Commuting to NW DC

Got a new job and am going to need to commute to around 12th and Constitution NW. Any suggestions on best public transportation option to get there? Any particular time of day better than others to go?

 

My husband takes a Loudoun County Connector bus from Brambleton to Rosslyn every day and loves it. It leaves early, 6:30 or 7 AM. I learned about it on this site and he decided to check it out. The bus takes the greenway, the airport lane and 66 and I think it is $7 one way with his smartrip card.

http://va-loudouncounty.civicplus.c.../2577/Brambleton to DC_201207101038283291.pdf

http://www.loudoun.gov/index.aspx?NID=228

Suzanne

 

I thinks some companies offset that cost with incentives, ask your new employer. It may not completely cover it but something is better than flipping the entire bill yourself.

 

Thanks, I checked into it and looks like they cover about a third of the cost which will help. Noticed there looks like several different bus options. Anyone use the Ashburn Link Shuttle to go to Dulles North or take the bus from the church on Beaumeade Circle?

 

I use the Ashburn link shuttle. It makes three stops in Ashburn Farm and then heads to Dulles North. Runs every 15 minutes in the morning. I walk to the stop. Others drive to the stop and catch the shuttle. Avoids the parking hassles at Dulles North. It's a free shuttle.

 

I've been taking the Loudoun Cty Commuter Service (LCCS Bus) for years now. For 12 & Constitution, it's a bit awkward as the bus stops at the Reagan Center (14th and a ways north of Const.) then runs along Independence Ave. Probably the closest for you would be 12th and Indy, then walk north to Constitution. Check the schedules online, as the busses from Christian Fellowship Church (CFC) don't go to the East Side of town. (Though that might not matter to you). You'll need a SmarTrip card and the fare is $7 each way. If your employer participates in SmartBenefits, they can load your commuting subsidy directly onto your SmarTrip card on the 1st of each month. When that runs out, you'll need to be sure you have additional money (your own) loaded onto the card. You can do this online (create an account at wmata.com), at any Metro station, or at the SmarTrip terminal on the bus. However, folks don't really like standing out in the cold while you load money on your card as boarding the bus.... so I opt to use the online Auto-Reload for mine.

These busses are very reliable, but they do go into special schedules before a holiday or in inclement weather (like today). You can sign up to get text alerts about changes in the schedule or late busses.

As afgm mentioned, parking at Dulles North is a challenge, unless you're an early commuter (6am) like me. If you're near one of the Ashburn Link stops, it's a total bargain -FREE. Might take a little longer to walk to the Link stop, but you can't beat the free ride - and no parking issue.