metro

“Metro to close additional 17 stations and selected entrances amid low-ridership, need to conserve critical cleaning supplies during COVID-19 response”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced the strategic closing of 17 additional stations, effective Thursday, March 26, 2020, in an effort to conserve critical resources and protect the health and safety of Metro employees and the public. This follows drastic measures already taken to reduce travel on Metro to essential trips only, leading to a Metrorail ridership decline of 90 percent.

These steps will help reduce the risk of exposure to employees and save critical cleaning supplies for the remaining stations. While Metro increased its on-hand warehouse inventory of essential supplies, such as hospital-grade disinfectant, wipes, hand sanitizer, and other items used by Metro’s frontline employees, suppliers are experiencing delivery delays. Metro is taking action to make its current 2-3 week warehouse supply stretch until massive orders placed in late January are received.

Each Metrorail station has multiple escalators, faregates and other high touch surfaces that are being cleaned daily, including some stations with multiple entrances. By reducing the number of entrances, Metro will be able to better protect its workforce and customers and prolong the inventory of these critical supplies needed to keep the system open.

Beginning on Thursday, March 26, Metro will close 17 additional stations following the closures of Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations last week. The 19 stations will remain closed until further notice and trains will pass through without stopping.

The following stations within walking distance or close proximity (less than one mile) to an adjacent station will be closed: (more…)

Yeah, Don’t Ride Metro This Weekend (unless you are working)

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“BREAKING: Metro makes additional reductions this weekend due to workforce availability challenges; trains every 30 minutes, supplemental bus trips cancelled

Due to workforce availability challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak, Metro is making additional adjustments to this weekend’s service, Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, 2020: (more…)

“URGENT: METRO SERVICE FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT “ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY” –EFFECTIVE TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY)”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Elvert Barnes

From WMATA:

“Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced major service reductions during the ongoing pandemic response. The changes further draw-down service to protect frontline employees, while maintaining regional mobility for essential trips taken by hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The reduction takes into account the urgent public guidance from regional leaders, along with emergency orders to cancel events, close schools and offices, and limit social gatherings across the nation.

Our region is speaking with one voice: Stay home. Essential travel only.

Metro ridership was down nearly 70 percent across the board yesterday. (more…)

BREAKING: “Metro is reducing service beginning Monday.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Bill Herndon

From WMATA:

“Metro and its Pandemic Task Force continue to work around the clock to support the region and slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld directed his team to implement several new measures to strike an appropriate balance for Metro’s workforce and their families, our customers, and the region as a whole.

As of 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, Metro has further escalated its response to Phase 3 of its Pandemic Flu Plan. Phase 3 is the highest level of response and will include all subsequent mitigation steps required during the public health emergency. Metro expects to be at Phase 3 until further notice. Phase 4 is the “recovery phase” of the plan that involves Metro’s return to normal operations after the situation is under control.

Consistent with action taken by regional jurisdictions, Metro is implementing mandatory telework for administrative employees, combined with remote work assignments for selected employees whose job functions are not essential to operate trains and buses. This action is taken to maximize social distancing, a required mitigation to slow the spread of the disease. Members of Metro’s Pandemic Task Force are equipped with the latest technology tools to allow for full collaboration over secure video conferencing platforms.

To help protect employees and customers, and recognizing that many of Metro’s frontline employees are faced with tough choices as they balance work with their family priorities, including caring for children who are home from area schools, Metro is reducing service beginning Monday, as follows: (more…)

People have officially lost it

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader reports 12:45pm: “Someone on the tracks of the red line between Judy square and union station. He’s walking.
Just shut down third rail power. The train stopped for a minute or so when he got on the rail, and the conductor starting shouting through the PA system to get off the rail. Before that they had the lights on in the tunnel and were following him at a walking pace as he walked along the rail. I didn’t see him on the platform, and he disappeared like 100 yards before getting to union station. It turns out he got out on the platform and went up and out onto Mass ave.

“Metro is a ghost town”

By Prince Of Petworth

Kristin reports at 8:44am: “I mean traffic is always a little lighter on Fridays but never like this. First picture is Court House platform at 8:30am.

Next the 3rd car of the DC bound train, which even on Friday should be standing room only.

Then, Metro Center at 8:40am, taken from the Glenmont side. It’s really eerie.

On the plus side it means there’s seats or places to lean so no one has to touch the bars.”

Meanwhile on the bus: (more…)

“I would be curious to know what “service changes” could/would be put in place…”

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader writes in about a WMATA announcement, “A message to our customers regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus)” they received this morning:

“I would be curious to know what “service changes” could/would be put in place… just not run the Metro at all? Not run certain lines or portions of lines? Yikes!”

The announcement says:

“Dear Metro Customer:

We know that Coronavirus is a profound concern for many people in our region, and I want to take a moment to let you know what Metro is doing to combat community spread of the virus.

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force has been working closely since January with public health officials and jurisdictional partners, as well as with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), whose guidance we are following. Their current advice is to stay close to home if you are over 60, or are not feeling well; and to wash your hands often. Also, people who are sick are asked not to take public transportation at this time.

In addition to the measures Metro takes every day, we’ve stepped up deep cleaning and disinfecting railcars, stations, bathrooms, buses, and MetroAccess vehicles. Our staged pandemic response plan includes preparing for any service changes that may be required based on the CDC’s guidance and regional public health requirements for our employees and customers. (more…)

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