@mcbyrne tweeted us the above photo from the U Street station around 5:40pm.
And in other yellow/green line trouble – earlier @metrorailinfo tweeted:
“Green/Yellow Line: Single tracking btwn L’Enfant Plaza & Mt. Vernon Square due to a track problem outside Archives. Delays both directions.”
Around 6pm DJ emails us – “Insane lines at Farragut West Station”:
Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw
From WMATA:
“Metro is advising riders on the Blue and Yellow lines of the possibility of 20 to 30 minute delays during the morning commute due to a broken rail between Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport stations.
The broken rail, located south of the airport, will require that crews install a new 39-foot section of rail. Blue and Yellow line trains will single track between Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport stations until repairs are completed.
Broken rails (also known as “cracked” rails) can be caused by sharp changes in temperature as a result of the expansion of metal in heat and contraction in cold. A rapid change from expansion to contraction can cause the steel rails to develop breaks that must be repaired before trains can safely pass the area. Most rail breaks are detected automatically by Metro’s signal system.
Reagan National Airport has seen a 50-degree swing in temperatures over recent days, from a high of 59 degrees on Monday to a low of 9 degrees on Wednesday.”
UPDATE: “As of 8 a.m., Metro personnel have completed repairs to the broken rail south of Reagan National Airport. Trains are no longer single tracking. Riders can expect minor residual delays as service returns to normal.”
Update: @wowindc tweets us the scene at Gallery Place around 8:45am:
From the DC Taxicab Commission:
“The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) announced that applications will be accepted for new L-Tags. Passenger demand for sedan service and the increased number of eligible drivers who recently completed driver training have driven the need for more vehicles to meet the transportation needs of the market. The proliferation of digital dispatch services to connect riders and drivers has caused DCTC to respond to this service option to ensure the supply of vehicles can meet the demands of the marketplace.
Applicants must complete and submit to DCTC the Public Vehicle For Hire Registration Form that is also known as the One Stop Form. Applicants will be required to provide their signature to attest to the truthfulness of submitted documentation. A list of all required documentation is outlined with the One Stop Form. Vehicles must be titled in the District and owners are urged to review the standards for eligible vehicles prior to making any purchases.
DCTC will review applications and notify the applicant within ten days. After receiving pre-approval from DCTC, the applicant must pass a “for hire” vehicle inspection performed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in order to have the vehicle titled, registered and issued an L-tag from DMV.
The fee for independent owners with one vehicle is $250; the fee for companies with two or more vehicles is $475. The vehicle license fee is $100 per vehicle. All applicants must be based in the District. The L-Tag Application to register and complete instructions are available here.
Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley
From WMATA:
“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 17 through closing Sun, Jan. 19
Buses replace trains between Woodley Park and Metro Center
Red Line trains will operate as follows:
Between Shady Grove & Woodley Park every 10 minutes during daytime hours and every 15-20 minutes at other times.
Between Glenmont & Metro Center every 15 minutes.
Additional trains between Silver Spring & Union Station: Every 8 minutes 9AM-9PM
Stations Closed: Farragut North and Dupont Circle
Boarding Location Change: All Red Line trains will board from the Glenmont platform at Gallery Place.
Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Woodley Park and Metro Center to allow for infrastructure renewal. Shuttle buses will operate on two routes:
Express Buses will operate non-stop between Woodley Park and Metro Center. Add 20 minutes of travel time.
Local Buses will operate between Woodley Park and Metro Center, making intermediate stops at Dupont Circle and Farragut North. Please allow 10 minutes of travel time for each station stop.
Work Performed: Improvements to infrastructure including third rail replacement, rail joint elimination, grout pad replacement and leak mitigation.
Last Train Time Change: The last Red Line train of the night from Shady Grove to Woodley Park will depart 37 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections. On Friday and Saturday nights, the last train will leave Shady Grove at 1:53 a.m., and on Sunday, the last train will leave Glenmont at 10:53 p.m. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user washingtonydc
From WMATA:
“Trains on the Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green lines will operate every 20 minutes. Red Line trains will run every 16 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont, with additional trains providing service from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. between Shady Grove and Union Station.
Red Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 10 through closing Sun, Jan. 12
Trains every 8-16 minutes
Red Line trains will operate as follows:
Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 16 minutes throughout the weekend
Between Shady Grove & Union Station: Every 8-10 minutes from 9AM-9PM only
Work Performed: Fence replacement and light pole installation between NoMa-Gallaudet & Rhode Island Ave stations
Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 10 through closing Sun, Jan. 12
Trains every 20 minutes
Orange Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend.
Work Performed: Ongoing major platform reconstruction at Minnesota Ave and Deanwood stations
Blue Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 10 through closing Sun, Jan. 12
Trains every 20 minutes
Blue Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend.:
Work Performed: Improvements to track infrastructure, including rail joint elimination, rail and fastener renewal, between Pentagon City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stations
Yellow Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 10 through closing Sun, Jan. 12
Trains every 20 minutes between Hungtington & Mt Vernon Square
Yellow Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend. All trains will operate to/from Mt Vernon Sq, rather than Fort Totten. Riders traveling to/from stations north of Mt Vernon Sq should use Green Line trains and transfer at Mt Vernon Sq.
Work Performed: Improvements to track infrastructure, including rail joint elimination, rail and fastener renewal, between Pentagon City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stations
Green Line 10 p.m. Fri, Jan. 10 through closing Sun, Jan. 12
Trains every 20 minutes
Green Line trains will operate every 20 minutes throughout the weekend to allow for qualification and acceptance testing of new 7000-series railcars.”
No Pants Metro Ride 2014 [Washington DC] Hosted by Capitol Improv:
“Sunday at 2:00pm
Meet at Hancock park by L’Enfant Plaza Metro – We will have a brief pre-ride meeting starting at 2PM and release people into the metro thereafter for the ride.
If you want to continue the party, there will also be an afterparty at Level One / 30 Degrees near the DuPont Circle Metro starting at 5 for drinks, food and no-pants fun. Google Maps link here: http://tinyurl.com/nya3uxh
Remember – the goal is to appear as if you had no idea that you were missing pants or that you knew but didn’t think it was a big deal.
Make sure you have a place to keep your pants on your person and hidden like a bag or backpack.
Also – if any figure of authority tells you to put your pants back on, do as they say. Unfortunately indecency laws are entirely subjective and while we haven’t had any major problems in the past, we’d like to keep on DC Metro’s good side so the event can continue for years to come.
See you at the park!”
Photo by PoPville flickr user ep_jhu
From WMATA:
“Metro announced that the Authority will begin testing a new electronic payment program after awarding Accenture (NYSE: ACN) the contract to replace the existing fare collection systems for Metrorail, Metro-operated parking facilities, Metrobus and MetroAccess services.
The $184 million contract was awarded on a best value basis, following a competitive procurement process that included an examination of the technical capabilities of the shortlisted companies and their proposals, historical performance, and value for money.
The new system will be designed to provide a state of the art system for Metro customers that enables them to continue to use SmarTrip cards, while expanding fare payment to chip-enabled credit cards, federal government ID cards, and mobile phones using near field communications (NFC).
“While Metro pioneered the tap and go system we currently use, by today’s standards that system is cumbersome and the technology is not sustainable,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “The new technology will provide more flexibility for accounts, better reliability for riders, and real choices for customers to use bank-issued payment cards, credit cards, ID cards, or mobile phones to pay their Metro fares.” (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Jen Morrissey
“Dear PoPville,
Please ask the ether to help me understand the new automated enforcement of the traffic laws.
Specifically, what will cause me to receive a ticket for pedestrian in the roadway and blocking the box? If a pedestrian is in the crosswalk on the other side of a four lane road and I cross when their foot steps onto the roadway, will I get a ticket? If the back of my car is in the intersection at the second the light turns red, will I get a ticket?
The silly ad campaign the District is running only informs you that they are ticketing for these offenses but doesn’t say what constitutes an offense. It seems almost as though the DC gov is trying to be vague so as to increase ticket revenue. “NEVER!” They’ll say.
HELP!!!!”
@wowindc tweets us the photo above and writes – “Giving up at Gallery Place & walking.”
Photo via @Mayorvincegray
From a press release:
“The 7000-series railcars will be tested on the system over the next several months, and Metro will send data back to the Kawasaki production facility in Lincoln, Neb. to finalize the railcar design process. Full-scale production of the new cars is expected to begin in mid-2014.
Elements of the car that were influenced by customer feedback include:
• Interior layout, including placement of hand holds, privacy screens and seat positions
• Seat design and material
• Flooring materials and colors
• Lighting
• Design of exterior front of the train
• Accessibility elements, including markings of priority seating and call buttons
Safety is at the forefront in the design of the 7000-series cars, which are:
• Built to meet improved crashworthiness standards to absorb maximum energy in the event of a collision,
• Equipped with event recorders, meeting federal requirements,
• Constructed to meet rigorous fire safety standards, including those from the National Fire Protection Association and the American Public Transportation Association,
• Equipped with digital video surveillance systems, providing full coverage of the passenger area, operator cab and front windshield, and
• Equipped with “anti-climbers” that help keep cars upright and in-line in the event of a collision.
The new rail cars include a customer-preferred blue and grey interior color scheme and offer a slate of new features and customer amenities, including:
• Stainless steel car body for increased durability
• 64 vinyl padded seats and seat-back hand grasps
• Six different station destination signs, including two dynamic LCD route maps and four video screens in each car
• LCD map displays to allow customers to easily track their location
• LED screens that provide current and upcoming station information
• Improved seats that provide more knee room and better lumbar support
• Wider aisles (34 inches verses 32 inches on older cars) to facilitate movement within the car
• Additional space near the doors for standees and wheelchairs
• Resilient nonslip flooring, rather than carpet
• High-tech automated public address systems
• Closed circuit cameras for added safety and security
• More reliable door systems using proven technology
• Added handholds in the door area and vertical poles added at each seat – for a total of 25% more linear feet of bars than in Metro’s 6000-series cars
• Enhanced lighting and privacy screens in the vestibule area
The first 7000-series trains, which will all be eight-cars in length, are expected to enter service late this year. Unlike earlier railcar series that can be “mixed and matched” within a single train, the 7000-series cars will operate only with other 7000-series cars. The cars will also be in a “quad-unit configuration,” meaning that the cars will operate in four-car sets, allowing the accommodation of 40 more passengers per eight-car train than an older models because of fewer operator compartments.
By 2018, more than half of Metrorail’s fleet is expected to be comprised of 7000-series cars. Metro currently has 528 new railcars on order—300 to replace all 1000-series cars, fulfilling a recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board, plus an additional 128 cars to handle ridership growth as a result of the Silver Line. The 7000-series cars will run throughout the Metrorail system, on all lines. Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles has announced that, as part of Metro’s 2025 strategic plan, the Authority hopes to order another 220 cars in 2015 to provide more eight-car trains (the longest possible length) for more capacity during peak periods.”