Photo by DCbmyers
From WMATA:
“Metro is preparing for a major capital project that will rehabilitate the Yellow Line Bridge spanning the Potomac River and repair the steel lined tunnel between Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza stations, both of which date to original construction more than 40 years ago. In an effort to address this critical need, Metro is streamlining the design and construction to save time and money. (more…)
Photo by Bradley Joines
From WMATA:
“The public comment period for Metro’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget is officially open, and Metro’s Board of Directors wants your feedback. Metro is encouraging anyone impacted by changes in this budget to make their voice heard before the comment period ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16.
Metro is facing a significant budget shortfall due to a decrease in ridership caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with ridership down about 90 percent and 60 percent on Metrorail and Metrobus, respectively. Federal relief funding has allowed Metro to avoid layoffs, continue providing essential travel service, and prepare for transit ridership to return. However, even with the additional federal funding and management actions such as limiting the use of contractors and shrinking Metro’s workforce by attrition, there is not enough money to fill the entire budget gap for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021. (more…)
Ed. Note: When’s the last time you rode metro or the bus?
From WMATA:
“Metro escalators are the link that brings customers in and out of stations every day, and a new contract to replace 130 escalators will continue an aggressive, decade-long program to replace and restore the oldest and least reliable escalators in the system. The $179 million, seven-year contract, awarded to KONE, includes the installation of heavy duty, transit grade escalators at 32 stations beginning in May 2021. The new escalators will incorporate the latest safety features, including LED lighting. (more…)
From WMATA:
“Metro is reminding customers that beginning Saturday, February 13, the Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery stations will be closed for platform reconstruction and station improvements.
The work will continue through Sunday, May 23, to allow for platform reconstruction and other station improvements, including the installation of more energy-efficient LED lighting, slip-resistant tiles and new digital signage to improve customer communication.
Shuttle buses will replace trains at the two closed stations for the duration of the project, with no Blue Line service. Additional Yellow Line trains will operate from Franconia-Springfield to Mt Vernon Square; however, weekend service adjustments may be necessary due to other scheduled track work. (more…)
Photo by Jordan Barab
From WMATA:
“Amid ongoing pandemic-related budget constraints, Metro today announced upcoming changes to its lost and found procedures to reduce administrative costs so the agency can continue to prioritize its core mission: providing safe and reliable transportation for the region.
Beginning March 1, Metro’s lost and found department will work to reunite customers with lost wallets and electronics (such as phones, tablets, and laptops) only. All other items lost in the system will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned. (more…)
Rodrigo writes: “Instead of biking, I finally took the Metro home and noticed all these sensors on the walls of L’Enfant Plaza; anyone know what these are for?”
WMATA replied: “Hi Rodrigo, good eye and great question! These sensors were put in from our Engineering Department. Happy Friday!”
“Those sensors monitor geographical shifts in stations.”
Photo by Pablo Raw
From WMATA:
“Transit riders and visitors to the nation’s capital now enjoy one of the most connected wireless experiences of any rail system in the U.S. with coverage available in all tunnels. The nation’s major wireless carriers–AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon –and Metro today officially announced the final milestone, more than a decade in the making, to provide wireless service for those who use the Metrorail system. With Metro’s 100-mile tunnel network now connected to each wireless carrier’s network, customers can communicate or stream content throughout their journey from the street to the station and in the train. (more…)
Photo by Miki Jourdan
From WMATA:
“Metro today resumed service at Gallery Place and Union Station, two of the 13 stations closed due to the expanded security perimeter for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. Gallery Place serves as a major transfer station for the Red, Yellow and Green lines and Union Station as a transfer point between Metro, MARC, VRE and Amtrak. Additionally, detoured Metrobus routes will resume normal service on a route-by-route basis as roads reopen throughout the District. (more…)
From WMATA:
“Metro today announced service adjustments for Metrorail and Metrobus to accommodate the expanded security perimeter that will be in effect for Inauguration beginning Friday, January 15 through Thursday, January 21.
Metro will close 13 stations inside the security perimeter, with 11 stations closing on Friday and two additional stations on Saturday and continuing through the end of service on Thursday. During this time trains will pass through the closed stations without stopping. (more…)
Photo by Miki Jourdan
From WMATA:
“While Metro’s share of the latest federal Covid relief funding is being finalized, the preliminary estimate of approximately $610 million would avoid planned budget-related layoffs and service cuts this fiscal year (through June 30th), subject to Board approval this week.
“Thanks to the leadership of the regional Congressional delegation and Senator Warner, we will be able to keep transit employees working, providing essential service to customers in the national capital region through June 30th,” said WMATA Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “However, we will need additional federal relief to avoid service reductions next fiscal year as the region stabilizes.” (more…)