My Metro experience was entirely painless, once you grant that there is bound to be a bit less personal space after a game than one might absolutely prefer. Trains ran smoothly and promptly to clear the platforms. Metro employees were out in full force to direct traffic and answer questions. What more can one ask for?

I agree with Lindemann. I went to the games on Saturday and Sunday. I was so impressed with metro on Saturday that I wrote an email to them complimenting all the employees that I encountered. The conductors were definitely anticipating lots of tourists and non-regular metro riders because all of the announcements were crystal clear.

We drove to Branch Avenue from Alexandria so as not to have to change trains. Trip in was fine. On the return trip there was perhaps one outbound train for every five inbound trains, which was a bit frustrating but wasn't a terrible problem. On the whole, for a night game on a weekend I'd go that way again, but I would like to hear more about how the shuttle buses from RFK worked out.

(For weeknights, I'd be coming from downtown, so I'd probably walk to Gallery Place unless I hear good things about the RFK shuttle.)

Overall, metro was a great experience, but why were Metro employees shouting that riders must stand single file on the escalators and that walking wasn't allowed?

"union station," I didn't encounter what you describe (we exited the Navy Yard stop en route to the ballpark at around 15.50), but on the new "Grounds Crew" blog on the Post's site the following is mentioned:

"Arriving via Navy Yard Metro: When exiting the Metro at Navy Yard shortly after 6 last night, Metro Police stood at the bottom of each escalator screaming instructions to make a single file line on the right side of the escalator. I looked back quizzically, and one screamed 'WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS.' So be prepared: you may have to stand to the right, and may not walk to the left. We arrived safely at the top. I'm concerned, though, that weight issues were a problem before my fries and half smoke. And beers. By the All-Star break it'll be one at a time up the escalators."

You can find the full post here:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/grounds-crew/2008/03/some_early_tips.html

I must say it sounds like bollocks to me, but on the other hand, I did hear from several people about escalator problems at L'Enfant Plaza with escalators slamming to a stop for no apparent reason, so who knows.

Metro was great. Trains were crowded after the game but that's to be expected. I wish I hadn't had to wait 10-15 minutes for a train when I transferred to the Red Line on the way home, but Metro definitely had its act together.

I took Metro on Saturday at midday, not to the game, but to get to a hair appointment in Georgetown. For various personal reasons, I usually drive to my hairdresser, but after hearing all the dire warnings about traffic because of the kite fest, the cherry blossoms, and the exhibition game, I decided to take my bicycle on Metrorail and bike to and from Georgetown from the Foggy Bottom station. Big mistake.

I'd heard repeated announcements on the radio that morning that Metro was adding trains for the weekend. Perhaps I was naive to assume that trains would come as frequently as they do on weekdays (I take Metrorail daily to work), but that sure wasn't the case, at least not on the Orange Line: according to the computerized platform announcements, trains were arriving 12 to 13 minutes apart (and I've learned not to trust the accuracy of those signs in any event).

When a train finally arrived, it was already crowded, even though I was getting on at Cheverly, two stops from the beginning of the line. Platforms at subsequent stops were also crowded; because of my bike, I rode in one of the alcoves at the end of the car, but the press of riders became more and more intense as the train progressed. To add to my frustration, the ride was stop-and-go, with the conductor frequently making the dreaded announcement, "This train will be moving momentarily." Finally, the train stopped dead at Farragut West, and sat for a number of minutes before the conductor announced that there would be a delay because of a malfunctioning train at Rosslyn. At least the doors were still open, giving me the opportunity to get off and bike from there to Georgetown.

I've been a rider and stalwart supporter of Metro for the twenty-four years I've called the DC area home; I've encouraged friends and coworkers to use the system instead of driving, and accepted fare hikes (including the most recent hike) without complaint. This experience, though, has pushed me over the edge. I cannot understand why Metro management would fail to adequately prepare for the crowds while at the same time relentlessly publicizing the system. Perhaps management focused primarily on getting fans to the games on Saturday night and Sunday, and didn't give enough attention to the needs of other riders during the rest of the weekend. Whatever the reason, this experience has turned me from a supporter into a critic.

I took Metro on Saturday at midday, not to the game, but to get to a hair appointment in Georgetown. For various personal reasons, I usually drive to my hairdresser, but after hearing all the dire warnings about traffic because of the kite fest, the cherry blossoms, and the exhibition game, I decided to take my bicycle on Metrorail and bike to and from Georgetown from the Foggy Bottom station. Big mistake.

I'd heard repeated announcements on the radio that morning that Metro was adding trains for the weekend. Perhaps I was naive to assume that trains would come as frequently as they do on weekdays (I take Metrorail daily to work), but that sure wasn't the case, at least not on the Orange Line: according to the computerized platform announcements, trains were arriving 12 to 13 minutes apart (and I've learned not to trust the accuracy of those signs in any event).

When a train finally arrived, it was already crowded, even though I was getting on at Cheverly, two stops from the beginning of the line. Platforms at subsequent stops were also crowded; because of my bike, I rode in one of the alcoves at the end of the car, but the press of riders became more and more intense as the train progressed. To add to my frustration, the ride was stop-and-go, with the conductor frequently making the dreaded announcement, "This train will be moving momentarily." Finally, the train stopped dead at Farragut West, and sat for a number of minutes before the conductor announced that there would be a delay because of a malfunctioning train at Rosslyn. At least the doors were still open, giving me the opportunity to get off and bike from there to Georgetown.

I've been a rider and stalwart supporter of Metro for the twenty-four years I've called the DC area home; I've encouraged friends and coworkers to use the system instead of driving, and accepted fare hikes (including the most recent hike) without complaint. This experience, though, has pushed me over the edge. I cannot understand why Metro management would fail to adequately prepare for the crowds while at the same time relentlessly publicizing the system. Perhaps management focused primarily on getting fans to the games on Saturday night and Sunday, and didn't give enough attention to the needs of other riders during the rest of the weekend. Whatever the reason, this experience has turned me from a supporter into a critic.

I took Metro on Saturday at midday, not to the game, but to get to a hair appointment in Georgetown. For various personal reasons, I usually drive to my hairdresser, but after hearing all the dire warnings about traffic because of the kite fest, the cherry blossoms, and the exhibition game, I decided to take my bicycle on Metrorail and bike to and from Georgetown from the Foggy Bottom station. Big mistake.

I'd heard repeated announcements on the radio that morning that Metro was adding trains for the weekend. Perhaps I was naive to assume that trains would come as frequently as they do on weekdays (I take Metrorail daily to work), but that sure wasn't the case, at least not on the Orange Line: according to the computerized platform announcements, trains were arriving 12 to 13 minutes apart (and I've learned not to trust the accuracy of those signs in any event).

When a train finally arrived, it was already crowded, even though I was getting on at Cheverly, two stops from the beginning of the line. Platforms at subsequent stops were also crowded; because of my bike, I rode in one of the alcoves at the end of the car, but the press of riders became more and more intense as the train progressed. To add to my frustration, the ride was stop-and-go, with the conductor frequently making the dreaded announcement, "This train will be moving momentarily." Finally, the train stopped dead at Farragut West, and sat for a number of minutes before the conductor announced that there would be a delay because of a malfunctioning train at Rosslyn. At least the doors were still open, giving me the opportunity to get off and bike from there to Georgetown.

I've been a rider and stalwart supporter of Metro for the twenty-four years I've called the DC area home; I've encouraged friends and coworkers to use the system instead of driving, and accepted fare hikes (including the most recent hike) without complaint. This experience, though, has pushed me over the edge. I cannot understand why Metro management would fail to adequately prepare for the crowds while at the same time relentlessly publicizing the system. Perhaps management focused primarily on getting fans to the games on Saturday night and Sunday, and didn't give enough attention to the needs of other riders during the rest of the weekend. Whatever the reason, this experience has turned me from a supporter into a critic.

DMS, I take it you felt quite strongly about this :-)

Ouch. :) My computer was having technical difficulties. I've e-mailed the Post blog mavens to ask them to delete the duplicate posts, but no luck so far.

DMS, suck it up - what, do you want your own personal train complete with comfy chair and cool beverage?

If the escalators don't work, they should just have the cops outside the gates telling the fatties they can't enter the system.

"When a train finally arrived, it was already crowded, even though I was getting on at Cheverly, two stops from the beginning of the line. Platforms at subsequent stops were also crowded; because of my bike, I rode in one of the alcoves at the end of the car, but the press of riders became more and more intense as the train progressed. To add to my frustration, the ride was stop-and-go, with the conductor frequently making the dreaded announcement, "This train will be moving momentarily." Finally, the train stopped dead at Farragut West, and sat for a number of minutes before the conductor announced that there would be a delay because of a malfunctioning train at Rosslyn. At least the doors were still open, giving me the opportunity to get off and bike from there to Georgetown."

So Metro had a mechanical malfunction and it inconvenienced you, and you're giving up on the system? How is Metro supposed to plan for a mechanical malfunction, other than having systems in place to deal with it as expeditiously as possible? Your experience really should have convinced you to support the capital improvement funding for Metro currently languishing in Congress.

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