safe on METRO to Takoma Park? (Silver Spring: travel, work, title)

[stockholm]

Moving back to the U.S. from public transportation heaven overseas. We're considering settling with our two young kids in Takoma Park/Silver Spring. (Yes, we know it's expensive!!) How safe is it to take the metro from Takoma Park into DC early in the morning and at night? Do professionals commute this way? Are there buses that run to the metro stop in case you live too far to walk? How much does metro cost a daily commuter? Last question: Does anybody bike to work like we do here??
Would REALLY appreciate input from anybody in the know!

[ebo202]

I've taken the trip many a time and it is just fine. You'll be perfectly safe.

Yes, there are a LOT of professionals on the ride. Tons and tons. After 6:30pm, it drops off sharply though. Ft. Totten Metro and Rhode Island Ave stations have some interesting characters, but nothing to worry about.

[nelumbo]

There are many buses from both Takoma and Silver Spring metro stations. The majority of buses in Montgomery county are part of the county-run Ride-On bus system; the Metrobus is a separate service run by WMATA (that also runs Metrorail).

Here is a link to Ride-On info:
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I used to make extensive use of the buses in this area when I was in high school. Some of the routes are very frequent (every few minutes during rush hour), others are less frequent (15-20 minute intervals during rush hour); many run weekends and until midnight on weekdays. Takoma Park and lower Silver Spring are generally well-served by bus routes; most if not all buses have bike racks on front where you can mount a bike.

Metro(rail) fares depend on the distance traveled - you need to know both your origin and destination stop. Fares start at $1.35 per trip and go up to $3.90, iirc. Government and some private companies may subsidize public transit use by giving their employees a Metrochek voucher which can be used on both the Metro and Metrobus.

[lscalder]

You will be fine, just remember that you are in a city and you have to be very careful of your surroundings.

[stockholm]

Thank you so much!!
Sounds pretty good to me!

Best,

Karin (in Stockholm)