Riding the SLUT


Hey. I'm not making this stuff up. As they built this new transportation option in Seattle recently, it was called the South Lake Union Trolley (aka SLUT -- so named by a local coffee shop). The authorities have since tried calling it the South Lake Union Streetcar (or Line), but it is too late. Who are they kidding? Attached you should see a screenshot of the Google search for 'south lake union trolley'.

Anyway, we went out tonight to celebrate Jill's new role, and she said I should try the SLUT. OK. Why not?

I got to the first stop on the downtown Seattle end and double checked how to pay. There was a machine that accepted credit cards and cash right there OR you could present a Metro pass, Metro ticket, a transfer, or pay on board. I have Metro tickets so I was going to use that on board. As I waited without seeing a trolley, I started walking towards stop #2 since I could see several blocks of the line and knew there were no trolleys coming. Just as I arrived at the second stop, the trolley passed by in the other direction -- so I waited. This stop didn't allow you to pay with credit before boarding.

When the trolley came, I hopped on board and stood behind someone else who was paying. I noticed on this machine that it only took cash at least according to the instructions. Hmmm. Where do I put my Metro Ticket which is supposedly a valid way to pay? I walked all over the SLUT looking for alternative payment methods and the only thing besides this cash only machine were some 'ticket validating' machines like you see in Europe at train stations. There were NO instructions on these validating machines. Period. Not even something like: insert ticket here for validation or anything. So I just took a seat and decided they don't really want my Metro transit payment that bad and enjoyed the ride to the other end and Daniel's restaurant.