WMATA Archives - Page 22 of 37

Metro Seeks More Equitable Service for Region with Update to Title VI Civil Rights Program

Published October 2, 2023 at 6:20PM

Per WMATA: As part of Metro’s commitment to non-discrimination in providing transit services, we are revising our Title VI Program to better reflect and support our customers and the region. The proposed updates will help Metro provide better service, provide service adjustments more quickly, expand service, and increase the level of household income to qualify as low-income.

We want your feedback on the proposed changes to the Title VI Program. Take a survey here. Metro updates its Title VI Program every three years as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This includes definitions and other ways we collect data, to ensure all customers are being served, regardless of their background.

Nearly Normal Rail Service Monday for Most Lines as Track Repairs and Brake inspections Continue Following Friday’s Derailment

By MCS Staff

Published October 1, 2023 at 10:16PM

Per WMATA: Most Metrorail customers will see nearly normal train service tomorrow, even as Metro continues to inspect the fleet’s oldest railcars. Metro will operate service to all customers (every 6-12 minutes from end-of-line stations); however Blue and Yellow line trains will depart every 15 minutes while work continues to repair tracks damaged in Friday’s derailment. Track repairs are proceeding around the clock to replace components of the damaged tracks at National Airport.

The investigation into the derailment continues, but Metro found that the wheel measurements on the 7000-series train were consistent with its specifications and there were no apparent track or infrastructure defects, as a preliminary matter.NMetro investigators, who are coordinating with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, continue to focus on a disc brake that came loose from a train ahead as a causal factor.

Metro Provides Update Following Friday’s Derailed Train

By MCS Staff

Published October 1, 2023 at 12:13PM

Per WMATA: While Metro continues to inspect the oldest railcars in its fleet to ensure brake discs are properly bolted on all wheels, trains will operate near normal Sunday service for all customers with trains arriving every 8-12 minutes on all but the Blue and Yellow lines.

Track repairs are expected to be finished in time for Monday morning’s commute. Today, Blue and Yellow line customers will be served by trains every 15 minutes instead of every 12 minutes as crews continue to restore tracks damaged at National Airport by Friday’s derailed train that struck a brake disc on the tracks.

Metro: New Lost and Found Policy Expands Items Metro Will Hold to Return to Customers

By MCS Staff

Published September 19, 2023 at 1:06PM

Left something on Metro and need to get it back? If it ends up at Metro’s lost and found, you may be in luck. Metro will now keep a wider list of lost items left behind on trains, buses, at stations, and other Metro facilities. The new policy, updates changes made due to pandemic-related budget constraints in 2021 that restricted Metro’s lost and found storage to wallets and electronics such as phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras only.

In addition to these items, Metro’s lost and found department will now work to also reunite customers with lost keys, glasses, backpacks, headphones, luggage, and purses. Items such as perishables, clothing, umbrellas, and bikes will not be kept by the lost and found. Non-returnable items, and any other property unclaimed after 30-days will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned.

Name that route– Metro wants to create Better Names for a Better Bus network

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 12:08PM

Per WMATA: Trying to figure out the various Metrobus routes can be a puzzle with a mix of letters, numbers, and street names, express or limited-stop service. This outdated naming convention dates to Metro’s takeover of the region’s private bus companies and street cars and is about to get a refresh. For the first time in its 50-year history, Metro is looking to revamp the bus system and simplify routes with its Better Bus, Better Names campaign.

Metro has opened a survey to ask the public how Metro can name bus routes to make it easier for customers to understand and use the Metrobus system. People are encouraged to take the Better Bus, Better Names online survey until Sept. 28, to weigh in and help Metro standardize and modernize the entire bus experience throughout the region.

Metro plans full-scale security exercise at Capitol South Station Today (Sunday, Sept. 17)

By MCS Staff

Published September 17, 2023 at 10:31AM

Metro Transit Police in coordination with U.S. Capitol Police will conduct a full-scale law enforcement exercise on Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Capitol South Station. The exercise will simulate a real-life security threat to test operational coordination, communications, and response between law enforcement agencies.

During this time, the Capitol South Station will be closed from opening until approximately 2 p.m. Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Eastern Market and Federal Center SW. The exercise will simulate a real-world response to an active assailant in the Metrorail system. People in the area will see and hear a large emergency response and police activity in and around the station, including simulated ammunition (blanks). Please be assured this is only a drill.

Weekend Track Work/Maintenance on the Red Line to Close Four Stations

By MCS Staff

Published September 14, 2023 at 11:35AM

This weekend, Sept. 16 – 17, Metro will close four stations on the Red Line to perform track work in the interlocking, where the two tracks intersect and is critical to maintaining safe reliable service. To accommodate this work the Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, and North Bethesda stations will be closed, with free shuttle buses replacing trains.

Normal Red Line service will operate between Glenmont and Grosvenor, every eight minutes during the day, and every 10 minutes after 9 p.m. During the weekend, Metro will replace the switches in the interlocking outside the Twinbrook Station. The switches and equipment in the interlocking are part of the signaling system embedded on the tracks to ensure trains are routed properly and can safely cross over from one track to the other in the event of a service disruption or single tracking.

Metro to Shut Down Red Line Service at Three Stations in December for Critical Repairs and Upgrades

By MCS Staff

Published September 12, 2023 at 3:08PM

On Monday, December 18, Metro will begin a two-week construction project on the Red Line to perform critical safety repairs to the tunnel and track infrastructure, upgrade signal and communications systems, and install new platform edge lights.

During construction, Red Line service will be unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, and Gallery Place stations with free shuttle buses replacing trains from December 18 through Saturday, December 30. While the Red Line is closed, service will continue to be available on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines on the lower level at Metro Center and Green and Yellow line service on the lower level at Gallery Place.

Congressman Jamie Raskin Urges Social Media Companies, WMATA to Address Dangerous “Subway Surfing” Social Media Trend Following Loss of Local Teen

By Patrick Herron

Published September 10, 2023 at 8:34PM | Updated September 10, 2023 at 9:10PM

From the Office of Jamie Raskin (9.8.23): Today, Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) wrote letters to social media companies Meta and TikTok and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) about a dangerous social media trend, known as “subway surfing,” which recently claimed the life of a young person in his district. “Subway surfers,” who are often teenagers influenced by coaxing and sinister validation from an online community, film themselves climbing and then riding outside or on top of a moving subway car.

“This online trend has deadly consequences,” wrote Rep. Raskin to Meta and TikTok. “This summer, my constituent, Jay Thirunarayanapuram, lost his life five days after his fifteenth birthday while subway surfing. His loving parents and friends are devastated, and our world is poorer for our loss of a bright young artist, animal lover and extraordinary young man.”

More Rail Service Coming to Metro Beginning Monday, September 11

By MCS Staff

Published September 8, 2023 at 6:19AM

Per WMATA: More frequent service is coming to Metro beginning Monday, September 11, when the transit agency will roll out its eleventh service increase since last summer. While ridership continues to grow, it remains below pre-pandemic levels, therefore Metro will monitor ridership trends and continue to assess the need for any future service adjustments based on ridership demand.

With ridership trending higher during the morning and evening commuting hours, Metro will boost peak service on the Red, Blue, Silver, Green, and Yellow lines to meet demand and ridership growth as more customers return to the office and other activities. Trains on those lines will run more frequently from approximately 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., and from approximately 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Exact times of peak service will vary by station.

Metro Service Information for Labor Day

By MCS Staff

Published September 3, 2023 at 3:49PM

Per WMATA: On Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight, providing normal Sunday service on all lines at all 98 stations, including the Green Line where four stations closed for summer construction will reopen ahead of schedule tomorrow. Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule. MetroAccess customers may make a reservation to travel on the holiday; however, subscription trips will be canceled. 

Whether heading to a movie, barbeque, or one of many local events, Metro is your convenient and affordable way to get around the region this holiday weekend. If you’re heading out of town, avoid the traffic by taking Metro to Washington Dulles International or Reagan National airports. Metro this week announced that Green Lines stations Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Hyattsville Crossing, and West Hyattsville stations, closed since July 22, will reopen for rail service on Saturday, Sept. 2, three days ahead of schedule.