WMATA

Per WMATA: Metrorail’s iconic map is getting an update with the addition of the six new Silver Line stations. Beginning today, you’ll start to see new maps rolling out in stations, trains and transit centers, featuring Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. Also on the new map, Potomac Yard Station is shown as a future station.

Changing the map is no easy feat. With more than 5,000 maps in stations and trains alone, Metro is getting a head start now for what will take more than a month to replace every map in the system in preparation for opening. Digital maps and Metro’s website will be updated upon the opening of the Silver Line extension.

Per WMATA: Metro is “Working Differently” to launch several public safety initiatives that will strengthen and support customer safety and community service for those who use our transit system. Metro Transit Police (MTPD) have strategically increased officer availability to be more visible throughout the Metrobus and Metrorail system to offer customers additional support. Officers are riding trains and buses in intervals throughout the day as part of the new safety patrol operation “HelpingHands.”

“We’ve been listening to customers over the past two months, and it’s clear that a better, safer customer experience is paramount to rebuilding ridership and customer trust,” said GM and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “The steps we are taking are part of a larger framework that enhances the work MTPD is already implementing to improve Metro daily.” In the coming months, Metro will hire several Crisis Intervention Specialists trained in mental health awareness and de-escalation methods. They’ll be paired with an MTPD officer or Operating staff to respond to customers with mental health disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Effective Sunday, Sept. 11, Metro has implemented service adjustments on more than a dozen routes across the District, Maryland and Virginia. The changes are designed to improve the customer experience with more consistent, reliable schedules, upgraded facilities and route modifications to maintain safety.

In addition, customers who ride the 11C in Virginia will benefit from free shuttle buses that will operate instead due to major construction on the Yellow and Blue lines. The adjustments will allow metro to better allocate resources across the Metrobus network and minimize the inconvenience to customers. Wait times between buses will change by only a few minutes.

Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess will operate on a Sunday schedule for customers traveling on the Labor Day holiday, Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. In observance of the holiday, customers will benefit from off-peak fares and parking will be free all day.  The holiday also marks the last day of closures at five Orange Line stations – New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly, Deanwood and Minnesota Ave – for platform reconstruction and station improvements. The stations will reopen on Tuesday, September 6, capping off a four-year effort to renovate and modernize 20 outdoor stations.

On Monday, September 5, 2022, service will operate as follows:

Per WMATA: Metro is returning more of its newest, most reliable trains to service starting Sept. 12. This marks a significant step in the restoration of all 7000-series railcars, which is key to Metro’s plan to improve train frequency for customers. With the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission’s approval, Metro’s updated return to service plan allows the agency to safely operate up to 20 of its 7000-series trains per day, up from the current limit of eight trains.

“Our 7000-series trains are the newest and most reliable in Metro’s fleet, and they are key to providing the level of service our customers want and deserve,” said Randy Clarke, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. “In my frequent conversations with Metro customers, I hear over and over that more frequent service and more 7000-series trains on the tracks are a top priority, and that’s what we’re working to deliver. We appreciate the partnership of WMSC in our shared efforts to improve service for the region.”

Per Metro: As part of customer improvements at the Silver Spring Station, Metro is replacing the five entrance escalators at the Silver Spring Station with brand-new escalators that are more durable and reliable. Work will begin at the north entrance between East-West Highway and Second Ave on Tuesday, Sept 6. The entrance will close during construction for approximately four months to allow the escalators to be replaced concurrently and reduce construction time. 

Metrorail service will not be impacted and customers will be able to access the station via the escalator and elevator at the south entrance closest to the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center.

More than a hundred fire and emergency personnel converged on the new Ashburn Station on the Silver Line Extension as part of a full-scale emergency drill Wednesday, August 17.  NBC’s Adam Tuss tweeted that “Metro’s safety training drill is turning up some issues with the rail along the second phase of the Silver Line. The rails have been sitting for so long, that many are rusted – meaning some safety” equipment is having a hard time “connecting” to the rails.”

WMATA GM Randy Clarke provided a response to the issues via Twitter on Wednesday night, “While today’s @wmata emergency drill didn’t go perfectly it’s important to clarify that rail rust occurs when trains are not running & is not a safety or construction issue. Pre start-up simulation testing will clean this up similar to what other 🚇 lines look like.