ÿþ<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <!-- saved from url=(0073)http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A7106-2001Sep21?language=printer --> <HTML><HEAD><TITLE>washingtonpost.com: That Monstrous Commute</TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=unicode"> <SCRIPT language=JavaScript> <!-- var axel = Math.random() + ""; var ord = axel * 1000000000000000000; //--> </SCRIPT> <META content="MSHTML 5.50.4616.200" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P><FONT size=+2><B>That Monstrous Commute</B></FONT> <BR> <P><FONT size=-1><BR><BR>Saturday, September 22, 2001; Page A28 </FONT> <P> <P>IT WAS A given that the heightened security around the Pentagon would mean considerable inconvenience on the roads, not only for those who work there but also for those who must make the commute between Northern Virginia and Washington. It is a price that travelers must accept -- but three-hour trips each way? Military authorities, state and local police and Metro have been making adjustments to break the daily backups; but they need to do more. And commuters, too, should consider changing their travel habits.</P> <P>Public transportation has assumed a new importance. At the Defense Department's request, Metro started opening its subway stations a half-hour earlier -- at 5 a.m. -- Thursday; the system carried 4,300 passengers during that first half-hour Thursday and about 4,200 yesterday (Friday is normally a lighter day). The riders in this half-hour may not be new Metro users but rather those who have chosen -- at least for now -- to stagger their travel times. Metro also has been encouraging people to use parking lots that it has commandeered and free shuttle buses, regular feeder buses and car pooling to connect to Metrorail. Virginia Railway Express is taking on ridership at a fast clip and is looking for more parking as well as permission from CSX, which owns its track, to add trains.</P> <P>Altered traffic patterns created another large problem earlier this week: The assembly area for "slugs" -- rush-hour hitchhikers -- had to move. That has now been relocated and word is spreading. Another problem: drivers who slow down to look at and photograph the scenes at the Pentagon. Sightseeing there at rush hour is more than inconsiderate; authorities say it is contributing mightily to the traffic mess. The heightened security checks at the Pentagon are essential, but military authorities might consider running secure shuttle buses to the Pentagon from various points where pre-boarding checks could be conducted.</P> <P>There's no telling how long the traffic-pattern changes will be in effect, though some Defense Department officials are talking years, not months. Allinvolved should look for ways to impose them more smoothly. In the meantime -- "for the duration," as people said during World War II -- those who must commute by car, van or truck may need a stiff upper lip and a full tank of gas.</P> <P></P> <P> <CENTER>© 2001 The Washington Post Company </CENTER> <P></P></BODY></HTML>