RSS FeedOne Cool Metro Conductor
Metro has one cool cat driving those trains. I don’t know his name nor his face but I know his voice. You know the guy. He’s the one with the silky smooth vocal chords you can understand. They’re so clear you think you’re listening to FM radio. Some of the conductors sound bored or rushed or clueless. Not this guy. He’s into it and he’s definitely in control of his wheels. He tells jokes and that makes riders smile. This guy is the Billy Dee Williams, the Barry White and the Donnie Simpson (long time Washington DC DJ) of the rails…the voice that causes clothes to come off women spontaneously (maybe men too).
One day before a federal holiday, my morning commute went like this…
L’Enfant Plaza: “I hope you all get a half day off today. Spread out on the train and enjoy the ride.”
Smithsonian: “Take care now. Have a good day!”
Federal Triangle: “Alright…you all are next.”
Metro Center: “Come on in now…come on…come on.”
McPherson Square: “Doors on the right. Time to get to work.”
Farragut West: “Farragut North next stop…no, it’s Farragut West. Did I get ‘tcha now?”
That was two months ago but he drove the train yesterday morning and I recognized him instantly. Put a smile on my face at 7:30 am. Have you ever ridden on this cool conductor’s train?
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Comments
I never heard him, but someone I know talked about a driver who would rhyme, like “Rise and go forth, Farrugut North”.
My favorite train operators are the ones that would call out certain people. One time, a guy with a Yankees cap tried holding the doors open for a friend and the operator said, “Attention Yankees fan: if you try and hold the doors open you will put this train out of service, and the rest of the passengers will have another reason to be mad at you.” Good times.
This driver is such a nice treat, especially compared to most of the operators who quietly mumble announcements that are nearly impossible to understand.
Having recently moved to PQ from Capitol Hill, I walk to work now. But I miss my commute! I used to have this driver about once every two weeks (and another who was quite cheerful, although not as smooth). Made everyone on the train smile!!
# 3 Yes the volume has increased on the billboards. I work from home and I hear it all day long and it’s very difficult to sleep. Even with both a sound machine and fan going I hear the commericals above it. Using the metro entrance at Chinatown 7th & H the noise is horrible. The principals at Western Development and their partner Akridge are are greedy and obnoxious.
Must be the same guy who told Yellow line passengers the other day that the doors were closing, “so step lively!”
On a related note, would somebody please teach the Red line drivers how to pronounce Judiciary?
At the Crystal City stop, there is a station operator about two times a week that does play-by-play of the trains as they are coming and going. “This next one is blue line to Largo, Yellow riders relax.” and “Five minutes until the next Yellow, take your time.” and my favorite “We’ve got two trains coming into the station, wake up and get on with your day.”
I’ve had this guy on mornign and evening commutes. Really wakes you up and makes you smile. Keeps you aware that there are people running the show, real people!
perhaps someone could nominate him as News 4’s “Morning Person”
i always like when folks get recognized for that kind of stuff!!
http://www.nbc4.com/community/5143295/detail.html
I just moved to DC from New York. I caught him about three weeks ago and he reminded me of an excellent conductor on the Number 1 train. I love conductors like him, they make the day so much easier to bear (especially at 6:00 AM).
Had a very informative driver on the Yellow btw Archives and Pent. City Saturday – both directions. She articulated the name of every stop carefully, gave clear information about when the next trains on other lines were due and on which levels, and gave the current time at every stop. Fabulous.
pqresident ,
I would like to get more information about the exact times you ride with this Operator and the exact location your board and exit. We at Metro would like to identify the Operator and commend him on his announcements.
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I know exactly who you mean, and I LOVE this guy. My other favorite metro driver is “cheerful man” — he has this voice that’s hard to describe, but almost gleeful and very sunshine-y. If your driver is Mr. Night Time FM Radio, this guy is Mr. AM Radio. Both are awesome.