From WMATA:
“Metro is reminding customers of upcoming construction on the Red Line for improvements to the tunnel ventilation system. The work, beginning Saturday, July 17 through Sunday, August 29, requires around-the-clock single tracking between Dupont Circle and Van Ness stations. (more…)
C asked on Saturday “anyone else experiencing several wmata auto load charges today? 5 so far for me today and cards show no use.”
Others replied: (more…)
Photo by Victoria Pickering
From WMATA:
“NEW: Beginning Sunday, July 18, Metro will be open until midnight seven days a week.
-Monday-Friday: 5:00 am-midnight
-Saturday: 7:00 am-midnight
-Sunday: 8:00 am-midnight”
and for the 4th of July: (more…)
Photo by LaTur
From WMATA:
“Amazon and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) today announced a goal to create more than 1,000 new affordable housing units at Metro Stations throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. Amazon is committing $125 million in below-market capital to expedite development of affordable homes so that moderate- to low-income families in the National Capital Region can afford to live in communities with easy access to employment, schools, healthcare, education, and other amenities. The investment is part of Amazon’s Housing Equity Fund, a more than $2 billion commitment to preserve and create over 20,000 affordable homes through below-market loans and grants to housing partners, traditional and non-traditional public agencies, and minority-led organizations. (more…)
Now that metro is getting back to good…
From WMATA:
“As part of Metro’s investment in safety and reliability, construction will begin in July on the first of two major capital projects on the Red Line that will upgrade the tunnel ventilation system and repair deteriorating platform canopies. The work is expected to cause significant impacts for customers, with around-the-clock single tracking and station closures.
“It is important that we continue with this safety critical work so that we are ready and able to resume normal operations as the region reopens,” said Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We will be working around the clock, seven-days a week, to maximize efficiencies and allow us to get the work done more quickly.”
Beginning Saturday, July 17, and continuing through Sunday, August 29, Metro and its contractor will install new, more powerful fans in the tunnels between Woodley Park and Cleveland Park as part of a pilot project to improve tunnel safety in the event of a smoke or fire emergency. (more…)
Photo by Bekah Richards
From WMATA:
“Metro’s Board of Directors today approved improvements to Metrobus and Metrorail service and fares that will support the region’s recovery and encourage more customers to return to transit.
Rail service will be extended to midnight, seven days a week, in July, and other bus and rail service improvements and fare changes will start being implemented in the Fall, beginning Labor Day weekend, as many in the region prepare to go back to work and school.
“This package of service and fare changes makes it easier for riders to return to Metro and give transit a try,” said Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “The Board today voted to provide more frequent trains and buses, addresses the historic transfer fee to promote connecting from bus to rail, and includes special weekend fares that will encourage visitors and area families to take transit as they start traveling again.”
Dates of key service changes and improvements will be detailed in future announcements. The improvements approved by the Board today include: (more…)
“Dear PoPville,
I am wondering if someone can give me information on what the “period remaining value” means in your WMATA balance?
Like a lot of people, I stopped filling my SmartBenefits order/tax free method of loading mySmartTrip card in April 2020. I’ve only ridden the metro/bus a handful of times since then and when I tapped my card last time, the turnstile indicated that my current balance on the card was over $1,000! (more…)
If you missed our look back on commemorative smartrip cards, you can see them here.
Ed. Note: Info on iPhone and Apple Watch action here.
From WMATA:
“Metro today announced the launch of SmarTrip® on Google Pay, providing more options and more convenience to Android™ customers wherever they go on the Metro system. SmarTrip — the way to pay for Metro and all regional transit providers in the Washington, DC area — allows the ease to tap-and-go on any Android compatible phone using the Google Pay app.
As the region recovers from the pandemic and more riders return, customers will find managing their SmarTrip card even easier with Google Pay, with more functionality from the app. Customers can transfer an existing SmarTrip card or purchase a new one, and instantly add value or passes. (more…)
Thanks to Allie for sending: “Found a cicada commuting on the Silver line this morning!”
And thank to Rachael for giving a taste of just how loud these guys can get: (more…)
Photo by Cristina M Villegas
From WMATA:
“Customers are reminded that on May 29, one week after Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery reopen, the next phase of the program kicks off when four Green and Yellow line stations will close through September 6. (more…)