Freshman Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez offered some measured praise for the DC Metro Sunday night:
If you think DC is about to let a famous person’s gaze go to waste, you are obviously not from around here. How you responded to this may depend on your experiences, your location, or your white-hot anger toward our troubled mass-transit agency.
1) White-hot anger at our troubled mass-transit agency
great at sucking https://t.co/IEU3dZFEDU
— Unsuck DC Metro (@unsuckdcmetro) April 8, 2019
There’s a small chance AOC’s mild endorsement could put a spring in the step of any WMATA employees. Longtime transit critic Unsuck DC Metro piped up to remind them that many people here are not so forgiving.
2) “You don’t experience it the way we do”
You can tell she doesn't depend on it to get to work every day. She's like every other politician. She rides it occasionally, outside of rush hour, and thinks it's wonderful. #WMATA
Seriously, look how empty that escalator is. https://t.co/xp1YeMr1AF
— Neil Stevens (@presjpolk) April 8, 2019
For anyone familiar with what it’s like to actually rely on Metro, AOC’s statement feels like something a tourist would say: Gee, this sure beats the Blatnik Bridge backups.
3) You already aren’t an AOC fan
This might be the most disqualifying thing she's ever said
— Mike Morrison (@MikeKMorrison) April 8, 2019
Self-explanatory.
4) New York must really have a bad subway.
MTA must really suck.
— Robby (@1happybirdy) April 8, 2019
Try praising a bagel around here.
Ocasio-Cortez walked it back an hour later, detailing some of the ways the MTA beats WMATA.
A local replied with—what else—some details she may have overlooked:
Hi @AOC, two corrections:
1. A monthly unlimited pass called SelectPass is available here: https://t.co/OTp8Zlzyb0
2. The distance between stops on Metro, particularly in the outlying areas, is similar to NYC express service. Local service is mostly provided by bus.— Kevin ? Combes (@slashkevin) April 8, 2019
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
