Margaux Carle
5 Things You Should Know Before Riding the Metro in the Summer
Margaux Carle
Summer 2015
1. If you have to walk to the metro stop, prepare for sweat
It’s no secret that DC summers are brutal. The heat warnings alone would be enough to make you second-guess why you chose to spend your summer in DC, but the real killer is the humidity. DC is a beautiful city that can be fun to commute through…. until you drown on your way to the bus stop! Unfortunately, humidity is hard to combat so be prepared for some sweaty commutes. When in doubt, bring a spare shirt or, ladies, put your hair up!
Map of the DC Metro
Source: wmata.com
2. Stand on the right, walk on the left!
DC’s metro system is known for its ridiculously long escalators, and Washingtonians take their escalator rides very seriously. “Stand on the right, walk on the left” isn’t a saying—it’s law (or at least should be). Until it becomes second nature to you as a metro commuter, it is imperative for you to practice this at all times. I have seen many left-standers get shoved out of the way and verbally abused by left-walkers. People don’t like being held up on the metro and you do not want to be part of the problem. So repeat after me: “stand on the right, walk on the left.”
3. Comfort over fashion…at least where the commute is concerned (ladies, listen up!)
The metro can be very busy during peak hours. That means there are a lot of big-shoed feet to stomp on your nice shoes and toes. There is also a fair amount of walking to be done, and you will 100 percent regret choosing fashion over comfort. Blisters in the heat and sometimes rain will ruin your outlook on life and throw you into a deep depression (at least until you get home). It is an important matter to keep in mind. No matter how cute the pair of shoes is, your bloody limp into work is not worth it. Pack the shoes!
4. Buy a metro card
The metro card is a staple for all professional DC commuters. It is durable and you can refill it online. The fare card will have you looking like a novice before your internship even starts, and you don’t want to be the one person who gets stuck at the gate because your fare card has ripped or run out of money. It also helps that metro cards have slightly cheaper fares, so do yourself a favor and get a metro card.
5. The bus is best!
For some reason, a lot of interns refuse to take the bus because they think it’s intimidating and less convenient. This is a huge mistake on their part. The bus is clean and airy and you rarely have to wait. It allows you to go to more places than the grid system of the train and, most importantly, it’s $1.75 a ride. The metro train fares can add up if you take it regularly and they fluctuate a lot depending on when and where you travel. The bus is a constant in my life and I couldn’t be happier. The bus will save you a whole lot of money and time during rush hour.
Margaux is a junior business major interning at a sports start-up in Georgetown looking to expand her knowledge of the business world here in Washington, DC.
