Post written by Sam Chanesman, Transportation Demand Management Proffer Coordinator, Fairfax County Department of Transportation

About a year ago, my trusted old car broke down for good. She had a good life, filled with road trips, spontaneous errands, and got me where I needed to go. I’ll forever miss and cherish those memories; What I don’t miss about her? Our commute to work.

It’s no secret that traffic in the DMV area can at times be… frustrating, and the trek that my car and I used to make during rush hour was no exception. By the time I arrived at the office I would often already feel exhausted and stressed. That’s part of the reason why I decided to do make a big change and not replace her.

One great way to help the environment and in my case, my sanity, is to take transit to work. Without the headache of feeling frustrated with other drivers, I have that time now freed up to do so many other things (all while riding in a vehicle worth over $300,000 with its own dedicated driver!).

Here are some of my favorite pastimes while commuting via transit that I would normally be just time spent driving: 

Read

I always fall behind on my reading goals because it feels like I never have the time! Well, every trip now is dedicated time to get a little closer to that Goodreads goal.  One of my favorite resources (especially if I forgot to pack my book) is Libby, available through the Fairfax County Library for free with a library card! You can check out up to 10 eBooks at a time to read on your phone or other e-reader. 

Learn a language

Having just started a language course, my ride to work is the perfect time to get my practice in. As my instructor told me, even just a little bit daily can make a huge difference. Whether it’s using flashcards, listening to a podcast, or using any of the great resources available through Fairfax County Library (give Mango languages a try with your library card!), my commute makes for a great time to practice some words.

Play some games

Games are great way to pass the time, whether playing on your phone or a console. I absolutely love the free games available through the New York Times like “Wordle” and “Connections”. Currently, my personal favorite is their new game called “Strands” a new take on the classic word search.

Catch up with friends and family

Life gets busy and sometimes it can be difficult to find time to check in with our loved ones. Every so often when I’m taking my journey home from the office, I call up some of my family or friends just to see how they’re doing. If a phone call isn’t your jam, I know I always appreciate a text from a loved one saying they’re thinking of me.

Journal or draw

Finally, I like to sometimes contemplate the day with a little bit of journaling or drawing. If you’re not too much of an artist yourself, I also find my time taking transit to be a great opportunity to just decompress from my day, listen to some music.

While not everyone has the ability to go fully car-less, I recommend trying an alternative mode of transportation on your way to work, even if it’s one day a week. It can be via Fairfax Connector, Metro, bike, or a combination of them all! Some employers even offer benefits to cover or reimburse your commute, so check to see if you might have a similar program available to you. 

Want to give transit a try? SmartBenefits® "Plu$50" is an incentive program that offers employees a free $50 SmarTrip® card to try transit by enrolling in their employers' monthly commuter benefits program. Learn more about SmartBenefits Plu$50.

Check out some of the resources below to help plan your trip and what activities you might be able to do once you don’t have to worry about having your hands behind the wheel. 

Resources for Your Next Ride:

• Fairfax County Commuter Services
• Metro Trip Planner
• Libby App — eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines
• Languages with Fairfax County Library

Sam Chanesman has been with the Fairfax County Department of Transportation since 2019, working with Transportation Demand Management and land development review. He holds degrees in both Public & Urban Affairs and International Studies with concentrations in Urbanization, Policy, & Planning and Global Development from Virginia Tech. He’s lived in Fairfax County for 23 years and uses Fairfax Connector for his commute.

Climate Matters is the blog of Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, where we share stories, insights and information related to climate change and environmental sustainability. Posts are written by knowledgeable and passionate OEEC staff members and guest authors. To read all blog posts, visit Climate Matters.