COMMUTING
63% of employees who intend to stay with DISA are planning to commute to Ft. Meade from their current residence. With such a significant portion of the workforce favoring this alternative, we're committed to providing you with the information you need to plan the logistics of your commute.
We'll help you explore the alternatives - which currently include driving yourself, ridesharing, and taking mass transportation - by researching a variety of routes, explaining the ins and outs of ridesharing and mass transportation, and by testing the commute ourselves and reporting back to you.
DISA also offers worklife benefits - including telework, flexible, and compressed work schedules - that may help you minimize the time you spend on the road. Supervisors and employees should engage in an open dialogue regarding the feasibility of these options as the Ft. Meade transition nears.
Once you've researched the alternatives and determined which commuting options would suit you best, we encourage you to give them a "trial-run" by spending a day or two working at DISA's Ft. Meade Telework Center. Your ideas, feedback, and lessons learned will help us direct our research and provide valuable insight to others who also plan to commute. Our interactive message boards provide a forum for you to share your thoughts, ask questions, and discuss commuting strategies.
MASS TRANSIT
Let the bus driver or train conductor worry about the traffic, you can just sit back and relax.
THE FT. MEADE COMMUTER - HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Curious about how long it would take you to commute to Ft. Meade by driving? We were too.
In order to get an accurate understanding of what the commute would entail, we tested several routes ourselves. In addition, we did the commute twice — by departing from our residences at both 5:30 a.m. and at 7 a.m. — to see if getting an early start would help save time on the road. Take a look at the table below to review our findings.
You can visit the message boards to read detailed accounts of our commutes, or to post the findings of your own test commutes.
| Location | Start Time | Arrival Time | Total | Departure Time | Arrival Time | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA Starting Point: Exit 176/Telegraph Rd >> see route >> discuss |
5:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
6:15 a.m. 7:45 a.m. |
45 min. 45 min. |
3:00 p.m. 4:15 p.m. |
3:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m. |
45 min. 45 min. |
| Fairfax, VA Starting Point: Exit 60 on 66 >> see route >> discuss |
5:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
6:13 a.m. 7:50 a.m. |
43 min. 50 min. |
3:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. |
4:00 p.m. 5:32 p.m. |
60 min. 62 min. |
| Woodbridge, VA Starting Point: Potomac Mills - Slug Lot >> see route >> discuss |
5:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
6:30 a.m. 8:13 a.m. |
60 min. 73 min. |
3:00 p.m 4:45 p.m. |
4:12 p.m. 6:10 p.m. |
72 min. 85 min. |
| Waldorf, MD Starting Point: Rt. 301/Berry Rd. >> see route >> discuss |
5:30 a.m. 7:00 a.m. |
6:20 a.m. 8:05 a.m. |
50 min. 65 min. |
3:00 p.m. 4:35 p.m. |
3:55 p.m. 5:45 p.m. |
55 min. 70 min. |
*These commutes were done on various Tuesdays during the summer of 2008. Departures from the DISA Telework Center at Ft. Meade coincide with an 8-hour workday and half-hour lunch break.
Commuting
Related FAQs
- Will DISA help set up transportation, such as charter buses, from Virginia or Maryland?
- What kind of public transportation is available now for commuting and what transportation opportunities will be available in the future?
- Once we move to Fort Meade, will we still be eligible for and receive mass transit benefits
Join the discussion now!
Commuting Strategies
Share your tips and tricks for navigating DC metro traffic...
Make it Work!
The thought of undertaking a long commute may be daunting, but it's not impossible. DISA has several commuter-friendly programs to help you make it work. Follow the links below to learn more!
COMMUTE LESS!
DISA's telework program encourages managers to allow their employees to telework up to 3 days per week. Employees may also choose to work a compressed schedule - working eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and getting one day off per pay period.
Employees are encouraged to communicate openly with supervisors regarding scheduling and telework options as they relate to DISA's move to Ft. Meade.
RELAX!
Taking mass transit or participating in ridesharing programs like carpools or vanpools allows you to read, sleep, or relax while others navigate traffic.
SAVE MONEY!
Take advantage of the mass transit subsidy, which will offset up to $230 worth of your monthly commuting costs.