack surges will surely be burdensome for thousands of commuters, but they’re also affecting a corridor with a rich array of transit alternatives. Northern Virginia not only hosts traditional bus and rail service, it’s also home to Metroway, the region’s first bus rapid transit line, a storied community of carpoolers known as “sluggers”, and an extensive bike trail system covering hundreds of miles.
So to assess SafeTrack’s impact on travel times, we’ve decided to put a few of these transit modes to the test. On Wednesday, The Post’s Dr. Gridlock, Robert Thomson, and reporter Faiz Siddiqui and Mary Hui will face off in a high-stakes race to work — for full bragging rights and a cup of coffee on the loser.
Metro’s forthcoming surges, the third and fourth in its extensive rebuilding program, will close stations on both sides of Reagan National Airport; first from Braddock Road to the airport beginning at 8 p.m. Tuesday, then from Pentagon City to National beginning July 12.
On Wednesday morning, the first rush hour commute of Metro’s third surge, Dr. Gridlock will take the traditional commute into work, relying on Metro to take him from Franconia-Springfield to McPherson Square. That means he’ll take the train three stops to Braddock Road, hop on a shuttle bus to National Airport then re-board Metrorail into downtown.
Faiz will carpool using a new slugline from Franconia-Springfield. The route, as advertised, takes commuters from the station’s Kiss and Ride lot onto Interstate 395 — where sluggers have the liberty of using HOV lanes — and proceeds into L’Enfant Plaza. From there, he’ll board the first Orange, Silver or Blue Line train he sees and cruise comfortably into McPherson Square, likely emerging the winner.
Because she’ll be biking, Mary’s colleagues have allowed her the liberty of a head start. She’ll make the eight-mile bike trip from King Street Metro station. She’ll first follow the Potomac Yard trail two miles to the Mt. Vernon Trail. Then she’ll pedal two-and-a-half miles to the 14th Street Bridge, where she’ll cross into the District, eventually landing at One Franklin Square. (She’ll be wearing a GoPro so check back later tomorrow for video of her trek.)
On a normal day, each commute would take about 45 minutes. So, readers, who do you think will emerge victorious? As an added service, feel free to chime in below with your thoughts on the best cup of coffee in town (so some of us can begin preparing our orders).