It’s funny because Metro and I have such a love/hate relationship.  I love them because they get me wherever I need to go and at times I hate them because they are my only option to get where I am going.  I have no car, no bike and frankly no money in the near future to buy either so I must remind myself daily of things I love about the Metro or I will go crazy!

Over the past couple of years when you mention the word “Metro” my blood pressure rises and start thinking about all the times I have been late to work, missed events, pay higher costs for poorer service and been treated with less than respect by some employees and riders.   I have attended The Metro Riders Advisory meetings, filled out comments cards and at times resorted to walking or just simply not leaving my house on the weekend due to track work.  When I need to feel the love for the hate I read the blog Unsuck DC Metro and feel relief!  I am not only one that watches Metro employees be bothered to help you at kiosk because they are on a personal phone call, refuse to give you directions, be bothered to check your SmarTrip, leave to go to the bathroom during rush hour to name a few situations.

It’s about to be heavy tourist season so that means children acting extra wild, parents yelling for their kids, folks getting confused and clogging the door but hey I guess they are brining tourism money to the city right?  The good news is that I think we have some pretty decent transit police the only problem is there are only about 400 or so for the entire system that covers Maryland, Virginia and DC.

If you have any concerns, questions, would like to meet the man behind the curtain I suggest you attend one of the following “Open Houses combined Town Hall Meeting” this week.  I know I have a few things to say.  See you there!

YOU’RE ON.                         

And we’re listening.                                                                                             

OPEN HOUSE  |  TOWN HALL MEETING  |  PUBLIC HEARING

We are tuning in to you to help us make important decisions about Metro’s future.

For the first time ever, Metro will host combined Open Houses and Town Hall Meetings prior to its official Public Hearings. Metro staff members will be available at Open Houses for one-on-one conversations about Metro service and programs. Town Hall Meetings will give you an opportunity to talk about the future of the system with Metro leaders, including members of the Metro Board of Directors. During the Public Hearings, Metro will take formal testimony on the following options under consideration for the FY12 budget:

o    Increasing the Metrorail train wait times on weekends

o    Eliminating the Metrobus E6, K1 and N8 lines

o    Restructuring the Metrobus M4, V7, V8, 70 and 71 lines

o    Eliminating the 50¢ discount on certain Anacostia bus routes, resulting in MetroAccess fare increase, and modification of the Anacostia station bus transfer discount program

The Open Houses will be from 5:30-6:00 p.m. followed by the Town Hall Meetings/Q&A from 6:00-6:45 p.m. The Public Hearings will start at 6:45 p.m. Please join us at one of the following:

All locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations for people with disabilities, call (202) 962-2511. For language interpretation, call (202) 962-1082.

 Get the latest information, including travel recommendations, online at www.wmata.com/hearings