Being a dog dad and hanging out next to one of my most frequented Metro stations, Waterfront. Image by the author.

Transit Diaries is a series in which residents of Greater Washington track how they get around the region for a week, shedding light on what’s working well and not so well with our transportation system. See all of the Transit Diaries. We’re looking for more people who are interested in writing their own transit diary. If that sounds interesting to you, please email editor@ggwash.org!

My name is Brian Goggin. I’m a longtime DC resident and DC-to-Arlington commuter who loves to stretch his legs by biking or walking to run errands. This roughly translates to taking Metro to work and walking or biking most everywhere else. I’m also one of the 35% of DC households without a car.

As a new resident to Southwest DC, my closest Metro station is Waterfront, which serves the Green line. I work in Ballston in Arlington, and commute to the office about three days per week in the office.

Welcome to a week of my trips!

Day 1 – Monday, August 1, 2022

6:00 pm – Jog to Washington Yacht Club and back.

  • Highlights: I work from home today. I go for a run along the Anacostia River Walk Trail.
  • Hitches: For those of us in SW DC and Navy Yard, the trail is a fantastic public space to run, walk, or just hang out and enjoy a beautiful day. It would be even better with a more pedestrian-friendly crossing at South Capitol Street.

A view of the new Frederick Douglass Bridge from the Anacostia River Walk Trail. Image by the author.

Day 2 – Tuesday, Aug. 2

7:50 am – I usually take the Green to Orange or Silver lines from DC to my work in Ballston. But seeing that the next Green line train isn’t coming for another ten minutes, I take Capital Bikeshare to L’Enfant Plaza and then take the Silver Line to work from there. Door to door the trip takes 50 minutes. (5 miles by train and bike)

4:00 pm - I have a volunteer event to register voters along Columbia Pike in south Arlington. After picking up a Capital Bikeshare in Ballston, I take the Lubber Run trail to the Four Mile Run trail to Arlington Mill, dock my bike and walk a short distance to my event. The trip takes 20 minutes. (1.6 miles by bike)

5:00 pm - After my event, I decide to walk back to Arlington Mill and take a Capital Bikeshare home instead of waiting for Metro. I opt for an e-bike, and take the Four Mile Run trail to the Mount Vernon Trail and then cross over the 14th Street Bridge back to DC. The trip costs $5.50. Time: 45 minutes, and is a lot of fun! (5.4 miles by bike)

  • Highlights: CaBi comes to the rescue again.
  • Hitches: It can be a hassle to wait for trains to take me to my destination.

Snapping a picture of some beautiful newly-built apartments along the Four Mile Run Trail in Arlington. Image by the author.

Day 3 – Wednesday, Aug. 3

8:00 am – I take the train and transfer at L’Enfant Plaza. The Silver Line train then comes within two minutes and door to door the trip to Ballston takes 40 minutes.

  • Highlights: My Transit app came in handy to help me catch my train on time.
  • Hitches: When Metro is frequent, it is great! But it can be challenging when it’s not.

Train times as I wait for my green line train at Waterfront station. (Times are thankfully expected to improve now that the 7000 series trains are returning to service.) Image by the author.

4:50 pm – On the way home from work, I have to run an errand to buy some plastic shelving. I opt for Capital Bikeshare from work to the Container Store in Clarendon. The trip takes 20 minutes and is mainly all in dedicated bike lanes on Quincy Street and Fairfax Drive. (1.5 miles by bike)

Riding in the dedicated bike lane on Quincy Street to the Container Store. Image by the author.

Riding in the dedicated bike lane on Quincy Street to the Container Store.

5:30 pm – I need a car to transport the plastic shelving that I bought (cargo bike aficionados: I’m open to suggestions). I order a Lyft XL and tip the driver well. The trip takes 30 minutes. (4 miles by car)

  • Highlights: Bikeshare to the rescue every time.
  • Hitches: Run more trains. Ended up needing a vehicle for an errand.

Day 4 – Thursday, Aug. 4

7:00 am – I have an 8 am work event at the Dulles Airport Marriott. I decide to take a Lyft instead. The ride is 45 minutes and costs about $50. Note: This trip would now be possible by Metro now that the Silver Line to Dulles is complete. (24 miles by ride-hailing)

11:00 am – After the event, I catch a ride back to Arlington with a colleague. Maybe the Silver Line will open soon and make this all easier! (Update since writing: it has!). The trip takes 35 minutes. (19 miles by carpool)

5:00 pm – After work, it’s the Orange Line from Ballston Station to L’Enfant Plaza, and then the Green Line train home. The trip takes 40 minutes. (5 miles by train)

  • Highlights: The Transit App comes in handy to help me make better decisions on Metrorail.
  • Hitches: I have limited bus options to and from the event. Also no Silver Line Metro, at the time.

Day 5 – Friday, Aug. 5

2:00 pm – Working from home today. I take a quick break and walk to the Safeway to pick up some food and cleaning supplies. The trip takes ten minutes roundtrip. (0.25 miles walking)

7:00 pm – I walk to dinner at Mission in Navy Yard. One of my favorite parts of living in this area is being able to walk to run simple errands or get something to eat. The trip takes 20 minutes roundtrip. (0.5 miles walking)

  • Highlights: One of my favorite parts of living in this area is being able to walk to run simple errands or get something to eat.
  • Hitches: I just wish crossing South Capitol Street on foot was a little easier and safer.

Day 6 – Saturday, Aug. 6

11:00 am – Early morning walk to the Farmer’s Market SW to buy some produce and a coffee. The trip takes ten minutes roundtrip. (0.25 miles walking)

4:00 pm – A lazy Saturday ends with a trip on foot to the bike shop in Navy Yard to pick up some degreaser. (1-mile walking)

  • Highlights: Get to walk around my neighborhood to run errands.
  • Hitches: These types of Saturdays are in short supply.

Day 7 – Sunday, Aug. 7

Pretty views from Southwest Waterfront Park and newly opened Wharf Phase II pedestrian path. Image by the author.

11:00 am – I have a short walk to brunch with friends at the Wharf. The trip takes 30 minutes roundtrip. (0.5-mile walking)

  • Highlights: Among the best new things in my neighborhood is the newly-opened pedestrian path that connects the Southwest Waterfront Park to The Wharf as part of zthe Wharf Phase II. This makes for a stress-free and very beautiful walk to brunch to round out my week.
  • Hitches: Not today.

Final Tally: 16 total trips with the following breakdown

Mode Trips Share
Walk 6 37.5%
Bike 4 25%
Bus 0 0%
Metro 3 18.75%
Car 3 18.75%
Total 16 100%

Overall: Thanks to a little planning (thanks Transit App), a Capital Bikeshare membership, and the connectedness of my walkable neighborhood, I’m able to get around without owning a car just fine. Of course, having a hybrid work schedule helps a lot. Unfortunately, so many others in our region don’t have the luxury of living in a walkable and connected neighborhood close to frequent transit.

Long wait times and infrequent service can also discourage others from choosing transit. And we know there are stark inequalities when it comes to transportation options across the region. To expand this type of lifestyle to more people, I hope we can learn to build more housing in walkable areas and expand funding for frequent transit service regionwide.