Breakdown with Commuting

This week, I missed my shuttle connection because of the backed up metro during rush hour, which means I had to wait for another 45 min to get home. A long commute of an hour just got extended by another 45 min.

I am sharing my experience of that day because I am resolved to speak up to make a difference in the quality of my commute and that of others.

On most days riding the metro to work and back is somewhat digestible, today it is frankly annoying. We stopped more than a dozen times between Navy Yard and East Falls Church. I have an upset stomach and I just want to get home, but my trip time got almost doubled. I already paid $40 this morning to take a cab to be in DC at 8 am so I can’t take a cab again to get home.

Ideally, I'd live close to work so that I maximize the quality of my life. For that, housing needs to be affordable, and land use and zoning accommodate uses like a mosque. Until then, I will continue commuting and regularly experience frustration, stress, and apprehension to get to work and home on time.

What would work is a reliable transit service that will help me better schedule time for other important commitments, such as spiritual growth, time with family and friends, exercise, community activities, and continuing education and development.

Since Washington, DC is taking on improving its transportation system, I highly recommend that its transit policy includes upgrading regional travel. The majority of the labor force commutes from MD and Northern Virginia to the District. I believe that enhancing regional travel will greatly impact commuters' well being and truly make DC a premiere destination for work.