The real Silver Line payoff for most of us in DC will be the rail link to Dulles Airport. As part of Phase 2, it won't be operational until 2018-2019. But, with the opening of Phase 1 of the Metrorail project last Saturday, we did get a major upgrade regarding transit access to Northern Virginia.
So, how long does it actually take? Since it was Saturday I took a bus to the closest Silver Line station, McPherson Sq vs walking to Columbia Heights Station and transferring at L'Enfant Plaza.
12:09 PM - Board S4 bus towards downtown DC at the corner of 16th and Irving NW.
12:26 PM - Hop off of bus, walk to McPherson Square Metrorail station.
12:38 PM - Board Silver Line train to Wiehle-Reston East
1:15 PM - Train arrives at Wiehle-Reston East Station
Total trip time from Mount Pleasant to Wiehle-Reston East = 1 hour 6 minutes
Total cost = $4.85 using SmarTrip
At this point I disembarked, roamed around the station, talked up some Metro employees, pondered the new Metrorail map, wondered why there wasn't a stop at Wolf Trap, took more photos, ET CETERA; transit junkie stuff. I took the next train three stops to the Tysons Corner Station where I joined almost everyone else getting off in walking to Tysons Corner Center. I had lunch there and picked up a much needed new pair of shoes. But, I digress. Headed back towards the city...
2:57 PM - Board Largo bound Silver Line train at Tysons Corner station.
3:24 PM - Disembark train at McPherson Square station and transfer to S4 bus.
3:47 PM - S4 bus arrives at 16th and Irving NW.
Total trip time from Tysons Corner station to Mount Pleasant = 50 minutes
Total cost = $4.85 using SmarTrip
Not sure how often I'll be taking a trip of this nature. However, there are now two new options for getting to Dulles Airport. This could entice me to fly out of IAD more often:
1) Washington Flyer Bus: Departs from Wiehle Station every 15-20 minutes during the weekday. It costs $5 and will get you to the airport in about 10 minutes.
2) 981/983 Fairfax Connector Bus: Departs from Wiehle Station every 20 minutes during the weekday (PDF). This bus makes intermediate stops with a travel time of 30 minutes to the airport. It costs $1.75.
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| Waiting for Silver Line train at McPherson Sq station. |
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| End of the line: Wiehle-Reston East station. |
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| Shiny new fair gates at Wiehle station. |
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| Pedestrian walkway over Route 7 towards Tysons Corner Center mall. |
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| The awkward pedestrian path to the mall. This experience will be improved soon. |
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| New hotel and office towers next to Silver Line station. |
