photo by @yaelshap
From WMATA:
“This week, Metro installed the first automated inspection system to test wheelsets of the 7000-series railcars in real-time. The schedule to restore the fleet to passenger service later this summer remains on time. (more…)
From WMATA:
“Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg released the following statement on behalf of the Board of Directors:
“The WMATA Board of Directors has accepted Paul Wiedefeld’s decision to make his retirement effective today. In addition, Chief Operating Officer Joe Leader has resigned, effective immediately. (more…)
From WMATA:
“Metro’s Chief Safety Officer reports that nearly half of Metro’s 500 rail operators have lapsed recertification, which includes classroom instruction, and supervised testing in the rail yards as well as on the mainline.
In consultation with the Board of Directors, Metro management is taking immediate corrective action to remove from service 72 train operators who became out of compliance prior to May 2021. This will result in a temporary reduction in Green and Yellow line service (more…)
From WMATA:
“WMATA’s Board of Directors is excited to announce the selection of its new General Manager/CEO who will transform the agency and redefine how Metro continues to be an integrated part of the region’s success. Randy Clarke, the current President and CEO of Capital Metro (CapMetro) in Austin, TX, will begin his new position at WMATA late summer and was selected following an exhaustive nationwide search, which included important stakeholder and public input. (more…)
photo by Beau Finley
From WMATA:
“Beginning Monday, May 9, Metro will close the north entrance at L’Enfant Plaza Station at Maryland Ave and Seventh St to replace the three entrance escalators. The entrance will remain closed for approximately seven months. The work is part of a seven-year, $179 million escalator replacement project to install 130 new escalators by 2028.
The project will replace the current escalators with brand-new ones that are more durable and reliable. Construction will require Metro’s contractor, Kone, to close the entrance to remove all three escalators at once and install a new support beam.
During this time, people will still be able to access the station from the two remaining entrances and elevator located at: (more…)
Thanks to Cari for sending last night from the Red Line.
I’m pretty sure the guy sitting next to him agrees: (more…)
photo by Barbara Krawcowicz
From WMATA:
“Metro is reminding Orange Line riders to plan ahead for scheduled track work on May 7-8 and May 15-16, as construction crews prepare for this summer’s planned closure of five Orange Line stations east of Stadium-Armory from May 28-September 5, 2022. In coordination with the work for the Platform Improvement Project, Metro will also repair several aerial structures on this portion of the Orange Line and install station improvements. (more…)
photo by Victoria Pickering
From WMATA:
“Metro will increase service on the Green and Yellow lines beginning Monday, May 2, to meet ridership demand as more railcars become available.
Beginning Monday, train frequencies will increase from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes on the Green and Yellow lines, meaning stations serviced by both lines – from Greenbelt to L’Enfant Plaza – will see trains every seven to eight minutes. (more…)
photo by Elvert Barnes
“Dear PoPville,
Do you happen to know why the Green/Yellow line always starts and stops between U St. and Columbia Heights? It doesn’t seem to do that at any other station but I take the train almost every day and it’s consistently stopping and starting there.”
From WMATA:
“Effective immediately, Metro will make masks optional on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess for its customers. Masks also will be optional for Metro employees. This change comes as a result of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspending enforcement, while the Biden Administration reviews a federal judge’s ruling.
“Our mask mandate has been based on federal guidance,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds, but masks will be optional on Metro property until further notice.”
Metro encourages its customers to make decisions that are in their best interests. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.”