Question for those familiar with both DC and Chicago public transit (house, transfer)
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I'll be spending some time in DC in the near future and have a few questions regarding public transit. I have the most experience with the CTA system (buses, L trains) in Chicago, so a lot of my questions will bring up Chicago transit, which I'm guessing many of you are probably familiar with as well.
1) Is it a flat rate charge per train or bus ride? For instance, in Chicago it costs $2.25 currently to hop onto a bus or intra-city "L" train, no matter the distance you're traveling. What are DC public transit prices like? Same for bus and train?
2) If needing to transfer lines on the L in many cases this can be done for free as long as the lines "intersect" on the same platform. Same situation in DC?
3) What is the method of payment for DC transit? Is it possible to pay with cash or is a card necessary? In Chicago the same card can be used on train and bus, though I've been to cities where for whatever reason this isn't the same. Is the same payment method used in DC for both kinds of transit?
4) How accessible is "Central DC" (i.e. White House, Wash. Monument, etc.) from the Georgetown area via public transit?
Well, that's it for now. Any and all information would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!
I'll be spending some time in DC in the near future and have a few questions regarding public transit. I have the most experience with the CTA system (buses, L trains) in Chicago, so a lot of my questions will bring up Chicago transit, which I'm guessing many of you are probably familiar with as well.
Honestly, I've never even been to Chicago but I have dealt with other systems such as the NYC subway and Atlanta's MARTA. I can answer your questions.
1) Is it a flat rate charge per train or bus ride? For instance, in Chicago it costs $2.25 currently to hop onto a bus or intra-city "L" train, no matter the distance you're traveling. What are DC public transit prices like? Same for bus and train?
DC trains(Metro) use a distance and time based fare system. The farther you travel the higher the charge and you also pay a higher rate when traveling during rush hours(5-9:30am and 3-7pm). It can get pretty expensive. Buses are $1.80 cash or $1.60 with SmartTrip card(which also always you free transfers). They are the same regardless of distance.
2) If needing to transfer lines on the L in many cases this can be done for free as long as the lines "intersect" on the same platform. Same situation in DC?
DC lines intersect at certain stations such as Metro Center, Gallery Place, and L'enfant Plaza. You can switch between lines at those transfer points.
3) What is the method of payment for DC transit? Is it possible to pay with cash or is a card necessary? In Chicago the same card can be used on train and bus, though I've been to cities where for whatever reason this isn't the same. Is the same payment method used in DC for both kinds of transit?
You can use SmartTrip cards for Metro and bus in DC, the Circulator buses, and also for some of the other regional systems like the Fairfax Connector. I even think you can use it on Baltimore systems.
4) How accessible is "Central DC" (i.e. White House, Wash. Monument, etc.) from the Georgetown area via public transit?
Georgetown is not connected to Metro but it's actually not an impossible walk to the areas near the White House and the Mall. You can catch the Circulator($1/trip) from M Street and transfer as needed.
Can you give me an approximate range as far as prices paid for Metro train travel?
I'm not one for dishonesty, but out of curiosity how is the train travel enforced (i.e. how do they "police" the system to ensure that you don't buy the cheapest fare and travel a longer distance)? I've never been on public train transit that isn't simply a flat rate.. so I'm mildly curious.
I'll be spending some time in DC in the near future and have a few questions regarding public transit. I have the most experience with the CTA system (buses, L trains) in Chicago, so a lot of my questions will bring up Chicago transit, which I'm guessing many of you are probably familiar with as well.
I don't know anything about the Chicago transit, but I will try to help you out on DC-related questions.
Quote:
1) Is it a flat rate charge per train or bus ride? For instance, in Chicago it costs $2.25 currently to hop onto a bus or intra-city "L" train, no matter the distance you're traveling. What are DC public transit prices like? Same for bus and train?
It costs $1.60 to ride the bus no matter the distance if you use a card. The train ride depends on the distance. Get a card no matter what. If you ride the train at least five times, it pays for itself.
With a SmarTrip card, there is a minimum of $1.70 off peak and $2.10 during peak hours. If you're inside DC, you probably not going to pay much more than $2.00 for a single trip in the metro. If you go to the suburbs, it might go up a bit ($2.75 or so from Ballston to Tenleytown, e.g.).
Go to WMATA.com to calculate routes that you might actually use.
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2) If needing to transfer lines on the L in many cases this can be done for free as long as the lines "intersect" on the same platform. Same situation in DC?
If they're in the same station, you can transfer for free. If you have a SmarTrip card, you can also transfer between the two Faraggut stations for free.
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3) What is the method of payment for DC transit? Is it possible to pay with cash or is a card necessary? In Chicago the same card can be used on train and bus, though I've been to cities where for whatever reason this isn't the same. Is the same payment method used in DC for both kinds of transit?
Buy a SmarTrip card. They're sold at most stations and CVSs. It's extremely convenient and will make your life much easier. You can pay with cash or card. On the train, you can use the SmarTrip card, or you can buy a paper ticket. But the paper ticket makes things much more expensive. On the bus, you use either the SmarTrip or cash (someone correct me if I'm wrong, I only use SmarTrip).
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4) How accessible is "Central DC" (i.e. White House, Wash. Monument, etc.) from the Georgetown area via public transit?
Georgetown is the inaccessible part. Depending where you are, it could be up to a 20 minute walk to either Foggy Bottom or over the bridge to Rosslyn. Alternatively, you could take the bus. There are buses going to either metro station (it's fastest to transfer, sadly).
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Well, that's it for now. Any and all information would be much appreciated. Thanks guys!
Although, if you really want to be dishonest, I guess you could try to walk quickly behind someone entering and then your card won't scan properly when you leave and they'll usually just let you through. It seems like an awful lot of effort to save $2, though.
Can you give me an approximate range as far as prices paid for Metro train travel?
I'm not one for dishonesty, but out of curiosity how is the train travel enforced (i.e. how do they "police" the system to ensure that you don't buy the cheapest fare and travel a longer distance)? I've never been on public train transit that isn't simply a flat rate.. so I'm mildly curious.
Thanks for the info though!
Passengers must scan their cards as they exit the stations, this is how the system knows how far you traveled. Scan to enter, Scan to exit.
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