Circulator Bus Stop Coming to the Neighborhood?

The Examiner has a small article about Metro and Councilman Jim Graham’s proposal to eliminate the 98 bus that runs from Woodley Park to U Street. Its replacement would be a Circulator bus—similar to what runs along K Street between Union Station and Georgetown—that would connect Woodley Park and McPherson Square. According to the article, the route would have stops in Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, and the U Street Corridor. DCist has a few thoughts on it, too.

When I lived in Adams Morgan, I was a fan of the 98 bus because it cost only $.25 however oftentimes it was easier just to walk to U Street because traffic was so bad on 18th Street. While there is no final decision on the Circulator route or start date, below are my ideas for where the bus should provide service.


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Poll Fails to Predict the Future

And Columbia Heights residents are a bunch of pessimists. The 14th Street North Metro escalators are once again working, after being out of service for about six days. Also, track work delays continue to plague the Green and Yellow lines this weekend. However, if you are on a train, hope for one with a speedy operator. The drivers of the trains I was on this afternoon were determined not to get stuck single-tracking and stopped for about 10 seconds less at affected stations.

Biking the Heights: CH on Two Wheels

Though based on ArtBart's recent posts, it would seem that this blog has rededicated itself to booze reviews instead of notes on life in the Heights. I swear we've got more for you.

And today, we've got biking. ArtBart and I are both recent converts to the way of two wheels and we've noticed a plethora of cyclists in the area recently. I know some of you have been doing this for years, but many of you might want to jump on the band wagon with gas prices up and metro full of butts on poles. DC was recently ranked the most improved city for cyclists by Bicycling Magazine (read about it here on the City Bikes blog). So, in case you plan to pick up a new Schwinn at Target, we've got some notes for you on biking the Heights.

1. Going downtown = Easy, fun / Coming home from downtown = A bitch
For those of you who are employed south of the Heights, biking to work is a breeze. It's a smooth ride with few sweat-inducing moments. But it's not called "Columbia Lows" and that means the trip home is a climb. Be prepared to sweat through your oxford on the trip uphill, or do what we do - bring some extra clothes and consider the trip home your daily cardio.

2. The local hills are not all equal...
11th Street: Steep, but short, with a bike lane. This is a good option in both directions, even if it takes you off course a little.
14th Street: Long drag, no bike lane, buses. I do it all the time, but I don't always like it. Traffic.
15th Street: Super steep, awkward turns. I say avoid this, and as a commenter points out - it's one way, so don't go downhill as I previously suggested. I never take this street.
16th Street: Might be a bit gentler than 14th St. Also long, but with a sidewalk option to avoid buses. Lots of traffic.

3. Buses are thine enemy!
I think I hate the 50 buses the most when I'm on a bike. The S buses on 16th certainly aren't friendly, but they don't have any means by which to cut you off, thus they are forced into some degree of submission.

The 50 buses, on the other hand, are beasts. Between CH and U St. there isn't a bike lane, but as soon as that bike lane comes in north or south of CH, the 50 buses see a prime opportunity to cut off the ever-exposed biker. They pull into and out of that bike lane as if you aren't right there. It's a bit dangerous, and we all know Metro buses aren't known for NOT hitting people. Keep an eye on those 50s.

4. Bike Lanes = The Best
I frequently go off-route just to ride a street with a bike lane. In the Heights, this can mean going from 13th to 11th to R back to 14th. This route means only about three bike lane-free blocks. Washington now has 30+ miles of bike lanes, so we may as well use them.

DC DOT has a great map of local bike lanes. Here's the section where we live.

5. This is kind of unrelated, but bike taxis are fun!
This has nothing to do with the bike as a totally functional form of transportation, but ArtBart and I once bike taxied ourselves home from a bar and it was probably the best idea ever. They will even come get you! Check out DC Pedicab.

Where are the Columbia Heights Bus Shelters?

As construction winds down at the Columbia Heights metro, will new bus shelters finally arrive to 14th and Irving streets? The answer to that is you'll have to wait until the end of October, at least.

The new bus shelters, part of an agreement between the city and Clear Channel Adshel, made their debut back in the fall. Adshel's website has a calendar of when shelters are supposed to be installed, and it's conveniently divided by ward. And, I have to say, finding the construction schedule was a big surprise, since navigation on dc.gov often starts and ends in extreme frustration. Except when paying parking tickets, I know that process well.

Butts on Poles: A Rant

Please, my fellow commuters, get your butts and backs off my pole.

I'm aware that the folks at WMATA have been playing with the configurations of our metro cars for years now, but no matter what they do the problem of butts on my pole will not go away.

Let me explain... there are poles on the metro. They are there for standing commuters to hold while the train is in motion. When everyone just places a hand on the pole, up to five or six people can easily crowd one pole, and not have to reach up for the high bar (thus exposing the whole train to their pit stank).

BUT - DC commuters are leaners. And this leaning on the poles has two results:

1. Butt contamination, and
2. The pole ceases to serve anyone but the leaner. The pole-contaminating leaner.

This problem is especially prevalent on the car configuration on the Green Line. The wall poll that curves below the map deceives people. Sure, the low part IS good for leaning, but get your junk off that high part! These cars have no other center polls (HUGE mistake WMATA, almost as bad as your butt leaning pads config.), and the high part of the poll is a necessity for the shorties. I'm not even a shorty, but it's not like they don't have rights! And it's not like ANYONE should hold the high bar after a long day at work. ALAS! Your 10 minutes of leaning, fellow commuter, is RUINING my night! GET OFF MY POLE.

And with that, I have photos - one of a pole-o-phile, and another of a pole in its natural form. Enjoy.