How I got to NYC for $10 from Charm City.
And I've been here a month on next to no money!
"Two Disasters remade and rebuilt by Love and Gotham"
Soon.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
I have had a few experiences with VRE before traveling from Washington, D.C. to Stafford and Fredericksburg, Va to visit family as I traveled down from NYC by bus ( Chinatown Express or MegaBus). Both prior trips were very easy as train leaves Washington from Union Station.
I am now planning trips to Washington, D.C. and to Baltimore Maryland for interviews and for pleasure.
I went to the site and found the station nearest me in Stafford, Brooke VRE Station (also Amtrak). It's about 8.6 miles away, that's 23 minutes by car, (ride share) only feasible if I leave when brother-in-laws goes to work and he would offer to drop me off at Springfield Metro Station anyway. After reviewing somewhat confusing Fred Bus Site I realized it only operates in a direction oddly opposite of connecting to other Public Transportation and only usefull for shopping along 610 corridor from about 9:20 am - 4: 20pm. I don't know who uses it, I assume house keepers, my sister who has never seen it, but did tell me about it, says otherwise. SMH, LOL. If I bike it would take about 40-52 minutes and if I were to walk 2 hours and 48 minutes. Biking is the best option. Travel to Union Station is only $9.70 one way or $89.10 for a 10 ride pack of tickets, $ 77.40 for Five Day Pass and Monthly is a brisk $268.30. It's not NJ Transit but it's available here.
I did discover on the VRE site that there is a free transfer cross honor agreement with MARC allowing VRE riders, with a valid tickets, the ability to transfer for free to reverse-flow MARC trains. Reverse-flow trains are defined as trains that are going in the opposite direction of the rush-hour commuters.Riders are permitted to board on any VRE or MARC train leaving Washington until noon and return to Washington on any VRE or MARC train returning the same day, with the same ticket.
So potentialy my only problem to solve is how to get to the VRE and once there I could with proper planning make it as far as Union Station, Baltimore, Md for only $9.70, using free Marc Transfer option.
I am now planning trips to Washington, D.C. and to Baltimore Maryland for interviews and for pleasure.
I went to the site and found the station nearest me in Stafford, Brooke VRE Station (also Amtrak). It's about 8.6 miles away, that's 23 minutes by car, (ride share) only feasible if I leave when brother-in-laws goes to work and he would offer to drop me off at Springfield Metro Station anyway. After reviewing somewhat confusing Fred Bus Site I realized it only operates in a direction oddly opposite of connecting to other Public Transportation and only usefull for shopping along 610 corridor from about 9:20 am - 4: 20pm. I don't know who uses it, I assume house keepers, my sister who has never seen it, but did tell me about it, says otherwise. SMH, LOL. If I bike it would take about 40-52 minutes and if I were to walk 2 hours and 48 minutes. Biking is the best option. Travel to Union Station is only $9.70 one way or $89.10 for a 10 ride pack of tickets, $ 77.40 for Five Day Pass and Monthly is a brisk $268.30. It's not NJ Transit but it's available here.
I did discover on the VRE site that there is a free transfer cross honor agreement with MARC allowing VRE riders, with a valid tickets, the ability to transfer for free to reverse-flow MARC trains. Reverse-flow trains are defined as trains that are going in the opposite direction of the rush-hour commuters.Riders are permitted to board on any VRE or MARC train leaving Washington until noon and return to Washington on any VRE or MARC train returning the same day, with the same ticket.
So potentialy my only problem to solve is how to get to the VRE and once there I could with proper planning make it as far as Union Station, Baltimore, Md for only $9.70, using free Marc Transfer option.
View Larger Map
Saturday, April 28, 2012
A Little About Me
First a little background about me.
I was born in Warrenton, Va in May of 1964 and lived there until summer of 1969. I then moved to a beautiful farm between Marshall and Rectortown until end of 2nd grade. Then for random bits and spans of time between 1971 until 1974 I lived also in Midland and Manassas, always bouncing back and forth to Marshall, Midleburg and Warrenton. In Autumn of 1974 I moved to Woodbridge, Va until I moved to Dale City from 1979 until Graduating from Woodbridge Senior High School in 1982 *(cars 1 and 2). I then spent the summer back in Marshall/Warrenton driving easily to Washington, D.C. for fun and to Baltimore for visits. I drove 5 days a week (again cheaply and easily) to work as a day laborer on a residential construction renovation site in Hillsboro, Va car pooling two others each day. By end of summer I had wrecked (car 1) and acquired (car 3). In the fall of 1982 I drove (car 2) to live on campus at George Mason University, while driving constantly between Fairfax, Va, Washington D.C. points all around the beltway and back and forth to Marshall/Warrenton area.
In Spring of 1984, I got my first professional job in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., I now drove constantly each day between all before mentioned points (sometimes back and forth to D.C. from Marshall or Fairfax multiple times in one day) using (car 2 ) and (car 3). I began also car pooling again to Ballston Metro connection in Arlingon, Va to commute to Georgetown. I also shortly acquired (car 4) and (car 5). By 1987 I had relocated full time to Washington D.C., and thereafter I decided to rid myself of all car ownership responsibilities and began to rely entirely on Public Transportation options. In Summer of 1989 I finally made my long planned move to New York City where I lived entirely using Public Transportation for the next 20 years. I occasionally rented a weekend get-a-way vehicle, once for 8 months I was assigned a corporate rental for work related travel ( I received high appraisals for seemingly driving some of the farthest distances for work assignments, yet reporting some of the lowest actual mileage and gas expenditures). I relocated via public transportation and a cheap day rental to Brick Church, East Orange, NJ. in 2009 after finally being overwhelmed by financial catastrophe of 2007. I visited friends and relatives from New Castle, Pa to NoVa all entirely on public transportation options. I continued working in NYC and commuting 7 days a week on NJ Transit and walking or switching to NYC subway/buses for travel around city until late summer 2011. I then finally,after over 15 years of near blissful resistance to the idea, relocated back to Va on a trial basis to take a break from NYC and sort out a new path in life for myself. I have been staying in Stafford, Va (with family) also staying (with family) in Dale City, Va and Warrenton, Va.as my needs for employment dictate ( worked briefly in East Manassas) since then.
Often,While still living in Gotham, I traveled to local beaches on Long Island and NJ coast, visits with friends in Kingston and Albany, NY; Asbury Park, NJ, New Preston, CN; Boston, Mass; New Orleans, La; Biloxi, Ms; Ocean Springs, Al; South Miami Beach, Fl; Key West Fl, San Juan, Fajardo, Ponce and Curitiba, P.R.; Montreal, Canada; London and Cardiff, UK; Paris, Rouen and Deauville, France; back home numerous times and around the country for work always using as much Public Transportation as I could ( MTA (metro, bus, LIRR and MetroNorth), NJ Transit, PATH, Amtrak, DC METRO, VRE, Hamptons Jitney, GreyHound, Peter Pan, Bolt, MegaBus, Chinatown Bus lines, Montreal Public Transport, Paris Metro, RER, London Underground, BritRail, and several others including Taxis, Gypsy Cabs, Car rentals, Zip Car, Ride Shares, Bicycling and even my favorite past time Walking.
I have maintained all my travel needs in my new temporary environment by using the following : Slug Lines from Pentagon, Arlington, Va to Woodbridge/Stafford; Shared rides with commuting single riders to Springfield Metro for any needed access to Washington, D.C. and NYC; Shared rides and PRTC Cross County Connector between Dale City, Va and East Manassas, Va; Shared rides between Stafford, Dale City, Warrenton, Fredericksburg and East Manassas, Va. and BWI Airport. I have also experienced the delight of scaring the locals by my odd habit of walking any distance, so far on occasion to get from point A to B ranging from .125 miles to my longest walk here to date 15.8 miles. I even had the joy of being offered a ride in a passing police vehicle one night when the officer spotted me merrily walking along the Prince William Parkway at 11:15 pm listening to music on my mobile and seemingly intoxicated after having two beers and pleasant conversation in East Manassas.
I remain committed to maintain as much as possible, my logical lifestyle vis-a-vis continued usage of ALL AVAILABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS at my disposal. I will maintain my sanity by posting here randomly for my relief and amusement, my experiences, thoughts, observations, frustrations, delights and glee of maintaining this portion of my past life as I prepare for a new fully sustainable future.
I will always welcome my loved ones and fellow travelers to follow this blog and to please log in and leave any comment, thoughts or suggestions you may have. Please remain civil. Please be honest. Please be prepared to back up opinions with searchable, verifiable facts. Thank You for your Time and Patience as I begin this Blog and of course, " FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS" it may be a bumpy ride.
*********************************************************************************
CAR 1
Vintage 1971 Fiat Spyder 850 Convertable, Acquired June 1980, purchase price $500
37.6 mpg (U.S.)
believe it or not I actually had the exact same yellow model pictured.
Bought against all ignored advice of my professional, expert, drag race car builder father.
*********************************************************************************
CAR 2
Vintage 1972 Pontiac Catalina Brougham , Acquired January 1982, inherited
20 mpg (U.S.)
obtained in perfect garage stored condition original everything include custom vinyl seat covers and only 14,000 miles on odometer.
Mine was a garage stored show room new shiny red
CAR 4
Vintage 1973 Chevrolet Nova , Acquired June 1984, purchase price $50
19-24 mpg (U.S.)
it was a sun damaged grey almost like picture a helping gift from company accountant
*********************************************************************************
CAR 5
1986 Yugo GV , Acquired August 1986, purchase price $4055 ( on my Amex card)
23 mpg (U.S.)
also known as the Zastava Koral, mine was indeed Red and I installed a $600 stereo system.
*********************************************************************************
I was born in Warrenton, Va in May of 1964 and lived there until summer of 1969. I then moved to a beautiful farm between Marshall and Rectortown until end of 2nd grade. Then for random bits and spans of time between 1971 until 1974 I lived also in Midland and Manassas, always bouncing back and forth to Marshall, Midleburg and Warrenton. In Autumn of 1974 I moved to Woodbridge, Va until I moved to Dale City from 1979 until Graduating from Woodbridge Senior High School in 1982 *(cars 1 and 2). I then spent the summer back in Marshall/Warrenton driving easily to Washington, D.C. for fun and to Baltimore for visits. I drove 5 days a week (again cheaply and easily) to work as a day laborer on a residential construction renovation site in Hillsboro, Va car pooling two others each day. By end of summer I had wrecked (car 1) and acquired (car 3). In the fall of 1982 I drove (car 2) to live on campus at George Mason University, while driving constantly between Fairfax, Va, Washington D.C. points all around the beltway and back and forth to Marshall/Warrenton area.
In Spring of 1984, I got my first professional job in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., I now drove constantly each day between all before mentioned points (sometimes back and forth to D.C. from Marshall or Fairfax multiple times in one day) using (car 2 ) and (car 3). I began also car pooling again to Ballston Metro connection in Arlingon, Va to commute to Georgetown. I also shortly acquired (car 4) and (car 5). By 1987 I had relocated full time to Washington D.C., and thereafter I decided to rid myself of all car ownership responsibilities and began to rely entirely on Public Transportation options. In Summer of 1989 I finally made my long planned move to New York City where I lived entirely using Public Transportation for the next 20 years. I occasionally rented a weekend get-a-way vehicle, once for 8 months I was assigned a corporate rental for work related travel ( I received high appraisals for seemingly driving some of the farthest distances for work assignments, yet reporting some of the lowest actual mileage and gas expenditures). I relocated via public transportation and a cheap day rental to Brick Church, East Orange, NJ. in 2009 after finally being overwhelmed by financial catastrophe of 2007. I visited friends and relatives from New Castle, Pa to NoVa all entirely on public transportation options. I continued working in NYC and commuting 7 days a week on NJ Transit and walking or switching to NYC subway/buses for travel around city until late summer 2011. I then finally,after over 15 years of near blissful resistance to the idea, relocated back to Va on a trial basis to take a break from NYC and sort out a new path in life for myself. I have been staying in Stafford, Va (with family) also staying (with family) in Dale City, Va and Warrenton, Va.as my needs for employment dictate ( worked briefly in East Manassas) since then.
Often,While still living in Gotham, I traveled to local beaches on Long Island and NJ coast, visits with friends in Kingston and Albany, NY; Asbury Park, NJ, New Preston, CN; Boston, Mass; New Orleans, La; Biloxi, Ms; Ocean Springs, Al; South Miami Beach, Fl; Key West Fl, San Juan, Fajardo, Ponce and Curitiba, P.R.; Montreal, Canada; London and Cardiff, UK; Paris, Rouen and Deauville, France; back home numerous times and around the country for work always using as much Public Transportation as I could ( MTA (metro, bus, LIRR and MetroNorth), NJ Transit, PATH, Amtrak, DC METRO, VRE, Hamptons Jitney, GreyHound, Peter Pan, Bolt, MegaBus, Chinatown Bus lines, Montreal Public Transport, Paris Metro, RER, London Underground, BritRail, and several others including Taxis, Gypsy Cabs, Car rentals, Zip Car, Ride Shares, Bicycling and even my favorite past time Walking.
I have maintained all my travel needs in my new temporary environment by using the following : Slug Lines from Pentagon, Arlington, Va to Woodbridge/Stafford; Shared rides with commuting single riders to Springfield Metro for any needed access to Washington, D.C. and NYC; Shared rides and PRTC Cross County Connector between Dale City, Va and East Manassas, Va; Shared rides between Stafford, Dale City, Warrenton, Fredericksburg and East Manassas, Va. and BWI Airport. I have also experienced the delight of scaring the locals by my odd habit of walking any distance, so far on occasion to get from point A to B ranging from .125 miles to my longest walk here to date 15.8 miles. I even had the joy of being offered a ride in a passing police vehicle one night when the officer spotted me merrily walking along the Prince William Parkway at 11:15 pm listening to music on my mobile and seemingly intoxicated after having two beers and pleasant conversation in East Manassas.
I remain committed to maintain as much as possible, my logical lifestyle vis-a-vis continued usage of ALL AVAILABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS at my disposal. I will maintain my sanity by posting here randomly for my relief and amusement, my experiences, thoughts, observations, frustrations, delights and glee of maintaining this portion of my past life as I prepare for a new fully sustainable future.
I will always welcome my loved ones and fellow travelers to follow this blog and to please log in and leave any comment, thoughts or suggestions you may have. Please remain civil. Please be honest. Please be prepared to back up opinions with searchable, verifiable facts. Thank You for your Time and Patience as I begin this Blog and of course, " FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS" it may be a bumpy ride.
*********************************************************************************
CAR 1
Vintage 1971 Fiat Spyder 850 Convertable, Acquired June 1980, purchase price $500
37.6 mpg (U.S.)
Bought against all ignored advice of my professional, expert, drag race car builder father.
*********************************************************************************
CAR 2
Vintage 1972 Pontiac Catalina Brougham , Acquired January 1982, inherited
20 mpg (U.S.)
Mine was a garage stored show room new shiny red
**********************************************************************************************************************************
CAR 3
Vintage 1976 Fiat 1800 Spyder Convertable , Acquired July 1983, purchase price $1800
23-29 mpg (U.S.)
mine was a sun damaged maroon that all the armor-all in town applied daily would not restore
*********************************************************************************
Vintage 1973 Chevrolet Nova , Acquired June 1984, purchase price $50
19-24 mpg (U.S.)
it was a sun damaged grey almost like picture a helping gift from company accountant
*********************************************************************************
CAR 5
1986 Yugo GV , Acquired August 1986, purchase price $4055 ( on my Amex card)
23 mpg (U.S.)
also known as the Zastava Koral, mine was indeed Red and I installed a $600 stereo system.
*********************************************************************************
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