TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> caffeind Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The fact that two different lines share
> > the same track baffles so many tourists, and I
> > don't really understand why. Rosslyn and Metro
> > Center (and duh, Chinatown) are the worst. :/
>
>
> Or the confusion at transfer points when you need
> to get on a train heading toward a specific
> station. A few times at Rosslyn people asked me
> how to get downtown. After telling them they need
> to get on the Orange line toward New Carrolton,
> they're like "oh? we can't just get on the Orange
> line?". And they still seem perplexed after
> explaining it again. For some reason they're able
> to walk into a station and get on the right train,
> but once they're inside the system transferring
> lines, their ability to understand "going in the
> wrong direction" is hampered.
>
> Smithsonian is hands-down the worst station on the
> system. Don't even bother trying to excuse your
> way around people standing on the left. It seems
> like everyone does it there.
>
> Edit: just realized my example above doesn't make
> sense... now I'm even confused! It should've
> been people heading out of DC on the orange
> wanting to transfer to get to the cemetery.
No, your example does make sense. People don't understand that a double-colored line doesn't operate in more than one direction, and they seem to be the most confused by double-colored lines when both lines go to the same destination. To be fair, though, I've totally flaked out and waited for a blue line at Metro Center (to Rosslyn) and forgotten that I could have taken either the orange or the blue. :x
It's like they've gone down this rabbit hole of a metro system and are completely perplexed as to how it operated. I can understand the confusion switching from one system to another (Boston's T, or NYC's MTA) but even then, isn't WMATA simpler? The only difference between our system and other subway systems in the country (especially the East Coast) is that it's way more inefficient.
- - -
http://bothsidesofthefence.wordpress.com
Because picking one side requires making a decision.