September 09, 2004
Your Tax Money At Work
Well StephenEsque ought to be pleased. I just picked up my U.S. Gov'mint Transportation Subsidy for the next quarter - basically $300 worth of Metro cards. Yup, I'm back to Metro after having spent the last year driving in and out.
Alas, while this gift from Uncle ought to cover my trips on the Metro itself, I still get whanged for parking out at my local Metro station. Currently, it's cheaper to go for the metered parking ($3.00 for 12 hours and hope you don't run overtime) than it is to pay the flat lot rate for all day parking ($3.75 for my station).
Speaking of Jeeps, I left the back off mine all day yesterday as the remnants of Frances dumped on us. When I got out from work, I discovered two inches of water sloshing around on the floorboards. But you know the nice thing about a jeep? All I had to do was reach under and pull the drainage plugs.
Stephen is obviously a confirmed urbanite. I, in turn, am a stalwart suburbanite. The idea of being completely dependent on public transportation to get into and out of the city gives me the willies.
Posted by Robert at September 9, 2004 12:37 PM | TrackBackConfirmed urbanite and also very selfish: I just want more room for the trucks that bring me the things I like: "How dare your SUV block the path of the custard powder (yum!) delivery van." - this is my philosophy of the road.
Posted by: stephenesque at September 9, 2004 02:47 PMMy boss asked me yesterday why I don't take Metro since I could get that subsidy to pay for it.
1. It won't cover the parking expenses at the station. Conversely, I get free, garage parking at the courthouse.
2. It's a 45 minnute drive to the nearest station.
3. I'd have to change trains and then have about a 20 minute walk from the station to the courthouse.
4. I'm only spending about $80-100/month in gas.
Driving, while aggravating, is the better option.
Posted by: jen at September 9, 2004 04:55 PMI forgot to mention that I've got a solid 15 minute walk each way between the metro and my office. In general, I don't mind because I can use the exercise. But when the weather is very hot & muggy, it seems much longer. Also, I'm dreading some of the more bitter winter days.
If I don't want to walk, I'd have to go around in a big loop, changing from the orange to the green line to get to the Navy Memorial station. Ain't worth the extra time, expense and aggrivation.
Posted by: Robert the Llama Butcher at September 9, 2004 04:59 PM
