metro

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.”

L’Enfant Plaza, 5:35pm. Photo by Nadine

L’Enfant Plaza 5:25pm photo by @baseballot

Nathaniel Rakich tweets us:
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“I’ve been to almost 100 #Nats games and I’ve never seen L’Enfant Plaza this crowded.”

L’Enfant Plaza 5:38pm photo by Helen Bradshaw

Gallery Place 5:30pm. Photo by Chad

Gallery Place 5:32pm. Photo by Marc Pitarresi

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

“Dear PoPville,

I just logged into my Smartrip online account to add money to my card. I also have 3 cards that I purchased for when I have guests. I noticed that the balance on one is zero. There had been money up until a few weeks ago. I just called to inquire and was told that Metro archives the money on cards that are not frequently used. Supposedly, the money will automatically reappear once it is used again but the agent wasn’t sure if it would appear immediately or make me add money until it did.

This is ridiculous. We pay for the card and we pay to put money on them. We should not have to pay again to get our money back. I have griped for a while that if you add money or a pass online and only ride the bus, it can take up to 2 days before the money appears on your card.”

“Dear PoPville,

This is Farragut North at K Street this morning. Three escalators: one going up (packed), one broken (empty), and one going down (empty). However, there is a huge line all the way down through the turnstiles to the train platform to exit the station. Yesterday, the station manager actually had to shut down the turnstiles and force people from this exit because it was too crowded. Seems like a real waste. No one is working on the broken escalator (gee, wouldn’t that be a useful staircase!) but there are four metro employees standing around escalator drinking soda. Wouldn’t it also be possible to turn off the down escalator and let people walk up/down since there are so few people entering the station? While today and yesterday were particularly bad, the escalator management at this station is a daily issue (and if you met the station manager, you wouldn’t be surprised why). There have been mornings where two of the escalators are going down with no one on them and one going up with a long line. It’s this sort of poor management that again demonstrates to me that without cleaning house at the station management level, we’re throwing good money after bad.”

Side note: Metro GM appoints new chief operating officer:

“Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld today announced the appointment of Joseph Leader as the new Chief Operating Officer (COO) in charge of rail, bus and paratransit services, effective August 1. Leader will also provide executive management of Metro Transit Police, parking and support services. (more…)

Thanks to Vera for sending: “RIGHT NOW: #safetrack madness at L’enfant plaza”

Photo by PoPville flickr user James Calder

From WMATA:

“Calling all local performing artists and entertainers! Metro’s Art in Transit Program is inviting local performers of all genres—dancers, live artists, musicians, poets and more—to audition for the MetroPerforms! and Music on the Mall programs.

MetroPerforms! offers local artists the chance to make Metrorail station entrances their stage. Selected artists will perform on a volunteer basis while sharing their talents with Metro riders throughout the region.

Auditions will be held June 24, 2016, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Metro Headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC, on a first-come, first-served basis. All interested artists should visit wmata.com/metroperforms for registration information and additional details. (more…)