Last week, a fellow commuter said something that concerned me. He said he would never Slug again.
We were standing in the Montclair OmniRide bus line at the Pentagon, just making small talk about the unbelievably long line. It was after 6 p.m., too late to Slug since it was after Interstate 95’s High Occupancy Vehicle lanes’ restricted hours, so there in the bus line, we waited.
He was at the end when I approached, so I confirmed the destination with him, just to make sure I was getting in the correct line. I explained that I normally don’t ride that bus, so I wasn’t familiar with where the lines stood. When he asked where I work, and how I normally commute, and I told him that I Slug.
At that, he laughed and shook his head.
“I don’t know how you do it,” he said. “I gave that up a long time ago.”
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Surprised at his reaction, I asked him why. Apparently, a bad experience years ago had completely turned him off to slugging, and he had been taking the commuter bus ever since.
He explained how he was picked up one morning by a young woman heading to Crystal City, who listened to loud music and drove erratically. After almost colliding with another vehicle, he demanded that she let him out on the shoulder of the HOV lanes before the Pentagon exit, and he walked the rest of the way to work.
Some friends had convinced him to carpool several times since then, and they picked up a Slug or two along the way, but he refused to get in the car if a stranger was driving. He opted instead to put his faith in the OmniRide commuter bus drivers, never to Slug again. This gentleman, dressed in Army fatigues and nearing retirement, was too afraid to give the system, with all of its benefits, one more chance.
It made me wonder how many people let one bad apple spoil the bunch. How many commuters have experienced something negative throughout their travels that has stopped them from slugging, like my new friend in the bus line?
I didn’t think it would do any good to remind him of all the benefits of slugging, since he was at the point in his career where he wouldn’t need to commute much longer. But I hope it’s not too late for others who may have ruled it out too soon.
Slugging is a system that is only successful if people support it, either by riding or driving other Slugs. If we stop picking up Slugs because one time, a Slug wore too much perfume, or if we stop riding because a Slug driver drove too fast on HOV, the slugging system would not sustain.
Not that I think the system is in any danger – there are certainly plenty of us who make the choice every day to pick up Slugs, or get into cars with other Slugs. We are the lifeblood of the slugging system; we keep it going every day, ensuring its success since the 1970s.
At the same time, I’m told by many people that they “couldn’t do it,” that they wouldn’t want to risk picking up or getting in cars with strangers. We all have our own personal preferences but the concept seems a lot more intimidating on the outside than it really is. I promise – once you get used to it, slugging is a piece of cake!
The thing is, all of us Slugs have a common goal each day – to get to work quickly, with no cost (well, no cost for riders; drivers pick up the tab for gas and parking).
Keeping that in mind, I hope my commuter friends will at least give slugging a try. It may not be as bad as you think.
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Fredericksburg Regional Transit (FXBGO!) announced that transit service, which was suspended on Tuesday due to winter weather, is expected to resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 8. Residents relying on public transportation are encouraged to plan accordingly and check for updates before traveling.
In addition to transit disruptions, the city’s trash collection schedule has been adjusted. Monday’s missed routes resumed today, and services will shift forward by one day for the remainder of the week. Tuesday’s trash will be collected on Wednesday, Wednesday’s on Thursday, and so on.
The City of Fredericksburg’s Public Works Department continues its efforts to clear snow and ice from roadways. Primary collector roads are reported to be in good condition, but some residential and collector roads remain compacted with snow and ice. Crews are applying plowing and chemical treatments as necessary to address these areas. As temperatures drop overnight, roads may refreeze, and drivers are urged to exercise caution when traveling.
The City also reminds property owners and occupants of their obligation to clear sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Snow and ice must be removed within 12 hours after snowfall ends, or by noon the following day if precipitation occurs overnight or on a Sunday. Sand or abrasives may be used if removal isn’t feasible. Residents and businesses are also responsible for clearing ADA access ramps to ensure safe pedestrian passage.
The animals below are STRAYS turned into the PWC Animal Services Center between 01/03/2025 – 01/06/2025. We post photos of stray animals brought to the Center a couple of times each week to help owners find their missing pets.
(Fredericksburg Free Press) – The Fredericksburg Veterans Affairs Health Care Center will hold a hiring event and resource fair Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Germanna Community College.
The event will take place at Germanna’s Spotsylvania County campus, located at 10000 Germanna Point Drive.
The Fredericksburg City Council has announced a series of public meetings and work sessions as it considers approving the city’s first data centers within a newly proposed Technology Overlay Zoning District (TOD). The meetings aim to gather public input and provide transparency as the city plans to encourage high-technology industrial development in Celebrate Virginia South, next to the Fredericksburg Nationals baseball stadium.
While the council is promoting data centers as an opportunity for economic growth, concerns from local activists and experts highlight potential challenges, including environmental and community impacts.
A recent report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) warns that if data center development in Virginia continues without constraints, the state’s energy demands could triple. The report emphasizes that meeting these increased demands would necessitate the construction of additional energy facilities, including renewable sources like solar and offshore wind, as well as natural gas plants. Specifically, JLARC estimates that a new natural gas plant would need to be built approximately every one and a half years to keep pace with the energy consumption of unconstrained data center growth.
Start 2024 on the right foot by prioritizing your mental health and well-being. At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand how challenging life can be—whether it’s managing stress from work, family dynamics, or navigating the complexities of the world around us. Our team is here to help you create balance and find the peace you deserve.
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Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra, this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
Featuring:
