The trip to DC definitely is a nice change of scenery – despite there wasn’t really any scenery involved because of the crazy storm and the schedules of my conference. I didn’t really have a chance to see DC. I spent most of the time in the hotel. I did manage to take the Metro, which I of course can’t help but to compare it with the NYC subway. It is hands down that DC has better subway stations. They are spacious and clean; architecture-wise it has a very 1970s space exploration age monument style; There are displays to show arrival time of the next train and lights on the floor light up when train approaching. New York’s subway stations has none of those with the exception of L line that finally has train arrival time displays. However when comparing the train car itself – NY might actually be better than the ones in DC because of the newer car fleet they have on the 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, L lines! The interior of the trains in DC looks like they come out straight from the 70s. The colors are orange and brown, the light are a bit yellow. Don’t get me wrong, it’s actually very clean! but when I got on the train with a setting like that, I can almost imagine everyone having a 70s Fro on their head! In addition, DC metro has much fewer stations in comparison, but they do spread out all the way into the suburbs.

Another thing I can compare is their commuters’ train station. It’s Union Station vs. Penn Station/Grand Central. If we are only comparing the current sorry state of Penn Station – every New Yorker would be covering their faces in shame. Luckily we have Grand Central to fight this match. Union Station in DC is a grand structure with open space and air. However, their lobby is no match to the gigantic and artistic concourse of Grand Central. Union Station, however, do handle more traffic since there’s trains coming from every corner on the East coast, while Grand Central only handles trains from upstate and Conn. It isn’t a fair comparison since i leave out Penn Station and that is the actual main commuters’ train station of NY, but that station is hopelessly horrible that I don’t even want to talk about it. Hopefully once Penn Station expands to the post office across the street, the current sorry state of the station will be corrected.

Related posts:

1. Subway there and subway here
2. Even newer subway car on the L
3. Train location display
4. New Subway Trains
5. Queens Plaza become a park?

Tagged: Subways