Metro Considers Cutting 3am Service

Photo by DC Metro People on Flickr.

GW students already love to complain about the Metro's inconvenient closing times - 12am Sunday through Thursday, and 3am on Friday and Saturday.  Concertgoers, bar-hoppers and clubbers frequently find themselves sprinting to the station in hope of catching the last train, only to be rewarded with locked gates and an expensive taxi home.  If plans considered at last night's WMATA board meeting move forward, students may find themselves in the back of a cab on a much more regular basis.

Facing a yawning $72.5 million budget deficit, the beleaguered transit agency has been left to drastic measures to keep itself solvent.  Closing the Metro at 12am all week, as opposed to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, would save Metro $5 million a year.  

Board members also emphasized the additional time for maintenance work that such a schedule would afford.  Bringing weekend closing back to midnight would had 40-45 days of track repair to the calendar, lessening the the need for mid-day single tracking and other service disruptions.  Deputy General Manager for Operations Dave Kubicek was quoted in the Examiner as saying that the change would be like "adding an eighth day to a seven-day workweek.

Residents and students alike expressed concern with the proposed change. ESIA Junior Aria Varaseth emhpasized the reliance cost-conscious students placed on late operating hours: "Whether we're going to parties, clubs or galas, it's important to have that extra option...GW's 4-Ride service can only do so much.  To take that option away is a slap in the face to students from GW, American, Howard and Catholic..."

Public Transit Advocate Calls for Second Foggy Bottom Metro Entrance

Source: WMATA

Highly influential DC Transit advocate David Alpert, Editor-in-chief of the popular transit blog Greater Greater Washington, has called for a second entrance to the Foggy Bottom Metro station to be built at the corner of 22nd and I Streets.

The construction of GW's new Science and Engineering Complex on the adjacent block provides GWU with an opportunity to begin construction on the potential mezzanine of the new entrance, says Alpert, as plans for the new building already require digging down several stories. In addition, GWU has already agreed to reserve the location of the current women studies building for a second entrance when Square 77 (the block on which Rome, Phillips, and Smith Halls now stand) is eventually redeveloped.

Alpert notes that overcrowding at the Foggy Bottom station is an important issue when considering GWU's continued growth.  The station is the busiest in the system with only a single mezzanine, and plans already exist to add an additional entrance to Rosslyn, the second-busiest in the category.

With a stretched budget and a host of other capital projects on its plate, WMATA is unlikely to find public funding for the additional entrance, a problem that Alpert suggests could be solved by seeking money from the developer, GWU.  Whether or not the university would be open this additional expense, however, has yet to be seen.

More information on WMATA's 2007 study on a second entrance can be found here.

Weekend Maintenance to Cause Metro Delays

WMATA is warning customers to expect delays of varying lengths on the Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green Metro lines this weekend as employees perform a variety of maintenance work across the system.

Travelers on the Red Line moving between the New York Avenue and Rhode Island Avenue stops should anticipate delays around twenty minutes due to repairs on a section of elevated rail between the stations.

Work on replacing old track will force Blue Line trains between Pentagon City and Braddock Road stations to share a single track. WMATA is predicting 30 minute delays to this critical section of rail that services both the Pentagon City Mall and Crystal City. While not as frequently used by GW students, the Yellow Line will experience the same delays.

Maryland isn't spared, either: weed-trimming efforts alongside above-ground track between Greenbelt and College Park Green Line stations will create delays of 20 minutes.

Finally, events around the city have led to the rerouting of a handful of bus routes, the details of which can be seen at the WMATA website, www.wmata.com.

Metrorail Maintenance, Delays Continue this Weekend

WMATA has announced that customers should again expect extensive delays this weekend due to track maintenance. The work on a switch replacement at the Rosslyn station will continue, causing delays of up to 40 minutes on the Blue and Orange lines for customers traveling in the direction of Franconia-Springfield and Vienna, notably disrupting service to Pentagon City from Foggy Bottom.

Trains will be single-tracking in two locations on the Red line, with trains delayed up to 30 minutes between Medical Center and Friendship heights, along with Rhode Island and New York Avenue Stations.

WMATA Warns of Major Disruptions to Metrorail

In an unusually blunt press release, WMATA cautioned Metrorail customers to expect "lengthy" delays of up to 40 minutes on four out of five lines this weekend as the agency conducts widespread track maintenance. Here is a summary of the disruptions:

• Trains between Foggy Bottom and Arlington stations on the Blue line along with Foggy Bottom and Courthouse Stations on the Orange Line will be sharing a single track as switching equipment is replaced. Expect delays of 40 minutes.
• Trains between Medical Center and Friendship Heights stations on the Red line will be delayed as track is replaced, with delays of 30 minutes anticipated.
• Trains between College Park-UMD and Greenbelt stations on the Green line will also be delayed as new welding is applied to the tracks, 20 minute delays expected.

WMATA advises those intending to attend this weekend's sporting events, especially this weekend's 3-game series between the Nationals and the Brewers, and Saturday's Washington Capitols playoff game, should build considerable time into their schedules in light of these delays.

WMATA Responds to Wave of Theft on Metro

WMATA announced in a press release Thursday a three-pronged strategy to combat a sharp increase in theft on the Metro system, specifically targeting the theft of consumer electronics.

The press release quoted acting Metro Transit Police Chief Jeri Lee as noting that an increase in usage of consumer electronic devices on the transport system has led to a similar increase in their theft, describing the thefts as "crimes of opportunity".

A common strategy is for thieves to wait for riders standing near train doors with phones, music players, or other devices in hand, and then to grab the device from the victim's hand and flee as the train doors close.

Reported robberies on Metro increased 54% from 2008 to 2009, and current trends through January would indicate another significant increase this year. There were 122 robberies in January 2010 alone, compared to 894 for all of 2009.

In response, Metro has increased the presence of transit police in busy stations, and doubled the size of its plainclothes Robbery Suppression Team. The agency has also begun a PR push, posting a safety video to its YouTube account Thursday and planning to place a robbery-themed ad on the walls of trains and stations.

WMATA advises that customers carry electronic devices in a pocket or any place where it is not easily seen or reached, that music listeners should keep their volumes at levels that allow them to still be aware of their surroundings, and that those using handheld electronic devices not sit or stand near train doors.

Orange Line Delays Expected this Weekend

Track maintenance this weekend will cause extensive delays on the Orange Line, WMATA has announced.

Metro is welding new pieces of track between the Vienna/Fairfax and West Falls Church Orange Line stations, and trains will be forced to share one track for the duration of the weekend. Customers utilizing the Orange Line in general, and the sections between the affected stations specifically, are advised to add at least 30 minutes to their anticipated travel times.

In an effort to make Orange line travel as efficent as possible, every other Orange Line train traveling in the direction of Vienna/Fairfax will treat West Falls Church as the end of the line, as opposed to Vienna, and will then return to New Carrollton station to facilitate the movement of passengers. Those customers riding Orange Line trains should pay close attention to each train's destination, shown on the green electric signs on the front and side of each car, to ensure their train is heading the full distance required.

Metrorail Service Somewhat Expanded; More Service Cuts Likely

WMATA announced in a press release Monday that it plans to open Tuesday morning at 5am with limited levels of service, albeit with more open stations than seen over the past weekend. Due to snow drifts of up to six feet on the tracks, the fifteen stations listed below will remain closed on Tuesday:

Red Line

Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U, Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood, Brookland-CUA, Silver Spring and Takoma

Blue Line

Benning Road, Capitol Heights, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant, Morgan Boulevard and Largo Town Centers

The lines in operation are as follows:

• Red Line Limited Service: Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen

• Blue Line Limited Service: Franconia-Springfield to Stadium-Armory

• Green Line Full Service: Greenbelt to Branch Avenue

• Orange Line Full Service: Vienna to New Carrollton

• Yellow Line Full Service: Huntington to Fort Totten

Trains will arrive at stations at thirty-minute intervals and will travel at no more than 35mph, well below their top speed of 59mph.

Metrobus customers should verify their schedules with WMATA as many routes are operating on modified timetables.

WMATA is warning customers that despite the expansion of service, service outages may return as conditions worsen Tuesday afternoon and evening. Keep up with the latest news affecting GWU, including closures and weather updates, here at WRGW News.

Winter Storm Warning in Effect, Again

The National Weather Service has once again placed DC, Baltimore, and the surrounding counties under a Winter Storm Warning, complicating the frenetic cleanup efforts already in place.

From noon Tuesday to 7pm Wednesday the NWS expects ten to twenty inches of snow to fall in blizzard-like conditions across the Mid-Atlantic region. Additional analysis of meteorological data by the Washington Post's weather team indicates that while precipitation may be less than the storms that struck the District this weekend, a convergence of low pressure zones on Tuesday may lead to an higher-intensity blizzard, with greater odds of high winds and power outages.

There has been no word from GW Administrators as to the status of classes tomorrow, nor has WMATA announced an expansion of Metrorail service from its current underground-only mode of operation. UPDATE: All classes are cancelled for Tuesday, February 9th. WMATA expects limited service on Tuesday, check more recent posts for up-to-the-minute information.

WMATA to Continue Underground-Only Service Monday

WMATA is once again warning customers to expect severe service cutbacks on the Metrorail and Metrobus systems Monday as the agency continues cleanup efforts.

In a press release late Sunday evening Metro cautioned that Metrorail will only be operating between the following stations, and even those open to customers will be served at 24- to 30-minute intervals:

Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange and Blue Lines – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City

Metrorail faces two main issues: the buildup of ice and snowdrifts on the electrified third rail on sections of above ground track, and the arduous task of clearing the system's rail yards, where the trains themselves are stored. Limited numbers of cars were stored in underground tunnels to prevent ice and snow buildup, but the remainder remain largely buried in their storage areas.

Metro plans to reintroduce service to above ground tracks in phases, as various sections are cleared and deemed safe for travel.

As always, the status of the Metro system is available at www.metroopensdoors.com, and you can stay here with WRGW News for the latest updates affecting the GW community.

WMATA Warns of Severe Disruptions to Rail, Bus Service

WMATA is preparing for major disruptions to both Metrorail and Metrobus services throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, a press release announced today.

In reaction to a storm anticipated to be the biggest to hit the District since 1996, the transit agency has prepared twenty trains to perform track de-icing duties, prepositioned 2,200 tons of rock salt, and made available 4,500 tons of calcium chloride (a de-icing agent) to maintain service in storm-affected areas.

Despite preparations, WMATA will be forced to close aboveground Metrorail service when snow accumulation reaches eight inches, the level at which the electrified third rail begins to be covered. Current National Weather Service forecasts indicate this level of snowfall could be on the ground as early as 8pm Friday.

The limited service schedule likely to be seen on Metrorail late Friday, Saturday, and possibly Sunday is as follows:

Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City only
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station only
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory only
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights only
Blue Line – Ballston (extended to Blue Line) and Stadium-Armory only

Metrobus service will be continuously adjusted in response to conditions on the ground, reducing service in more severely affected areas. WMATA does anticipate the complete closure of Metrobus service at some point during the storm.

WMATA encourages customers to stay up to date with Metro service changes, which may be found by visiting WMATA's website, www.metroopensdoors.com, calling 202-637-7000, or checking local media outlets (including wrgwnews.com).

Metro Transit Police Flood Union Station in Show of Force

Nearly 50 Metro Transit Police officers descended on Union Station Metrorail Tuesday in an attempt to deter potential terrorist activity.

The show of force during Tuesday morning's rush hour is part of a new security initiative for WMATA, named Blue TIDE, with the aim of demonstrating to the public the transit agency's vigilance in providing security and preventing terrorism on DC's public transport systems.

Officers from units as diverse as the bomb squad and auto theft division participated in the operation, in which they conducted security sweeps of the station while reminding Metrorail and Metrobus customers to be observant and report suspicious behavior to WMATA employees and security agents.

MTPD Deputy Chief David Webb emphasized efforts the agency was taking to prevent terrorism, including random searches of buses, trains, and stations, increased surveillance, and more operations such as the one seen in Union Station.

The MTPD recently formed a twenty-man antiterrorism squad thanks to a $9.56 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security.

WMATA to increase fares on MetroRail, MetroBus

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's board of directors approved a 10-cent fare increase Thursday to cover the agency's fiscal deficit.

Peter Benjamin, chairman of WMATA's Board, stated Thursday that "We heard from our customers that they would rather increase fares than reduce service," adding, " Not a single member of this Board wants to increase fares or decrease service, but we need to take this temporary action to balance the budget this year.”

The new fares will go into effect on March 1st, and will stay at their heightened levels through June 30th. The increase applies to all common fare types, including Regular, Reduced, and Senior/Disabled tickets. Those customers utilizing other ticket types, such as Week Passes and SmartStudent Passes, also face increases of varying amounts.

Facing a $40 million budget shortfall, the public transit authority has taken a number of steps to put itself back in the black. The fare increase will provide a $9.6 million revenue boost to the troubled agency. The WMATA's board hopes that the increase, combined with austerity measures across the organization and a possible $10 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will return the system to a more solid fiscal footing.

DEVELOPING: METRO Workers Struck in Fatal Accident

Two Metro workers were struck and killed by heavy track equipment near the Rockville station early Tuesday morning, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced today.

The Metro employees, both males, were working along a stretch of track in the direction of Shady Grove shortly before 2 a.m. when they were struck and killed by a prime mover (a diesel-powered vehicle used to transport heavy materials).

The deceased will remain unnamed until the families are notified.

Travelers can expect delays along Red Line routes while the investigation continues. Red Line trains will operate between Glenmont and Twinbrook stations. Metro will provide free shuttle service to transport passengers between Shady Grove, Rockville and Twinbrook stations.

Metrorail Maintenance on Red, Orange Lines October 23-25

WMATA is warning Metrorail customers to expect delays this weekend on the Red and Orange lines.

A press release from WMATA on Thursday, October 22 announced that trains will be single tracking between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations on the Red Line and between the East Falls Church and Ballston-MU stations on the Orange Line.  Customers using these lines are advised to add at least twenty to thirty minutes to their planned travel time.

Notably affected by maintenance is the Tenleytown-AU station on the Red Line, which services American University.  Tenleytown-AU is situated between the Friendship Heights and Van Ness-UDC stations.

Work on the lines is scheduled to begin at 9:30PM Friday, October 23 and should be completed by Metrorail's reopening the following Monday.

Metro Vote Goes to the Floor

A transportation package is expected to pass the U.S. Senate today, a move that could bring as much as $1.5 billion dollars to the D.C. Metro system. This money is dedicated funding and a part of a plan to improve the safety and efficiency of both the D.C. Metro and the country's aging transportation system.

The bill has become a politically sensitive issue in recent weeks following the deaths of 25 and injury of 130 others in a Los Angeles train accident.

If the bill passes through the senate, D.C. Maryland, and Virginia will have 10 years to produce $1.5 billion in matching funds.

According to the Washington Post, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine said that his state has the resources to match the funds, telling the news outlet that "The top priority is spend our state's transportation dollars on anything where there's a federal match." Kaine continued to say that "So as soon as this thing passes, the Metro funding jumps to the top priority."

No word yet on whether D.C. or Maryland has a plan in place to match the funding.

Even if the bill passes and the funds matched, the funding may not be enough. According to the Post the Metro General Manager John Catoe announced that Metro needs $11.3 billion dollars between the years 2010 and 2020 to provide increased service, while maintaining safety.

-Jesse Regis

Silver Line Project in Jeopardy

Forty years since the conception of a rail line to connect Washington D.C. with Dulles Airport, the project is still being debated.

Up until last week it appeared that the 23-mile long rail project would move forward, relieving traffic congestion while boosting the local economy by attracting visitors to the area. Now lawmakers are in a bind as they search for funding for the proposed silver line.

According to the Washington Post, the proposal does not qualify for federal funding because the government is concerned of the ability for Dulles to handle its construction. This would be the first project under their watch. Officials also worry about the ability for the underfunded, overcrowded metro system to handle the expected increase in passenger volume.

Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine said he would respond to Department of Transportation officials regarding this assessment by Friday. Kaine told members of the press that the project should be federally funded considering that members of congress, diplomats and their staffs would use the rail to access the airport.

"This is a huge federal asset, a huge asset in this region," Kaine said. "There is really not an effective future for the growth of Dulles or the growth of the region without the rail."

Others have raised the possibility that the project could be funded privately, but Kaine insists other sources would also be necessary. Another possibility is increasing the fee on the Dulles Toll Road, though the price as already been raised to pay for parts of the project.

- Jesse Regis