Apologies for the non-hobby question, but this crowd seems like it might be savvy enough to answer my questions.

I have traveled to DC during weekday business hours and have felt completely safe riding the metro. I don't have occasion to visit DC on weekends.

I am attending a wedding in the Capital South area (Blue/Orange line) and was wondering about the type of people riding the Orange line from New Carrollton at 5:00PM on a Saturday evening (and a return trip at 11-12 at night). Would I and a civvie date feel unsafe riding? Are there alternatives? There don't seem to be a ton of parking options near the church and reception hall.

Any help from the DC metro veterans out there would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

You would probably be all dressed up.

I would rather drive. I don't know your exact location but I figure parking on a Saturday evening shouldn't be bad.

I live in the area and street parking usually isn't too bad on weekends.

I live out that way and you will alright in both directions. My Significant Other rides it every day. Park in the well light parking garage and all should be well. You will find on the 5pm trip into town that the train will be almost empty as every one is coming the other direction. Late at night You may have some young people on your train, but should not be a problem. Make sure you know when the last train departs downtown by asking the guy in the booth before you leave new carlton. My neighbor is a DC transit cop and I have heard all the stories. You will be fine. Just don't give anyone the evil eye or talk down to the other passengers. Don't flash a bunch of expensive jewelry at anyone anyway. There are cameras and police at each station. There are emergency buttons and intercoms on each car. Look for them but dont be obvious.

Apart from a 30 minute plus ride each way, you are perfectly OK.  DC Metro is not the NYC subway.  It is very safe.  You will be surrounded on both trips by suburbanites coming downtown for a Saturday evening.

Nothing to worry over .... I have been riding the Metro regularly for the past 15 years and know what I am talking about!

I find the weekend trains fairly packed because they don't run as often, don't see safety as a major problem. However you could have to wait some time especially late and you have to be sure not to miss the last train if the event runs late. I don't think parking is so bad near the Capitol, so would consider that as well.

I agree....I use the Metro all the time and have never had an issue....I've passed out on the Metro and never had a problem....just say away from the areas you shouldnt be in and you will be fine....

I agree 100%, I've been using the Metro for the past 6 years and have never had any problems feeling unsafe. I've felt extreme feelings of anger due to the sheer amount of station problems during the summer, but you get over it.

If you are leaving around midnight on a Saturday night, you are well ahead of the last train. If anything look around as you leave to make sure they don't close one of the exits at 10. That tends to be a PITA when you come back expecting to go down to the train only to find out you have to circle around a few blocks to the other entrance.

You asked a question about safety so it was addressed.

I love to ride the Metro; I take the Red line. However in your situation, I'm not sure it's a good idea.

I imagine you guys would be all dressed up. Late evenings, the trains run sparsely. You might have to wait 15-20 minutes for a standing room only train. I don't know if your date has any input; I hope she does.

If I were you I would drive and, if necessary, plan ahead to find parking. And remember, don't drink.

Good lord, you realize how many people ride the Metro daily - close to 720k riders on average  ride the Metro. How often do you read about someone getting mugged or anything worse at any Metro station compared to the sheer volume of riders? I've left black tie events at the Willard before around 2am to catch a train back to Dunn Loring and felt more uneasy about wearing a bow tie while standing on the platform after walking up 14th to McPherson Square. I've had to stand on the platform at the Anacostia station in a suit around midnight before after missing my shuttle from the naval station and didn't feel I was unsafe...sure I might have not blended in with the crowd but I guess I should have been eh? Parking in the Capital South area is largely subject to zone permits, so if you must drive know that you might be walking a great distance - probably much safer than walking to and from the Metro in what will most likely be groups of other people or at the least a short cab ride.

Fear mongering is a dangerous thing, and I urge you to tread lightly.

Do as you wish OP, just know that our Metro system here in DC is one of the safest and cleanest in the US - yes I've been on others (Boston, NYC, Chicago and LA) and with the except of the Metro in LA (no one rides it) the rest are dirty and leave you feeling uneasy.

Having rode all the aforemention subways I'm compelled to say that the only mass transit I've been challenged by a local thug on has been the DC metro. Keep in mind that I was dressed as a middle class white man and I'm 6'3" and 240 lbs. I've stepped over a gang fight on a platform north of Central Park, without hesitation, with an extremely hot woman in tow; but it was below DC that I felt on the defense. Having said that, I would take the ride you're talking about in a heartbeat,but that's me, and my point is you can't predict your future. If you're that concerned...pay to park.

Don't worry about it.

I did not address the issue of safety.

There was no fear mongering. KariFanClub's post elicits more fear than mine.

People ride the train late at night all the time.  Especially on weekends.  There are so many people who party downtown then go to their cars by train.  The stations are well lit, police are quite present and the people in general are friendly.  

You should be fine, even if you have to wait a few minutes for the train.  

Have fun at your function.

Go to Dupon Circle for a nice evening walk

and if you see a $100 bill on the ground, make sure you bend over picking it up 'without' bending your knees!. It is a DC tradition

Your fucking kidding right? If you are so dainty that you are asking this question as a damn adult do yourself a favor and take a cab. However do you walk out your door everyday? I'm sorry to jump on you like this but come on. Not to mention when youre on a date taking a car gets you more closer and is more personal which is the least you can do for dragging your date to a wedding in the first place.


-- Modified on 8/3/2010 9:42:34 AM

That's what I've been trying to say.

If you take a date, more likely all dressed up, to a wedding, you should drive, or take a cab, or  even better, rent a limo.

You do hope to see this person again right.  There should be parking for the wedding both at the church and the reception its the only civil thing to do. Gt there early enough for parking. Call the bride or groom about parking. You aren't the only fool with questions.

You date is going to be dressed in a dress and heels.  Stopping being a cheap little girl and drive.  You drop her off at the door for the church and then park.  You go get the car for her after the wedding and pick her up.  You drop her off at the door for the reception and pick her up out front when it ends. Its called being a gentleman.  Suggest you try walking in heels to the Metro and a wedding appropriate dress.
Any poster who told you this was a good idea hasn't had a civvie date this century,

If need be you get yourself up early on Sat and scope out the parking options.

She is doing you a favor by going to this wedding.  Drive. Do not get drunk and behave like a gentleman and you may get rewarded at the end of night.

Do not take Metro. End of discussion. IF you take Metro she will tell all her friends what a putz you are.

I have been using the metro since it opened and it is mostly safe. However don't be on the green line late at night at go the wrong way as I did once and ended up in S.E. Fortunately another train was coming as I got off and I jumped on it without hast

You and your date could wind up in the middle of something like this...

3 Charged, 4 to Hospital, in 70-Person Brawl at L'Enfant Metro

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0810/761827.html

The Metro is very safe...during the day.  Late at night, on certain lines, it can be iffy...and ALL of the Metro stations that reside in PG county or that side of DC can be deemed iffy...not in terms of being the victim of an actual crime, but if you happen to come across some bored teenagers, they might try to intimidate you and/or scare you and your date.  That's what some kids of a certain demographic/socio-economic background try to do to white people...it's considered "fun".  (and I'm speaking as a 37 year old black male, who grew up in Newark, NJ)

Now sure there are those who'd say, "well if you just project confidence and don't let them smell fear they'll leave you alone"...LOL...but who really wants to have to do all that...and if you were that type of person, you wouldn't have asked the question in the first place...

When you factor in the 30 minutes between trains, driving is really the ONLY option...and there will surely be street parking near where you are...