Sandy-- since I work in transportation I am at the forefront of getting some of this info-- although I am not in the planning loop, someone on my staff is.
Here's the release that went out yesterday.
Obviously you may need to be traveling outside the normal hours.
Although not ideal -- as a last resort I can probably offer up my office to you. I'm o North Fairfax Drive in Arlington-- 1 block from the Ballston Metro -- I have a proper office with a door that locks and there's a Gym downstairs with showers.
I've even got a small space heater and there are plenty of food options.
You could bring a sleeping bag.
Not ideal but an option that gets you close.
I could check with Andy's co-workers at the Washington Post who live downtown and see if they might be willing to help a sister out. No guarantees though.
Here's the info for buses...
N E W S R E L E A S E
For Immediate Release
January 8, 2009
Metro announces special Inauguration Metrobus service Passengers can buy $5 one-day bus pass on Inauguration Day
Metro is running 23 special rapid bus corridors to carry thousands of people heading to the National Mall on Inauguration Day.
Metro plans to extend its rush-hour bus service from 4 a.m. until 9 p.m. via the 23 “Presidential” corridors on January 20. The buses are planned to arrive at regularly marked stops every 10 minutes or less along 23 bus routes throughout the day to and from the National Mall.
Metro planners say 22 regular bus routes are being detoured by the Inauguration due to street closures and to accommodate incoming crowds.
Metro bus riders also can take a special cross town connector bus shuttle, from North Capitol Street to Washington Circle that will get them around the Inauguration events January 20.
“Taking Metrobus is a good option for people who are located beyond a two-to- three mile walking distance to the National Mall, because they may not be able to get on a crowded Metro train in or just outside the District of Columbia,” said John Catoe, Metro General Manager.
Metrobuses will be able to cross bridges closed to other traffic, will be permitted on roads closed to automobiles and will run bus-only through Georgetown from Wisconsin Avenue to Washington Circle bypassing regular traffic.
Metro also is selling a special one-day Inauguration bus pass only on January 20. Bus passengers can purchase the $5 pass when they board a bus and receive the pass from operators, good for riding all day. Metro riders can still pay the full $1.35 cash one-way fare or pay $1.25 with a SmarTrip card.
“The passes will speed boarding after inaugural events. All passengers have to do is show the pass to the bus driver to get on board,” Catoe said.
Metro is running a special shuttle service from RFK Stadium to L’Enfant Plaza. The District of Columbia will reimburse Metro to shuttle charter bus passengers for free to and from the stadium.
The transit agency also is adding bus service to and from the Baltimore Washington and Dulles International Airports.
Inauguration bus and rail service and a walking map are detailed in a free commemorative guide available this week in Metro stations and online at:
http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/met ... ng_map.pdf.
The maps will be available in buses and additional personnel will be stationed at busy bus stops to assist riders. Metro riders also can find information about regular Metrobus routes that may detoured during Inauguration weekend at
http://www.wmata.com/bus/. Metro also has a listing of planned bus detours at
http://www.wmata.com/bus/metrobus_detours_new.cfm.
“We encourage people who want to take the bus to use the commemorative guide, regular bus route information and to sign up for e-alerts about service delays on our Web site,” said Catoe.
Metro also offers special e-alerts, dedicated to the Inauguration.
People can sign up at
http://www.wmata.com/inauguration. E-alerts will be issued when Metro has news relating to service throughout Inauguration weekend.