metro

Photo by PoPville flickr user Joe Flood

From WMATA:

“Red Line trains will continuously single track between Takoma and Silver Spring from August 1 through August 7, 2016.

On weekdays:

Red Line trains will run between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet every 6 minutes during AM/PM rush; every 12 minutes midday and evening. Passengers traveling to stations north of NoMa-Gallaudet must transfer to continue their trip.
Red Line trains will run between Glenmont and Grosvenor every 12 minutes. Customers traveling to stations north of Grosvenor must transfer to continue their trip.
After 10pm trains will run between Shady Grove and Glenmont every 15 minutes.
Customers traveling between Fort Totten and Downtown DC should use the Green Line as an alternative.
All Red Line customers should consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush-hour periods if possible.

Red line trains may be very crowded, especially during rush hour due to severe service reductions. Expect significantly longer wait times at the following stations: (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Hugh Clarke

From WMATA:

“To support long-term maintenance strategy, Metro GM to propose closing rail system at 10 p.m. on Sundays and midnight every other night on a permanent basis

Following rail expert and peer transit agency recommendations, Metro GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld plans to propose closing the Metrorail system at 10 p.m. on Sunday nights and continue midnight closures on all other nights beyond the conclusion of the one-year SafeTrack program. The move will require Board approval following a public engagement process this fall. (more…)

From WMATA:

“Following yesterday’s release of real-time train data to app developers, Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld today invited the public to preview an entirely redesigned wmata.com, which is entering the final stages of development.

For the first time in eight years, Metro is overhauling its website and, during a multi-week beta period, customers are being asked to try out the redesigned site and provide feedback before the site formally launches later this summer.

Nearly half of Metro customers visit wmata.com at least once a month to plan a trip, and 60 percent of those users visit the site via mobile device, a dramatic increase from just two years ago. To respond to this trend, the new website is designed to look great on today’s smartphones and tablets, seamlessly adapting to the user’s environment based on screen size and orientation.

“Metro’s new customer-focused website builds on our commitment to being more accountable, clear and transparent with the way we deliver customer information,” said Wiedefeld. “The new site gives riders the tools they use the most, front and center, in a much more mobile friendly, easy-to-use format. We look forward to incorporating additional customer feedback as this final testing phase gets underway.”

Via WMATA

From WMATA:

“Line segment shutdown between National Airport and Braddock Rd. from 8PM July 5 through closing July 11, 2016.

On weekdays:

Blue Line will operate in two segments:
Trains will run every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road
Trains will run every 12 minutes between National Airport and Largo Town Center
Yellow Line will operate in two segments:
Trains will run every 12 minutes between Huntington and Braddock Road
Trains will run every 12 minutes between National Airport and Greenbelt
Service between DC and Reagan National Airport available via train
Limited free shuttle buses will operate via Metroway lanes between Braddock Road Crystal City and Pentagon City stations
Limited free shuttle buses run between Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport (airport customers only)
Blue/Yellow customers are encouraged to consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible; expect significant crowding on Blue & Yellow line trains

Weekend train frequencies may change to coordinate with other planned track work on the Metrorail system. Weekend service information is posted in the Alerts & Advisories section

Tap your SmarTrip card each time you enter and exit the Metrorail system. Riders traveling through the work zone will be charged for a single, continuous trip.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Collin Anderson

From WMATA:

“Responding to customer feedback, Metro today implemented a grace period at all rail stations, allowing customers who enter through the faregates to change their mind within 15 minutes and exit the system at the same station without penalty. The initiative was included in Metro GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld’s Customer Accountability Report (CARe) and went into effect today following technical upgrades to the fare system and weeks of testing.

“This is all about refocusing on our customers,” said GM/CEO Wiedefeld. “If I’m in line at the coffee shop and I decide I want to leave, I don’t expect to be charged.”

The new grace period policy permits riders who enter a station, particularly during a service disruption, to exit the same station within 15 minutes and receive a SmarTrip credit offsetting the base rail fare of $2.15 in the peak and $1.75 in the off-peak. Previously, customers entering and exiting at the same station would be charged the base fare, even if they did not travel.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Victoria Pickering

From WMATA:

“Metro will provide frequent rail service during the evening hours of Monday, July 4, to accommodate those attending the fireworks display on the National Mall.

Several hundred thousand passengers are expected to take Metrorail on Independence Day, with crowds primarily traveling to and from the 9:10 p.m. fireworks display on the Mall, as well as other events around the region. Metrorail service will operate from 7 a.m. until midnight, with near rush-hour service levels before and after the fireworks. Off-peak fares will be in effect for the entire service day.

There will be no scheduled track work anywhere on the system on the holiday. Trains will operate on a regular service pattern. Rush Plus Yellow Line service (Yellow Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt) will not operate. (more…)

A reader reported at 9:30pm (presumably due to scheduled track work):

“Yellow and green now completely shut down. Typical metro, no warning at any station (not even gallery place). Must take the train up to Ft Totten to get to yellow/green northbound. I complained to these guys that metro should at least warn people at other stations. Surprise, surprise, the response was “it’s not my job” and “I just want to go home”.”

Ed. Note: I saw on WMATA’s website but it’s not clear (to me) that the tracks would be completely shut down. Perhaps it was due to the smoking incident earlier:

“Weeknight Metrorail rebuilding June 26 – June 30 2016

Green Line: 20-25 minutes

Monday through Thursday single tracking between Georgia Avenue-Petworth & Prince George’s Plaza to allow for switch replacement.”