{insert metro line} to hell

It's a cold world, particularly when you rely on Washington, DC's public transit system.

It seems that something so flawed, so widely known for its mishaps, failure to comply with regulations, and reputation for being EVERYTHING BUT reliable would be an easy candidate for reform and accountability. However...it's not. WMATA seems to be above any kind of regulatory system. It's like the mafia of public transportation.

Where do we start?

I've been verbally assaulted by next bus agents...presumably for calling and interrupting their convo; hit on even during pregnancy, by metro employees "can I help you with the next one?"; assaulted by a passenger; and continuously robbed by constant fare hikes. I, currently, live 5 stops from work. It takes me 30 minutes and costs nearly $4 in the mornings. The equivalent of when I lived 13 stops from work.

I find myself often taking time to assist other passengers with farecard and smartrip machines. Once, a station manager came to praise me on my "excellent job" after he sat in the booth and watched the entire thing. Why is this ok? Where else is it ok to make customers assist each other while you take no interest in fulfilling your duties?

On another occasion, a station manger denied my mentally challenged daughter use of the rest room at Fort Totten. She watched as she danced and hopped indicating that she really had to go only to be disgusted when my daughter urinated where she stood. Disgusted vs humiliated...and wet?

Every day I read horror stories on twitter by following the hashtag WMATA...it's CRAZY! The spectrum of crazy is remarkable.

When I started this entry, I was awaiting a response from WMATA regarding my son's lost phone...that he left on an offloaded train seat...that had a walk through...before leaving the station...TWO WEEKS ago.

When I returned to this post, I'd been pushed (forcefully and maliciously) by a full grown man on my commute home. I live in Rockville.

What is it going to take? A "no ride" day? If so...I'm game!