This alert came to me from the Archdiocese of Wahington in the monthly parish briefings.
Father Joe | Homepage | 01.17.08 - 12:37 am | #

Hmmm. Do they charge any other group a fee for bringing in busses?
Ed Peters | Homepage | 01.17.08 - 3:34 am | #

Yes, they do charge this fee for all such groups (only government-sponsored events and groups, such as schools, do not count), as per the dmv site:

"Motor carriers, chartered buses (including chartered shuttle Buses), Trucks and other vehicles which fall under the definition of apportioned vehicles (see IRP section) but are not apportioned or fully registered in the District of Columbia, may obtain a trip permit for a $50 fee. The Trip Permit* is valid for six (6) days of travel within the District of Columbia. It must be maintained on the vehicle throughout the duration of travel in the District of Columbia. The trip permit is only to be used for the vehicle listed on the front of the permit."

It was wise to put this alert up -- but you might want to add that it takes 24 - 48 hours of processing time after payment has been given, so those needing to do this, need to do it asap. One can pay to speed things up, but why do so?
Henry Karlson | Homepage | 01.17.08 - 3:49 am | #

What a rip-off.
John Calla | 01.17.08 - 8:53 am | #

yeah, it smacks of typical people's republic of dc. :(
AmericanPapist | Homepage | 01.17.08 - 9:58 am | #

Our bus company was already aware of this, but we'll be staying just outside of DC so the bus won't have to go into the District.
Chip | 01.17.08 - 10:12 am | #

Yeah, the easy way around this is to off load in VA or MD and have your crew take the subway to and from the march.

WAC
Will Cubbedge | Homepage | 01.17.08 - 10:54 am | #

Reason number 478 why the District of Columbia government is among the most noxious entities in the country. I seem to remember the Constitution saying "Congress shall administer . . ."
Paul | 01.17.08 - 1:45 pm | #

Offloading in Virginia or Maryland -- to take a bus or "metro-rail" (subway) -- would be foolish, for three reasons:
1. It would cost a LOT more (collectively) than the trip permit.
2. It would make for a lot of inconvenience (loss of time, etc.).
3. It would make marchers less likely to visit the Basilica of the National Shrine, where every Catholic pro-lifer OUGHT to be going before the March.
AnUnSi | 01.18.08 - 5:00 pm | #