>there’s no way to track their estimated arrival,

Google maps is very reliable for houses.

>And the metro comes once every 6 minutes or so?? How do people commute to work on time?

If the metro comes every 6 minutes then you're waiting 6 min max for a metro bus so... Wake up 10 minutes earlier?

>it really should be free

DC residents are probably in line for $100 a month in public transportation costs (up for a vote in the city council).

>I’m now forced to take public transport and have to take account for an extra 20 minutes in possibly delays.

Depends when /where you are going. I have very few problems..