Transit

19 Year Old Arrested in Chinatown Metro this morning with “a loaded Remington 9mm RP9 handgun with one round in the chamber and 16 rounds in the magazine” after an off-duty Metrobus operator spotted him with it in NoMa

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

“An alert off-duty Metrobus operator is being credited with the safe recovery of loaded firearm that was carried onto the rail system this morning.

The employee observed a male subject on the platform of NoMa-Gallaudet Station shortly after 9:30 a.m. today. The male was seen showing the gun to another, unidentified individual prior to boarding an inbound Red Line train moments later.

The employee immediately called Metro Transit Police to report what he had observed and provided a detailed description of the subject. The train was intercepted by MTPD officers two stops away at Gallery Place. (more…)

“is there any way to get better signage on 17th St NW to indicate that it’s one way southbound during the morning rush?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Bossi

“Dear PoPville,

Yesterday morning (Tuesday, December 5), I was waiting to cross 17th Street on the east side of Farragut Square, when a car came barreling northbound from I (already going the wrong way, but traffic is usually light on that block, save for the buses), paused for a moment at K and then continued northbound. There were a number of cars heading southbound, both to the left and the right of this individual, but luckily not in their lane. I’m surprised he didn’t hit anyone and truly sorry I didn’t record this on my phone. The car turned around about two-thirds of the way up the block and maybe parked, I’m not sure. By that time I had my walk signal and crossed.

This is not the first time I’ve seen someone try to go northbound on 17th in the morning. I’ve seen cars trying to turn from westbound K onto 17th from the service lane. The signage is hard to see. I wonder if there should be larger, illuminated signs hanging from the wires with the traffic lights or an illuminated signal to indicate no turns onto 17th. I’m really worried there will be an accident one day.

Is there anyone to whose attention you can bring this?”

Paging DDOT, District Department of Transportation, please advise!!

“After fare evading, man throws LimeBike onto Metrorail tracks, sets fire to box”

By Prince Of Petworth

Well this pretty much sums up 2017.

From WMATA:

“Demarcus Joseph Graves, 50, was arrested by Transit Police yesterday evening on charges of felony malicious destruction of property, malicious burning, impeding Metro operations, fare evasion, and open warrants.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, an individual, subsequently identified as Graves, was observed on Metro digital video systems entering Minnesota Avenue Station making no attempt to pay the fare. The subject walked upstairs to the train platform where he came upon a LimeBike (bike share bicycle) that had been left there by a Metro customer.

For unknown reasons, at 7:03 p.m., the subject is observed picking up the LimeBike and throwing it onto the inbound Metro tracks. The bike landed between the two rails and was struck by an arriving Orange Line about 90 seconds later. Passengers aboard the train were safely offloaded to the platform; there were no injuries.

The impact with the bicycle caused significant damage to the undercarriage of the train. Metro was forced to single track around the incident for more than four hours before the train could be moved. (more…)

“SmarTrip cards will not permit negative balances, effective January 8… over the past 17 years, unresolved negative balances have added up to be worth about $25 million dollars.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric P.

From WMATA:

“Beginning January 8, Metro’s fare system will no longer allow customers to carry a negative balance on a SmarTrip card for Metrobus and Metrorail.

Previously, customers would be permitted to complete certain trips even though there were insufficient funds on the SmarTrip® card to pay the appropriate fare. For example, a customer with $3 on their card who takes a rail trip valued at $3.25 would be permitted to exit the rail system leaving a negative $0.25 balance on the card.

While most customers eventually load additional value to the SmarTrip card to resolve the negative balance, over the past 17 years, unresolved negative balances have added up to be worth about $25 million dollars.”

“Metro is reminding Red Line customers of a major capital improvement project starting Saturday, November 25, and continuing through Sunday, December 10.”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jordan Barab

From WMATA:

“Metro is reminding Red Line customers of a major capital improvement project starting Saturday, November 25, and continuing through Sunday, December 10. There will be no Red Line train service between Silver Spring and Fort Totten and the Takoma Station will be closed to replace a mainline interlocking, a location where trains cross from one track to the other.

The project, announced last spring, will impact 10 commuting days and was scheduled between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays when ridership is lighter.

During this time, limited free shuttle buses will replace trains between Silver Spring and Fort Totten for customers with no other travel alternatives. Customers should allow additional travel time and expect some crowding as trains will arrive less frequently than normal. (more…)

Trains Every 24 Minutes on the Orange, Blue, Silver, Yellow and Green Lines this Weekend

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Gerry Suchy

From WMATA:

“Here is a summary of Metrorail service changes on Saturday, November 18, and Sunday, November 19, to allow for safety and reliability maintenance work:

Highlights

Orange, Blue, Yellow and Green line trains every 24 minutes
Silver Line trains every 24 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston
Free shuttle buses replace Red Line trains between Medical Center and Grosvenor (more…)

“The repaving of Piney Branch will be a separate project, which is currently under design, and therefore, it is not part of the Beach Drive project.”

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to Ali for passing on:

“I saw your post a few weeks ago regarding the abysmal conditions of Piney Branch, and that inspired me to at least submit a request to DDOT since I too commute daily on that road. Over a month later, I finally received a response. Not extremely helpful, but at least we know that Piney Branch is not part of the Beach Drive project.

“This is in response to your email regarding the repaving on Piney Branch Road.

The repaving of Piney Branch will be a separate project, which is currently under design, and therefore, it is not part of the Beach Drive project.

As part of the Beach Drive project, we have been patching potholes throughout construction. As recent as last Saturday, November 4, the contractor filled in potholes on Piney Branch.

The grassy areas where the staging areas are located will be reestablished to preexisting condition after construction is done.”

“MTPD officers recover illegal firearm during fare evasion stop”

By Prince Of Petworth


gun recovered via WMATA

From WMATA:

“Two Metro Transit Police Officers sustained minor injuries yesterday afternoon following a violent struggle with a suspect armed with an illegal firearm.

The officers were on routine patrol at Minnesota Avenue Station at approximately 3 p.m. yesterday when they observed a male subject fare evade by squeezing his body through the fare gates as he entered the station. (more…)

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