I know that's a serious declaration.
The Silver Line opened July 26, 2014. I rode it to work on the first Monday it ran as part of my multi-modal commute. I biked 5 miles to EFC and then caught the Silver Line and took it 4 stops to the Spring Hill Station then walked to my office. This commute should never take me more than an hour, and if all goes smoothly maybe about 45 minutes. It will provide an hour of exercise anytime I do this. If/when I want to ride longer, I can try to reach the stops further out.
As I was waiting for the metro (one train had just left the station as I came up the escalator), I read the free daily express which had SV in bold letters on the cover page announcing the new Silver Line. I read that during rush hour, the trains would run every 6 minutes (reality that a.m.: 12 minutes). Also, my 4-stop commute was to take 8 minutes (reality that a.m.: 13 minutes). Ok, ok...it was the first weekday morning rush. By the evening commute I saw the board displaying a SV line train every 6 minutes. My largest complaint is the cost: $3.55 one way.
The view from the train is nice. You ride over 66, Chain Bridge Rd, and along Route 7. The tracks are a couple stories above traffic. The pedestrian bridge over Rt. 7 is wonderful.
I really wanted to take a picture from the station as a memento of my first trip on the SV but I didn't want any questions from the law enforcement which was heavily present that day.
So instead, here's a link to a YouTube video of the ride from Ballston to Wiehle in time lapse.
