metro

Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

From WMATA:

“Metro customers are experiencing fewer train offloads, better on-time performance, and fewer unscheduled delays as a result of new railcars, improved maintenance programs, and schedule enhancements – positive trends that show Metro is delivering on its commitment to move the system “back to good.”

Following the conclusion of the SafeTrack emergency maintenance program in June, Metro customers have seen improvements in Metrorail service reliability. In August, 89 percent of trips (13.6 million trips) arrived on time based on actual customer “tap in/tap out” travel time data. Metro credits the accelerated delivery of popular 7000-series railcars–combined with the retirement of all 1000- and 4000-series railcars months ahead of schedule, fewer track delays, improved railcar maintenance and recent schedule adjustments–with helping to keep customers on time. (more…)

From Metro Transit Police:

“Metro Transit Police today arrested Opal L. Brown, 38, of Southeast Washington, DC, for assaulting a Metrobus operator by throwing her own urine on Saturday, August 28, 2017.

Brown was arrested by MTPD detectives at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station shortly before noon today.

According to police, Brown was riding an X2 Metrobus on Saturday evening. Shortly before 6 p.m. on-board digital cameras captured Brown relieving herself into a cup toward the rear of the bus. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From WMATA:

“Weekend service adjustments August 26-27 for scheduled maintenance

Advisory Effective: 8/25/17 – 8/27/17

Maintenance work over the weekend of August 26-27 to keep trains operating safely and reliably.

Highlights

Yellow and Green line trains operate regular weekend service
Red Line trains will operate regular weekend service all day Saturday and after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday
Buses replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle, see below for details
Silver Line trains operate regular weekend intervals between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston (more…)

via ACLU

From a press release:

“The American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates in the District of Columbia and Virginia today challenged the Washington area transit system’s advertising restrictions as violations of the First Amendment. The free speech lawsuit follows the rejection of ads from four groups that hail from across the political spectrum, images of which are here.

The case was filed on behalf of the ACLU; women’s health care collective Carafem, specializing in family planning and abortion care; Milo Worldwide LLC, the company of conservative commentator and writer Milo Yiannopoulos; and animal rights non-profit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rejected a series of ACLU ads displaying the text of the First Amendment in English, Spanish, and Arabic; a Carafem ad for medication abortions using what is described as the “10-Week-After Pill”; and several PETA ads suggesting that people “Go Vegan.” Ads for Yiannopoulos’ new book, “Dangerous,” were first accepted by WMATA, then removed from the transit system after riders complained. (more…)

Sarah writes at 9am: “We should not have to wait 13 minutes for a train from U St during rush hour!”

Ed. Note: Obviously we never all agree on something so, is 9am considered rush hour?

But for the record I too think 13 minutes wait is an excruciating one at that hour (unless it is because of an emergency/breakdown.)

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering if you knew what’s up with TSA doing random security checks at the Columbia Heights metro this morning?”

We’ve spoken frequently about Metro Transit Police inspections but this is the first I’m hearing of TSA security. Anyone else see increased security at other stations? If so, did you notice if it was TSA or Metro Transit Police?

Photo by PoPville flickr user bajidc

From WMATA:

“General Manager & CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld announced today that a track department supervisor has been dismissed for abuse of overtime, and others are under administrative review.

“It is disturbing and disappointing that any employee would misuse overtime. The supervisor in this matter has been dismissed effective immediately,” said Wiedefeld. “As stewards of the public’s trust, all of us at Metro must hold ourselves to a standard of conduct that is above suspicion and reproach. We have a code of ethics that prohibits abuse of employment here for private gain.”

The administrative review was prompted by an interim report from Metro’s Office of Inspector General, which is conducting an ongoing investigation into overtime fraud. (more…)

The Washington Post reported WMATA will:

“consider selling the naming rights to some stations — despite ongoing concerns about the risks of adding commercial brand names to historic Metro stops.”

Good way to raise revenue?

Before you answer just think how much coffee that would buy.