
Washington ââ Tensions rose Tuesday afternoon when Lake Ridge commuters were told they could no longer slug from a busy street in Downtown Washington.
About 15 slugs â commuters who ride in cars of three or more passengers so they can use High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on Interstate 95 and 395 â were handed fliers from the Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation, stating they could no longer stand and wait to be picked up on 14th Street, between H Street and New York Avenue.
The slug line will be relocated one block over, to the less-congested 15th Street, the flier stated.
The change, which officials say will be a two-week trial as they look to see if traffic flow on 14th Street improves without drivers stopping to pick up slugs, came as a surprise for many who now fear theyâll be left without a ride home.
The city says it gave advanced warning to commuters about the change, but it also came as a surprise for Virginia Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-11th, whoâs worked with the city on commuter issues for the better part of 2010.
âPeople are not going to drive down here, go around the corner, make a U turn [to go to 15th Street] and come pick us up. They are going to drive further down 14th Street to pick up other slugs,â said a woman bound for a commuter lot at Va. 123 and Old Bridge Road.â
One commuter tried to make the best of the situation.
âWe could be in Somalia or someplace. Thereâs much more difficult place to live in the world than here. Itâs just a slight inconvenience,â said commuter Brian Bakur.
But another commuter quickly cast a shadow over his positive outlook.
âItâs not a slight inconvenience when you work at 11th and LâŠYou work closer to 15th Street and donât have to walk as far,â he cried.
A representative from the District Department of Transportation who was distributing fliers declined to comment on the relocation.
Her flier stated a new âno stopping, standing or parking ruleâ at the slug pick-up spot prompted the change, and that âviolators will be ticketed.â
Connollyâs office got an earful earlier this year from constituents who were ticketed by D.C. police while picking up slugs at the 14th Street spot, said Connolly spokesman George Burke.
After hearing from those ticketed, the congressman began working with the Metropolitan Police Department to make sure their officers weren’t treating Virginia commuters unfairly.
âWe spoke to DDOT today [about the slug-line relocation] and we said âwhatâs up,ââ said Burke. âWe expected to be notified ahead of time, before the media, so we could notify our constituents ahead of time, but obviously that did not occur.â
After the conversation, Connolly for the first time Wednesday learned about the slug-line relocation, said Burke.
But slugs, who help contribute to the reduction of traffic and pollution, say theyâre not the problem.
âWhat theyâre doing is saying the slugs lines is why thereâs traffic, but itâs not the slug lines, itâs rush hour – thatâs the reason why thereâs traffic. Theyâre inconveniencing all of the people who take the slug lines from here,â said George May, of Manassas Park.
But at the same time slugs were being told to move Tuesday, an OmniRide commuter bus pulled up as slugs looked on, stopped for three minutes and picked up at least 20 passengers who were waiting for the bus.
âThere is no talk about moving the OmniRide stop at 14th and New York at this time,” said OmniRide spokeswoman Christine Rodrigo.
As time goes on, however, some commuter bus stops in Washington may be relocated after officials finalize a new commuter bus plan.
During the trial period, Connollyâs office hopes to hear from commuters about the plan, and have asked them to email the office with the word âslugâ in the subject line, said Burke.
Recent Stories

The New Dominion Choraliers
Have a Show-Stopping Concert in Store!
Join us on Saturday, May 3 or Sunday, May 4 as the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert with fun and fabulous songs straight from your favorite Broadway shows and Big Screen musicals. Selections from Pixar, Disney, and Rodgers and Hammerstein offer familiar tunes across the generations, as well as selections from Wicked, Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, and more!

Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
Cascade Landing Community Grand Opening
You’re invited to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of our newest community Cascade Landing in Dumfries, VA. Join us April 12th from 11 AM – 6 PM and fall for your new townhome!
Enjoy our grand opening celebration, complete with