WMATA

Per WMATA: Metro Transit Police officers will begin issuing fare evasion citations on Tuesday, November 1, following a monthlong awareness and warning campaign. Citations with associated fines may be issued to anyone jumping fare gates, improperly using emergency gates, or not tapping fare boxes on Metrobuses.

Fare recovery is a major issue and has been mentioned as one of the top concerns of customers when talking with Metro staff and Metro Board Members. Revenue from fares allows Metro to keep buses, trains, and MetroAccess serving our community.

Statements from Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg and Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke 

Per WMATA: Metro is going on the road with ‘Better Bus’, a new initiative to rethink, redesign, and revitalize bus service. In a bold inaugural effort to redesign the current bus network, Metro is holding events across the region to hear from customers and the community. Together with Metro, customers will shape the future of bus service.

The bus network redesign is just the beginning of a reimagined Metro that better serves the needs of customers, including the transition to zero-emission buses, construction of all-electric bus garages, priority bus lanes and signals, bus stop and shelter improvements, and ensures equity of service across communities.

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.