Connected Communities Newswire - MetroBus and MetroRail

Metro Identifies Issue with On-board Intercoms when Certain Railcars are Paired

Howard Hartman — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:04:34 GMT

Metro Identifies Issue with On-board
Intercoms when Certain Railcars are Paired

Engineers identify cause of problem; Fix to be implemented

Through extensive diagnostic testing, Metro railcar engineers have identified an issue with on-board intercom systems not functioning under certain conditions when 6000-series rail cars are the lead car. Specifically, engineers determined that in circumstances where 6000-series cars are at the front of the train, intercoms in 1000-series or 4000-series cars farther back on the train will not function.

Metro engineers have been working on the issue of reported intercom failures for months in response to passenger and employee reports, as well as a request from the Tri-State Oversight Committee.

"Now that the issue has been identified and verified by engineering staff, we are taking appropriate action to immediately mitigate the situation and resolve it as quickly as possible," said General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles.

After being briefed on the matter yesterday, General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles ordered the following immediate actions:

Immediately realign railcars to avoid 6000-series leading 1000-series or 4000-series railcars until technical fixes have been applied. This action was completed overnight, and all trains were in compliance for the start of revenue service today. By avoiding 6000-series leading 1000-series or 4000-series cars, all intercoms should function at all times. As cars undergo technical fixes to allow for full interoperability, they will be permitted to operate on the same train with 6000-series cars in the lead.
Metro staff were directed to take all appropriate action to resolve this issue as quickly as possible, including the use of expedited procurement and overtime. The action required to correct the issue concerning 1000-series cars involves installing new control panel components in the 184 cars of the 6000-series fleet. Metro already has parts on hand for the first 20 cars, and expects to be able to apply the fix to all 184 cars within 45 days. The action required to correct the issue involving 4000-series cars will require a software upgrade. A timetable has not yet been determined.
Enhance inspections by having Metro safety officers conduct random spot-checks of on-board intercoms while trains are in service. Random spot-checks began this morning, and any train found to have a non-functional intercom will be removed from service.
Conduct a full review of the diagnostic process to determine whether this issue should have been detected and brought forth sooner. When complete, the results of the review will be presented to the Board Safety & Security Committee in public session.

Railcar intercom signals are passed from one car to the next through a cable called the "train-line," which carries the audio for PA announcements and intercoms, electronic commands to open and close doors, and data for LED signs.

In their analysis of the intercom issues, engineers found that the current level was too low on the 1000-series intercoms for the signal to be recognized when the controlling cab in a 6000-series car. The technical fix involves replacing certain electronic boards within each 6000-series communication control panel. The new electronic boards have different resistors that will allow the 6000-series control panel to recognize the lower-current 1000-series intercoms.

In addition, 4000-series railcars were determined to have an issue communicating with 6000-series railcars at the front of the train due to software in the 4000-series cars.

Metro Updates Major Track Work Calendar Through End of 2013

Howard Hartman — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:28:04 GMT

Metro Updates Major Track
Work Calendar Through End of 2013

Public encouraged to use as event and travel planning tool

Metro has updated its major track work calendar detailing major weekend rebuilding and construction projects through the end of the year.

The calendar — available at wmata.com/trackwork — shows the date, locations where buses will replace trains, closed stations and -- for the next several weeks -- a description of the work to be performed.

"I encourage community groups and other stakeholders to check the calendar for advance notice of the major projects we plan to undertake over the next six months," said Richard Sarles, Metro General Manager & Chief Executive Officer.

Metro is in the middle of a six-year $5 billion capital improvement program to improve the safety and reliability of the system.

"These are not typical 'maintenance' projects," Sarles said. "We appreciate our customers' understanding as we perform the heavy construction that is necessary to make the system safer and more reliable."

Metro July 4 Service Information

Howard Hartman — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:22:17 GMT

Metro July 4 Service Information

Additional trains; No scheduled track work

Metro will provide extra rail service on Thursday, July 4, for the benefit of those attending holiday festivities on the National Mall and the Washington Nationals day game.

More than 500,000 passengers are expected to take Metro on Independence Day, with crowds primarily traveling to and from the 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall, as well as smaller events around the region. Metrorail service will operate from 7 a.m. to midnight, with near rush-hour service levels from 6 p.m. to midnight. There will be no scheduled track work anywhere on the system on the holiday.

To avoid crowds at transfer stations, riders are encouraged to travel to a station on the same line as their starting point. For example, passengers starting on the Red Line should consider traveling to a station on the Red Line, such as Judiciary Square or Union Station. In particular, riders on the Green and Yellow lines should consider walking from L�Enfant Plaza, rather than transferring to the Orange or Blue lines. After the event, walk back to the same station, on the same line as your origin.

In addition, Metro is encouraging riders to use stations other than Smithsonian or Federal Triangle, which often see the heaviest ridership for National Mall events. Smithsonian Station will be �entry-only� at the conclusion of the fireworks display.

The following is a list of suggested stations:

Foggy Bottom for Orange or Blue line riders
Metro Center for Red, Orange or Blue line riders
Archives for Yellow or Green line riders
Gallery Place for Red, Yellow or Green line riders
Judiciary Square for Red Line riders
Union Station for Red Line riders
L�Enfant Plaza for Orange, Blue, Yellow or Green line riders
Capitol South for Orange or Blue line riders
Federal Center SW for Orange or Blue line riders
Arlington Cemetery for Blue Line riders

Metrorail Service

Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Check your station information page for last train departure times.
Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule for most of the day, ramping up to near rush-hour service levels in the evening hours. Trains will operate on a regular service pattern; Rush+ will not be in effect.
Smithsonian Station will be open throughout the day, but "entry-only" following the fireworks.
Metro will operate a combination of six and eight-car trains on all rail lines. Riders should check platform displays and spread out along the platform to use all available cars. An eight-car train will take up the entire length of the platform, and the last two cars are often the least crowded.
Parking will be free at all Metrorail stations.
Due to capacity constraints, bicycles and large coolers are not be permitted on Metrorail on July 4.

Fare Information

To avoid potentially long lines at fare vending machines following the fireworks, all Metro riders are encouraged to purchase either a One-Day Pass ($14) or ensure that they have enough fare value on their SmarTrip card or paper farecard to complete their entire round trip. Each passenger must have his or her own fare card, SmarTrip card or One-Day Pass. By purchasing a One-Day Pass for $14, a rider can take unlimited trips on Metrorail throughout the day.
To determine your fare, use Metro's Trip Planner and use July 4 as your travel date. Remember to load your card with twice this amount for a round trip. If you use a paper fare card, you must add $1 to the fare of each trip you take.
Off-peak fares will be in effect all day.

Important Travel Tips

Travel light. Customers are discouraged from bringing large coolers or other bulky items aboard trains.
Avoid using Federal Triangle or Smithsonian stations, if possible. Instead, consider using other stations within walking distance of the National Mall. After the fireworks, return to the same station.
Plan your trip to avoid transferring between rail lines at Metro Center, Gallery Place or L�Enfant Plaza. All rail lines provide service within walking distance of the National Mall.
As a reminder, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited within Metrorail stations or aboard trains.
If traveling with a stroller, use the elevator, not the escalators.
Always stand back from the platform edge for your safety.
Do not hold the train doors. They do not operate like elevator doors and will not automatically reopen.
When boarding the train, step all the way into the car to make room for passengers boarding behind you.
On Metrorail, it is customary for riders to stand to the right while using escalators.

Safety and Security

There are no specific or credible threats to the Metro system or related to this event.
Metro Transit Police will be visible throughout the system to ensure the customer safety and security.
Passengers are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior, unusual activity or unattended items to any uniformed Metro employee or police officer, or by calling Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
As a reminder, any bags or packages brought onto the Metrorail system may be subject to random, non-invasive explosives screening by Metro Transit Police.

Metrobus Service

On July 4, Metrobus will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Due to street closures near the National Mall and at various locations throughout the region, riders can expect several bus routes to be detoured. For more information and updates on specific detours, sign up for MetroAlerts at wmata.com/metroalerts.
Due to the many short-term bus detours, NextBus, Metro�s automated bus arrival information service may not be able to reflect changes in detoured July 4 bus service.

MetroAccess Service

MetroAccess will operate on a regular schedule on Thursday, July 4. However, all subscription trips will be cancelled. MetroAccess customers who wish to travel on July 4 will need to call MetroAccess reservations or visit Metro�s website to book their trips prior to 4:30 pm on Wednesday, July 3.
To the extent allowable by road closures, MetroAccess will provide regular service after the fireworks. Customers planning to attend July 4th events on the National Mall and in the downtown area should expect traffic congestion and delays.

Customer Assistance

More than 80 Metro volunteers will provide additional information and assistance throughout the system.
The Metro Information Call Center will be open from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Lost & Found and customer relations will be closed.

For additional information, sign up for MetroAlerts at wmata.com.

Weekend Service Adjustments June 21-23 Due to Rebuilding

Howard Hartman — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:25:39 GMT

Weekend Service Adjustments June 21-23 Due to Rebuilding

Metro's multi-year rebuilding effort will continue over the weekend of June 21-23 with service adjustments on the Red and Orange lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday night and continuing through system closing on Sunday.

There is no scheduled work this weekend on the Blue, Yellow or Green lines. Trains on these lines will operate at normal weekend intervals, with Yellow Line trains operating to/from Fort Totten.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 21 through closing Sun., June 23
Buses replace trains between Forest Glen & Rhode Island Ave

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Rhode Island Ave - Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times
Between Forest Glen & Glenmont - Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Rhode Island Ave & Forest Glen to allow for ongoing platform reconstruction, tie replacement, drainage improvements, communication system upgrades and track maintenance.

Stations closed: Brookland, Takoma & Silver Spring. (Fort Totten open for Green & Yellow only.)

Shuttle buses will operate continuously between Forest Glen & Rhode Island Ave on two routes:

Limited-stop buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Ave stations, with one stop at Silver Spring. Add up to 40 minutes of travel time.
Local buses will operate between Forest Glen & Rhode Island Ave, with intermediate stops at Silver Spring, Takoma, Fort Totten and Brookland stations. Add 10 minutes of travel time for each station stop. For example, if traveling from Brookland to Rhode Island Avenue, add 10 minutes for one stop. If traveling from Fort Totten to Forest Glen should add 30 minutes because the bus makes three stops.

Travel tip: If you normally drive and park at stations on the eastern leg of the Red Line (e.g. Glenmont, Silver Spring, Takoma), consider parking at stations on the western side of the line instead. Good options include Grosvenor, Rockville and Shady Grove.

Change to last train time (Glenmont to Forest Glen): On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the last train from Glenmont to Forest Glen will depart 53 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections. The last train will depart Glenmont at 1:44 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 10:44 p.m. on Sunday.

Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 21 through closing Sun., June 23
New Carrollton and Landover stations only

Orange Line trains will operate at normal weekend service intervals between Vienna & Cheverly stations.

Due to a single-track work zone between Cheverly & New Carrollton, every other Orange Line train will run between Vienna and Cheverly only, rather than between Vienna and New Carrollton.

As a result, passengers traveling to or from Landover or New Carrollton stations ONLY may experience travel times up to 15 minutes longer than normal.

Regular service (no scheduled work)

For more information

For schedules, real-time train arrivals and station information, visit wmata.com. Metro riders can access Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Leaders Join WMATA Board to Endorse Momentum

Howard Hartman — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:55:29 GMT

Business, Tourism, Transportation and Governmental
Leaders Join WMATA Board to Endorse Momentum

Landmark Plan Continues Rebuilding, Prepares for Regional Growth

Calling it a blueprint for a better Metro system, WMATA�s Board of Directors was applauded by regional business leaders, transportation advocates, government officials, and community champions for approving Momentum -- a strategic plan to rebuild and expand the transit system for a generation.

�This is a generational plan that will deliver better service for riders, position our region to attract future business growth, and support the quality of life of our residents,� said 2025 Special Committee Chair and Arlington County Supervisor Mary Hynes. �This plan represents the Board�s important work to chart a course for Metro that clearly defines the vision, mission and goals that benefit today�s riders, as well as projected growth in demand for years to come.�

Today at a meeting of the special Committee of the Board, Members voted unanimously to recommend the plan to the full Board for adoption on June 27th and to secure a regional agreement to advance funding for Metro 2025 priorities in the plan. Those priorities provide capacity for an additional 500,000 peak-period bus and rail trips per day. Momentum calls for maximizing the existing rail system by operating all eight-car trains � the longest possible because of platform lengths � during rush hour travel. It also identifies improvements needed for high-volume stations, and upgrades for fare and public information systems. For bus riders, Metro 2025 includes exclusive bus-only lanes that would improve on time arrivals and shorten trips.

Arlington County, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax have all passed resolutions endorsing Momentum. This week, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments also passed a resolution in support of Momentum.

In the core of the Metro system, more than 40 percent of workers use Metro for commuting. Throughout the National Capital Region, 17 percent of commuting trips are on transit � more than three times the national average. Currently Metro invests nearly $1 billion per year to rehabilitate and maintain the existing system. Implementing 2025 priorities ensures the continued maintenance of the system and also addresses capacity and service improvement needs, increasing investments by $500 million annually.

Business, transportation and community leaders applauded the Board�s action today.

�Making sure that Metro continues to serve this region�s residents and businesses is among the Board of trade�s highest priorities,� said Board of Trade President James Dinegar. �We support the adoption and ongoing work to fund the plan because transit is the backbone of the region�s economy and our businesses, our workers and our visitors rely on a robust transportation system every single day.�

In addition to Dinegar�s comments to the Board�s Special 2025 Committee today, other leaders who spoke in support of the plan included Prince George�s County Council Chair Andrea Harrison, Destination DC�s Elliott Ferguson, Downtown Bid Executive Director Richard Bradley, AAA�s Lon Anderson, Ron Kirby of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and Smarter Growth Coalition Executive Director Stewart Schwartz.

�While this is a forward looking plan, it will benefit today�s passengers who know that many of our trains, stations and buses in the peak periods are bursting at the seams,� said General Manager Richard Sarles. �Today we launched a special webpage on wmata.com so that riders have an easy way to call for Metro rail and bus service improvements by endorsing the Momentum plan.�

The new web page already includes endorsements from the Greater Washington Board of Trade, Destination DC, Washington Gas, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, SmithGroup JJR, ZipCar, Action Committee for Transit, Arlington Transit Advisory Committee, Transportation Association for Greater Springfield, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, and WMATA�s Accessibility Advisory Committee and Riders� Advisory Council.

Metro First Rail Transit in U.S. to implement Close Call Reporting

Howard Hartman — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 18:48:32 GMT

Metro First Rail Transit in U.S.
to implement Close Call Reporting

New safety Program reflects labor-management partnership

Thanks to an effective partnership between ATU Local 689 and management, Metro is launching a new pilot program designed to enhance safety by increasing the opportunity for employee reporting of incidents or situations that have the potential for more serious consequences. Metro will become the first rail transit agency in the nation to promote a confidential �Close Call Transit Safety Reporting System.�

While Metro has instituted many safety initiatives to report safety concerns, close call reporting provides another avenue of reporting incidents confidentially which will enable employees to keep a constant focus and attention to safety. These incidents will not be subject to administrative discipline, but the knowledge of their existence is critical in maintaining and changing the safety culture.

�We want to know what we don�t know, and Close Call reporting is a proven way of gathering information at a stage when we can act to prevent more serious safety incidents, reverse bad habits or address emerging trends,� said Metro General Manager and CEO, Richard Sarles. �We are very proud that our effective partnership with labor leaders is making this new safety program possible.�

Confidentiality for employees who report close calls is critical for success of the pilot. It allows them to report events that would otherwise go unreported, without fear of possible discipline. �This effort will continue the creation of a safer culture and that is the reason for this partnership,� said ATU Local 689 President Jackie Jeter. We see Close Call reporting programs working well in freight and commuter rail, and strongly believe that transit employees can benefit from a safer workplace, and deliver safer service when we encourage confidential reporting.�

The partnership also includes the U.S. Department of Transportation�s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), a part of the Research Innovative Technology Administration, to help manage the project and take confidential safety reports from employees.

Beginning this summer, WMATA employees who see or experience unsafe conditions can submit a report to BTS. To maintain confidentiality, BTS removes all identifying information, conducts interviews with employees who submit reports, and then presents information about emerging trends and new sources of risks to a joint Metro/Labor committee known as the Peer Review Team. This trained team, which works under a strict confidentiality agreement required by BTS, will meet regularly to establish root causes of reported events and recommend actions Metro should take to stop them from reoccurring. BTS has more than six years� experience in the same role for Canadian Pacific Railway, Union Pacific Railroad and New Jersey Transit in the Federal Railroad Administration�s separate and ongoing Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) pilot.

�While reporting will be confidential, this program does not eliminate employee accountability for serious rules violations such as signal adherence,� said Metro Deputy General Manager of Operations Rob Troup.

Metro Rebuilding Work June 14-16

Howard Hartman — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:42:26 GMT

Metro Rebuilding Work June 14-16

Buses replace trains on portion of Red Line

Metro's multi-year rebuilding effort will continue over the weekend of June 14-16 with service adjustments beginning at 10 p.m. Friday night and continuing through system closing on Sunday.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., June 14 through closing Sun., June 16

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Rhode Island Avenue and Forest Glen to allow for ongoing platform reconstruction, tie replacement, drainage improvements, communication system upgrades and track maintenance.
Four stations will be closed: Brookland, Fort Totten, Takoma and Silver Spring.
Red Line trains will operate between Shady Grove and Rhode Island and between Forest Glen and Glenmont every 10 minutes during daytime hours, and at regular weekend intervals (every 15-20 minutes) at other times.
Shuttle buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Avenue on two routes: Limited-stop buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island stations, with a single intermediate stop at Silver Spring. Passengers using limited-stop buses should add up to 40 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Avenue, with intermediate stops at Silver Spring, Takoma, Fort Totten and Brookland stations. Passengers should add 10 minutes of travel time for each station stop. For example, a rider traveling from Brookland to Rhode Island Avenue should add 10 minutes for one stop. A rider traveling from Fort Totten to Forest Glen should add 30 minutes because the bus makes three stops.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, the last train from Glenmont to Forest Glen will depart 53 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections. The last train will depart Glenmont at 1:44 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 10:44 p.m. on Sunday.

Orange, Blue, Yellow & Green lines - 10 p.m. Fri., June 14 through closing Sun., June 16

Trains on all other lines (Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green) will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend to allow for rebuilding work in several work zones:

Between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road for repairs to the floating concrete slabs beneath the rails;
Between Cheverly and New Carrollton for rail, tie and insulator replacement and renewal; and
Between Fort Totten and Prince George�s Plaza for fiber optic cable repair and rail fastener replacement.

Note: Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square this weekend. Passengers traveling to/from stations north of Mount Vernon Square should use Green Line trains to complete their trip.

Metro passengers will experience the longer wait time on the platform; once a train departs a station, it is not expected to encounter delays en route. Riders can reduce their wait by using Metro's trip planner prior to traveling. Special schedules that reflect this weekend's work will be loaded into the trip planner by midday Friday.

To check alternate routes using Metrobus, use Metro's online trip planner and select "bus only".

For schedules, real-time train arrivals and station information, visit wmata.com. Metro riders can access Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Metro Reminds Nats fans, Capital Pride Attendees of Weekend Track Work

Howard Hartman — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 00:36:25 GMT

Metro Reminds Nats fans, Capital
Pride Attendees of Weekend Track Work

Riders encouraged to allow extra travel time, load SmarTrip cards in advance

Metro is reminding Nationals fans and those planning to attend this weekend's Capital Pride festivities of rebuilding work that will affect Metrorail schedules on all lines.

Service adjustments will begin at 10 p.m. tonight (Friday, June 7) and continue through system closing on Sunday, June 9.

Throughout the weekend:

Red Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, additional trains will operate between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet, resulting in service about every 12 minutes between these stations.
Orange Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.
Blue Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center.
Yellow Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Huntington and Fort Totten.
Green Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Greenbelt and Branch Ave.
Passengers will experience the longer wait time on the platform; once a train departs a station, it is not expected to encounter delays en route. Riders can reduce their wait by using Metro's trip planner prior to traveling. Special schedules that reflect this weekend's work are now loaded into the trip planner.

Travel tips

Expect crowds due to events downtown, including Capital Pride and Nationals games. Allow extra travel time this weekend.
Many trains this weekend will operate with 8 cars, the longest possible length. Please spread out along the platform. The last two cars are often the least crowded.
To avoid lines at vending machines, be sure to load value on your SmarTrip card for an entire roundtrip -- in advance. SmarTrip customers can add value online at smartrip.com.
If you normally park at Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook or White Flint, you might consider using Grosvenor Station this weekend instead. Grosvenor Station will have trains departing toward Downtown twice as frequently as stations to the north.
Plan your trip to avoid transferring between rail lines, if possible. For example, if attending the Pride Parade, riders on the Green or Yellow lines should consider using Shaw-Howard or U Street stations, rather than transferring to the Red Line. Similarly, Nats fans on the Blue or Orange lines should consider walking from Capitol South, rather than transferring to the Green Line.
Nats fans who drive and park at a Metro station might consider using Anacostia Station, which has more than 800 parking spaces (free on weekends), and is located one stop from Navy Yard-Ballpark on the Green Line.
Following the Capital Pride festival on Pennsylvania Avenue, participants are encouraged to walk to a station on the same line as their destination. Red Line riders should use Metro Center, Gallery Place or Judiciary Square. Green or Yellow line riders should use Gallery Place or Archives. Blue or Orange line riders should use Metro Center or Federal Triangle.
Taking Metrobus may be good alternative for some riders. To see if Metrobus is an option, use Metro's online trip planner and select the "bus only" option.

Metro seeks input on H Line Services (Routes H1, H2, H3, H4; H8, H9)

Howard Hartman — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 17:58:37 GMT

Metro seeks input on H Line Services
(Routes H1, H2, H3, H4; H8, H9)

Riders, transportation agencies, to discuss service issues, potential solutions

Metro will host two community meetings to discuss the H Lines (Routes H1, H2, H3, H4, H8, H9) Service Evaluation Study. The meeting is a part of ongoing studies to improve Metrobus service on some of the region�s most heavily used bus lines. At the meeting, the project team will discuss preliminary findings and potential service improvement concepts.

The public meetings will be held:

Monday, June 10, 2013�5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
St. Anthony�s Catholic School (Cafeteria)
12th & Lawrence Streets NE (0.2 miles from Brookland Metro Station and adjacent to the Route 80 bus stop at 12th & Monroe Streets NE)
Washington, DC

Wednesday, June 12, 2013�5:30 to 7:30 pm
Mt. Pleasant Library (Large Meeting Room)
3160 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20010

The meeting is open to all members of the public; no advance registration is required. Participants may arrive any time between the start and end time of each meeting. Metro hopes that the open format will promote a direct dialogue between Metrobus riders and project staff, and that the absence of a meeting schedule will appeal to those who have only a few minutes to participate.

For more information about the Service Evaluation Study, or to give Metro your feedback in a survey about the lines currently being evaluated, please visit the project website below.

Go to this site

Metro Rebuilding Work June 7-9

Howard Hartman — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 17:11:58 GMT

Metro Rebuilding Work June 7-9

Metro's multi-year rebuilding effort will continue over the weekend of June 7-9 with service adjustments beginning at 10 p.m. Friday night and continuing through system closing on Sunday.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., June 7 through closing Sun., June 9

Red Line trains will single track through two work zones:

between Shady Grove and Twinbrook for rail, fastener, insulator and third-rail work; and
between Rhode Island Ave and Takoma for ongoing platform reconstruction, tie replacement and track maintenance.

Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, additional trains will operate between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet, resulting in service about every 12 minutes between these stations.

To reduce their wait time, riders who normally park at Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook or White Flint may wish to use Grosvenor Station this weekend instead.

Passengers will experience the longer wait time on the platform; once a train departs a station, it is not expected to encounter delays en route. Riders can reduce their wait by using Metro's trip planner prior to traveling. Special schedules that reflect this weekend's work will be loaded into the trip planner by midday Friday.

Orange, Blue, Yellow & Green lines - 10 p.m. Fri., June 7 through closing Sun., June 9

Trains on all other lines (Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green) will operate every 18 minutes throughout the weekend to allow for rebuilding work in several work zones:

between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly for platform reconstruction
between Mt Vernon Square and U Street for switch replacement, rail renewal and joint elimination
between East Falls Church and West Falls Church for Silver Line testing

Note: Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Fort Totten this weekend.

Metro passengers will experience the longer wait time on the platform; once a train departs a station, it is not expected to encounter delays en route. Riders can reduce their wait by using Metro's trip planner prior to traveling. Special schedules that reflect this weekend's work will be loaded into the trip planner by midday Friday.

To check alternate routes using Metrobus, use Metro's online trip planner and select "bus only."

For schedules, real-time train arrivals and station information, visit wmata.com. Metro riders can access Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Metro to Hold Auditions for MetroPerforms! June 4

Howard Hartman — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:45:37 GMT

Metro to Hold Auditions for MetroPerforms! June 4

Open auditions for singers, dancers, musicians, and more

So you think you can dance? Or sing? Or play music? Metro�s Art in Transit Program is inviting local performers of all genres�singers, dancers, musicians, poets and more�to audition for �MetroPerforms!� to showcase their talents at selected Metrorail station entrances this summer.

Auditions will be held Tuesday, June 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC. Auditions will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. All interested artists should visit wmata.com/metroperforms for registration information and additional details.

In addition to the chance to perform at Metro stations, artists may be selected to perform at Music on the Mall, a program developed by Metro in cooperation with the National Park Service and the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

Performances at Metro stations and on the Mall will take place from June through September. Selected artists will perform on a volunteer basis and are expected to adhere to performance program guidelines.

�We are very pleased with how popular the program has become with area artists and Metro travelers,� said Michael McBride, Metro�s Art in Transit program manager. �Participating performers will extend the rich performance history of the region to one of the most visited destinations in the country.�

Performances will take place at designated station entrances at a distance far enough away from stairs and escalators to ensure unobstructed access for riders. Performers must pass a security background check and must comply with guidelines of the program.

Metro Rebuilding Work May 31-June 2

Howard Hartman — Tue, 28 May 2013 14:18:53 GMT

Metro Rebuilding Work May 31-June 2

Buses replace Red Line trains between Woodley Park & Metro Center;
trains on other lines every 22 minutes

Metro's multi-year rebuilding effort will continue over the weekend of May 31 through June 2 on all five rail lines. To allow for the work to proceed as safely and efficiently as possible, service adjustments will begin at 10 p.m. Friday night and continue through system closing on Sunday.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 31 through closing Sun., June 2

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Woodley Park and Metro Center to allow for improvements to third-rail infrastructure, elimination of rail joints, track fasteners replacement, communications upgrades and fiber-optic cable installation.

Two stations will be closed: Dupont Circle and Farragut North.

Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains will operate in two segments:

Between Shady Grove and Woodley Park every 10 minutes during daytime hours and every 15-20 minutes at other times.
Between Metro Center and Glenmont every 15 minutes during daytime hours and every 15-20 minutes at other times.
Express buses will operate between Woodley Park and Metro Center without intermediate stops; passengers using express buses should add 20 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Woodley Park and Metro Center, making intermediate stops at Dupont Circle and Farragut North; passengers using local buses should add 25 minutes to their travel time.

Orange, Blue, Yellow & Green lines - 10 p.m. Fri., May 31 through closing Sun., June 2

Trains on all other lines (Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green) will operate every 22 minutes throughout the weekend to allow for rebuilding work in five separate work zones:

On the Blue Line between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road, workers will rehabilitate concrete structures below the rails and upgrade rail communication systems.

On the Yellow and Blue lines between Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street, workers will install new rail ties and third-rail insulators, eliminate rail joints and perform ballast tamping (reconditioning of the crushed stone beneath the rails).
On the Orange Line between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly, crews will continue major platform reconstruction efforts at Deanwood and Minnesota Avenue stations, as well as track and third-rail renewal.
On the Green Line between Anacostia and Southern Avenue, workers will clean and repair third-rail insulators, repair leaks and clear drains.
On the Green Line between Greenbelt and College Park, work will continue on a new test track for acceptance of 7000-series railcars.

Metro passengers will experience the longer wait time on the platform; once a train departs a station, it is not expected to encounter further delays en route. Riders can reduce their wait by using Metro's trip planner prior to traveling. Special schedules that reflect this weekend's work will be loaded into the trip planner by midday Friday.

To see alternate routes using Metrobus, use Metro's online trip planner and select "bus only."

For schedules, real-time train arrivals and station information, visit wmata.com. Metro riders can access Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Metro Service Information for Memorial Day 2013

Howard Hartman — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:30:48 GMT

Metro Service Information for Memorial Day 2013

Metrorail and Metrobus on Sunday schedules

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2013, Metro will operate service on the following schedules:

Metrorail: The system will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. Passengers are advised of scheduled rebuilding work on the Red and Orange lines. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day, and parking will be free at all Metrorail parking facilities.
Metrobus: Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Check bus timetables for details.
MetroAccess: All subscription trips will be cancelled on Monday. Customers wishing to travel on the holiday should make a seperate reservation.

In addition, Metro's customer information line, lost and found and customer relations call centers will be closed on the holiday.

Metro Weekend Rebuilding Work May 24-27

Howard Hartman — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:49 GMT

Metro Weekend Rebuilding Work May 24-27

Metro's multi-year rebuilding effort will continue over Memorial Day weekend, May 24 through 27, on the Red and Orange lines. Service adjustments will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Monday night.

There is no scheduled work this weekend on the Blue, Yellow or Green lines.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 24 through closing Mon., May 27

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Shady Grove and Twinbrook to allow for NTSB-recommended track circuit module replacement; fiber-optic cable installation; rail fastener, tie and insulator renewal; fence repairs and signage installation.
Two stations will be closed: Shady Grove and Rockville.
Red Line trains will operate between Twinbrook and Glenmont every 10 minutes during daytime hours, and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Riders using shuttle bus service from Shady Grove should allow about 20 minutes of additional travel time. Those boarding at Rockville should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.
Riders who normally drive and park at Shady Grove or Rockville stations may wish to consider parking at other stations this weekend. Good options include Twinbrook, White Flint or Grosvenor.

Orange Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 24 through closing Mon., May 27

Free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between Vienna and Ballston to allow for switch replacement, rail joint elimination, and tie and insulator renewal.
Four stations will be closed: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, and East Falls Church.
Throughout the weekend, Orange Line trains will operate between Ballston and New Carrollton at regular weekend intervals.
Express shuttle buses will operate between Vienna and Ballston stations only (no intermediate stops). Riders using express shuttles should add about 25 minutes to their travel time.
Local shuttle buses will operate between Vienna and Ballston with intermediate stops at Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and East Falls Church. Riders using local shuttles should add up to 40 minutes to their travel time.

Visit wmata.com for schedules, "next train" arrival information and alternate bus options. Metro riders can access this information on Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Metro Welcomes TPB Commute Share Study Demonstrating Importance of Transit System

Howard Hartman — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:44:24 GMT

Metro Welcomes TPB Commute Share Study
Demonstrating Importance of Transit System to Region

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles today issued the following statement regarding the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board’s (TPB) Commute Share Study:

“We welcome TPB’s leadership in providing important trend information vital to the region’s economy. The study’s findings underscore the increasing reliance on transit in the region and the need to plan for the future. Growth in transit mode share has been consistent for more than a decade and Metro’s Momentum strategic plan anticipates the trend continuing. As such, we remain committed to meeting the region’s future needs by rebuilding the system to improve safety and reliability, increasing capacity with longer trains and bus-only lanes, investing in stations to handle increasing demand, and implementing state-of-the-art fare technology and passenger communication systems.”

The National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) is the federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the region.

Metro to Launch Unlimited "Short Trip" Metrorail Pass on SmarTrip cards

Howard Hartman — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:25:48 GMT

Metro to Launch Unlimited "Short Trip"
Metrorail Pass on SmarTrip cards

Metro's $35 seven-day "short trip" pass is coming
to SmarTrip cards starting Monday, May 20.

The upgrade will allow SmarTrip users to purchase and load short trip passes from the convenience of their computer. Previously, the short trip pass was available only as a paper fare card. This meant that riders had to stop at a fare vending machine to purchase the pass, or have the paper pass mailed to them. By launching the short trip pass as a SmarTrip product, riders can load a new pass onto their SmarTrip card at smartrip.com, in addition to purchasing the pass at a fare vending machine.

Short Trip Pass Quick Facts

Cost $35
Pass is valid for seven days from first use. It expires at the end of the seventh operating day.
Good for unlimited Metrorail trips valued up to $3.50 during peak periods
Good for unlimited Metrorail trips of any value during off-peak times
During peak periods, the short pass can be used for longer trips (greater than $3.50), but the passenger must pay the difference.
The "short trip" pass is a good option for riders who take frequent trips between nearby stations -- or any combination of trips where the fare is less than $3.50 during peak periods.

Short trip pass users can take peak-period trips that cost more than $3.50 by paying the applicable difference in fare. For example, someone who normally travels from Bethesda to Metro Center ($3.35 peak fare) can use the pass for unlimited trips at all times because the fare is less than $3.50. If the rider decided to take a trip from Bethesda to Union Station ($3.65 peak fare), he or she must pay an addition 15 cents. Previously, the additional fare payment required a stop at the Exitfare machine each time prior to leaving the system. Monday's launch of the short trip pass on SmarTrip makes this process much more convenient by automatically deducting the difference from the rider's "stored value" (cash) on the same SmarTrip card.

Riders can purchase a seven-day short trip pass for their SmarTrip card online at wmata.com or at a Farecards and Passes machine at any Metrorail station entrance.

Metro will discontinue sales of the paper version of the short-trip pass after May 31, 2013.

Notes: A passenger cannot have a negative stored-value balance to enter the system with a short trip pass; entry using this pass requires a zero or positive stored value balance. Consistent with other multi-day passes, the 7-day short trip pass is not eligible for transfer discounts between bus and rail. Metrorail trips that include a transfer between Farrragut North and Farragut West stations (Farragut Crossing virtual tunnel) will be calculated as two separate trips.

Metro Releases Preliminary Findings of Investigation into Rail Car Electrical Fire

Howard Hartman — Wed, 15 May 2013 20:15:49 GMT

Metro Releases Preliminary Findings of
Investigation into Electrical Fire Under Rail Car

The investigation into the cause of last night�s Red Line fire is ongoing. While Metro has not yet identified the root cause of the fire, investigators have eliminated track conditions as a contributing factor.

The investigation is focused at this time on the rail car -- a 1000-series car that is the oldest type in the fleet and scheduled for retirement with the arrival of the new 7000-series rail cars next year.

As a preliminary matter, investigators are looking at the way the electrical arc-flashing occurred beneath the car, which suggests possible unintended contact between a metal-shielded hose under the train, and power cables. Careful examination of the rail car is expected to require several days, as its under-car equipment suffered damage from the fire.

In addition to determining the root cause, the investigation will review all aspects of the operation of the incident train yesterday, including the offloading of passengers and the train�s movement beyond Takoma Station.

Preliminary Investigative Findings as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 15

Shortly after 6 p.m., Metro�s Rail Operations Control Center received a report of three small �explosions,� smoke and fire associated with Train #715. The train was located on track #1 at Silver Spring Station.
In response, the Control Center removed third rail power on Track 1, which stopped the electrical arcing under the train. The Control Center notified Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service, Metro Transit Police, and appropriate internal response departments.
The Silver Spring Station platform was evacuated, and the station was subsequently closed to allow for the emergency response.
Train 715 was not carrying passengers during the time of the arcing flashes or related under-train fire. The train was offloaded at Takoma Station.
The electrical arcing (flashes) and related fire were located under car 1091, which was the third car in the consist.
Fire department personnel extinguished the fire under railcar 1091 using dry chemical.
Fire did not breach the passenger compartment of railcar 1091. Fire damage is contained to the undercarriage and side of the car.
WMATA Car Equipment Engineers are working to determine the root cause of the incident. The investigation is focused on the possibility that metal-shielded hoses came into contact with power cables under the car body creating an electrical short.
THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THERE HAS BEEN NO FINAL DETERMINATION AS TO CAUSE.
Rail service was suspended between Forest Glen and Takoma stations for approximately 90 minutes to allow for the fire department response to the incident.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m., rail service was restored with a single track (track 2) between Takoma and Forest Glen. Silver Spring Station reopened for exit only shortly after 8 p.m. Full service was restored shortly after 9 p.m.

Cables under Car 1091
are inspected by investigators

Metro Announces Final Public Meeting for Metrobus Route 80 Study

Howard Hartman — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:28:25 GMT

Metro Announces Final Public Meeting for Metrobus Route 80 Study

Customers can give feedback on possible service improvements for North Capitol Street Line

Metro and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the final public meeting to hear input from riders and community members about recommended service improvements to the North Capitol Street Line route.

Metro and DDOT have been working together on a comprehensive study of Route 80 service. The final public meeting announced today follows four open houses and a focus group in late 2012, in which the project team heard ideas from the public about service improvements along the corridor.

The final public meeting will be held:

Wednesday, May 22, 2013 -- 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
St. Anthony School
12th & Lawrence Streets NE (0.2 miles from Brookland Metro Station and adjacent to the Route 80 bus stop at 12th & Monroe Streets NE)
Washington, DC

The meeting is open to all members of the public; no advance registration is required. Participants may arrive any time between the start and end time of each meeting. The meetings will not feature a formal presentation. Instead, participants will be able to speak individually with the project team about service improvements that Metro is considering for the North Capitol Street Line.

Metro and DDOT will use the feedback from participants at this public meeting to complete the Route 80 study and present the final set of recommendations to the Metro Board for approval in mid-2013.

Metrobus Route 80 runs from Fort Totten Metrorail Station in Northeast DC down South Dakota Avenue and 12th Street NE to Michigan Avenue and North Capitol Street. At Union Station, the route heads west along Massachusetts Avenue, H Street, and K Street NW. Finally, the route goes through Foggy Bottom along 18th and 19th Streets and Virginia Avenue before terminating at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Route 80 currently carries around 7,500 passengers on an average weekday, one of the largest riderships in the Metrobus system.

The North Capitol Street Line Study is the latest in a series of comprehensive evaluations of Metrobus �Priority Corridors." Metro and its partner agencies in the Washington metropolitan region have been studying service and operations on the Metrobus network�s busiest lines since 2006, and making gradual improvements that include restructured routes, limited-stop services, and other enhancements.

A Spanish translator and visual materials in Spanish will be available at the public meetings.

Bike to Work (or Metro) Day is Friday, May 17

Howard Hartman — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:56:01 GMT

Bike to Work (or Metro) Day is Friday, May 17

Metro to host pitstops at West Hyattsville and Cheverly

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 17 -- a day when Metro joins Commuter Connections, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and more than 10,000 commuters for a celebration of bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work.

If riding all the way to work seems a bit daunting, have no fear. Biking to a Metrorail station or loading your bike on Metrobus counts too! Nearly every Metrorail station is equipped with bike racks where riders can secure their bikes, and every Metrobus has a bike rack on the front with space for up to two bikes. (The only Metrorail station that does not have bike racks is Arlington Cemetery on the Blue Line.)

This year, Metro will host Bike to Work Day pitstops at West Hyattsville and Cheverly stations. Riders can stop by the pitstop during the morning commute for free t-shirts and other giveaways, maps, safey tips and a bus bike rack demonstration. To sign up, or for more information on these and other pitstops, visit biketoworkmetrodc.org.

"Biking to Metro can be a safe, fun, convenient and healthy way to start your commute, and we are proud to partner with Commuter Connections and WABA on Bike to Work Day," said Shyam Kannan, Metro's Managing Director of Planning. "We continue to advance ways to encourage people to bike to Metro, including expanding bike parking capacity, investing in secure 'Bike & Ride' facilities, and improvements to station access paths."

West Hyattsville Station is directly accessible via the Anacostia Northwest Branch Trail and the Sligo Creek Trail. Cheverly Station has good bike access from the neighborhood of Cheverly to the north, and signs will guide bicylists from Cheverly Ave. and Columbia Pike Rd.

Standard bicycles are permitted on Metrorail at all times except weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Folding bikes are permitted at all times.

Additional resources

Other Metro bike improvements

Since late 2011, Metro has added capacity for more than 450 bikes with new racks at Benning Road, Braddock Road, Brookland, Capitol Heights, Dupont Circle, East Falls Church, Glenmont, Largo Town Center, Morgan Boulevard, Potomac Avenue, Rhode Island Avenue, Rockville, Shady Grove, Shaw-Howard, Silver Spring, Stadium-Armory, Takoma, Van Ness, and West Hyattsville.
In 2012, Metro completed construction of a special stairway at Rhode Island Avenue Station with a "stairchannel" to make it easier to bring a bicycle to or from the station.
Metro is also testing bus bike racks that have the capacity for three bikes, rather than two.
Last May, Metro opened the system's first Bike & Ride facility at College Park Station. The facility is a 2,400-square foot, secure, enclosed parking structure on the first level of the station's parking garage. The Bike & Ride features bright LED lighting, security cameras, an emergency callbox and card-controlled access. Metro also installed a bike repair stand outside of the garage equipped with a variety of tools for the convenience of riders who may need to make quick bicycle repairs. More information

Metro bike facts

Bike parking usage increased three percent from 2011 to 2012.
Now, 85 of 86 stations (all but Arlington Cemetery) have bike racks available.
We now count over 4,000 bike parking spaces near Metrorail stations.

Metro Weekend Rebuilding Work May 17-19

Howard Hartman — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:56:37 GMT

Metro Weekend Rebuilding Work May 17-19

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

For the weekend of May 17 through 19, rebuilding work will result in service changes on the Red, Orange, and Green lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday night.

There is no scheduled track work this weekend on the Blue or Yellow lines.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 17 through closing Sun., May 19

Red Line trains will single track through two work zones -- between Van Ness and Dupont Circle, and between Rhode Island Ave and Takoma -- to allow for tie and fastener replacement and third rail renewal.
Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.
Additional trains will operate between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet, providing service about every 10 minutes between these stations during daytime hours.

Orange Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 17 through closing Sun., May 19

Free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between East Falls Church and Clarendon to allow for track circuit module replacement, a key NTSB safety recommendation.
Two stations will be closed: Ballston and Virginia Square.
Throughout the weekend, Orange Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between Vienna and East Falls Church, and between Clarendon and New Carrollton.
Shuttle buses will operate continuously between East Falls Church and Clarendon making intermediate stops at Ballston and Virginia Square stations. Customers using shuttle bus service should add up to 25 minutes to their travel time.
To allow for connections to other lines, the last trains of the night from Vienna to East Falls Church will depart 28 minutes earlier than normal -- at 1:57 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 10:57 p.m. on Sunday.

Green Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 17 through closing Sun., May 19

Free shuttle buses will replace Green Line trains between Greenbelt and West Hyattsville to allow for track upgrades, including tie and insulator renewal, interlocking maintenance, and work associated with construction of a new test track for 7000-series railcars.
Four stations will be closed: Greenbelt, College Park, Prince George's Plaza and West Hyattsville.
Throughout the weekend, Green Line trains will operate at regular weekend service intervals between West Hyattsville and Branch Ave.
Shuttle buses will operate continuously between Greenbelt and West Hyattsville, making intermediate stops at College Park and Prince George's Plaza. Customers using shuttle bus service should add up to 35 minutes to their travel time.

For schedules, "next train" arrival information and alternate bus options, customers are encouraged to visit wmata.com. Customers can access this information on Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Howard Hartman — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:13:11 GMT

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Saturday, May 11,
for Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m., on Saturday, May 11, for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Race participants traveling to the start line should use the following stations:

Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange lines)
Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines)
Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines)

Customers are advised to take note of scheduled weekend rebuilding work on the Red, Orange, Blue and Yellow lines that could affect their trip.

Travel Tips

To avoid lines, be sure to load enough fare value on your SmarTrip or paper farecard for your entire roundtrip (both directions).
If using a paper farecard, remember to add $1 for each trip. To avoid this surcharge, use a SmarTrip card. You can purchase a SmarTrip at any Metrorail station.
If using a paper farecard, protect it from moisture during the race.

The additional two hours of service is funded through an agreement with event organizers.

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work May 3-5

Howard Hartman — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:38:27 GMT

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work May 3-5

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

This weekend's rebuilding work will result in service changes on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday night.

There is no scheduled track work this weekend on the Yellow Line. Trains will operate normally between Huntington and Fort Totten.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Glenmont and Fort Totten stations to allow for the activation of a new train control room at Silver Spring, platform reconstruction at Fort Totten and Takoma, track renewal and insulator replacement.
Five stations will be closed: Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma.
Trains will operate between Shady Grove and Fort Totten every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Free shuttle buses will operate between Glenmont and Fort Totten on two routes: Express buses will operate non-stop between Glenmont and Fort Totten stations. Customers using express buses should add about 30 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Glenmont and Fort Totten, with intermediate stops at Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations. Customers using local buses should add up to 50 minutes to their travel time.

Orange Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Orange Line trains will single track through two work zones: between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom to allow for fiber-optic cable installation, and between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly for platform reconstruction at Deanwood, rail renewal and fastener maintenance.
Throughout the weekend, Orange Line trains will operate every 26 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Blue Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Blue Line trains will single track between Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom to allow for fiber-optic cable installation.
Throughout the weekend, Blue Line trains will operate every 26 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Green Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sat., May 4

From 10 p.m. Friday through closing on Saturday, free shuttle buses will replace Green Line trains between Congress Heights and Branch Avenue stations to allow for necessary track upgrades and renewal.
During this time, four stations will be closed: Branch Avenue, Suitland, Naylor Road, Southern Avenue.
On Friday night and all day Saturday, Green Line trains will operate between Greenbelt and Congress Heights at regular weekend intervals.
Free shuttle buses will operate between Congress Heights and Branch Avenue on two routes: Express buses will operate non-stop between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights stations. Customers using express buses should add about 25 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights, with intermediate stops at Suitland, Naylor Road, and Southern Avenue stations. Customers using local buses should add up to 50 minutes to their travel time.

Green Line � Sun., May 5 ONLY

On Sunday, Green Line trains will single track between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights to allow for necessary track upgrades and renewal.
Throughout the day, trains will operate every 30 minutes between Branch Avenue and Greenbelt.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Metro Begins Online Sales of Fourth of July SmarTrip� Card

Howard Hartman — Fri, 03 May 2013 01:08:06 GMT

Metro Begins Online Sales of Fourth of July SmarTrip� Card

First-of-its-kind commemorative card for Independence Day

Metro today began accepting online orders for 2013 Commemorative Fourth of July SmarTrip� cards at wmata.com.

Featuring a patriotic fireworks display amid a skyline image of the Nation�s Capital, the reusable plastic card comes pre-loaded with a One-Day Pass that provides unlimited travel on Metrorail on the day it is first used. Once the One-Day Pass is used, customers can reload the commemorative card and use it like any standard SmarTrip� card.

Each commemorative card costs $14, which is $5 less than the cost of purchasing a SmarTrip� card and One-Day Pass separately.

Metro is encouraging all July 4 visitors to use SmarTrip cards if possible. SmarTrip is the preferred way to pay for Metrorail and Metrobus trips because it is faster -- thereby allowing Metro to reduce crowding and help people move safely and efficiently through the system - an important consideration on a day such as July 4. Today, nearly 90 percent of all transactions are made with a SmarTrip card, rather than a paper farecard.

Using a SmarTrip card also allows customers to avoid a $1-per-trip surcharge for trips taken using a paper farecard.

Order your July 4 SmarTrip card here

Go to this site

Verizon Center, Metro Announce Possible Late-night Service for Capitals Playoffs

Howard Hartman — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:22:08 GMT

Verizon Center, Metro Announce Possible
Late-night Service for Capitals Playoffs

Extra service from Gallery Place, Judiciary Square and Metro Center stations for games still in play after 11 p.m.

Verizon Center and Metro today announced that late-night service would be provided following any Capitals playoff games that run later than 11 p.m.

In the event that a Capitals playoff game is still in progress at 11 p.m. on a night when the rail system would normally close at midnight, Metro will provide an additional hour of service from Gallery Place, Judiciary Square and Metro Center stations.

An announcement will be made within Verizon Center if an additional hour of service will be provided. Fans entering the system after midnight must use the following station entrances:

Gallery Place (any entrance)
Judiciary Square (F Street entrance across from National Building Museum)
Metro Center (11th & G Street entrance only)

Entrances at all other Metro stations will close at their normal times, but customers will be able to exit at all stations during the additional hour of service.

If late-night service is provided, customers should enter the system no later than 12:45 a.m. to ensure that they make the last trains.

The extended Metrorail service is funded through an agreement with Verizon Center.

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work May 3-5, 2013

Howard Hartman — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:16:35 GMT

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work May 3-5

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

This weekend's rebuilding work will result in service changes on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday night.

There is no scheduled track work this weekend on the Yellow Line. Trains will operate normally between Huntington and Fort Totten.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Glenmont and Fort Totten stations to allow for the activation of a new train control room at Silver Spring, platform reconstruction at Fort Totten and Takoma, track renewal and insulator replacement.
Five stations will be closed: Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma.
Trains will operate between Shady Grove and Fort Totten every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Free shuttle buses will operate between Glenmont and Fort Totten on two routes: Express buses will operate non-stop between Glenmont and Fort Totten stations. Customers using express buses should add about 30 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Glenmont and Fort Totten, with intermediate stops at Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma stations. Customers using local buses should add up to 50 minutes to their travel time.

Orange Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Orange Line trains will single track through two work zones: between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom to allow for fiber-optic cable installation, and between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly for platform reconstruction at Deanwood, rail renewal and fastener maintenance.
Throughout the weekend, Orange Line trains will operate every 26 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Blue Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sun., May 5

Blue Line trains will single track between Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom to allow for fiber-optic cable installation.
Throughout the weekend, Blue Line trains will operate every 26 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Green Line - 10 p.m. Fri., May 3 through closing Sat., May 4

From 10 p.m. Friday through closing on Saturday, free shuttle buses will replace Green Line trains between Congress Heights and Branch Avenue stations to allow for necessary track upgrades and renewal.
During this time, four stations will be closed: Branch Avenue, Suitland, Naylor Road, Southern Avenue.
On Friday night and all day Saturday, Green Line trains will operate between Greenbelt and Congress Heights at regular weekend intervals.
Free shuttle buses will operate between Congress Heights and Branch Avenue on two routes: Express buses will operate non-stop between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights stations. Customers using express buses should add about 25 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights, with intermediate stops at Suitland, Naylor Road, and Southern Avenue stations. Customers using local buses should add up to 50 minutes to their travel time.

Green Line � Sun., May 5 ONLY

On Sunday, Green Line trains will single track between Branch Avenue and Congress Heights to allow for necessary track upgrades and renewal.
Throughout the day, trains will operate every 30 minutes between Branch Avenue and Greenbelt.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.

Riders' Advisory Council to Host Llistening Session" in Alexandria

Howard Hartman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:46:56 GMT

Riders' Advisory Council to Host Llistening Session" in Alexandria

The Metro Riders� Advisory Council will Host Three �Listening Sessions�
in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

The two-hour meetings will provide riders with the opportunity to have an open dialogue with Council members and share their feedback about Metro service. Riders� input will also help the Council refine its priorities for the coming year and its positions on issues of interest to riders.

The first session is scheduled:

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Charles Houston Recreation Center
901 Wythe Street
Alexandria, VA

The Charles Houston Recreation Center is four blocks east of Braddock Road Station on the Blue and Yellow lines. Bus service between Braddock Road is available as follows:

Metrobus 10A, 10B, DASH AT3 (destination Hunting Point) to Pendleton and N. Patrick streets, 1 block south of the Center
DASH AT2 (destination Lincolnia) and AT5 (destination Van Dorn Metro) to Madison and N. Patrick streets, 1 block north of the Center

All members of the public are welcome. The meeting location is wheelchair accessible and sign language interpretation will be provided. Any individual who requires additional accommodation to participate in this meeting should call 202-962-2511 or TTY: 202-638-3780 as soon as possible in order for Metro to make necessary arrangements.

The Riders� Advisory Council advises the agency's Board of Directors on issues affecting Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess service. It was created in December 2005 to improve communications with riders.

The 21-member council is made up of six individuals each from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, two at-large members and the Chairman of Metro's Accessibility Advisory Committee. More information about the Council can be found on Metro�s website.

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, for Nike Women Half Marathon

Howard Hartman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:44:58 GMT

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 28,
for Nike Women Half Marathon

Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m., on Sunday, April 28, for the Nike Women Half Marathon. Race participants traveling to the start line should use the following stations:

Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange lines)
Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines)
Archives (Green/Yellow lines)

Customers are advised to take note of scheduled weekend rebuilding work that could affect their trip.

Travel Tips

To avoid lines, be sure to load enough fare value on your SmarTrip or paper farecard for your entire roundtrip.
If using a paper farecard, remember to add $1 for each trip. To avoid this surchrarge, use a SmarTrip card. You can purchase a SmarTrip at any Metrorail station.
If using a paper farecard, protect it from moisture during the race.

The additional two hours of service is funded through an agreement with event organizers.

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work April 26-28

Howard Hartman — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 13:42:35 GMT

Metrorail Weekend Rebuilding Work April 26-28

A brighter Judiciary Square Station Monday morning following
weekend work to install new light fixtures between the tracks

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

This weekend's rebuilding work will result in service changes on all lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday night.

Early Opening Sunday Morning for Nike Women Half Marathon

Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, for customers traveling to the Nike Women Half Marathon. The start line is accessible from Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange lines), Federal Triangle (Blue/Orange lines) or Archives (Yellow/Green lines).

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 26 through closing Sun., April 28

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between NoMa-Gallaudet and Takoma stations to allow for DDOT bridge work at New York Avenue, tie replacement, insulator renewal and communication system upgrades.
Two stations will be closed: Rhode Island Ave and Brentwood. In addition, Fort Totten Station will be open for Green and Yellow line service only.
Trains will operate as follows:
- Between Glenmont and Takoma every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
- Between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Free shuttle buses will operate on two routes:
- Express buses will operate non-stop between Takoma and NoMa-Gallaudet stations. Customers using express buses should add about 20 minutes to their travel time.
- Local buses will operate between Takoma and NoMa-Galludet, with intermediate stops at Fort Totten, Brookland and Rhode Island Avenue stations. Customers using local buses should add about 30 minutes to their travel time.
Customers traveling between the eastern side of the Red Line and Downtown destinations may wish to consider using Green or Yellow line service between Fort Totten and Gallery Place as an alternate route. The local shuttle trip between Fort Totten and Takoma takes about 8 minutes.
Last train change: To allow for shuttle bus connections, the last train from Glenmont to Takoma will depart 38 minutes earlier than normal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The train will leave Glenmont at 1:59 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 10:59 p.m. on Sunday.

Blue & Orange lines - 10 p.m. Fri., April 26 through closing Sun., April 28 EXCEPT between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Sunday

Blue and Orange line trains will single track between McPherson Square and Smithsonian stations as workers install new ceiling tiles, perform track maintenance, clean insulators and repair drainage systems.
Throughout the weekend, Blue and Orange line trains will operate every 20 minutes in each direction. Customers should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.
Note: Between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Sunday, trains will operate about every 12 minutes to accommodate customers traveling to the Nike Women Half Marathon.

Green Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 26 through closing Sun., April 28

Green Line trains will single track through two work zones:
- Between Greenbelt and College Park to allow for rail tie replacement and insulator renewal.
- Between Naylor Road and Branch Avenue stations as crews eliminate rail joints for a smoother ride, and replace rail fasteners.
Throughout the weekend, Green Line trains will operate every 20 minutes in each direction. Customers should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.

Yellow Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 26 through closing Sun., April 28

Yellow Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend due to scheduled work and related service adjustments on the Green and Blue lines, which overlap with the Yellow Line.
Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Fort Totten this weekend.
Customers should allow about 10 minutes of additional travel time.

Metro Goes Back to Work: Weekend Rebuilding April 19-21

Howard Hartman — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:05:33 GMT

Metro Goes Back to Work: Weekend Rebuilding April 19-21

After four-week break, system rebuilding continues this weekend

All good things must come to an end, and Metro's spring break from track work is no exception. Following a four week reprieve from the massive rebuilding of Metrorail -- a period during which 15 million rail trips were taken -- workers are gearing up to resume the heavy construction activity that is critical to improving the safety and reliability of the transit system.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

This weekend's rebuilding work will result in service changes on all lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday night.

Red Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 19 through closing Sun., April 21

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Gallery Place and Union Station as workers install 600 feet of new lighting fixtures between the tracks at Judiciary Square Station. The project is part of an ongoing effort to improve brightness and energy efficiency. Rail service must be suspended because the light fixtures are located within inches of both third rails.
Judiciary Square Station will be closed throughout the weekend.
Trains will operate as follows:
- Between Glenmont and Union Station every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
- Between Shady Grove and Farragut North every 10 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
- In addition, a special "shuttle train" will run continuously between Farragut North, Metro Center and Gallery Place. Customers traveling between these three stations and the western side of the Red Line should transfer across the platform at Farragut North to continue their trip.
Customers traveling between the eastern side of the Red Line and Downtown destinations may wish to consider using Green Line service between Fort Totten and Gallery Place as an alternate route.
Customers using shuttle bus service should allow 10 to 15 minutes of additional travel time.
Last train change: To allow for shuttle bus connections, the last train from Glenmont to Union Station will depart 32 minutes earlier than normal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The train will leave Glenmont at 2:05 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 11:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Orange Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 19 through closing Sun., April 21

Free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between Virginia Square and Rosslyn to allow for track circuit replacement, a key NTSB safety recommendation.
Two stations -- Court House and Clarendon -- will be closed.
Trains will operate in two segments:
- Between Vienna and Virginia Square every 15 minutes
- Between Rosslyn and New Carrollton every 15 minutes
Customers using shuttle bus service should add 15 minutes to their travel time. Customers elsewhere on the Orange Line may experience a slightly longer wait on the platform.
Last train change: To allow for shuttle bus connections, the last train from Vienna to Virginia Square will depart 31 minutes earlier than normal on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The train will leave Vienna at 2:05 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 11:05 p.m. on Sunday.

Blue & Yellow Lines - 10 p.m. Fri., April 19 through closing Sun., April 21

Blue and Yellow line trains will single track between Braddock Road and Pentagon City as workers perform necessary track maintenance, including rail tie, fastener and insulator renewal.
Throughout the weekend, both Blue and Yellow Line trains will operate every 30 minutes.
Customers will experience this longer travel time on the platform. Once the train departs, it is not expected to experience additional delays en route.
Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt Vernon Square only; customers traveling to/from stations north of Mt Vernon Square should use Green Line service to complete their trip.

Green Line - 10 p.m. Fri., April 19 through closing Sun., April 21

Green Line trains will single track between Greenbelt and College Park to allow for rail tie replacement and renewal.
Trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between College Park and Branch Avenue.
Between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., every other train will begin/end at College Park, rather than Greenbelt. Customers traveling to or from Greenbelt Station only should add about 15 minutes to their travel time.

Metro to Advance "Model Station" of the Future

Howard Hartman — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:41:21 GMT

Metro to Advance "Model Station" of the Future

Bethesda Station selected to test concepts that may be used systemwide

Today Metro announced a plan to test potential future station concepts at Bethesda Station.

As part of its strategic plan, Momentum, the model station will enable Metro to test several design concepts in a single station, with improved lighting, better information and improved customer convenience.

As an underground station with a center platform design, Bethesda represents the hardest type of station to illuminate, making it an ideal location for the "model station" pilot.

Some of the concepts being considered include:

High-output light fixtures to direct light to the vault ceiling.
A new, anti-slip zone located at the bottom of the entrance escalators to serve as a transition between the escalators and station tiles.
A new information wall enclosing mezzanine equipment including fare machines, ATMs, maps and digital screens.
A stainless steel and light gray interior to replace �Metro brown.�
A new, thinner kiosk with digital panels for service information and new fare gates with next-generation technology for faster entry and exit.
New, redesigned, taller pylons with wayfinding signage, real-time arrival information and additional lighting located on four wings extending from the top of each pylon.

�I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Metro for selecting Bethesda as the pilot for its station environment improvement program,� said Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. �Bethesda has the one of the highest daily riderships of any Metro station in Montgomery County along the oldest Metro line, and it is showing its age. As the gateway to Bethesda, one of the most important economic engines for the state of Maryland, this project will ensure that this critical Metro station continues to function well and present a favorable and attractive experience for all riders.�

�Being chosen for Metro's model station pilot program is welcome news for the Bethesda community,� said Montgomery County Councilmember Roger Berliner. �As the economic engine of Montgomery County, Bethesda is a gateway station for many transit riders. I am so grateful to General Manager Sarles and the WMATA Board for recognizing the value of the Bethesda Station to the Metro network and the economic vitality of our county. We all look forward to seeing the new and improved Metro station.�

�The National Capital Region is growing at an accelerated rate,� said Metro�s General Manager and CEO, Richard Sarles. �It is imperative that we do everything we can to keep up with that growth -- and that means testing future concepts today -- so that we are ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.�

Wednesday was Fourth Busiest Day in Metrorail History

Howard Hartman — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:30:46 GMT

Wednesday was Fourth Busiest Day in Metrorail History

If Metrorail seemed a bit busier than usual yesterday, it wasn't your imagination.

Wednesday was the fourth busiest day in the 37-year history of Metrorail. Based on preliminary data, the system provided a total of 870,171 trips between 5 a.m. and midnight.

Metro officials attributed the especially busy day to the combination of Cherry Blossom visitors, a Nationals game, a Wizards game and a rally at the US Capitol.

It was the system's highest ridership day since April 2, 2010.

Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles noted that growing ridership only increases the urgency of expanding the capacity of the system. Earlier this year, Metro unveiled its strategic plan -- called "Momentum" -- to expand the system's capacity and better serve the region's future needs. Among the projects set forth in Momentum are power upgrades, additional rail cars and new yard storage to support running 100 percent 8-car trains.

All of Metro's top-10 ridership days have occurred in the past five years.

Today could also see higher ridership, with favorable weather, the Cherry Blossoms in bloom, a Nationals game at 7:05 p.m. and a Capitals game at 7:00 p.m. As a result, riders may experience more crowded trains and stations during this evening's rush hour. Metro will provide extra Green Line trains between Mount Vernon Square and Anacostia stations during rush hour to accommodate baseball travel.

Travel Advice

Customers traveling to or from the National Mall should consider stations other than Smithsonian, which is especially busy at this time of year. Consider Arlington Cemetery, L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, Federal Triangle or Union Station as alternates.
To avoid lines, all customers are reminded to purchase and load farecards or SmarTrip cards in advance. Be sure to load enough fare value on the card for both directions of travel, and add $1 to the fare for each trip taken with a paper farecard.
Customers using SmarTrip pay $1 less for each trip than customers using paper fare cards. SmarTrip cards can be purchased at any Metrorail station or at local CVS, Giant and Safeway stores.
If a train is too crowded to board, please step back to the platform and allow the doors to close. Holding the doors can result in personal injury and can delay the train and all trains behind it.
When riding on escalators, please stand to the right.

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, for Race

Howard Hartman — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:52:44 GMT

Metrorail to Open at 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, for Race

Two-hour early opening for Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run

Metrorail will open two hours early, at 5 a.m., on Sunday, April 7, for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run. Race participants should travel to the following stations:

Smithsonian (Blue/Orange lines) - 0.25 miles from start
L'Enfant Plaza (Green/Yellow/Blue/Orange lines) - 0.8 miles from start
Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange lines) - 0.9 miles from start
Archives (Green/Yellow lines) - 0.9 miles from start

Travel Tips

To avoid lines, be sure to load enough fare value on your SmarTrip or paper farecard for your entire roundtrip.
If using a paper farecard, remember to add $1 for each trip. To avoid this surchrarge, use a SmarTrip card. You can purchase a SmarTrip at any Metrorail station.
If using a paper farecard, protect it from moisture during the race.

The additional two hours of service is funded through an agreement with event organizers.

Metro Seeks Input on Greenbelt-Twinbrook Metrobus Service (Routes C2, C4)

Howard Hartman — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 22:50:44 GMT

Metro Seeks Input on Greenbelt-Twinbrook
Metrobus Service (Routes C2, C4)

Customers, transportation agencies to discuss service issues, potential solutions

Metro will host two community meetings to discuss the Greenbelt�Twinbrook Line Service Evaluation Study. The meetings are part of ongoing studies to improve Metrobus service on some of the region�s most heavily used bus lines.

At each meeting, the project team will discuss preliminary findings and potential service improvement concepts. Customers are encouraged to attend the meeting to provide input on Metrobus C2, 4 service.

The two meetings will take place:

Wednesday, April 17, 2013
5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Mid-County Services Center
2424 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD

Thursday, April 18, 2013
5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church
6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD

All members of the public are welcome. A Spanish translator and visual materials in Spanish will be available for those who request them.

The format of the meetings will be �open house,� where participants can come by at any time between the beginning and end of the meeting to offer their input; no advance registration is required. Metro hopes that the open format will promote a direct dialogue between Metrobus riders and project staff, and that the absence of a meeting schedule will appeal to those who have only a few minutes to participate.

For more information about the Service Evaluation Study, or to give Metro your feedback in a survey about the lines currently being evaluated, please visit the Metrobus Studies website below.

Go to this site

Metro Launches New Mobile Website to Help Customers on the Go

Howard Hartman — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:17:09 GMT

Metro Launches New Mobile Website to Help Customers on the Go

Metro today launched a new mobile website to give customers quick access to the most popular features of wmata.com while on the go.

The new mobile site is designed for today's smartphones, and replaces an earlier version that was launched years ago, prior to touch-screen navigation.

"Our new mobile site is a significant step forward toward giving customers access to the information they want and expect while on the go," said General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. "Today's launch is another 'progress point' in our Customer Service Action Plan that has delivered dozens of improvements over the last year.�

Among the new site's features:

Trip Planner gives mobile users access to Metro's website trip planner, including ability to plan a trip by bus, rail or both. Customers can select their preferred departure or arrival time based on their needs.
Next Train shows real-time train arrival times, number of cars and destination for any of Metro's 86 rail stations.
Next Bus uses a customer's GPS location to display bus arrival predictions for all nearby bus stops. For additional detail, customers can tap a route to see bus locations on a moving Google map.
Service Nearby allows customers to see all bus and rail transit service near their current location.
News gives customers mobile access to all recent Metro news releases.
Elevator Status shows out-of-service elevators and alternate shuttle bus options.
Alerts & Advisories provides continually updated service information from Metro's control centers via the MetroAlerts system. Customers can stay up to date on planned detours, service changes, track work, elevator outages and more. Urgent service messages are displayed in red on the home screen.
Call Transit Police allows customers to quickly initiate a phone call to Metro Transit Police should the need arise.

The new mobile site is the latest project to be delivered as part of the General Manager�s Customer Service Action Plan, and follows the launch in November of new flat-screen displays at every Metrorail station entrance. The kiosk displays, which are also linked to the MetroAlerts network, turn red when there is an alert that could affect a customer's trip.

Customers can access the new mobile site by navigating to wmata.com from their smartphone's browser. Metro suggests that customers add the site to their home screen for quick and easy access.

Also today, Sarles announced the integration of bus MetroAlerts with NextBus. The upgrade allows customers to see service information about bus delays and detours within the NextBus website.

Yesterday, Google launched the integration of rail MetroAlerts into their popular trip planning tools, Google Maps and Google Transit. Now customers who use Google to plan their Metro trips will see rail service alerts alongside their itinerary.

Since 2011, communication and web improvements include the introduction of MetroAlerts for bus customers, new "advisory" emails providing detailed information about planned track work, detours and service changes, and two-way social media communication on Twitter and Facebook. Customers also now have more convenient options to manage their SmarTrip accounts online, including an auto reload feature that adds value to the card whenever the balance drops below a certain threshold.

Sarles noted that the mobile site is considered to be in a "beta test" phase for one to two weeks to allow for incorporation of customer feedback.

The new site was designed in-house by Metro's web development and digital communications teams.

Verizon Center, Metro Announce Additional Hour of Service Following NCAA Game

Howard Hartman — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 20:40:24 GMT

Verizon Center, Metro Announce Additional
Hour of Service Following NCAA Game

Extra service from Gallery Place and Judiciary Square stations

Metrorail will provide an additional hour of service from Gallery Place and Judiciary Square stations tomorrow night, March 28, following the NCAA 2013 East Regional games at Verizon Center.

Following the event, fans will be directed to Gallery Place or Judiciary Square stations to enter the system. Entrances at all other Metro stations will close at their normal times, but customers will be able to exit at all stations during the additional hour of service

Customers should enter the system no later than 12:50 a.m. to ensure that they make the last trains.

The extended Metrorail service is funded through an agreement with Verizon Center.

Metro Breaks for Blossoms

Howard Hartman — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 14:05:02 GMT

Metro Breaks for Blossoms

Next 4 weekends free from track work

Following an intense period of rebuilding and modernization work virtually every weekend, Metro is taking a four-weekend break from scheduled track work to allow customers to enjoy cherry blossom season.

"While the work we do almost every weekend is necessary to get the system back to a steady state of safety and reliability, we are in a position where we can take a short break to let everyone enjoy the season," said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. "The spring break will give people an opportunity to experience the type of system we are working toward."

This year's break will take place over four consecutive weekends, today through Sunday, April 14. During this time, the only planned weekend work will take place after 10 p.m. on Sunday evenings, when ridership is light.

Metro is in the midst of the largest capital program since the original construction of the system, as crews work to eliminate a multi-year backlog of infrastructure needs. Rebuilding work is scheduled almost every night and every weekend.

Weekend rebuilding is more than 70 percent more productive than overnight work because, after setting up the work zone, personnel have 48 hours of uninterrupted rebuilding time. In contrast, overnight work windows only allow between three and five hours of productive time on the tracks. In addition, weekend outages are the only way to safely accommodate heavy construction activity, such as the platform rebuilding projects currently underway at Takoma, Fort Totten and Deanwood.

This fiscal year alone, Metro plans to tamp 32 miles of track, weld 1,000 rail joints for a smoother ride, replace 12,000 wooden cross-ties and more than 20,000 rail fasteners, and repair more than 2,000 tunnel leaks to mitigate water infiltration.

Cherry Blossom Travel Tips

Metro customers should expect more crowded trains and stations during Cherry Blossom season.
To avoid crowds, visitors are encouraged to travel during non-rush hour times and if possible, avoid traveling at the height of the afternoon peak period, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Customers who regularly use Smithsonian Station, which is the most frequently used station for tourists arriving at the National Mall, are urged to stagger their arrival and departure times for work or use L�Enfant Plaza, Archives, Federal Triangle or Union Station as alternate stations during Cherry Blossom season.
Visitors can purchase a $14 Metrorail One-Day Pass for multiple trips. The One-Day Pass can be used for unlimited travel on the day it is first used.
For your safety, always stand back from the platform edge.
When boarding the train, please move into the car and away from the doors to allow other customers to board.
When riding on escalators, please stand on the right.