I've gotten a lot of very irate, one-line emails about this Metro policy.
I've never been on another subway where I've entered only to want to leave immediately upon finding delays, crowding, etc. I've definitely paid Metro for several trips not taken.
Perhaps other readers have experienced what other systems do in a situation like the below.
From Lauren:
Last Tuesday, I entered Farragut West only to find the Orange Line completely FUBAR. I promptly left to take a cab because I needed to get someplace in a hurry.Other items:
I wasn't happy to pay $10 bucks to the cabbie, but what really steamed me was having to pay Metro almost $2 just to enter and leave in less than a minute.
What a ripoff!
I had no idea what mess I was getting into. There were no alerts, and I saw nothing on the Metro website before I left the office. The signs at the station didn't indicate anything was awry. So I swiped and went in.
I've asked several friends about this charging to enter policy only to find out it's standard practice.
I have another word for this: stealing.
Where do they get the nerve to charge their customers for that?
I should add that the platform was dangerously overcrowded. I guess that was a bonus.
If Metro can come up with a fare scheme that only an astronaut can understand, it can figure out a way to not charge people who, like I did, turn around and leave after finding Metro broken again.
That was the last cent I've given Metro. I've been walking, biking, cabbing and hitching rides with friends ever since.
