While I use the Camden line, I do have some advice for some of the questions-

Tickets- If you're going down 5 days a week, 4 weeks a month get a monthly pass. While its an initial $160-$190, its cheaper than the $6-9 each way. If you are not going down every week/day- calculate the costs of each trip compared with the costs of a monthly or weekly to determine which is easiest.
- Whatever you do, purchase your tickets from the electronic ticket machine before you ride, they charge $3 a ticket on the train. Mondays tend to the busiest days to do this, on days you have to purchase a ticket, show up 10-15 minutes before the train, just to guarantee you get the ticket before the train comes.

Delays- I have ridden the MARC for awhile now and am rarely delayed in the morning. There are occasional delays, especially after the red-line crash, but for the most part they have been few and far between. The evening on the other hand is rarely on time. This summer it has run between 5-20 minutes behind fairly often. If you are not too worried about what time you get home, it shouldn't be a problem, but it is an inconvenience.

Red Line- The accident this summer was the first accident n several years for the red line. However, the metro is often delayed. You wait a lot longer for a train than you used to. Other than that though it is an easy commute if you are just using the red line. The trains let you off right next to an escalator to the red line, so all you have to do is figure out which side of the track to get on and you'll be fine!

Good luck!

I won't comment on MARC because I only make that commute once or twice a month.

However as far as worries with WMATA safety--you are still ridiculously safer using MARC and the Metro than driving your car.

I'm not 100 percent sure, but I think a regular MARC monthly pass from Halethorpe to Union Station is $150. Add on top of that the monthly cost to ride the Metro (I used 20 rountrip rides as my monthly average) and you get a total cost of $276/month to commute to Medical Center. That's IF you buy tickets from the MARC machine at Halethorpe and use a SmarTrip Card. If you were to buy a monthly Transit Link card, which I'd suggest if you are always taking Metro, it's $230/month.

Of course, the monthly pass is the best deal, but you pretty much have to ride all month for it to be worth it. If you're only interested in the occasional ride, just buy singles. Although I don't know why anyone would submit themselves to driving everyday. When I drove to work from Annapolis to the Capitol Hill area (I now live in Baltimore), I was more stressed when I got to work than I was all day AT work. There's something wrong with that.

It's easy to take the Metro from Union Station. There's actually a door to the Metro station inside the Gate A area where almost every MARC train arrives each morning. Just follow the hordes of tired looking people in ties and slacks, you can't miss it.

I'd say the Penn Line is 85-90 percent on time each day. I agree with Evan, it is much more consistent in the morning. But keep in mind, when the delays happen, they are usually big. I've sat on a MARC train between stations for 90 minutes before. That's rare, but make sure your employer isn't too rigid if you get marooned between Seabrook and New Carrollton.

From a safety standpoint, it's a no-brainer: trains are much safer than driving. Think of it this way: on the road, you have thousands of novice operators who can make mistakes; on train tracks, there are a few highly skilled operators. I'd put my money on them every time.

I have been riding the Camden line from Dorsey to Union Station for about 3 years and I am happy with it.

Depending on where you are commuting to in DC, be aware that all METRO buses are *free* if you show your MARC monthly pass. This cuts down on costs in the city, but can add a little time. Though with the recent Red line delays, it may actually be better.

I did Halethorpe-Union Sta-Metro Center for 5 years. It's doable, but going out to Medical Center is going to be even longer, and you're subject to delays both on MARC and metro, especially in the PM. And a delayed metro trip in the PM can cascade into a missed MARC train. I'd try it for a few days and see if the advantage of being able to sleep/work on the train is worth it. Though wait until after the red line is running normally (if ever) to give it a fair shot. I agree, a monthly ticket is a good deal if you decide to commit to it full time; if you'll only be training it a few days a week, you're better off with individual tickets. You can probably get vouchers through the SmartBenefits program at work to use towards MARC tix. Parking at Halethorpe used to fill by 7:30, but I haven't been there since last year.

Thanks for all the tips, folks.

I caught the 5:38 Penn line this AM & was at work by 7:30.

Nice to be able to snooze, read the paper & reducing the ol' carbon footprint is nice, but it's a haul.

I'm curious to see how the return trip goes this evening.

I'll definitely hold off judgment until Red Line delays are done.

BTW, what is the difference between Penn & Camden lines?

BTW, what is the difference between Penn & Camden lines?

One breaks down primarily in the summer (Penn Line), has higher-threshold heat-related speed restrictions, plays second fiddle to AMTRAK and high-speed passenger trains (you'll never see Acela waiting for a MARC), is very very crowded, but goes real fast (thanks to electric motors).

The other (Camden) goes slower (no overhead wire; diesel only), is not as crowded, is more apt to be "a few minutes" late, is subject to ridiculously-low heat restrictions, and plays second fiddle to CSX and freight trains.

Otherwise, in all seriousness, it's about train regularity (Penn Line runs more frequently, and yes, faster) and crowd tolerance (The Camden really isn't as crowded as the Penn Line)

Folks, thanks for the tips once again.

Just an update on my situation for the record.

My one day trying the trains made me decide that no way in heck am I doing that again until the Penn Line & other MARC engines get replaced and the Red Line Metro gets back to normal speed.

Not to mention that another "wait and see" factor for me regarding MARC/Metro is the crowds.

I prefer to see how swine flu/H1N1 develops later this fall (hopefully it won't be a concern) before I voluntarily submit to the germ-o-rama that is a crowded commuter train & Metro ride.

I'd be curious to see some stories or blog posts about the potential impact of pandemic flu on public transportation in the area.

Also, the parking situation at Halethorpe is a cruel joke. Express Penn Line train doesn't leave till 6:30 but the parking lot is full by 5:40. Folks park for a mile or more in each direction on the street. Ridiculous.

If I drive, I can leave the house at 6 and be at work by 7, a darn sight better than the trains can offer. Working a 7:30 to 4 schedule still gets me home at 5:40 or 6 at the latest, which is again better than the trains for now.

While I am concerned about safety, carbon footprint & cost of driving, I much prefer the feel of fresh air in my face and the personal freedom to choose my own route if there are delays to the harsh squeal of Metro brakes and the depressing cattle herd atmosphere of train cars & Metro stations, etc.

If anything, this experience makes me more likely to purchase an electric or hybrid car in the near future.

I have about 4 days of single MARC tickets left & am going to save them for if/when I have training or meetings closer to downtown DC/Union Station.

I'm sure this is a sentiment expressed by many readers of this blog, but it is distressing, to say the least, to see how far the Baltimore/DC area & America in general is behind Europe, Japan and most other modern democracies in public transportation that is affordable, efficient & green.

Some glorious day we'll have a full network of 300 MPH bullet trains across the region & country, and there will be a dramatic decrease in cars on the road. Right? Right?

I'll try not to hold my breath.