It’s always a culture shock coming back to Maryland from Indiana: the drivers, for one, are insane here, as opposed to the conversely passive drivers throughout the boondocks of the Midwest, God bless them.

Everything seems faster here; more important. People have work – big work – to goto, in Washington, D.C., of all places, so watch out! Blackberry’s are more commonly toted by business men and women who actually use them for business, rather than sorority girls in black spandex and loose shirts with sideways ponytails (honestly, who said that was fashionable? On the other hand, this author fully enjoys his Treo, so perhaps my bitching isn’t justified. I digress).

My family recently moved to a much more developed, urban suburb of Maryland (North Bethesda), putting us 5-10 minutes driving distance from two major smorgasbords of retail, dining and entertainment venues (Rockville; Bethesda). More importantly, though, I am now a five minute, charming walk from the Metro, granting me access to all this Nations capital and it’s suburbs have to offer. I had lunch with a wonderful friend this afternoon in Dupont Circle, and took full advantage of my new access to public transportation.

An admission: I love the Metro. It gets you places, for cheap. Especially given the $3.80/gallon gas prices our economy is burdened with these days. As of late, everyone is taking it – people who drove before are finally resorting to the transportation options which for so many years they have been too good for. It means less cars on the roads – which is dually positive for our environment, which, though screwed anyway, could use a bit less smog. NPR ran a report the other day covering public transportation use nationwide: they claim ridership on the rails and bus lines is up as much as 80% in some places. Hot damn!

So, certainly, I love the Metro as it is a tool for environmental progress, but particularly I admire the diversity within it’s ridership. In few other places do you find business elite; blue collar; working class; students; tourists; homeless; and any other aimless riders (me!), all utilizing the same service. It is a unique thing to see, and I certainly enjoy it each time I ride. Of course, this is also true of New Yorks subway, Chicago’s ‘L’, or, I’m sure, many other cities public transportation.

My mom, who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but frequently found herself on the ‘L,’ city bound, has always spoken fondly of her experiences with public transportation. And though my brother and I grew up on the outskirts of the Metro’s boundaries, it was few and far in between that we rode it’s rails – usually into Washington for a visit to a Museum. My mom always wished, and I now see why, that we had had the opportunities that she did to be immersed into public transit. In the suburbs which so many of us are cushioned and comforted by – and believe me, I still am – we are able to maintain that comfort zone within our cars. They become our portable houses, offering the entertainment and amenities of our homes, just with wheels. But they leave us devoid of any cultural interaction and lacking knowledge of our social surroundings – which I find so unfortunate.

So, my faceless, nameless readership, what is your take? Is public transportation available to you, and if so are you using it? If not, why? Save a buck, or hundreds, God forbid, and utilize what your taxes pay for anyway. Let someone else drive you around, while you catch up on your podcasts and iTunes, read the paper, take a nap, or, hopefully, observe those sitting next to you. It’s too good of an opportunity to miss.