Commuting

to & from the Fountains Condos

The Fountains is just a few traffic lights from Interstate 395, one of the major arteries of Northern Virginia and the Washington Metro area. From the Fountains, DASH buses (more below) follow I-395 to the Pentagon Metro and DC.

Interstate 395 doesn't have Metro train service but it carries a massive load of traffic none-the-less. In addition to its 8 to 10 lanes of traffic, 395 has an extra 3 lanes of HOV that switch direction depending on the hour of the day. 395 leaves DC between the Pentagon and Crystal City (both in Arlington) and on the way out to I-95 and the Beltway at Springfield, I 395 passes Shirlington, Landmark, East Falls Church and other neighborhoods. Traffic on 395 is nearly always heavy but only slows during rush hour.

Pentagon Metro

The closest metro station to the Fountains is either King St. or Pentagon Metro Station.

The Pentagon Metro Station is located at 1250 South Hayes St. Arlington, VA 22202 on the Blue and Yellow lines. First train departs at 5:02 am Huntington. The last train departs at 12:06 am Huntington. The station serves the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and the surrounding neighborhood.There is no parking at the Pentagon Metro. Trains leave exactly 3 hours later on Friday and Saturday nights.
There are 8 bike racks and 22 lockers.

Call (202) 962-1116 for rentals.

General Information call: (202) 637-7000

DASH Bus

The Fountains is well served by several bus lines which make public transportain in the West End of Alexandria a snap.

DASH (Driving Alexandrians Safely Home) buses are seen around, across and near the City of Alexandria , Virginia. The City of Alexandria wholly owns the DASH bus system and operates the system as a non-profit public service cooperation. But day to day management of the system is provided by Alexandria Transit Company.

If you're new to the area, you'll soon find out what others already know. The DASH buses are a clean, safe and effective way to get about the city. Boarding the bus is simple and easy. When the bus arrives, just step into the bus and then deposit the exact fare or use your WMATA SmarTrip card.If you have any questions about routes or transfers ask the driver and then take a seat. On some of the most popular routes or during rush hours, there might not be any available seats. In that case just move as far to the rear of the bus as possible. This makes it easier for others to board easily.

Be aware that the bus driver doesn't always stop at all bus stops! To signal to the driver that your stop is approaching, press the yellow signal strip or pull the bell cord. It's best to do this about a block from your destination so the driver has timely notice to stop at the next bus stop. When exiting the bus the rear door is easiest because others may be waiting to board through the front door.

DASH has great service because it has great employees but also because area passengers observe a few simple rules of safety and courtesy:

• There is no smoking, eating, or drinking allowed on the bus.
• Radios, I-pods and other devices may only be used if they cannot be heard by others
• There are a limited number of priority seats that are reserved for senior citizens and disable persons. You may sit in these seats, but riders are expected to volunteer that seat if the seat is needed by a senior citizen or disabled person. If the bus is full, riders are expected to volunteer seats as needed.
• All passengers keep feet off passengers' seats.

To maintain the high level of quality offered by DASH, drivers may refuse service to anyone who does not observe these rules or to anyone whose behavior is disruptive or hazardous to vehicle or passenger safety.

The manager of the DASH system, the Alexandria Transit Company (ATC), has been chosen by Metro Magazine as one of the top ten transit systems to work for in the United States. Metro Magazine identified the the top transit agency employers in the U.S. and Canada by survey employees from around the country. Alexandria Transit Company exhibit traits that are great for any employer:

• An open-door policy among managers;
• Relaxed, family atmosphere;
  
• Work-schedule flexibility;
• Strong employee recognition practices;
• Approachable senior executives;
• Opportunities for advancement;
• Lack of micro-management;
• Encouraging, supportive environment.

Metro Magazine is quoted saying, "the ability of transit systems to attract, hire, and retain top candidates to their organization hinges on their willingness and desire to become employers of choice in their communities." In the Washington area, where there is a significant amount of competition in transportation jobs, Alexandria Transit has worked hard to be that employer of choice.

General Manager Sandy Modell graciously commented on the achievement, "DASH prides itself on providing the highest level of customer service possible to its riders and its employees. If we treat our employees with respect and appreciation, they are more likely to treat our external customers with that same respect and appreciation."

Airports

Dulles Airport is about relatively close to the Fountains as the Fountians is well connected to the Beltway via I-395. But the closest airport to the Fountains is Reagan National Airport.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, formerly Washington National Airport, is on the Potomac across the river from Washington DC. Along with Baltimore Washington International and Dulles International, Reagan National is one of three major airports serving the Washington Metro area. Reagan National is easily my favorite of the three airports for a number of reasons.

Dulles and BWI are massive sprawling airports with shuttle buses and mobile lounges. Reagan National barely has enough room for the runway. I always like smaller airports. They feel like they are scaled to human beings. There is plenty of security at National, but it seems to move along more smoothly than Dulles or BWI.

Dulles and BWI are outside the Beltway at the periphery of the Washington Capitol Area. Reagan National is at the heart of everything, wedged at the confluence of DC, Alexandria and Arlington. For me, it's a long drive just to get to BWI or Dulles, but Reagan National is here, and it's accessible by Metro. Reagan National is a station on both the Yellow and Blue lines.

Extended parking is available at Dulles or BWI, but on the shuttle bus, the ride from the parking lot to the terminal seems like a mile or more. At Reagan National, extended parking is at my house. Because instead of taking a shuttle, I can take the Metro to the airport.

The runway is a short at Reagan National and it launches planes up over GW Parkway and at the Washington Monument, requiring a steep climb and a hard left on take off. Some folks find this terrifying, but I have to admit I love it. I know it's a safe path, because planes take off here day and night, so I sit back and enjoy the abrupt take-off and turn.

Reagan National is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, although many ticket counters and restaurants in the airport close during off-hours. Reagan National is located within the Commonwealth of Virginia, but it has a Washington DC address to identify the airport's location more easily for travelers.

The Perimeter Rule and the High Density Rule affect flights at Reagan National. Under the Perimeter Rule, nonstop aircraft flights are limited to a range of 1,250 miles or less. In 2000, Congress permitted the FAA to allow six round-trip flights to points outside the perimeter. The High Density Rule (or "Slot" rule) limits the number of landings or takeoffs allowed in an hour. The rule affects Reagan National because of the Airport's limited airfield capacity.

Reagan National is located in Arlington County near/in Crystal City. It is most easily accessed from the George Washington Parkway. There are a good many condos and homes in the Crystal City area and they're all just a metro stop away from Reagan National. The take-off and approach to Reagan National is down the Potomac, so that area residents get very little noise or fly-over from the jets at Reagan National.

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