Transit

Just When You Think Metro Frustrations/Complaints Can’t Get Any Stranger

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for passing on this odd story from WJLA, Neighbors near Georgia Avenue Metro station report rumbling, noises:

“The noise and vibration below Georgia Avenue has become so bad, dozens of neighbors brought their concerns to WMATA officials at a Monday night community meeting.

“Metro is looking into the issue. The source of reported noise/vibration has not been determined,” a WMATA spokesperson told ABC7’s Tim Barber.”

Anyone else feel vibrations from Metro on the Green Line or any other Lines?

No More Turning Left on U Street from 14th?

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Kevin

Aly inquires this morning:

“Do you know why they took away the oh so important green arrow at the 14 and u intersection (on 14th to turn left on u)? It’s a traffic cluster since they took away the arrow.”

Kori replies:

“I wouldn’t be surprised if their next step is to make that a no left turn intersection”

I’ll share with the DDOT to see if they can confirm.

Monday Morning Metro Mess

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader reports:

“Fun times at Petworth station a little after 830.”

Earlier metro reported:

“Yellow & Green Line passengers expect delays in both directions, signal problem outside U Street. 8:27a”

Commiserate!

Lots of Metrobus Service Changes Starting December 18

By Prince Of Petworth

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From WMATA:

“Schedule adjustments, trip eliminations and changes to bus stops will be made on select Metrobus routes in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia beginning Sunday, December 18, 2016. In addition, some routes will be modified or will operate later on Friday and Saturday nights to provide customer connections due to the earlier closing time of the Metrorail system.

CHANGED ROUTES

DC: 62, 63, 80, 82, 83, 90, 92, 94, D2, E2, H6, L1, L2, N2, N4, P6, U7, V1, W8, X1, X2, X9”

Including:

“Eastbound and westbound bus stops will be added on the H Street (Hopscotch) Bridge at the bus/taxi entrance to Union Station.”

See all the changes here.

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“Several of the medical personnel were in the car with the injured/sick person…but the train left the station.”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Kevin Wolf

A reader reports:

“This morning around 8:10 AM, I exited my orange line train at Foggy Bottom to see medics (with wheeled gurney) and security guards waiting on the platform for the train car ahead of me. They entered the car and it seemed they were helping someone who was being held up. However, no one seemed to have alerted the train driver. S/he closed the train doors, while the security guards tried in vain to hold them open. Several of the medical personnel were in the car with the injured/sick person and the remainder (including the gurney) were left on the station platform frantically waving their arms at the driver, but the train left the station. Anyone know what happened here?”

“Should I have confronted the driver, or was he just doing his job?”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user nevermindtheend

“Dear PoPville,

An incident happened this morning around 7:30am while attempting to board a 70 bus. Below is the message I submitted to WMATA. I certainly understand that bus drivers have a schedule to keep and they need passengers to keep moving, but the reaction today seemed cruel when it meant leaving a family by the side of the road. On the other hand, it was rush hour, people have places to be, and being a bus driver is often a challenging/thankless job. What do others think? Should I have confronted the driver, or was he just doing his job?

“This morning WMATA employee, “Mr. B”, pulled over at the intersection of Farragut & Georgia Ave NW. Myself and a family of 5 were waiting. It took the family approximately 15 seconds to collect themselves (gather strollers, etc.). I was waiting to let them get on the bus when Mr. B shut the door in their faces. I ran up and knocked on the door and the bus did not stop.

I subsequently ran and chased the bus down at the next stop. I verbally confronted Mr. B who said “I stopped and no one moved”. This is false. We were all moving towards the doors, but it took the family a brief amount of time to collect their things. It was clear to everyone, including a crossing guard at the intersection (who also yelled at the bus as it drove by), that we wanted to get on. If nothing else, the driver should have realized this fact when I knocked loudly as he was about to pull away. (more…)

“buses couldn’t get around so they decided to pull into oncoming traffic and make their right turn across the two lanes”

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader reports:

“from North Capitol this afternoon (about 3:45). There was an accident blocking both northbound lanes that the buses couldn’t get around so they decided to pull into oncoming traffic and make their right turn across the two lanes. Not sure what else they were supposed to do in this situation, but it was entertaining to watch!”

Video after the jump. (more…)

“Traffic will be clogged like Santa in a narrow chimney. Avoid area!” Thursday

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

Deputy Mayor Donahue ‏tweets:

“Streets below closed 12/1 2:30-7pm for National Christmas Tree Lighting. Traffic will be clogged like Santa in a narrow chimney. Avoid area!”

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MPD reported:

The following streets will be closed on Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 2:30pm to 7:00pm:

Constitution Avenue, NW from 14st Street to 18th Street, NW
15th Street, NW from New York Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW
17th Street, NW from New York Avenue to Constitution Avenue, NW”

Metro Recommends Proposal No. 3 for new operating hours beginning July 1 , 2017 – Weekend Hours Would Close at 1am

By Prince Of Petworth

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Read the full report Metrorail Span of Service Recommendation

The mayor’s office issued the following response:

“Today, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) released proposed recommendations regarding Metro’s rail service after the SafeTrack rebuilding initiative. Communications Director Kevin Harris released the following statement in response:

“Our position on WMATA’s late-night service has not changed: soon after SafeTrack, late night operations should resume. As the nation’s capital and home to over 670,000 residents, we need a Metro system that works for everyone – residents, workers, employers, and visitors. That means having a Metro that stays open late as the region continues to grow. The staff recommendation falls far short of what we owe all riders: a safe, reliable system that meets their needs.”

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