With the increase in slugging generated from the I95 Express Lanes, fellow slugs have suggested starting a separate line for the DC commuters. The proposed new line would be adjacent to the new bus shelter at the North end of the 610 lot.
Well there are two sides to this. It would certainly make things easier at Mine Rd. Ever since the Staffordboro lot work was done there has been an increased number of van pools leaving from Mine Rd.. I counted 28 parked there one morning at 4:30 am. I know finding parking after 6 am for anyone heading downtown (and right now Mine Rd is the ONLY option for downtown) this has become a major issue. Of course the best solution would be to have those van pools move back to Staffordboro but as no one monitors the commuter lots I know that isn't possible. I will be changing jobs in January and my start time will be later and I know I'm going to have to use the Staffordboro lot because I stand a better chance for finding parking at 6 am.
The other side to this is that at least first thing in the morning it takes a while to get rides downtown there don't seem to be a lot of drivers. Even though it forces me to ride Metro I recently switched to going in and out of the Pentagon because I can often get rides faster that way. The wait in the morning can be 30 minutes or more at Mine Rd.and the afternoons from L'Enfant I had to wait a minimum of 30 minutes and often closer to an hour for a ride to Mine Rd. whereas the Horner Rd. line moves quickly at L'Enfant.
I have just begun commuting out of Stafford. I have moved twice in the past two years so I rode Martz for a year from Fredericksburg and then road OmniRide out of Dumfries for nine months. OmniRide is by far a more reliable system. Martz is not as reliable and more crowded. Slugging is a great option.
I believe there are people who drive to Dumfries or other lots to slug because parking doesn't fill as fast and the DC line is robust.
How can we advertise a new line better to people? Is there a listserv for other lots that we can email? Can we post signs at 610, Mine Rd, and other lots?
This morning I rode the FRED bus from the 610 lot to Mine Rd. lot (for $1) and slugged from there. That is an option but sure would make sense to have a slug line at 610.
I agree, A new line from 610/Mine RD to DC would be excellent. I drive from 610 to JBAB every day... always willing to pick some riders up. Im flexible with my morning commute too.
New Slug Line from Rt. 610 Stafford to Downtown DC
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Posted - 08/07/2015 : 06:17:37
