Photo by PoPville flickr user Mathew Friedman
From WMATA Tuesday night:
“Metro has temporarily removed from service 164 buses – representing approximately 10 percent of its fleet – following two incidents in which the engines cut off at low speed.
The most recent incident occurred today and was linked to a similar incident that occurred Thursday. In both incidents, the buses were traveling at less than 10 miles per hour when the engines cut off with no apparent warning.. Two minor injuries were reported as a result of the brakes engaging as designed. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC
From WMATA:
“Due to deteriorating weather conditions, Metro is announcing the following service changes, effective as of 10:30 a.m. Wednesday:
Metrobus service is transitioning to a Severe Snow Plan, which will further limit service to major roadways only. Due to current road conditions, buses are subject to significant delays systemwide, and customers should travel only if absolutely necessary. For details about the Severe Snow Plan, visit: https://www.wmata.com/rider-
MetroAccess service is no longer accepting “outbound” trips due to current weather conditions. Service will continue to be provided only for customers who need to be transported back to their residences.
Metrorail continues to operate on a modified schedule. Trains are operating about every 12-15 minutes on each line. There are no issues to report on the rail system at this time.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user Mark Andre
Thanks to a reader for passing on this solicitation from WMATA:
“The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) requires the services of a qualified contractor to develop and maintain audio advertising of qualified advertiser’s products/services through the Authority’s existing ITS and AVA system on the Authority’s existing Metro Bus fleet.”
Photo by PoPville flickr user angela n.
“Dear PoPville,
About 4:45 Friday afternoon I was riding the bus eastbound. At a stop in Mt. Pleasant about 10 Highschool kids (another person already on the bus later informed the officers who arrived later they went to Wilson but who knows) entered the bus from the back entrance (not paying) pushing passed people trying to get on. Their target was another student, a young lady, sitting with her friend in the back. It was clear from the body language and the egging on of the other students getting on that their plan was to jump this girl either on the bus, or ride it till she had to get off and do it then.
At this point two older women who were seated near the girl in the back jumped up to shield her and began loudly accosting the girls and boys who had got on – while the bus driver stopped the bus and went to flag down a nearby police car. While it took some minutes for the cops to arrive and kick the kids off, during this whole time these women stood up to the mob with various admonishments and threats of their own (such as “Why – I will smack you so hard you’ll call your mama and when she comes down Ill smack her for raising you like this.”) (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Elvert Barnes
“Dear PoPville,
Is there a consensus on the most accurate app to track bus and metro arrivals? I’ve used different apps before but they all periodically seem to stop working. It would be great to have a good schedule so I’m not sitting forever or conversely walking to the stop as the bus whizzes by.”
The D6, 11th and C Street, NE
Thanks to Justin for sending just before 9am:
“Driver abandoned bus…He was already 10 minutes late, then we get to a stop light and he literally runs off the bus with no explanation and left it running. We’ve been here for about 10 minutes now and people are finally starting to bail. Definitely a first for me…
After about 15 minutes he finally came back, got on the bus, didn’t say a word, and kept on driving.”
From the Mayor’s Office:
“Today, Mayor Bowser took an inaugural ride on the highly anticipated MetroExtra 59 Express bus route along the 14th Street NW corridor. This new service, which will help speed travel between the Takoma Metrorail station and the Federal Triangle Metrorail station and reduce crowding on buses along 14th Street, is part of the Bowser Administration’s ongoing efforts to work with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to enhance service on Priority Corridor Networks such as 14th Street and connect activity centers across wards.
“Safe and reliable public transportation makes it easier for residents to get to work, school, and beyond,” said Mayor Bowser. “The 14th Street corridor has seen substantial economic development and growth, making it one of the most heavily traveled corridors in the District. As the District continues to grow, we’re going to continue finding ways to make it easier for our residents to share in our prosperity.”
According to WMATA, more than 15,000 average daily riders use this corridor every day. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
DDOT released the final 2017 Transit Development Plan and announced a public comment period and hearing on proposed major service changes. The major service changes involve reconfiguration of two routes and the addition of regular late-night service on Georgetown – Union Station. We are currently collecting feedback on these proposed changes and we’d love to hear from your audience. We are hosting a public hearing on January 4, 2018, and are collecting public comments through January, 19, 2018.”
Full press release after the jump. (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I’m wondering if you can help shed some light on what’s going on with the X2 bus line. For the entire week, buses have been running about 45 minute delays during evening rush hour, and the tracking app has been completely inaccurate. The WMATA page indicates only that buses will be detouring around H St and 1st NW, although the X2 and X9 buses have already been doing this for over a month.
I understand the X2 is known as one of the worst lines in the city (demonstrated by the recent urine incident and violent threat to a driver), but it’s also one of the busiest routes. If a recent traffic pattern change is resulting in the delays, WMATA needs to find an alternative immediately and restore service to the normal timetable.”
Side note: From Metro Transit police yesterday:
“A suspect arrested overnight by Metro Transit Police detectives for assaulting an X2 Metrobus operator with a Sterno can yesterday also is being charged in connection with two more serious cases.
Aric Lewis Holmes, 19, of Southeast DC was arrested by MTPD detectives and Crime Suppression Team members shortly after 10:30 p.m. yesterday in the area of Minnesota Avenue Metrorail Station. Detectives also arrested his associate John Webb McPhaul, 21, of Northeast DC.”
“Dear PoPville,
The points made in it are very much true. Since I moved to the neighborhood and started taking the 63 to downtown the points made in the alert have become increasingly vexing.”
Ed. Note: The survey includes other bus routes as well:
