WMATA Archives - Page 26 of 39

Metro to Host Back-to-School Celebration and School Supply Giveaway on Saturday, August 19

Published August 16, 2023 at 6:02PM

Per WMATA: Metro is kicking off the new school year with our first Back-to-School Celebration and School Supply Giveaway. Families across the DMV are invited to join us at the Fort Totten Station on Saturday, Aug. 19, for music, food, games, and free school supplies.

The Metro Transit Police Department’s Community Services Bureau will host the inaugural back-to-school event. School supplies, collected by Metro employees across the region, will be provided to school kids and teens in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. “This is an opportunity for our MTPD officers and employees to support the DMV and create positive relationships with the community,” said MTPD Chief Michael Anzallo. “Metrorail, Metrobus and MTPD help thousands of kids get to and from school throughout the year. In addition to keeping them safe, we want to ensure that every student has the supplies they need to start school.”

Metro Police Investigates Clothing Set on Fire on the Top Floor of Glenmont Metro Parking Garage

By MCS Staff

Published August 16, 2023 at 1:56PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a report of “someone burning clothes on the top floor” of the Glenmont Metro Parking garage at approximately 11am on Wednesday morning.

According to MCFRS Assistant Chief David Pazos, Metro employees were able to extinguish the burning clothes on the top floor of the garage. There were no injuries and no extension of the fire. “Metro Police has taken over the scene while the fire department units go in-service.” No details currently available on why the fire was started. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.

Strathmore Square Set To Deliver First Two Buildings in 2024

By MCS Staff

Published August 15, 2023 at 1:08PM

The first buildings at the upcoming Strathmore Square development, designed by Deborah Berke Partners, will deliver early 2024. This project is aimed to develop the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro station in North Bethesda, adjacent to the renowned Music Center at Strathmore, from a surface parking lot into “a visionary community centered on the arts, culture, a beautiful central open space and bikeways for engaged, healthful living.” The first buildings will consist of a combined total of 220 units across the first two buildings, offering amenities including a pool deck, state-of-the-art gym, sauna, treatment room, and spaces for work, relaxation, and socializing. They will also offer up to 9,000 sf of ground floor retail space. Strathmore Square will ultimately be over 2 million SF of multi-family, office, and neighborhood shops, cafes, and services surrounding a 1.25 acre civic green with ongoing activities, performances, and “serene spaces for connection and enjoyment”, designed by the landscape architect Hargreaves Jones.

Per developers WMATA and FiveSquares Development: The Strathmore Square joint development will create a mixed-use development to transform the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station into a 2.2 million square foot, primarily residential mixed-use development that incorporates open space, public transit, incredible views, and arts and culture.

Track Work To Impact Service on Four Lines This Weekend, Per Metro

By MCS Staff

Published August 10, 2023 at 6:19PM

Metro will begin track work over the weekend, August 12-13, that will require single tracking between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory stations, reducing service on the Blue and Orange lines to every 24 minutes. Silver Line trains will also turn back at Federal Center SW instead of going to Downtown Largo. On the Red Line trains will single track between Grosvenor and Medical Center with trains operating every 20 minutes only between Friendship Heights and Shady Grove.

During single tracking trains must share one track, taking turns going through the construction zone. Due to the length of the single track, trains will alternate between 2 and 22-minutes between trains from Eastern Market to Stadium-Armory with two trains, one Orange and one Blue, serving the platform in one direction and then two trains, one Orange and one Blue, serving the platform from the opposite direction. Trains will arrive more frequently, on average every 8-12 minutes, between Rosslyn and Federal Center SW, and every 10-12 minutes on average between East Falls Church and Rosslyn where lines overlap.On the Red Line, most stations will still have frequent service. Additional trains will operate between Glenmont and Friendship Heights every 10 minutes, with every other train continuing to Shady Grove. The construction will begin early Saturday and continue through the weekend, wrapping up before the system opens Monday morning. On the Blue and Orange lines work crews will be replacing grout pads, the concrete slabs necessary to support the tracks. The grout pads are located every few feet and anchor the tracks to absorb the weight of the train and provide stability.

Beyoncé Covers Additional $100K To Keep Metro Open For An Additional Hour

By MCS Staff

Published August 8, 2023 at 9:25AM

Due to inclement weather that delayed the start of Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour at FedExField, Metro extended the last train by an extra hour beyond the extended closing previously announced. The extended time meant the #BeyHive can stay for the “Party” and still get home on Metro.

The additional hour was funded by Beyoncé and the Tour to cover the $100,000 cost to run more trains, keep all 98 stations open for customers to exit, and other operational expenses. During the extended service period, customers were only be able to enter at Morgan Boulevard, the station closest to FedExField. All other stations were exit only.

Metro Will Offer Extended Service for Beyoncé fans Sunday Night

By MCS Staff

Published August 3, 2023 at 11:12PM

Metro will “Hold Up” the final train departing from Morgan Boulevard Station on Sunday night to give the #BeyHive a “Flawless” ride to and from FedEx Field.

The last Silver Line train toward Ashburn on Sunday night will now depart Morgan Boulevard at 12:04 a.m. instead of 11:34 p.m., allowing concertgoers enough time to walk from the stadium to the station. Metro will make late trains available at transfer stations so customers aboard the final Silver Line train can rely on Metro to get them to their destinations on all lines. All customers in line at Morgan Boulevard at 12:04 a.m. will be accommodated.

Man Arrested and Charged With Second Degree Rape That Occurred at Shady Grove Metro Station Last Week

By MCS Staff

Published August 3, 2023 at 5:35PM

Metro Transit Police has announced the arrest of Adrian Barnes, 29, by MTPD July 29 at Fort Totten Station. Barnes was charged with ‘Attempted Second Degree Rape’ that occurred at the Shady Grove metro station last week. According to police, he will also be charged with ‘Assault’ and ‘Fugitive from Justice.’

Prior to his arrest, Metro Transit Police provided the following information: “Victim reported the suspect, identified as Adrian Barnes, approached her from behind as she was getting in her car. The suspect forced her to the ground, then attempted to rape her. The victim fought off the suspect and ran from the garage to get help.”

Clear Lanes Are Coming to D.C. To Improve Bus Speed and Reliability

By MCS Staff

Published July 26, 2023 at 7:47AM

The future is looking clearer for Metrobus, as Metro and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announce the start of the 45-day minimum warning period for the Clear Lanes program. The goal is to improve bus speeds and reliability. Parked cars and vehicles illegally using dedicated bus lanes and bus stop zones slow buses down and impedes customer safety.

Under the program, cameras mounted on Metrobuses will capture video and photos of vehicles illegally operating, parking, standing, or stopping in dedicated bus lanes and bus zones. All enforcement will be handled by DDOT. Metro will not have any role in ticketing and enforcement.

Police Searching for Suspect After Attempted Rape at Shady Grove Metro Station Garage

By Patrick Herron

Published July 25, 2023 at 9:25PM

The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) is searching for Adrian Barnes, 29, of Washington, DC for an attempted rape that occurred at ~11pm on July 24 at the Shady Grove Metro Station. According to MTPD, “Suspect approached woman in Shady Grove garage & attempted to rape her. She fought him off & escaped. If you have info on his whereabouts call 202-962-2121 or text MyMTPD (696873)”

Additional details: “Victim reported the suspect, identified as Adrian Barnes, approached her from behind as she was getting in her car. The suspect forced her to the ground, then attempted to rape her. The victim fought off the suspect and ran from the garage to get help.”

Metro Begins Rollout of New, Higher Faregates in Attempt to Stop Fare Evasion

By Patrick Herron

Published July 24, 2023 at 5:57PM

Per WMATA: Metro has begun installing new higher, stronger faregates at Fort Totten Station as part of a systemwide rollout. The design improves upon the original prototype door following months of testing and modifications. The new doors are now 55-inches tall, twice as strong, and more resilient.

The installation at Fort Totten is expected to be completed overnight, followed by Pentagon City. The faregate modifications will be installed in phases with plans to retrofit faregates throughout the system over the next year. The first 10 stations are expected to be completed by early fall.

Metro Releases Commemorative SmarTrip Card for MLS All-Star Game

By MCS Staff

Published July 13, 2023 at 8:35AM

Metro is inviting fans from around the world to ride Metro to see the Major League Soccer All-Star Game. To commemorate the occasion, Metro is releasing a limited-edition MLS All-Star SmarTrip® card, ahead of the big game.

Per Metro: “We’re really excited to welcome MLS Soccer, its players, and fans for the All-Star Game,” said Clarke. “Come on out to root for the All-Star festivities and cheer on the best of MLS against as they take on the Premier League’s Arsenal FC and take in the All-Star festivities. It’s a quick and easy ride away on Metro without all the hassle of traffic and parking.”