Continued awful trips on HOV

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Originally posted by cdatkins
...if this keeps up, we need to organize slugging to the Springfield Metro (at least from the Woodbridge area) because I would rather be moving on the Metro than stuck in the HOV.

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Great idea! Some days I need to park at F-S and take the Metro, either because I will be staying quite late at the office or because I have a class to get to. The OmniRide buses between W'bridge and F-S Metro are okay, but the schedule is slow-w-w-w, and the buses fill up quickly. So I end up jumping into the mass of HOV traffic at 5:20 or so just to get to the Metro before HOV restrictions start and then have a very long day. I would LOVE to sleep a little longer and take slugs with me to the Metro.

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Originally posted by KCWolfPck
[br]Well....if everyone is so certain it is the hybrids, then explain why the traffic in the regular lanes isn't getting better. I would think that with 'ALL THE MASSES OF PEOPLE CHANGING OVER TO HYBRIDS' that the result would be better traffic in the regular lanes.

It looks to me that theregular lanes are getting worse as well. So unless people are driving their regular vehicles and their hybrids at the same time....that theory is out the window.

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Do you think only those that ride in the regular lanes are buying Hybrids? No, it's those that use to wait 20-30 minutes to pick up slugs in the morning/afternoon. It's the riders that want the freedom to leave work now if there's an emergency at home...so the theory that Hybrids are congesting the HOV lanes is not out the window. In fact, a number of times I have taken the HOV lanes up to Springfield and gotten off into the regular lanes knowing I'll move faster than the HOV lanes once past Springfield. The riders in my car always thank me for not having to sit in the congestion.

This morning was another nightmare. At one point, we were stuck in the right lane behind cars getting off at the Pentagon. We looked over and were passed by 4 Hybrids in a row, followed by one 3-person car and then 2 more Hybrids. We pulled over into the left lane and proceeded to pass 5 Hybrids within the line of approximately 15 cars waiting to exit at the Pentagon. That's 11 in a small space in a small snapshot of time. [:0]

No Hybrids are not the whole problem as someone pointed out. They are part of the problem. But I don't believe that you ignore something that can be fixed just because it's only part of the problem. I have begun contacting my representatives in Richmond -- I figure I've complained long enough and there's no point in that if I'm not willing to take action. [:)] And I am raising other issues that affect the lanes - other single driver exemptions, continued unchecked growth, the need to perhaps look at increasing the hours for HOV. If you have opinions on what is causing the problems and how they might be solved, please let your voice be heard as well.

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Originally posted by Connie
[br]This morning was another nightmare. At one point, we were stuck in the right lane behind cars getting off at the Pentagon. We looked over and were passed by 4 Hybrids in a row, followed by one 3-person car and then 2 more Hybrids. We pulled over into the left lane and proceeded to pass 5 Hybrids within the line of approximately 15 cars waiting to exit at the Pentagon. That's 11 in a small space in a small snapshot of time. [:0]

No Hybrids are not the whole problem as someone pointed out. They are part of the problem. But I don't believe that you ignore something that can be fixed just because it's only part of the problem. I have begun contacting my representatives in Richmond -- I figure I've complained long enough and there's no point in that if I'm not willing to take action. [:)] And I am raising other issues that affect the lanes - other single driver exemptions, continued unchecked growth, the need to perhaps look at increasing the hours for HOV. If you have opinions on what is causing the problems and how they might be solved, please let your voice be heard as well.

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Could you let those that would also like to take some action, rather than just complain, know who you're contacting in Richmond (name/#/email)? Much appreciated!

Maybe the surge in traffic has to do with daylight savings time? Could it be people are leaving for work later? I noticed in the afternoon ride home, there are many, many cheaters at 5:30 since it's been getting darker sooner and the cops are out of pocket.