The other day I walked to the CWE Metrolink stop and rode to the Fosyth Station as I normally do. Later that morning I had a meeting on the Danforth Campus of Washington University, was running late and decided to travel light. I grabbed my notebook and pen and decided to leave my wallet and phone in my office, taking only my Metro pass and ID.
As the train approached the Skinker Station a security guard asked for “all tickets, passes and transfers.” I ride Metrolink at least 10 times a week and it’s become more and more routine to be checked – at least half a dozen times a week. Anyway, I reach in my pocket to find my MO driver’s license, employee ID and my business card. No dice.
I understand the need to be fair, but there I am with a university notebook, a university ID, a university business card and a driver’s license and wearing a suit. The officer couldn’t have been nicer, other than he kept recommending that I just go ahead and pay the ~$80 ticket. Of course I have no plan to do that – so what do I need to do?
I have a court date April 30. I have to take the morning off work, take Metrolink downtown and wait in line until my name is called. I will then present my university ID and valid Metrolink pass and that’s it. Simple in a way, but surely a waste of time for the court! There has to be an easier way.
Several years ago in Indiana I was stopped while driving with an expired license plate (two days expired) and I didn’t have my driver’s license with me. What do I have to do? I had 30 days to renew my plates and stop by any police station in the city to present a valid driver’s license.
Kudos to Metro for providing improved security and monitoring, but let’s stop wasting the time of mass transit riders and the court system. Since every Washington University employee is eligible to receive a free Metro pass why can’t a WU ID be used to ride Metro? Why can’t a person appear at a Metro office to present a valid Metro pass?
