The DC Metro faces budget problems. But what can a high schooler contribute to the conversation around public transportation funding models? Turns out, by using the system just like we would anyway, and talking to other riders to get some more perspectives, we can learn more about what makes the Metro so special and what can be done to support it.

In this episode, my friends and I attempt a “transit speedrun”: trying to travel the whole system in less than 8 hours, 4 minutes, and 12 seconds.

Speedruns have become a popular way for transit enthusiasts (especially young people) to explore, celebrate, and bring attention to their city’s transit system. So in keeping with this tradition, I wanted to use the opportunity to explore a deeply important topic from the perspectives of three teenagers and a bunch of everyday riders.

Accompanying article on Greater Greater Washington: https://ggwash.org/view/96357/we-visited-every-metro-station-in-a-day-and-heard-from-riders-along-the-way

Our route: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18hRoHU_RxdomC1IKdpAiRpfdR0hkyCbVKb1fib8kMm4/edit?usp=sharing

Alex’s live tweets: https://twitter.com/dctranspotwt/status/1778020078895648928

Music was provided by Blue Dot Sessions:

Kid Kodi by Blue Dot Sessions

Thoughtless by Blue Dot Sessions

Other sources:

https://novatransit.org/valueoftransit/

https://dmvmoves.org/dmvmoves-events/taskforce-june10/

https://ggwash.org/view/90776/we-set-the-record-for-visiting-all-98-metro-stations-heres-what-we-learned

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2023/12/29/metro-race-speed-run-guinness/

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/new-metro-station-wmata-speed-run-record/65-30cefd4c-bccf-4763-af79-9d8c7b06aa34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SziHV_jUodg

https://www.washingtonian.com/2023/09/08/wow-a-new-record-for-visiting-every-metro-station-80412/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/09/29/metro-public-transit-deficit-washington/

https://ggwash.org/collections/wmatas-fiscal-cliff

https://transitcenter.org/how-will-wmata-avoid-crisis-and-cover-costs-for-the-next-couple-years/

https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2024/02/dc-offers-metro-millions-to-help-avoid-dramatic-service-cuts/

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/metro-fare-hikes-on-the-way-wmata-faces-750m-budget-shortfall-washington-dc

https://www.wusa9.com/article/traffic/mission-metro/dc-offers-wmata-more-funding-200-million/65-ad9ee226-7029-4a8b-81f0-a3ce93aee03f

https://enotrans.org/article/wmata-reveals-plans-for-fiscal-cliff-doomsday-budget-one-year-from-now/

https://wmata.com/about/board/meetings/board-pdfs/upload/3A-Future-Financial-Planning-0621.pdf

https://dcist.com/story/24/02/02/dc-metro-deficit-proposed-funding-prevent-cuts/

https://wmata.com/about/news/Metro-Board-approves-budget-that-maintains-service-thanks-to-additional-investments-from-DC-Maryland-and-Virginia.cfm

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/metros-4-8b-budget-includes-fare-hikes-avoids-drastic-cuts/3601940/

https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/FY2025-Proposed-Budget-FINAL.pdf

https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/

(Among others)