Metro General Manager/Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles made an appearance on the Kojo Nnamdi Show this afternoon to talk transit. Nnamdi asked Sarles about the idea of closing down the system earlier on weekend nights — and specifically, what kind of effect he thought such a move would have on people who ride Metro to get to bars and restaurants.

“If people can not take Metro home after a late night out, won’t that contribute to more dangerous, drunk driving?”, Nnamdi asked.

“I would hope that anyone…getting on our train should not be drunk,” responded Sarles.

Yeah, well, here’s the thing: people do ride Metro when they’re drunk. A lot! Sarles’ hopes that people won’t ride the rails after a long night at the pub not only comes off as incredibly preachy — but it comes off as downright ignorant of how the Metro system helps a large number of people get home safely.