Metro Train on a bridge over the Potomac River
Just a random picture of the Yellow Line Metro train on a bridge over the Potomac. Its last stop before the bridge: L'Enfant Plaza station in the District. It's next stop: the Pentagon in Virginia. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) is the second-largest rail and fifth-largest bus system in the nation. One-third of the federal workforce relies on Metro as transportation to and from work. Nearly 42 percent of all commuters utilize Metrorail and Metrobus.
Construction of the system began in 1969. It covers a 1,500 square mile area and serves more than 3.5 million people in the metropolitan area. There are 86 stations and over 105 miles of track in the Metrorail grid. Metrobus covers considerably more area than rail. To see a map of the Metrorail system, go here.
Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 07/08
11 comments:
Nice shot today. I like your perspective. I think your metro system is D.C. is great. Never had a problem using it. Almost missed my station to get off once because I was talking too much, but that's about it.
We rode the metro rail system back in the mid 1980's. An I must say, it was a great experience to travel on.
Here in the Twin Cities, we have a cute ground level train that realy doesn't help the vast majority of daily commuters. Too little too late as the saying is.
Great Sky Watch! The clouds in this photo are just the kind that make me go crazy trying to find my camera.
Nice shot! I don't think I've ever been on a mono-rail. It looks cool :)
Back from a little hiatus. Nothing new on my end, works in progress.
Love all your recent posts. Are you still walking around.
I'd like to have a seat on those Adirondack's at Jack's boathouse after a row on the Potomac.
Wonderful image, Lincoln's hand highlighted.
Hope you are well and done with your deconstruction or construction. It's been very hot here, brain is melting.
Virginia: That's funny! You're probably one of those tourists I'd end up talking to on the train, because you'd have done your homework and you wouldn't ask stupid, obvious questions. As a result, one or the other of us would miss our station!
Rob: It's a great way to get around, isn't it? Ironically, though, D.C. has the same problem as the Twin Cities with a lack of foresight regarding public transportation. Metro long ago should have added a line that circles the Beltway and connects all of these outer spokes and they should have long ago run their system out to BWI and IAD. As it is now, it'll likely be another 10 years before Metro arrives at the airports and another 20 before they finally encircle the Beltway.
Abby: Thanks! Funny you should mention that, because you get great cloud shots in SLC. That's one thing I miss about living in Utah: the beautiful mountain, cloud, and sky photos you can get. And that's part of what I enjoy about your blog!
Marley: The only monorail I've ever been on was at Disneyland. Metro is actually a third-rail system. The trains run on two tracks with a third rail providing electrical power to run the cars.
Andrea: Yeah! I've missed you. But I totally get taking hiatus' too. I keep thinking I need one. Thanks for your compliments on my latest photos. As for the yard improvement project, it's coming along nicely. Today, Dad and I moved several square feet of dirt and are making progress on getting everything looking shipshape and pretty again!
This is wise, and a great photo!
Wow, that is awesome! I wish these statistics were true of every city...
Mary Jo: I think you're the first people to describe Metro as "wise"!
Maya: I hear you. I'm always stunned by the lower percentage of ridership in places like the Bay Area where more people are environmentally conscientious than they are here. It's so ironic.
This is a nice shot and I like the angle, view, perspective!
And I've ridden trains all over the US and I think CD has the easiest and cleanest!
Prof: Thanks! You're right: Compared to most transit systems, Metrorail is pretty clean. The buses in the city, though, leave a bit to be desired.
Post a Comment