The Metro is Washington D.C.'s metro subway system. An better understanding of those non-published Metro rules will ensure a better commute for all new passengers.
If you plan to visit the nation's capital for your next family vacation there's a good chance you'll be utilizing the local city subway system known as "the Metro". Washington DC's Metro system is fast, efficient, and economical and services just about every tourist attraction in town. Your basic "How to" guide is available at any one of their kiosks and the station managers are always willing to help non-natives navigate the tunnels. However, certain unwritten rules in the Metro system do exist, which virgin travelers will find quite useful.
To begin, tickets for the Metro system can be purchased at any Metro kiosk. Instructions are available in the form of large posters above the ticket machines. Your best bet, though, is to request assistance from the station managers who can find you the best deal for your traveling needs. Once you've passed the turnstile you'll need to take the escalator up or down to the train platform. The unwritten rule for escalator use is: Stand to the Right. Sail to the Left. Seasoned Metro riders adhere strictly to this policy and leave the left hand side of the escalator open for commuters wishing to "˜sail' down the steps to meet their train. Inadvertent blockage of the "˜sail' side will usually result in polite requests to move, but you could literally be crushed during rush hour.
Trains approach the station on a regular basis - more frequently during rush hour - and the average wait for a non-rush hour train is rarely more than ten minutes. For security reasons, there are few benches on which to sit, so you'll be forced to stand on the platform until arrival. If you are traveling on off-hours and off-season, you simply need to wait for the train doors to open and then board. However, if you find yourself commuting at peak hours before and after work, during the tourist season, or for special events, you'll need to be prepared. When the platform lights begin to blink, this is your signal to approach the edge of the platform because the train is approaching. Never stand so close to the edge that you risk falling to the tracks, but do not linger in the background either. The minute the train stops, boarding passengers will crowd the doors. Metro riders tend to frown upon overly pushy passengers, but a little aggressiveness will be required if you don't want to get left behind.
Seats are apportioned on a first-come-first-served basis. Certain seats are designated as priority seating for the elderly and handicapped. It is a common and acceptable practice for non-priority passengers to use these seats if they are vacant. You should, however, expect to relinquish the prime spot immediately when special passengers board. Feel free to rest your carry-on items on nearby seats only if there are plenty of spares available. Regular commuters resent having to ask other passengers to clear their personal items from the only spare seat on the train. This principle applies to young children, as well. During hours when the train is Standing Room Only, young children should share seats with their parents. After a long workday, there is nothing more frustrating to a Metro rider then to find some toddler hogging a seat twice his size. On certain occasions (inclement weather, mechanical malfunctions), the number of passengers may exceed the number of trains available. If you find yourself in this situation (and you'll know by the very crowded platforms) expect riders to fill the train cars to their utmost capacity. If you are even slightly claustrophobic, you might want to consider alternative transportation. The chances of finding a seat are slim and you'll most likely be crammed into the train car aisles with commuters so tightly packed against each other that you don't have to balance with the handrails. Luckily most regular riders are good humored and take the inconvenience in stride.
Finally, the Metro system is designed for short-distance commuting and therefore food and drink are strictly prohibited within the system. Eagle-eyed station managers will request that you dunk the soda bottles before passing through their turnstiles, although water bottles are frequently overlooked. Even if you sneak that bag of chips past the manager's booth, you still may encounter Metro police en route. Uniformed officers hop from train to train and will not hesitate to issue a ticket for what seems to be such a minor infraction. Keep in mind, though, that the DC subway system is as clean and inviting as it is due to just this type of enforcement.
In general, regular Metro riders are courteous and clean, leaving the DC system with few of the undesirable qualities of better known subways. The economy and efficiency of the system make it an ideal way to bounce about the District and surrounding areas, and with a bit of insider's knowledge you are on the right track to a hassle-free commute.
