Transit

“District Funds Limited-Stop Bus Route to Address Travel Challenges Along the 14th Street Corridor”

By Prince Of Petworth

14th st traffic
Photo by PoPville flickr user wolfpackWX

From the Mayor’s Office:

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced funding for the much-anticipated MetroExtra Limited Stop bus route on the 14th Street corridor.

“As the District continues to grow, so must our public transportation options,” said Mayor Bowser. “Moreover, our Administration is committed to inclusive prosperity so that residents in every corner of the District benefit from our growth. The new Route 59 is part of our ongoing efforts to enhance service and give residents more options to get to work, school and beyond.”

The new 59 route will serve the area between the Takoma Metrorail station and the Federal Triangle Metrorail station. The limited-stop bus service will operate in addition to the existing 52, 53, and 54 bus services. The route will initially operate every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours. The estimated operating cost is approximately $1.2 million annually. If approved in the budget, the funds will be in place in October 2017, allowing the 59 to begin service when the next Metrobus service adjustments occur in December 2017. (more…)

“Metro clears most weekend track work for Cherry Blossom season”

By Prince Of Petworth

cherry metro popville
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley

Ed. Note: If you get good cherry blossom photos be sure to tag us on Instagram #PoPville, upload to the PoPville flickr pool, tweet us @PoPville or email [email protected] thanks!!

From WMATA:

“This weekend, riders on the Red, Green, Orange and Silver lines will enjoy regular weekend service with no track work as Metro eases up on most daytime maintenance to accommodate Cherry Blossom visitors. For the next several weekends, the only daytime weekend trackwork will be SafeTrack related, affecting customers on the Blue and Yellow lines primarily south of Reagan National Airport in Virginia. The ongoing SafeTrack surge is a long-term project through April 12 that has Blue and Yellow line trains sharing a single track between Braddock Road and Van Dorn Street/Huntington. (more…)

“I really appreciated their kindness and looking out.”

By Prince Of Petworth

thank you
Photo by PoPville flickr user Sanjay Suchak

A reader wishes to convey this public thank you to two riders on the Red Line Friday night:

“I really appreciated their kindness and looking out. Hope to run into them again sometime.”

“To the two ladies on the Redline train Friday night who were kind enough to chat with me when the older gentleman was too (uncomfortably) talkative, thank you. I really appreciate your approach and apologize for not being more responsive. Exhausted after a week of work travel but will not forget your kindness and will be sure to pay it forward.

–The girl who got off at Woodley Park Station”

“While there is no risk to the structural integrity of the tunnel…” So we got that going for us, which is nice

By Prince Of Petworth

flood
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jordan Barab

Update:

“Metro has completed repairs to the Yellow Line tunnel south of L’Enfant Plaza where water was entering the tunnel earlier today.

The leak was first reported around 11:30 a.m. by a train operator. Metro structural engineers and inspectors responded and determined that the water was entering the system from outside the Metro system. Third-rail power was de-energized for safety reasons.

From 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Yellow Line trains were single tracking between L’Enfant Plaza and Pentagon City. Normal two-track service has been restored.

It has not yet been determined whether the source was ground water or from a non-Metro-related pipe outside the tunnel wall.

Customers should expect normal service for the evening commute. As a reminder, Yellow Line trains are scheduled to run less frequently due to SafeTrack Surge #13.” (more…)

$20 Free Lyft Rides with SoberRide for St. Patrick’s Day!

By Prince Of Petworth

st p free ride
Photo by PoPville flickr user Pablo Raw

Wow, I hadn’t realized Lyft got in on this action.

“WRAP’s 2017 St. Patrick’s Day SoberRide program will be offered 4:00 p.m. Friday, March 17 until 4:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017. Download Lyft to your phone, then enter the code in the app’s ‘Promo’ section. Valid for up to $20 off one ride taken in the Washington, D.C. coverage area. Valid for new and existing Lyft users. You must be 21 or older to use the SoberRide service.

Important note: You must be at least 21 to claim this offer. Some restrictions apply. Limited quantities available.

General SoberRide Information (more…)

Metro Storm Update – Metrobus will be on a “SEVERE snow service plan” and Metro Trains “will operate on a Saturday schedule”

By Prince Of Petworth

snow dogs
Photo by PoPville flickr user evegophotos

From WMATA:

“Metrorail
• Trains are expected to operate on a regular weekday schedule on Monday evening. The rail system will close at midnight (normal time).
Deicing/snow clearing operations will begin as the storm moves into the region. Metro’s Emergency Operations Center will monitor conditions through the overnight hours.
• On Tuesday, the rail system is expected to open at 5 a.m. with service above and below ground. All stations will be open. Trains will operate on a Saturday schedule (about every 12 minutes on each line).
• SafeTrack single tracking on the Blue and Yellow lines will remain in effect; however, personnel assigned to SafeTrack work will be redeployed to snow-clearing operations.
• On Tuesday, SafeTrack shuttle buses between Franconia-Springfield and Pentagon will not operate.
• Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updates via email or text message.

Metrobus
• Metrobus service on Monday evening may be delayed or detoured due to road/weather conditions.
• On Tuesday, Metrobus will start the day on a SEVERE snow service plan. Only selected routes will operate along major roadways. Use Metrorail as alternate if possible.  View bus routes that operate under the severe plan.
• Allow additional travel time. Check wmata.com before traveling.
• Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updates via email or text message.

MetroAccess
• MetroAccess service for customers with disabilities is SUSPENDED as of 4 p.m. Monday.
• MetroAccess service will remain SUSPENDED all day Tuesday.
• A time for service restoration has not yet been determined.”

U Street Metro’s 13th Street Entrance Closing for 6 Months on April 3rd for new Escalators

By Prince Of Petworth

ustmetro
Photo by PoPville flickr user Clif Burns

From WMATA:

“With escalator performance at a six-year high, Metro today announced that customers who use U Street Metrorail Station will be the next to benefit from the installation of new escalators, as the transit authority continues to advance a $151 million project to replace more than 130 escalators by the end of the decade.

In order to expedite the project and reduce impact to customers, neighbors and businesses, Metro will temporarily close the 13th Street entrance for the duration of the project. This will allow Metro’s contractor, KONE, to replace the two adjacent escalators at the same time, reducing the project duration by about half.

The project is expected to begin on or about April 3 and continue for approximately six months. (more…)

Heads Up: Here are all the Road Closures for Saturday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon

By Prince Of Petworth

rr race

From MPD:

“The Metropolitan Police Department wishes to advise the public that the 2017 Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 11, 2017. In order to facilitate this event there will be no vehicular traffic allowed along the routes of the race.

The race is scheduled to begin at approximately 7:30 am; however some street closures will begin as early as 2:00 am. All streets affected by this event are expected to be reopened at approximately 3:00 pm.

rr map
Map via 2017 Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon

RACE ROUTES / STREET CLOSURES

Half Marathon / Full Marathon Turns: (more…)

Metro Revised Budget Plan: “Off-peak rail service reductions originally proposed would not be implemented.”

By Prince Of Petworth

metro-3
Photo by PoPville flickr user Erinn Shirley

From WMATA:

“Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld today released a revised Fiscal Year 2018 budget plan that lessens the impact of bus and rail service changes for riders, while maintaining “balanced sacrifice” by distributing contributions between the funding partners, Metro management and employees, and customers.

“Metro listened very carefully to our customers who said they would prefer to pay a little more than lose key rail and bus services,” said Wiedefeld. “I recognize that even with some relief for customers, this proposal is tough medicine for the region, jurisdictions, riders, and Metro employees, all of whom must contribute to balance this budget.”

More than 11,000 members of the public participated in Metro’s budget surveys and public hearing, and 54 percent of them rated the General Manager’s original proposal as “very” or “somewhat” fair. By a margin of more than two-to-one, participants said they prefer fare increases over service cuts.

Wiedefeld’ s revised plan would increase rail, bus and parking fares for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2017 as originally proposed; however, in response to concerns from riders, Metro would keep its seven-day bus pass priced at $17.50, thereby allowing frequent bus riders to avoid the quarter per trip fare increase.

Other changes in the $1.82 billion revised proposal include:

Rail service proposal would only reduce frequency in peak travel periods, such that trains would operate about every 8 minutes on all lines.
Off-peak rail service reductions originally proposed would not be implemented. (more…)

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