metro

“It was scary for my friend and extremely unfortunate for the man who was randomly beaten.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

My out of town guest was on the metro going from Gallery Place to Columbia Heights Thursday night around 10pm. She was standing by the doors with head phones on and she said a young-ish man across from her also had in head phones and took them out for a second to say something to 2 high school aged men standing near him, which turned out to be “Can I help you?” I guess they had been staring him down. The 2 young men proceeded to beat the crap out of him until people on the train started screaming stop and a very big man got up and approached them. (more…)

“Metro Transit Police arrest D.C. shooting suspect at Gallery Place Station”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Metro Transit Police officers on routine patrol at Gallery Place Station this morning spotted a suspect in a Northwest DC shooting that occurred yesterday evening. The suspect was taken into custody after jumping onto the Green/Yellow line tracks, causing rush-hour delays for hundreds of riders. A semiautomatic handgun was recovered at the scene.

The suspect was sought in connection with a shooting, investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department, that occurred in the 200 block of D Street NW (MPD Event # I20180425414). MPD described the shooter as a “black male, bushy top, grey t-shirt, armed with a gun.” Within minutes of the shooting, using the lookout from MPD, digital video technicians at the Metro Transit Police Security Operations Control Center discovered that an individual matching the suspect description had entered the nearby Judiciary Square Metro Station shortly after the shooting. The suspect’s photo was shared with officers from both police departments. (more…)

“Metro reminds customers that Red Line capital improvement project will close two stations for 45 days starting Saturday”

By Prince Of Petworth

From DDOT:

“The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will operate temporary bus lanes on Rhode Island Avenue NE to manage traffic during the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) planned closure of two Metrorail stations on the Red Line beginning July 21.

The temporary bus lanes on Rhode Island Avenue NE will extend from North Capitol to 12th Streets NE while repairs are completed at the Brookland and Rhode Island Metrorail Stations. The bus lanes will be operational from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, from July 21 through September 3, 2018.

During this period, WMATA will operate shuttle buses and enhanced service on the Metrobus G9 Limited route which will cause a significant increase in the volume of buses along Rhode Island Avenue NE.

In addition to the temporary bus lane, DDOT will also modify the following parking requirements along North Capitol Street and Rhode Island Avenue NE:

No Parking and No Standing or Stopping from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Monday to Saturday, on both sides of Rhode Island Avenue from North Capitol Street to 12th Street, NE.

Extend rush hour no parking restrictions by 30 minutes for morning and evening rush on North Capitol Street (600 to 3000 North Capitol Street NE/NW). Rush hours will be 7:00 am to 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. These same restrictions were in place during WMATA SafeTrack.”

From an email:

“As part of the shutdown, GGWash and I organized a petition drive to encourage DDOT and WMATA to do a “pop-up” bus lane along Rhode Island Avenue to expedite both shuttle buses and existing Metrobus options.

We’re having a happy hour on August 1 at Dew Drop Inn to talk with DDOT and the community about the process leading to the bus lane and the road (bus lane?) forward. All are welcome.”


via DDOT

From WMATA:

“Metro is encouraging Red Line customers to prepare for a major capital improvement project that will result in Brookland and Rhode Island Ave stations being closed from Saturday, July 21, 2018, through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. On the weekend of July 28-29 the work zone will be extended to Silver Spring Station, closing Takoma Station and the Red Line platform at Fort Totten. (more…)

“Metro Statement Regarding ATU Local 689 Strike Authorization”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

Update “The WMATA Board of Directors today issued the following statement:

“First and foremost, it is important to keep the customers in mind–those who rely on Metro service every day, who support the regional economy and our federal government. To ensure that Metro is always there for the millions who rely on us, the region has made a commitment to increase capital investment in Metro with the understanding that a similar commitment be made by Metro to tackle tough issues, including solving growing costs. The General Manager and his team are working to make these difficult decisions while also protecting current employees. We must find solutions together by continuing to talk and listen, as Chairman Evans recently did in a meeting with union leadership. The collective bargaining process is the appropriate and legal path to finding solutions.”

From WMATA:

“This year, the region gave Metro dedicated funding to repair and rebuild its system with a mandate to slow cost growth for operating buses and trains.. Since 2010, the region’s share of costs for bus and rail operations has grown about 8 percent a year at a time when revenues have been flat. Add to this the $2.8 billion in unfunded pension and health benefits for future retirees, and the Authority’s financial structure is not sustainable. (more…)

“Have you heard anything about them slowing the trains down between Rhode Island Avenue and Silver Spring Station?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Tim Brown

“Dear PoPville,

I ride the red line from Silver spring to downtown dc frequently. Have you heard anything about them slowing the trains down between Rhode Island Avenue and Silver Spring Station?

Trains seem to be moving much slower and or stopping frequently. Checked the WMATA website and (shocker) didn’t find anything helpful.

Any ideas?”

“free customer Wi-Fi service will be available in all underground stations by tomorrow”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mark Brueggenjohann

From WMATA:

“Metro today announced that free customer Wi-Fi service will be available in all underground stations by tomorrow, June 29. Customers can log-in by selecting the “Metro-Public” network in their device’s Wi-Fi settings.

Metro also announced today that the free customer Wi-Fi service, which began as a pilot in August 2016 to provide additional customer amenities in the stations, will now expand to aboveground stations, providing Wi-Fi to all 91 Metrorail stations by the end of 2018. (more…)

Another Important Reminder From Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

Sarah Worley shares this gem:

“Overheard at Woodley Park Metro station over intercom: “Attention Metro customers. For your convenience, Metro provides restrooms in this station. Please do not relieve yourself on the platform.”

“During the 10 commuting days customers who use these metro lines are being encouraged to plan alternate routes now and use Metro only if absolutely necessary.”

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“Metro is reminding customers to plan for two upcoming summer capital improvement projects to keep Metro on its current path of improved safety and reliability. The work will impact customers who use the Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines.

During the 10 commuting days of the Orange, Blue and Silver line work in particular, customers who use these lines are being encouraged to plan alternate routes now and use Metro only if absolutely necessary.

Metro announced both projects in February, scheduling the work for late summer when ridership is generally lighter.

One month from today, following Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week, Metro will close two stations on the Red Line – Rhode Island Ave and Brookland – to complete structural repairs at Rhode Island Ave, Metro’s oldest outdoor station. The work will begin Saturday, July 21, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.

The second capital project will impact all Blue, Orange and Silver line riders for 10 commuting days in August as Metro completely rebuilds the sharpest and most heavily traveled curve in the Metrorail system, located between Metro Center and Smithsonian stations.

For full details view news release.”

From DDOT:

“Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), announced plans to install temporary bus lanes on Rhode Island Avenue NE to manage traffic during the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s planned closure of two Metrorail stations on the Red Line beginning July 21. (more…)

This Weekend’s Metro Track Work

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Bekah Richards

From WMATA:

“Here is a summary of Metrorail service changes for Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 to allow for safety and maintenance work:

Red and Green line trains operate every 15 minutes
Orange and Blue line trains every 24 minutes
Yellow Line trains every 15 minutes, Huntington to Mt Vernon Sq only
Silver Line trains every 24 minutes, Wiehle-Reston East to Ballston only”

And in happier transit news – Piney Branch is now smooth as butter. Thanks to Paul for sending:

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