metro

“Will WMATA ever not be terrible??”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I’ve been stuck at my transfer station for over 20 minutes — I’m going to miss a meeting because it will take me an hour and fifteen minutes to go less than 5 miles.

I really really want to support public transit but the time tables are wrong, the trains are constantly late, and it’s so unpredictable I don’t know if I can keep using it for work. Are things going to get better? Can anyone talk me out of buying a vehicle?”

Ed. Note: Yesterday we posted about the upcoming retirement of WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld.

Metro Board announces retirement of General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Jeanette.Cook

From WMATA:

“Metro Board Chairman Paul C. Smedberg announced that General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld, age 66, gave notice today that he will retire from Metro in six months, after more than six years at the helm of the regional transit agency.

“Forty plus years in transportation teaches you that there is no set mile marker for this decision, but given the seismic shifts happening in transit and the region, Metro needs a leader who can commit to several years of service and set a new course.” Wiedefeld said. (more…)

“Metro to focus on root cause analysis and technology solutions prior to return of 7000-series railcars”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by Eric P.

From WMATA:

“Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld said today he will not resume the placement of 7000-series trains into passenger service for about 90 days to allow Metro engineering and mechanical experts time to focus on root cause analysis and acquire technology to measure 7000-series wheelsets.

During the 90-day period, Metro will accelerate efforts to restore 6000-series railcars to increase the availability of newer cars in the fleet and improve reliability for customers. (more…)

Starting Monday “Metrobus will reduce service on weekdays to a Saturday schedule with additional trips on some routes”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by rebecca

From WMATA:

“Metro’s Pandemic Taskforce is taking swift actions to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees against the recent surge in COVID-19 variants. Due to growing absenteeism rates across service areas related to COVID illness and exposures, Metro is reducing service schedules and implementing new workforce actions effective Monday, January 10.

“Scaling back service will ensure customers who rely on Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess for transportation have a more reliable schedule,” said CEO/GM Paul Wiedefeld. “Metro employees live in some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic and are exposed to the surge in the region and throughout the nation. It’s important that the taskforce take steps to make Metro operationally sound to meet the needs of our customers.”

Metro service levels will operate as follows: (more…)

“Metro Pauses 7000-series railcar ramp up”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by nevermindtheend

From WMATA on Thursday:

“Metro’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld today paused the return of additional 7000-series railcars to passenger service, ordering a new regime of daily 7000-series inspections.

Although there are no new issues of concern, the Chief Safety Officer and Chief Operating Officer met with the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (the independent consultant Metro hired to help with its root cause analysis following the derailment) and Metro officials concluded in an abundance of caution that moving to a nightly inspection of 7000-series railcars is the prudent course of action. (more…)

“Metro to to gradually return nearly half of the 7000-series railcars to passenger service” after “pause for 90 days without further release of additional cars until all aspects of the new inspection cycles are fully established”

By Prince Of Petworth


photo by nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“Metro announced that it has reached another step in the process to restore the 7000-series railcars to service. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has informed Metro that it has no technical objections to the final plan submitted to gradually return nearly half of the 7000-series railcars to passenger service with the metered release of no more than 336 railcars. This will provide an additional 42 trains for more frequent, reliable service. Metro will pause for 90 days without further release of additional cars until all aspects of the new inspection cycles are fully established and any needed adjustments are made under WMSC oversight. (more…)

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