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Commuters change some habits
A poky economy and rising fuel prices are the focus of just about every news broadcast, political speech and even advertisement these days.
After all that attention, are things really changing on the ground for Fairfax County's commuters? The answer seems to be – sort of.
Vienna resident Paul Chase works in Chantilly. Three times a week, he combines bus travel with his bicycle to get to work. Chase says leaving the car at home helps him save a lot of money.
“The bus costs two bucks,” said Chase, a good deal even if he has to get up a little earlier to ride his bike to the Metro station to catch it.
Walking out of the Vienna Metro station the same afternoon as Chase was Reggie Smith, who took the Orange Line back and forth from the consulting work he was doing in D.C. For Smith, this happens rarely and isn't about conservation or economy; it's convenience.
“I drive about 90 percent of the time,” Smith said. Asked if that meant he felt burdened by rising gas prices, Smith replied quickly.
“Nope, but I'm well-paid,” he said.
Of the commuters leaving the Vienna Metro station that evening, most were like Chase or Smith. Either they hadn't changed their commuting habits at all, or had only partially changed them.
Mike Goodis, a federal employee, now takes the train into the city but drives to the Metro station and parks there. Biking isn't an option for him. “I have to wear business attire,” he explained.
Colleen Zhang has always carpooled to work. Rising gas prices haven't changed that, but now she splits fuel costs with her friend.
“Before she didn't ask me to, but now I don't feel right if I don't help her pay,” Zhang said.
There is plenty of evidence that change is occurring, including the fact that eight of Metro's top 10 ridership days have been in the past three months, five just this June. Most of those high-ridership days are associated with sports games or other events in D.C. On the day-to-day level, change seems to be slower.
The higher cost of fuel affects everyone in this region, but, like Zhang and Smith, many simply choose to pay the price and continue to travel the way they always have.
The smart car, a small, fuel-efficient gasoline-powered car, has along with the hybrid become a trendy symbol of environmental consciousness and a way to adapt to rising fuel costs.
Sales of the smart car at Tysons Corner's HBC smart center have been high, especially in recent months. However, even that is not a clear indication that local transportation habits are changing. T.J. Stahl, brand manager at HBL smart center, says buyers choose the smart car for its style as much as its efficiency.
“It's a head-turner. You go to the gas station and people always ask you about your car. The gas is a selling point, but so is the style,” Stahl said.
At, the opposite end of the vehicle size spectrum is Moore Hummer in Chantilly, which has anticipated a rough summer.
“We braced ourselves for a drop in May, in the form of the fuel costs,” Sales Manager Anthony Cancel said.
That sales drop came, but sales at Moore Hummer are up for the month of June, while gas prices have also climbed. “We sell Hummers, and people who come here know what they're getting into,” Cancel said.
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority President Gerry Gordon has said this area's dependence on federal contracting may serve to insulate it somewhat from the negative effects of economic slowdown, which may explain why greater changes in commuting habits haven't been seen yet.
Email the reporter at mtayloe@timespapers.com
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