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Traveling Through the Washington Corridor
Washington Avenue has become the center of Houston’s nightlife, and unlike past hotspots like Richmond and Main Street, the still untapped potential of the Washington Corridor has made many Houston developers look at the area in terms of the future. There’s no short-term projection of success on Washington. Rather, investors are looking at long-term projects that will ensure that Washington doesn’t follow the trend of other entertainment districts that build up to a crescendo only to fade away in popularity and relevance.

However, the sudden growth and rapid popularity of the area has created some concerns, particularly for residents of the area. For one, Washington lacks adequate parking, which has resulted in neighboring streets becoming makeshift parking lots. While the same is true for the Montrose nightlife scene, the high volume of venues on Washington has created a logistics conundrum that has resulted in a high percentage of cars being towed away from spots that are ambiguous in their designations as no-parking zones. Naturally, traffic has become a problem, especially since the nightclubs and bars in the Washington Corridor attract crowds from the suburbs, many of which don’t bother to car pool.

The sheer volume of people visiting the area during the weekend has also created a concern over security. Residents are worried that intoxicated drivers pose a threat to other civilians. Likewise, visitors to Washington have expressed concerns that the high volume of people attracts shady characters that will take advantage of the party atmosphere. The solution to these problems? It’s certainly one that requires a little innovation and critical thinking, considering that Houston’s public transportation system has been unable to lend a hand due to the late hours the businesses on Washington are open to.

So it might come to a surprise to many that one of the most proactive solutions has come in the form of a jitney. If you’re wondering what exactly a jitney is, you’re not alone. It’s a term that few Houstonians know, thanks to our culture of personal transportation. As defined by the city of Houston, a jitney is a vehicle that can accommodate no more than15 passengers “that is operated upon a closed loop following specified streets and highways in a specified direction, and is operated without a fixed schedule, carrying passengers from place to place in exchange for a fee.” That’s not quite your average METRO bus, and such a venture might seem counterproductive in a city of highways, such as Houston.

Thanks to the visionary efforts of Lauren Barrash, however, the advantages of the jitney service system have been applied to the infrastructure problems of Washington Avenue. As the founder and president of the Washington Wave, Barrash has been able to contribute to a sense of security and responsibility that was missing from the increasingly popular entertainment district.

The original intent of the Washington Wave was to address the area’s logistics problem with a two-fold solution. “I was amazed watching the incredible growth of Washington,” says Barrash. “But at the same time, I wanted people to be able to partake in all the fun in a safe way, while also preserving the residents’ quality of life.”

The concept has not only been efficient in execution, but simple to use. Riders simply park their cars, pay $10 for an all-night pass, hop on the Wave and simply tell the driver where to let them off. To move to another part of Washington, all they have to do is flag down the next bus, show their pass, and let the driver know where they’re headed next. Potential riders should also note that the $10 all-night pass is only one option. One-time rates are also available, but riders should make sure they have the exact fare ready when boarding the bus. Frequent visitors to Washington can also opt for VIP memberships for $50 a month.

The Wave operates Monday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., Thursday through Saturday from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m., giving Washington-goers the window of time needed to fully enjoy everything the avenue has to offer. The passenger buses are also nicely furnished and are great for outings of all kinds, including bachelor and bachelorette parties, social gatherings and corporate events. It’s a transportation alternative that meeting planners for corporate groups should really consider, especially if they are expecting a large number of out-of-town attendees who aren’t familiar with the city. Traveling along Washington Avenue together as one group is a great ice breaker and makes for a more communal nightlife experience.

Parking in Houston is a major issue anywhere inside the Loop, but especially on Washington where the towing factor is quite high. The Wave offers two free parking areas, one located at the southwest corner of Memorial and Houston Avenue and one comprising two lots just north and south of the property at 230 TC Jester. The lots are secured and patrons are allowed to leave their cars overnight. Knowing that their vehicles are in good hands will prevent intoxicated drivers to attempt driving home and risk at DWI or far worse.

Some visitors might be hesitant about paying the $10 charge, especially if there’s a small possibility that one can find free parking elsewhere. Some might even say that dealing with the traffic and drives under the influences aren’t major issues for them. In that case, potential riders should be pleased to know that most Washington bars and restaurants offer some form of incentives for those patrons that utilize the Washington Wave.

Special perks range from ten percent discounts on totals tabs to complimentary cocktails to line passes and free entrance. Bar owners and restaurant managers have been incredibly supportive of the enterprise, offering generous rewards for patrons who drink and party responsibly. One of the Washington Wave’s biggest supporters is The Four Seasons Hotel, which offers great discounts for their guests. In short, the extra incentives are win-win situation for everyone, especially community members who want to see programs in action that promote the safety and well-being of visitors and residents alike. To emphasize the safety aspect of the enterprise, the Washington Wave also offers cab voucher’s for anyone too intoxicated to drive away from its lots.

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