Transit

Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

From WMATA: “The following statement was issued today by Metro’s Board of Directors:

“The Board is outraged and dismayed that anyone working at Metro would have critical safety information and not act on it immediately. It is totally unacceptable that the wide gauge track problem reported yesterday by the General Manager could go unaddressed and unrepaired for four weeks. This is a breakdown of the organization’s chain of command and our safety culture. We obviously have much work ahead of us to improve the organization’s safety culture, and we will do so,” said Metro Safety Committee Chair Michael Goldman, speaking on behalf of the Board. “However, Jack Requa’s transparent release of information, as well as his actions to order immediate track inspections and gather information to hold people accountable at every level, is what the Board expects and what the circumstances demand.

“The Board has directed the General Manager to complete his operational investigation within 10 days that will explain to the Board and our riders how this track deficiency went unrepaired for so long. The Board looks forward to learning how the chain of command broke down and where the responsibility lies. This is an unforgivable breach of safety that needs to be dealt with firmly and swiftly.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

From Fox 5:

“The derailment of a non-passenger train outside the Smithsonian Metro station last Thursday was caused by a track defect that was discovered on July 9 but not fixed, Metro said.

Following the derailment, Requa ordered a system-wide inspection of every mile of track, which could take up to a month to complete. He said customers can expect delays in the coming days as possible additional track repairs are made.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

From WMATA:

“Reconstruction of the Metrorail system will continue over the weekend of August 7-9 with service adjustments on five rail lines beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Sunday.

This weekend, Green Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals. Yellow and Blue Line trains will operate every 20 minutes. Red Line trains will operate every 8-16 minutes with additional trains between Silver Spring and Friendship Heights between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

From 12:01 a.m. Saturday through closing Sunday, buses will replace Orange and Silver Line trains between Ballston, West Falls Church and McLean stations. East Falls Church station is closed. Orange and Silver Line trains will operate every 12-20 minutes outside the work zone.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

Wow, can’t say I remember this happening! From WMATA:

“Metro Interim General Manager/CEO Jack Requa today announced the issuance of a SmarTrip credit to all riders using Smartrip cards who traveled on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines today.

Each rider who used a SmarTrip card to enter and exit the system and traveled on the Blue, Orange or Silver lines between the hours of 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. today will automatically receive a credit on their card for the fare they were charged at the gates. Qualifying riders will receive the credit on their SmarTrip card early next week when they tap their card at a Metro faregate or fare machine.

The credits will be processed automatically to SmarTrip cards, no action is required by customers to receive the credit.

“We absolutely understand the frustration among our Blue, Orange and Silver line customers,” said Metro Interim General Manager/CEO Jack Requa, who regularly commutes on the Orange line. “Given the significant service disruptions that inconvenienced riders over multiple commutes this week, we are taking this step to thank everyone for bearing with us. I also offer a sincere apology to everyone who was inconvenienced.”

The Blue, Orange and Silver lines were disrupted yesterday due to a derailment of a non-passenger train outside Smithsonian Station. During the morning, buses replaced trains between McPherson Square and Federal Center SW stations. That was followed by single tracking through the afternoon and evening that resulted in lengthy delays for many riders.

This morning, Orange and Silver line service was disrupted due to a loss of third-rail power on the inbound track outside East Falls Church Station. The passengers aboard a Silver Line train in the area without power had to be assisted by emergency responders to East Falls Church Station. Rail service was suspended for approximately 30 minutes and then followed by single tracking until just before noon.

Paper farecards, used by less than 10 percent of all riders, do not qualify for the travel credit.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Ryan Bowley

@MetroTransitPD tweeted:

“7:00 – All pax are safely off disabled train (no power) & now at E Falls Ch sta. Process of restoring power to other track shortly. #wmata”

“6:54 a.m. – In process of assisting pax walk from train w/o power ~500 ft to East Falls Church Station. No reports of any issues. #wmata”

“MTPD & FD o/s at East Falls Church w/train outside station with no power. Planning to walk passengers off train to station. 6:25am”

In happier Orange line news “Two-track service has been restored btwn McPherson Sq & Federal Center SW“

via WMATA

From WMATA:

“Metro has restored limited rail service using a single track between McPherson Square and Federal Center SW stations. The restoration of service follows the successful re-railing of two railcars from the non-passenger train that derailed this morning at a switch location outside Smithsonian.

Trains will operate as follows:

Orange Line: Trains running in both directions between Vienna and New Carrollton. Trains will run less frequently than normal due to single tracking and will bypass Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations.
Blue Line: Trains running in both directions between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center. Trains will run less frequently than normal due to single tracking and will bypass Federal Triangle and Smithsonian stations.
Silver Line: Trains will run ONLY between Wiehle-Reston East and East Falls Church. Silver Line riders traveling between DC and Virginia should transfer to/from Orange Line trains at East Falls Church.

Federal Triangle & Smithsonian Stations Remain Closed

In the interest of reducing train delays through the single tracking area, two stations — Federal Triangle and Smithsonian — will remain closed.
All Orange and Blue line trains will run non-stop between Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza (bypassing Federal Triangle and Smithsonian).
Free shuttle buses will run in a continuous loop between Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian and L’Enfant Plaza. (Federal Triangle is a 0.3 mile walk to Metro Center. Smithsonian is a 0.4 mile walk to L’Enfant Plaza.)
NOTE: Only riders traveling to/from Federal Triangle or Smithsonian need to use shuttle bus service. All other riders can remain on the train.”