WMATA Archives - Page 28 of 38

Metro Seeks Customer Feedback at Exhibit on Train Fleet of the Future

Published May 23, 2023 at 6:49AM

Per WMATA: With the design of Metro’s train fleet of the future underway, customers are invited to visit a pop-up exhibit at Gallery Place – Chinatown Metro Station to view current concepts and provide input on the look, layout, and features of trains. The fleet of the future is expected to start serving customers in 2026. The pop-up will feature physical samples, renderings, and videos allowing the public to interact with and provide feedback on the design of the new trains.

Located at Gallery Place – Chinatown Station at the 7th and F St. entrance near the faregates, the exhibit will be open at designated times tomorrow, May 23, through May 30. Visit wmata.com/FleetoftheFuture for the full schedule. “We’re designing Metro’s fleet of the future for all of our customers, and we’re working hard to get as much public input as possible throughout the process,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “Metro’s next generation of trains will serve our region for decades, so we must ensure customer needs are met, while incorporating advances in technology that will allow our system to evolve with our trains.” Proposed concepts for Metro’s train fleet of the future include:

New Metrorail Station at Potomac Yard

By MCS Staff

Published May 19, 2023 at 7:36AM

The new Potomac Yard-VT Metrorail Station opens Friday at 5 a.m., connecting one of Alexandria’s fastest growing communities to the region. Less than 15 minutes to the nation’s capital, Potomac Yard-VT, on the Blue and Yellow lines, is the 98th station in the Metrorail system.

Per the press release: Metro and the City of Alexandria first announced the opening date last month, following more than three years of construction. A team of Metro staff will be on hand throughout the day to welcome customers to Potomac Yard -VT Station for the first time and will be giving away commemorative opening day pennants while supplies last. The station’s fare vending machines will also be stocked with limited-edition Potomac Yard SmarTrip cards in honor or Metro’s newest station.

Metro Summer Construction Work Began Friday, May 12 Starting with Orange Line Stations

By MCS Staff

Published May 13, 2023 at 9:48AM | Updated May 13, 2023 at 10:45AM

Beginning this Friday, May 12, Metro will begin a 10-day construction project on the Orange Line to complete structural work and waterproofing on the platform canopies at Minnesota Ave and Deanwood stations. During construction, the stations will remain open, with trains single tracking between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly to maintain rail service for customers.

Metro will run additional “Orange Line Plus” train service between Vienna and Downtown Largo during the morning and evening rush hours only (6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 6 p.m.) to alleviate capacity concerns outside of the construction area at busier downtown stations. Orange+ trains will run every 24 minutes, with service to/from Downtown Largo, while traditional Orange Line trains will run every 24 minutes to/from New Carrollton. Combined, the Orange+ and Orange lines and the Blue and Silver lines will continue to provide high-frequency service with trains arriving every four minutes on average between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory. Due to operational constraints some customers may experience wait times up to nine minutes.

Yellow Line Train Service Has Resumed

By MCS Staff

Published May 8, 2023 at 6:41AM

Over the bridge and through the tunnel, trains on the Yellow Line are ready to go. Service resumed on Sunday, May 7, Yellow Line across the Potomac River, following an eight-month, on-time and anticipated to be under budget rehabilitation project to repair the deteriorating 1970’s tunnel and bridge. The reopening, announced last month, will provide a faster, more direct connection for customers between Virginia and downtown DC, including travel to/from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Per WMATA: Yellow Line trains will initially operate every eight minutes weekdays from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. for the first month between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square, and every 12 minutes all other times and on weekends, a 60 percent increase in train service than before the closure last fall. In June service will improve to eight minutes all day, seven days a week.

More Service Coming to the Red Line During Weekday Rush Hours Starting Monday, May 8

By MCS Staff

Published May 2, 2023 at 6:52PM

Per WMATA: Starting Monday, May 8, Red Line trains will arrive every six minutes during the busiest weekday periods from 6 – 9 a.m. and 3 – 7 p.m. The change will help relieve crowding during rush hours when Red Line trains are at or near capacity. During the midweek 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. hours most trains between Union Station and Metro Center have more than 90 people packed in each railcar, with some trains reaching 150 passengers per car.

Outside of peak periods, Red Line trains will continue to run every 8 minutes during the daytime and evening hours, and every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m. seven days a week. Metrorail ridership continues to show strong growth month-over-month as service improves. In April, average weekday ridership hit 324,500, a pandemic-era high and 50 percent of pre-pandemic ridership during the same period.

Three People Rescued From Medical Center Metro Elevator Friday Evening

By MCS Staff

Published April 28, 2023 at 8:16PM

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) responded to a call for three people trapped inside of an elevator at Medical Center Station in Bethesda shortly before 7pm on Friday evening.

According to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the elevator was stuck 90 feet from the top and 30 feet from the bottom. Three people were trapped inside, with at least one of the people having a medical condition that “may preclude the most common ways of extrication.” The technical rescue was successful, per a 7:23pm update, with all three people successfully extricated. No further medical attention was needed, “everybody is OK.” Featured photo courtesy of WMATA.

Metro Unveils ‘Earth Day’ Metrobuses Featuring Artwork Created by Elementary School Artists

By MCS Staff

Published April 25, 2023 at 7:23AM

Per WMATA: On Tuesday, April 25, Metro’s Art in Transit program will reveal three Earth Day designed buses that are wrapped in original artwork created by local budding artists in kindergarten to sixth grade. The unveiling will take place at Metro Headquarters, 300 7th Street SW, Washington, D.C. at 3 p.m. and each bus will be placed in service showcasing the artists work. Customers can use Metro’s special tracker to locate each bus once it goes into service. A globe will identify each Earth Day Metrobus throughout the system. “I’m truly impressed by the creativity and ingenuity of these young artists who used their talents to celebrate the role public transportation plays in creating a more sustainable, healthier and cleaner environment,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke.

In honor of Earth Day, a total of 240 submissions were received from young artists throughout the region. Of the numerous submissions, 15 drawings, paintings and digital artworks were selected, capturing their interpretation on the role public transportation plays in protecting our environment, combatting climate change, supporting sustainable and livable communities. This year’s Earth Day Metrobuses will feature artwork by the following young artists:

Beyond MoCo: Metro and City of Alexandria Announce Potomac Yard Station Opening Date

By MCS Staff

Published April 20, 2023 at 11:13AM

The opening day for Metro’s newest station, Potomac Yard, is set for Friday, May 19, 2023. Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke joined Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson to make the announcement while touring the Potomac Yard site.

“Our team is working hard to put the finishing touches on the station, and we look forward to welcoming customers on May 19th,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “This station opens a multitude of possibilities for those who live and work in Alexandria by providing a gateway to the region and all the city has to offer. “We appreciate the hard work and vision of the city to turn an idea more than 40-years in the making into reality, and we look forward to welcoming customers to our newest station.”

Metro will add enforcement cameras to buses to ‘Clear Lanes’ and provide faster, Better Bus service in partnership with the District; Metro Exploring Expanding Program Into Maryland

By MCS Staff

Published April 18, 2023 at 3:39PM

Metro will add automated cameras to buses to keep unauthorized vehicles out of bus-only lanes and bus stop zones under an agreement with the District of Columbia and recommended for approval by the Metro Board of Directors Finance Committee today. The new initiative, called Clear Lanes, is modeled after similar programs, including San Francisco and New York City, and will be the first to use automated camera technology to enforce bus stop zones in addition to bus-only lanes.

Metro Announces Travel Alternatives for Orange, Silver, and Green Line 2023 Major Construction Project this Summer

By MCS Staff

Published April 17, 2023 at 4:47PM

Per WMATA: Metro today announced travel alternatives to help customers prepare for the 2023 Major Construction scheduled for this summer. Starting Friday, May 12, Metro will begin a four-part construction effort focusing on system maintenance and modernization- including rail replacement, fiber optic cable installation, and improved station facilities.

This major construction will result in rolling service impacts on the Orange, Silver, and Green lines over the summer months. Free shuttle bus service will be available for customers during all station closures. Customers are advised to plan extra time for their travel.

Metro’s Board Approves $4.8B Budget, Simplifies Fares and Increases Frequency of Service; Redesign of Better Bus Network 

By MCS Staff

Published April 17, 2023 at 9:37AM

Per WMATA: Metro’s Board of Directors approved the $4.8 billion capital and operating budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024 which supports increased bus and rail services, simplifies fares for customers, creates a new low-income fare program, caps MetroAccess fares at $4, furthers the Better Bus Initiative and enhances safety measures.  

Additionally, the $2.4 billion capital budget allocates funds to invest in infrastructure projects and sustainability efforts to ensure #YourMetro is safe, reliable and efficient. This includes building new bus garages to support a zero-emission bus fleet, new Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles, advancing Metro’s new 8000-series railcars, technology upgrades to support next generation train systems and development of Blue, Orange and Silver rail line corridor improvements.