metro

“cheaper late-night and weekend fares” coming to Metro as Board approves $4.5B budget

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Metro’s Board of Directors today voted to approve a $4.5B package of service and construction projects that delivers affordability, service and safety as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget. Highlights include cheaper late-night and weekend fares, maintaining service improvements especially for bus customers, and funding for the Silver Line Phase 2 service and the Potomac Yard Station. The budget also funds Metro’s capital program which has improved safety and reliability across the system.

The budget supports the region’s economic recovery from the pandemic and provides more flexibility to customers that may no longer be commuting to work five days a week. Popular fare discounts implemented in 2021 will become permanent to keep Metro affordable as well as provide more frequent all-day service on bus and rail. (more…)

Meanwhile at Metro

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Eric P.

From WMATA:

“As Metro prepares for the opening of both the Silver Line Extension and Potomac Yard Station in 2022, the transit authority will also advance its intensive state of good repair program. This includes completion of the multi-year platform reconstruction effort at 20 outdoor rail stations and several large-scale construction projects, including a major rehabilitation of the Yellow Line’s Potomac River tunnel and bridge crossing.

Metro will soon introduce new service on the Silver Line – including six new rail stations, 12 miles of track, and a new rail yard. And this summer, platform reconstruction and station improvements will be underway on the eastern end of the Orange Line.

In September, the construction of new tracks to connect the future Potomac Yard Station to the mainline tracks will be completed, along with performance and safety testing required prior to the start of service. The station is expected to open this fall.

A major rehab of the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge will begin concurrently in September. Metro’s chief engineer has identified the steel-lined tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza as the agency’s top structural priority, with repairs needed to stop water intrusion and strengthen the tunnel lining. (more…)

“Regular weekday Metrobus service to return February 7” also, “Installation of new, improved faregates nearing milestone; with March 1 deadline set for phase-out of older farecards”

By Prince Of Petworth


If you missed our look back on commemorative smartrip cards, you can see them here.

From WMATA:

“Metro today announced that Metrobus will return to regular weekday service on Monday, February 7. Metrobus has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule, offering approximately 75 percent of normal weekday service, since January 10 due to covid-related staffing shortages.

While Metro is still experiencing above-average absenteeism, case rates are declining and employees are returning to work following their quarantine requirements.”

and

“Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro with installation now reaching nearly 50 percent of all stations, one-third of which are complete. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to improve the rail system’s faregates and fareboxes on Metrobus, along with other fare technology upgrades, including mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android.

In conjunction with the rollout of the new faregates, and bus fareboxes in late 2022, Metro announced last April that older SmarTrip® cards will be phased out. (more…)

“Metro seeks public input on FY23 budget proposal that would improve service and fares”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Master of All Metal

From WMATA:

“The public comment period for Metro’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) budget is officially open, and Metro’s Board of Directors wants the public’s input. Metro is encouraging the public to share feedback before the comment period ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15.

The FY23 budget focuses on providing safe, reliable and affordable transit service to the region. The budget takes into account the planned launch of Metrorail service to six new Silver Line stations, expanding Metro access to Dulles Airport and beyond, and the opening of Potomac Yard Station on the Yellow and Blue lines.
The budget proposals also include a number of service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects that are foundational for safe and reliable service.
A summary of key proposals is below, with full information about the proposals and ways to provide feedback available at wmata.com/budget.
Metrorail Service Proposals 

(more…)

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