Silver Line Heralds Longer, More Expensive Commutes For Some Fairfax Residents, WAMU 88.5, July 22, 2014

Martin Di Caro reports:

Metro rail riders were hit with a 3 percent fare increase on June 29. When the Silver Line embarks on its first weekday rush hour trips next Monday, some commuters will pay even more.

Thousands of commuters in the Herndon and Reston area in Fairfax County could experience a more expensive and longer commute when Metro’s first new rail line since 1991 opens for passengers. These commuters currently take Fairfax Connector buses from park and rides to the West Falls Church Metro station, then hop the Orange Line to complete their trips. . .

So a roundtrip, rush hour commute that costs $10.70 today will cost $14.30 next week for anyone who takes the Fairfax Connector to Metro rail from the park and rides in Reston and Herndon. . .

The more expensive commute could also take longer.

John Spencer, who also takes the bus from the Reston South Park and Ride, said his current commute takes 50 minutes.

His Fairfax Connector bus departs at 6:20 a.m., arrives at West Falls Church at 6:41, and then he usually boards an Orange Line train at 6:45. He arrives at the Smithsonian Metro station at 7:10 — barring any delays.

Starting next week, Spencer said the bus trip from the park and ride to the Silver Line station in Reston will take only 14 minutes, but the Silver Line trip to the Smithsonian station will take 44 minutes, for a total commute time of 59 minutes (if he waits only one minute on the platform for a train). If he misses the Silver Line connection, he would have to wait six more minutes for the next train. . .

Click here for the rest of his report and listen to Di Caro's radio report.