WMATA

Per WMATA: Metro today released its Zero-Emission Bus Transition Plan to provide cleaner, Better Bus service for the region with a proposal to transition to a 100 percent zero-emission bus fleet by 2042, accelerating the timeline by three years. The move to zero-emission buses will require significant investments to work with local utilities to upgrade power supplies, install charging equipment and supporting infrastructure, and provide training and maintenance, in addition to the replacement cost of the nearly 1600 bus fleet.

“We will continue to look for ways to further accelerate the transition to zero-emission buses, which provide customers with the same safe, reliable service at a much smaller carbon footprint,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “Every trip taken with Metro instead of a car reduces greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to zero-emission buses will deliver additional environmental and health benefits while improving the quality of life for people across the region.” Under the new timeline, half of Metro’s fleet will be zero-emission buses in 10 years. To accommodate the new buses, Metro will open its first all zero-emission bus garage at Northern in 2027, with five of Metro’s nine garages ready for zero-emission buses by 2031 and the remaining by 2041.

Per WMATA: A new three-digit lifeline number is now available to help individuals experiencing a life-threatening crisis. In Metro station entrances, platforms and top garage levels, customers will see enhanced signs with the new Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, 988.

The three-digit nationwide phone number is available for anyone having a suicidal crisis or mental health related distress. Individuals can speak directly with trained crisis counselors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls and texts are free and confidential. The 988 number does not replace calling 9-1-1 or MYMTPD for immediate medical and emergency situations.

The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) announced the launch of its Body-Worn Camera Program, which will train and equip all MTPD officers, sergeants and lieutenants to begin carrying body-worn cameras in the coming months. The body-worn cameras will supplement the more than 20,000 cameras Metro has throughout the rail, bus, and paratransit system to further strengthen public safety and security efforts.

The department will take a staged approach in its rollout of body-worn cameras, beginning with a group of approximately two dozen highly trained officers in the MTPD’s Special Response Team (SRT) and Tactical Operations Unit (TOU). These officers will be the first to begin carrying body-worn cameras later this month. Following the initial deployment, body-worn cameras will be put into use at each of the three MTPD districts, with an estimated 315 officers trained and equipped by the end of the summer.

Starting Monday, March 20, Metro will begin increasing train service across the rail system just in time for peak cherry blossom season. Weekday service will see an infusion of trains, as well as weekends. Additional trains will also run as needed during the Cherry Blossom Festival as crowding is monitored during peak bloom.

Per WMATA: The improvements correspond to growing ridership, with new post-pandemic records being set almost daily. This week, Metrorail saw its highest ridership since the pandemic, with more than 337,000 paid trips on Wednesday, followed by the second highest day on Thursday with more than 335,000 trips. Cherry blossom season, tourism, sporting events, entertainment, and increased commuters are driving the trend.

Starting next week, customers and the general public have four opportunities to publicly provide feedback on Metro’s Fiscal Year (FY 24) 2024 budget proposal. All are invited to participate in person, via video or via telephone. Below are details for each hearing date:

Metro’s plan to change the way it presses wheels on 7000-series rail cars (7Ks) is under development, based on technical data released today by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB):

“We appreciate the NTSB making the technical reports available so that we can develop our plan to begin repressing wheels on these trains at a higher standard, including the fit onto the axles,” said Chief Operations Officer Brian Dwyer. “We are preparing the technical documents and training plan, while we collaboratively advance the next version of our return to service plan for approval by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.”