Sluglines Eyed As Alternative During Metro Shutdown

Editor's note: Below is information from sluglines.com, which is separate from the slug-lines.com operation in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD, VA—Sluglines, a website and mobile app that lets users organize carpools around the DC region, will have new weekday pickup locations during the summer shutdown of six Yellow and Blue line Metro stations. The routes would run May 25 through Sept. 8 when the Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn Street, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield stations are closed.

"Slugging" allows participants to meet the two or three person requirement to use HOV lanes. The service is dependent on volunteers to drive and ride, and no money is exchanged. Sluglines has numerous pickup locations along the Interstate 395 and 95 corridor, as well as the Interstate 66 corridor.

According to Sluglines, morning pickup locations are in the works at the Franconia-Springfield Metro, Van Dorn Street Metro and Landmark Mall. Afternoon pickup spots would include L’Enfant Plaza (801 D St SW, Washington, DC), 14th and Madison Avenue (1400 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC) and 19th and F Street (514 19th Street NW, Washington, DC).

The ideal morning pickup times for these routes would be between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., while the afternoon pickups would happen between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

For those using the Landmark Mall pickup spot, a commuter parking permit will be required. Sluglines will have permits at the Landmark Mall parking garage on May 28 to 31 from 7 am.-8 a.m. There is an assigned park & ride section in the parking garage.

Participants use the Sluglines mobile app or Facebook group to set up rides.