If you’re a Medill graduate student moving to D.C. from Chicago, you’re sure to find yourself in squabbles with your colleagues comparing the two cities. The District is much smaller, more expensive and generally involves dodging more tourists than there are raging Cubs fans.
But the most popular topic will be comparing the commute.
For those who schlepped to the Chicago newsroom from Evanston for an hour each way, you’ll be more than happy to enjoy a 20-minute or less ride to Medill D.C. headquarters – unless you live in the ‘burbs. But soon you’ll find the novelty wears off – and here’s why.
1) Say goodbye to your U-Pass.
Don’t blame Medill, it’s a Washington thing. The Washington Metro has no such student discount for traveling, so expect to pay a good chunk of change riding the train everyday. For me, it was more than $25 a week, and that was living two stops away from the newsroom.
Instead, you have the option of choosing between Medill-offered options of $50 in Metro money or a membership to the National Press Club. Take the $50, no matter how good free tacos sound on Fridays.
2) D.C. has no official train tracker
So timing your trip will get tricky. Unlike the beloved CTA tracker, you’re left guessing when the next Metro train is set to arrive at your station when it’s not rush hour. This is especially cumbersome when you don’t find out when the next train comes until after you’ve paid – thus leaving you to wait 20 minutes for the next red line. Sometimes it’s faster to walk; other times – bring a book.
3) Trains don’t run often enough on weekends
While rush hour trains will be coming every 3 to 5 minutes during the week, Saturday and Sunday see fewer trains less often. This is particularly hairy when the Metropolitan Area Transit Authority decides all trains will operate on the same track because of maintenance. Commutes home from the grocery store on these days are long.
4) Need a workout? Find a broken escalator.
You will, at nearly every station on almost every day. And it’s always when you have to take the escalator up. Jogging up five flights of stairs is great for your glutes, but not so much for your back, especially when you’re hauling your computer and other equipment.
5) Don’t hold the door
Train doors stay open for no one. They don’t come equipped with sensors, meaning they will close on anyone or anything in their path. So don’t even think about trying to hold it open for the next guy because it doesn’t work. It will close on you like it does on everyone else every day. And yes, it hurts.