Metro
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. Today, Metrorail serves 91 stations and has 117 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction. Metro began its paratransit service, Metro Access, in 1994; it provides about 2.3 million trips per year.
To download a route map, go to:
https://www.wmata.com/schedules/maps
VRE
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), a joint project of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission and the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission will provide safe, cost effective, accessible, reliable, convenient, and comfortable commuter-oriented rail passenger service. VRE will contribute to the economic development of its member jurisdictions as an integral part of a balanced, intermodal regional transportation system.
To download a route map, go to: http://www.vre.org/service/map
OmniRide
OminRide in the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commissions (PTRC) commuter bus service. OmniRide offers convenient weekday service, excluding some holidays, from locations throughout Prince William County along the I-95 corridor and Manassas and Gainesville areas, along the I-66 corridor to destinations that include the Mark Center, Pentagon, Crystal City, Rosslyn/Ballston, Tysons Corner, downtown Washington D.C, and the Navy Yard. In addition to morning and evening commuter services, midday service is available on most routes. OmniRide buses serve designated commuter lots near major thoroughfares.
For more information, visit: http://www.prtctransit.org/commuter-bus/
Slugging
Slugging is a term used to describe a unique form of commuting found in the Washington, DC area sometimes referred to as "Instant Carpooling" or "Casual Carpooling". It's unique because people commuting into the city stop to pick up other passengers even though they are total strangers! However, slugging is a very organized system with its own set of rules, proper etiquette, and specific pickup and drop-off locations. It has thousands of vehicles at its disposal, moves thousands of commuters daily, and the best part, it’s FREE. Not only is it free, but it gets people to and from work faster than the typical bus, metro, or train. I think you'll find that it is the most efficient, cost-effective form of commuting in the nation.